TL;DR
- Snapseeds instantly dispel Lady Butterfly’s illusionary apparitions, making phase two manageable
- Navigate Underbridge Valley using precise stealth patterns to avoid White Serpent detection
- Execute a perfectly timed deathblow on the serpent’s eye when it investigates the palanquin
- Collect five Snapseeds from the mountainside bush after serpent confrontation
- Deploy Snapseeds strategically when surrounded by apparitions for maximum effect
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, mastering boss encounters requires both combat proficiency and strategic item utilization. While prosthetic tools like the Flame Vent and Firecrackers provide advantages against early threats such as the Chained Ogre, Lady Butterfly demands specialized countermeasures. Her illusion-based attacks can overwhelm unprepared shinobi, making proper preparation essential for victory.
Snapseeds serve as crucial consumable items that instantly dismantle Lady Butterfly’s phantom creations. These ghost-dispelling seeds create a wave of purifying energy that erases illusionary apparitions from the battlefield. Though you receive a single Snapseed from a samurai guardian near the boss arena, this limited supply proves insufficient for extended engagements. While technically optional, these items dramatically reduce the encounter’s difficulty curve.

The scarcity of Snapseeds presents a significant challenge, as they remain unavailable through merchant networks and appear only in specific hidden locations. This scarcity necessitates strategic planning and exploration beyond immediate objectives. Understanding their mechanics and acquisition methods transforms an overwhelming battle into a manageable challenge.
Acquiring additional Snapseeds requires returning to previously explored territory with new tactical awareness. The Ashina Outskirts, specifically the Underbridge Valley region, contains the primary cache of these valuable items. This area becomes accessible after defeating the Chained Ogre, marking progression in your shinobi journey.
Your expedition leads you through treacherous terrain dominated by the colossal White Serpent, a persistent predator that stalks your entire passage. This massive boss encounter tests your stealth capabilities rather than direct combat prowess. Proper navigation through this valley demands situational awareness and patience above all else.
Common navigation errors include rushing through the area or attempting direct confrontation with the serpent. The creature’s size and aggression make evasion the only viable strategy. Planning your movement between cover points before execution prevents unnecessary deaths and resource depletion.
Success against the White Serpent hinges on mastering Sekiro’s stealth mechanics. Remain crouched in tall grass patches, carefully monitoring the serpent’s head movements and audio cues. Time your advances during moments when the creature investigates distant sounds or looks away from your position.
Movement should follow a pattern: observe serpent behavior, identify safe path, execute quick movement to next cover. Utilize your grappling hook to access elevated positions that provide temporary safety. The wooden palanquin halfway through the valley offers crucial temporary refuge from pursuit.
When the serpent approaches the palanquin to investigate, a unique deathblow opportunity emerges. Strike its exposed eye during this investigation animation to temporarily disable the creature. This creates a valuable window for advancement but requires precise timing and positioning to execute successfully.
Advanced tactics include using ceramic shards to distract the serpent or employing Gachiin’s Sugar to enhance stealth capabilities. These supplementary strategies can reduce the encounter’s difficulty for players struggling with timing requirements.
After bypassing the White Serpent and reaching the Ashina Castle Gate Fortress Idol, resist the urge to continue forward. Instead, execute a tactical backtrack to the palanquin area where you confronted the serpent. This counterintuitive maneuver reveals the hidden Snapseed cache.
Upon returning, scan the mountainside near the palanquin for a distinctive glowing indicator. This luminous marker identifies the specific bush containing your prize—five Snapseeds that will dramatically improve your Lady Butterfly encounter.
The retrieval process typically takes 8-12 minutes for experienced players, while newcomers may require 15-20 minutes to complete successfully. This time investment pays substantial dividends during the subsequent boss battle, making it a worthwhile diversion.
For optimal efficiency, activate the Ashina Castle Gate Fortress Idol before returning, ensuring quick travel back to the Hirata Estate. This planning minimizes overall time expenditure while maximizing combat preparedness.
Before deploying your hard-earned Snapseeds, invest time understanding Lady Butterfly’s attack patterns and openings. Practice deflecting her kunai throws and identifying safe opportunities for counterattacks. This foundational combat proficiency ensures Snapseeds serve as force multipliers rather than crutches.
During phase two, when Lady Butterfly summons illusionary apparitions, strategic positioning becomes critical. Group the phantoms closely together before activating a Snapseed to maximize its area-of-effect efficiency. The purification wave extends approximately 8-10 meters from your position, requiring close proximity for full effect.
Undestroyed apparitions transform into homing ethereal butterflies that track your movement. While these projectiles can be dodged or blocked using environmental elements like wooden beams, their cumulative damage poses significant threat during extended engagements.
Optimal Snapseed deployment occurs when 3-5 apparitions have spawned and begun converging on your position. This timing eliminates multiple threats simultaneously while creating openings for aggressive play. For comprehensive combat strategies, consult our Complete Guide to master advanced techniques.
Remember that Snapseeds function as tactical tools rather than win conditions. Their proper use creates windows of opportunity that must be capitalized upon through precise swordplay and posture management.
Action Checklist
- Reach Underbridge Valley Idol in Ashina Outskirts post-Chained Ogre
- Stealth through serpent territory using grass cover and grapple points
- Execute deathblow on serpent’s eye at palanquin
- Collect 5 Snapseeds from mountainside bush after serpent encounter
- Return to Hirata Estate and deploy Snapseeds strategically during phase two
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Sekiro Lady Butterfly Boss Fight Guide: Where To Find More Snapseeds Master Lady Butterfly with strategic Snapseed collection and White Serpent evasion tactics
