SOMEHOW WE DEFEATED THE - Headless Ape |Boss Fight

Alright, fellow Sekiro shinobi, let's talk about the Headless Ape. Specifically, that nightmare fuel of a second phase. I know, I know, it feels like an entirely different boss, and honestly, for a long time, I thought it was unbeatable. But I'm here to tell you, with a bit of patience and the right strategy, you absolutely can take down this terrifying foe! When the Headless Ape reanimates and grabs that sword, the whole fight changes. Gone are the days of dodging its massive body and deflecting its swipes. Now, it's all about precision deflections and managing its new terror attacks. My biggest breakthrough came when I realized that while posture damage is still important, focusing on vitality damage in this phase is key, especially with certain tools. The first thing you need to master is deflecting its sword swings. The Headless Ape's sword combos are surprisingly readable once you get the rhythm down. Each deflection builds its posture significantly, and you'll find openings for a few quick hits on its body. Don't get greedy, though! One mistimed deflect can lead to a world of pain. Now, for its most dreaded attack: the terror scream. When you see it rear back and prepare to scream, you have two main options. If you're close enough and have the Spirit Emblems, unleash a strong combat art like Mortal Draw – it'll often interrupt the scream and deal massive vitality damage. If you're too far or don't have the Emblems, your best bet is to sprint away as fast as you can. Another fantastic option, if you have it, is the Loaded Umbrella (specifically the Phoenix's Lilac Umbrella for terror resistance). Guarding with it will completely negate the terror buildup and can even create an opening. Watch out for its overhead dive attack. This one is quite slow and telegraphed, making it perfect for a dodge to the side, giving you a small window for a couple of hits on its vulnerable body. It also has a slithering attack where it crawls towards you; just dodge backward or to the side to avoid it. My personal strategy involved a lot of hit-and-run tactics mixed with aggressive deflections. I'd bait out its sword combos, deflect them to build posture, get a few hits in, and then be ready to sprint or use my umbrella when I saw the terror scream coming. Divine Confetti can also give you a nice damage boost if you have some to spare, making the fight end a bit quicker. This fight truly teaches you the importance of understanding boss movesets and adapting your strategy. It took me so many tries, but every death was a lesson learned. Don't get discouraged by the terror or the endless sword swings. Stay calm, keep deflecting, use your prosthetics wisely, and soon you'll be celebrating your victory over the Headless Ape!