Master all 4 Sekiro endings with detailed walkthroughs, practical strategies, and crucial decision-making insights
Understanding Sekiro’s Multiple Endings
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice presents players with four distinct narrative conclusions, each shaped by critical decisions made throughout your journey. Unlike typical games with simple good/bad endings, FromSoftware crafts nuanced conclusions that reflect your commitment to either upholding the Shinobi code or forging your own path.
Your choices at pivotal moments determine which of Sekiro’s four endings you experience, ranging from tragic sacrifice to hopeful resolution for all characters involved.
FromSoftware’s signature approach means player agency directly influences narrative outcomes. Most Sekiro conclusions involve significant sacrifices, though the nature of these sacrifices varies dramatically. While interpretations may differ among players, the community generally categorizes these as bad, neutral, good, and best endings based on character fates and world implications.
This comprehensive guide covers all four Sekiro endings with step-by-step instructions. Major spoilers ahead – proceed only if you’re ready to learn about late-game content and critical decision points that permanently alter your playthrough.
Shura: The Bad Ending
The Shura conclusion represents Sekiro’s darkest path, where Wolf succumbs to demonic possession and abandons Kuro to his fate. This is technically the simplest ending to achieve but carries severe narrative consequences.
As you approach the game’s climax after gathering immortality-curing ingredients, return to Ashina Castle’s rooftop – the site of your earlier confrontation with Genichiro. Here you’ll encounter the Great Shinobi Owl from your Hirata Estate memories, who presents a fateful choice.
When Owl demands you adhere to the Iron Code and abandon Kuro, select “Obey the Iron Code” to initiate this ending path. This decision triggers immediate combat against former allies Emma and the legendary swordsman Isshin Ashina. Both fights demand mastery of deflection and aggression – Isshin particularly tests your combat fundamentals with his varied attack patterns.
Pro Strategy: Before this critical choice, create a manual save backup. The Emma/Isshin dual boss fight represents one of Sekiro’s most challenging sequences, and having a save point lets you practice without committing to this ending permanently.
Immortal Severance: Neutral Ending
Immortal Severance serves as Sekiro’s baseline conclusion, the path most players naturally encounter during their initial playthrough. This neutral ending preserves Kuro’s life and prevents Wolf’s descent into darkness, though it still involves significant sacrifice.
When confronting Owl on Ashina Castle’s roof, choose “Break the Iron Code” to defend Kuro. This initiates a demanding battle against your former mentor. The Great Shinobi Owl employs deceptive tactics and area denial attacks – watch for his anti-healing smoke bombs and practice deflecting his overhead slam for critical posture damage.
Upon defeating Owl, you’ll preserve Kuro’s safety and avoid Wolf’s corruption, though the conclusion leaves lingering questions about permanent solutions to the immortality curse. Many players consider this ending bittersweet rather than truly satisfying.
Common Mistake: Don’t become overly aggressive against Owl. His posture recovers quickly if you create too much distance, but reckless attacks leave you vulnerable to his devastating counter-combos. Maintain measured pressure and capitalize on deflection opportunities.
Purification: Good Ending
The Purification route offers a more complete resolution than Immortal Severance, though its acquisition demands extensive exploration and stealth. This ending provides deeper narrative closure despite its melancholic undertones.
Begin by rejecting Owl’s proposal as with the neutral ending, then defeat him in combat. Immediately afterward, employ stealth techniques to eavesdrop on crucial conversations. First, return to Isshin’s dojo across Ashina Castle’s rooftops to overhear Emma and Isshin discussing alternative solutions.
Next, approach Kuro’s chamber doorway and listen discreetly to his private thoughts. Then locate Emma on the staircase near Kuro’s room – she’ll propose an alternative path after recognizing your dedication.
Exhaust Emma’s dialogue completely, then fast-travel to the Old Grave idol. Follow the left path through the archway to the gravesite where Emma awaits further conversation. Proceed to the Dilapidated Temple and covertly observe the sculptor through his window to overhear additional revelations.
Emma will provide a special bell that alters your Hirata Estate memory. Return there, eliminate the two elite guards, and confront Owl in the Lady Butterfly arena. This “Owl (Father)” variant employs new techniques including mist raven teleportation and more aggressive combos.
Victory yields an Everblossom branch for initiating the purification conclusion. This ending provides more emotional resolution while still requiring meaningful sacrifice.
Stealth Optimization: Equash the Gachiin’s Sugar consumable before eavesdropping sequences to reduce detection risk. Some conversations only trigger when hidden sufficiently close to NPCs without alerting them.
Return: Best Ending
The Return conclusion represents Sekiro’s most optimistic resolution, preserving all major characters while breaking the immortality cycle. Though complex to unlock, it provides the most narratively satisfying completion.
Start by defeating Owl after choosing to protect Kuro, then embark on collecting three Great Serpent hearts for the Divine Child. These organs enable her to serve as a vessel for Kuro’s essence post-purification, allowing his survival.
First, teleport to Senpou Temple and proceed right to the bridgemonk. Explore leftward to find a kite mechanism protected by a rat enemy. Using Puppeteer Ninjutsu (acquired after defeating the Folding Screen Monkeys) on this creature activates the kite, creating a new traversal path.
Navigate through Senpou until encountering the rice-requesting elderly woman. Grapple leftward across the valley to the Great Serpent guarding a chasm. Employ stealth to eliminate this creature for your initial heart.
Next, fast-travel to the Bodhisvatta Valley idol (Guardian Ape battle site). Traverse the toxic marsh to discover the Toxic Memorial Mob merchant and an adjacent cave. Ignore his warnings and proceed stealthily through the cavern until spotting another massive serpent.
Descend left to the dancing monkey, execute a Deathblow while applying Puppeteer Ninjutsu. This distracts the serpent, revealing an access point to claim your second heart.
Teleport to the Temple Grounds idol, then descend left to a substantial water pool. Activate Mibu Possession to dive underwater and retrieve a hidden scroll (or Prayer Bead if previously collected).
Visit the Inner Sanctum’s Divine Child with the scroll, then accompany her to the Hall of Illusions. Rest if necessary to advance her positioning.
She’ll direct you to the cave beside Senpou Temple’s Main Hall. Approach the precipice, then reverse direction to locate a concealed route containing a purple-robed skeleton holding the final item. Deliver this to the Divine Child for the last Serpent Heart and her agreement to safeguard Kuro.
Progress through the final confrontation normally, but when prompted, administer both Divine Dragon Tears and Frozen Tears to Kuro. This activates the Return ending, preserving Sekiro, Kuro, and the Divine Child while resolving the immortality plague.
Route Optimization: Complete the Serpent Heart collection before confronting the Divine Dragon to avoid backtracking. The Frozen Tears questline becomes inaccessible after defeating this penultimate boss.
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