In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players will come across a variety of boss enemies, some of whom will seem invincible in the first encounter. This includes the first boss Genichiro Ashina, as well as the giant snake that players encounter later in the game. However, there are ways to defeat these bosses, with the latter beatable using the Mortal Blade. To learn how to get the Mortal Blade, read on, but note that there will be some spoilers for Sekiro.

How to Get the Mortal Blade

The Mortal Blade in Sekiro is obtainable after the second boss fight with Genichiro, which takes place in Ashina Castle. The first boss fight with Genichiro is technically beatable, but all players get for completing it is a slightly different cut-scene with the same results: Wolf loses his arm. At any rate, upon defeating Genichiro in the second fight against him, players need to go to Senpou Temple. To get to Senpou Temple, head to the Abandoned Dungeon Entrance in Ashina Castle, and follow it through to reach the Senpou Temple Main Hall.

In the Main Hall, players will find a Buddha statue that can be examined to transport them to a special area called the Hall of Illusions. It is here where players encounter one of the more unique Sekiro boss fights, against the Folding Screen Monkeys. Once the Folding Screen Monkeys are defeated, players can chat with the Divine Child, who will give them the Mortal Blade.

How to Use the Mortal Blade

What's confusing some Sekiro players about the Mortal Blade is that the game seems to suggest it is a brand new sword to wield, but that's not really the case. The Mortal Blade in Sekiro is actually a new Combat Art that has to be equipped through the menu. Once equipped, players can activate it by pushing both the left and right bumpers simultaneously.

As previously stated, the Mortal Blade is actually required for players who want to kill the giant snake, also known as the Great Serpent boss. So knowing how to use it is going to be a great help for any Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice players who find themselves getting stuck on the Great Serpent encounter in the ultra-hard game.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.