Sekiro Getting Started Guide: Learn the Fight Before You Grind
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Learn the exchange, not a dodge route
Sekiro rewards staying near an opponent long enough to trade attacks, deflections, and counter-attacks. A normal block keeps you alive, but a deflection just before impact adds pressure to the enemy’s Posture. When their Posture breaks, move in for the red Deathblow marker. Their Vitality still matters because damaged Vitality slows their Posture recovery, so a few clean sword hits make a long deflection exchange easier to finish.
Start with Hanbei the Undying at the Dilapidated Temple. Work through his training rather than skipping it because you know an action game. He gives you a safe place to recognise a deflection, a sweep, a thrust, and a grab without losing progress. After you meet the first Ashina general, return to see whether more training is available.
Use stealth to choose the opening
The first Outskirts stretch has roofs, grass, and grapple points for a reason. Scout a courtyard from above, remove an isolated guard, then take one Deathblow from a miniboss before you fight its remaining health bar. This is especially useful against General Naomori Kawarada and General Tenzen Yamauchi, where clearing ordinary enemies makes the actual timing lesson readable.
Do not turn every group into a duel. If a route loops back to an Idol, you can reset and choose a better opening. Idols are also where you rest, travel, and later form Prayer Necklaces. Use them to reset a bad attempt instead of spending every healing charge while trapped in a crowded courtyard.
The first practical route
From the Dilapidated Temple, take the upper line through the Ashina Outskirts to reach the Outskirts Wall – Gate Path Idol. Grapple through the broken building nearby for the Shuriken Wheel, then bring it to the Sculptor. This teaches the basic tool cycle: find a Shinobi Tool, have the Sculptor fit it, equip it in a prosthetic slot, and spend Spirit Emblems when using it.
After Kawarada, collect the early Gourd Seed and take it to Emma for another Healing Gourd use. A Gourd Seed does nothing while it sits in the inventory. Gourd Seeds and Prayer Beads explains when to return to Emma or an Idol instead of hoarding upgrade items.
Your first skill points should support what you are practising. Skills and Mikiri Counter is a better next stop than buying an expensive branch you cannot yet use. Once the rhythm feels normal, take on Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa.