Updated May 30, 2024, by Christopher Norman Worcester: Sekiro remains incredibly popular, with players around the world starting Wolf's journey anew on a regular basis. Because of this, we want to keep our most popular Sekiro guides up-to-date with the best possible information. This update will add an original video on how to defeat the Headless mini-boss.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has a number of memorable boss fights early in the game, including the tough battle with Lady Butterfly. However, the game also has a number of mini-bosses that are significant threats to the player as well, and are often capable of killing Wolf in just a few hits.
Most of the mini-bosses players encounter in Sekiro are regular human beings, just well-armed, like the Shinobi Hunter, for instance. However, some of the mini-bosses are more supernatural-style creatures, like the Chained Ogre or the Headless, the latter of which is giving Sekiro players particular trouble. When players first encounter Headless, it may seem impossible to beat it because Wolf's attacks don't appear to do any damage. This guide will explain to players exactly what they'll need to do to beat Headless in Sekiro.
Where to Find Headless in Sekiro
Before Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice players need to worry about fighting Headless, they first have to figure out exactly where Headless is located in the game world. From the Ashina Outskirts - Underbridge Valley Sculptor's Idol save point, go forward and hug the path to the left. This will lead to a small house on the edge of a cliff, with some trees that Wolf can use his prosthetic to grapple onto.
A platform can be seen in the distance. To reach it, jump from the tree to the cliff and grab onto the ledge below. Shimmy along the ledge until reaching solid ground, and then climb up and walk into the cave. Headless is hiding in the dark here, but at this point, players will not be able to deal any damage to it. Note its location and then head back, progressing through the game as normal.
This is only the first of several Headless encounters. They can also be found in the following locations:
- Ashina Castle Reservoir: There is a Headless underwater. It requires the Mibu Breathing technique that allows Sekiro to dive underwater.
- Sunken Valley: Deep within the Sunken Valley, players will find an area known as the Memorial Tomb. There is a small pool of water that players must dive in, which leads to a secret chamber. There is a Headless found here.
- Fountainhead Lake: There are two Headless in the same lake as the Giant Carp. They are found at the deepest point.
- Hidden Forest: There is a fire that burns high on a ledge in the Hidden Forest. There is an old man sitting next to it that Sekiro can speak with. The Headless is found far down, at the base of the large trees that are found up against this ledge.
Preparing to Fight Headless in Sekiro
There are three items that Sekiro players need to beat Headless, because without them, they will deal zero damage to the mini-boss. The items in question are Divine Confetti for attacks, and the Mottled Purple Gourd or Pacifying Agent for clearing the Terror status, which players can loot from downed enemies or purchase from various merchants. While Divine Confetti and Pacifying Agent do seem to drop randomly pretty much anywhere, there are a couple of places that players can farm for them.
The Mottled Purple Gourd can be purchased from the Exiled Memorial Mob found at the entrance to Mibu village. It will cost Sekiro 1800 Sen. Sekiro can use this gourd to replace the Pacifying Agent, as it clears Terror, and replenishes at Sculpter's Idols just like the Healing Gourd. It carries five charges, and cannot be upgraded.
To farm Divine Confetti in Sekiro, head to the Ashina Castle: Upper Tower - Antechamber save point. There are enemy samurai here wearing blue robes that will sometimes drop Divine Confetti. To farm Pacifying Agent, head to the dungeon in Ashina Castle and kill the zombie-like enemies here that revive themselves after the first time they're killed (Wolf has to kill them twice for them to be truly dead). The drops will be somewhat rarer than what players may expect for "farming," but these spots do seem to be the best places to get Divine Confetti and Pacifying Agent.
As far as Shinobi Prostethics, Phoenix's Lilac Umbrella is by far the best option for Headless in Sekiro. It is the only thing able to block the effects of Terror. Sekiro can use it to both block and attack, making it incredibly useful for players who may find it hard to deflect Headless' attacks.
How to Beat Headless
When players have at least a few Divine Confetti and Pacifying Agent items, they can return to Headless and attempt to fight it. Before jumping down into Headless's pit, use the Divine Confetti and the Pacifying Agent. Divine Confetti will make it possible to actually hurt Headless, whereas the Pacifying Agent will keep the terror bar low. For the uninitiated, the terror bar in Sekiro is the purple bar in the middle of the screen and if it gets full, Wolf will die.
Be aggressive in this fight and stay close to Headless for most of it, as he is more likely to release his mist if Wolf is far away. The mist slows Wolf's movements and while it's not completely devastating, it can still make the Headless boss fight tougher than it needs to be.
After Headless loses his first health bar, take the momentary lapse in the action to use another Divine Confetti and Pacifying Agent if need be. Both the Divine Confetti and Pacifying Agent should be equipped in the quick menu for easy access.
With these tips in mind, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice players should find it easier to beat Headless, but the creature will still likely put up a serious fight.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Released
- March 22, 2019
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
