Sekiro Deflection and Perilous Attacks Guide: Read the Attack, Then Counter
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Deflect at impact, then answer back
The basic Sekiro loop is attack until the enemy answers, deflect the return sequence, then attack again when their recovery gives you space. The manual is clear that deflecting an attack adds to enemy Posture and can create a Counter-slash opportunity. A long enemy string may need several deflections in a row; do not stop pressing guard after the first clean sound if the animation is still moving.
Watch both Posture bars. Your bar under Wolf shows when you are close to breaking. The enemy bar above them shows how close you are to a Deathblow. If an enemy’s Posture drains too quickly, land a few normal hits first to lower Vitality, then return to the deflection rhythm. Chasing only health makes many early bosses take longer than they need to.
The danger symbol asks a question
A red danger symbol tells you an unguardable Perilous Attack is coming. It does not tell you which response is safe. Read the weapon and body movement:
| Attack | What to do |
|---|---|
| Thrust | Deflect as it lands, or use Mikiri Counter after unlocking it |
| Sweep | Jump over it; press jump again above the enemy to add pressure |
| Grab | Step Dodge, sprint, or jump out of its reach |
Do not jump automatically at every danger symbol. A jump works against a sweep but puts you into a thrust or grab. Likewise, Mikiri is a strong answer to a thrust, not a generic response. Practise each reaction on Hanbei until you can say what you saw before you press a button.
Recover without surrendering the fight
Backing away is useful for healing, but it also lets enemy Posture recover. Heal only when you have created real distance, after a long attack string, or when an obstacle separates you. Return to range and make the opponent defend again. The aim is controlled pressure, not blind aggression.
Some enemies have multiple Deathblow markers. A Deathblow removes one full marker; it does not end a boss with another phase. Use the brief reset after the first marker to re-lock on, check your position, and expect a new rhythm.
The cleanest practice loop is one named enemy near an Idol: fight until you recognise one string, rest, and repeat it. Treat each loss as timing information. A successful deflection against the last hit of a string is more useful than a desperate roll that only postpones the same question.
Unlock Skills and Mikiri Counter early, then put the timing into practice against Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa or Lady Butterfly.