Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice update encourages experimentation

From Software tweaks Spirit Emblem cost, tones down Blazing Bull boss

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice update encourages experimentation

From Software has rolled out a new Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice update on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Notably, Sekiro update version 1.03 tweaks the Spirit Emblem cost of selected prosthetic tools, combat arts and items “to encourage usage and diversity of approach”.

It also “slightly” reduces the difficulty of the Blazing Bull boss, while introducing various bug fixes.

The update notes were posted on the game’s official site and are republished in full below.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice sales topped two million units in less than ten days following the game’s March release, according to publisher Activision.

VGC’s Sekiro review praised its smart combat system, great skill trees and more coherent than expected story, while noting, as with other From Software games, some will find it too hard.

“Sekiro is a fabulous game,” reads the 5/5 verdict. “It really feels like the culmination of From Software’s modus operandi, honed relentlessly since 2009, and while it plays pretty much like the Soulsborne games, it also feels different and fresh.”

Sekiro update version 1.03 notes:

Improvements to strategic approaches
  • Adjusted the efficiency and Spirit Emblem cost of the following to encourage usage and diversity of approach:
    • Prosthetic Tools: “Lazulite Sacred Flame,” “Loaded Axe” series, “Sparking Axe,” “Lazulite Axe”
    • Combat Arts: “Ashina Cross,” “Dragon Flash,” “One Mind,” “Floating Passage,” “Spiral Cloud Passage,” “Mortal Draw,” “Empowered Mortal Draw”
    • Items: “Spiritfall” series
  • Reduced the Posture damage dealt by the first hit of the Combat Arts “Senpou Leaping Kicks” and “High Monk” as it was causing more damage than intended in certain cases. Posture damage dealt in the latter-half of the combo has been increased.
  • Increased the Poison build-up dealt by the Prosthetic Tool “Sabimaru” against enemies that were intended to be weak against it.
  • Increased the drop rate of “Divine Confetti” for Fencers in Ashina Castle.
  • Adjusted loading screen tips and tutorial text, as well as adding new text.
Other fixes
  • Slightly reduced Posture and Vitality of Blazing Bull in order to improve game pacing and balance time in combat.
  • Lowered the price of information sold by Anayama the Peddler.
  • The Chained Ogre inside Ashina Castle is now Red Eyed.
  • Fixed a bug where “Gokan’s Sugar” and “Gokan’s Spiritfall” were not mitigating player Posture damage taken while guarding or deflecting enemy attacks.
  • Fixed a bug where system crashes could cause save data to become corrupted on PC.
  • Fixed a bug where certain enemies would sometimes stop attacking the player.
  • Fixed a bug where certain actions could not be performed after reconfiguring the controls.
  • Fixed certain bugs that were allowing the player to access unexpected areas, which could result in becoming unable to obtain items or make further progress.
  • Fixed cases of certain text being displayed incorrectly.
  • Improved stability.
  • Improved performance.
  • Other various bug fixes.
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