Guardian Ape
Overview
The Guardian Ape is one of Sekiro's most unique boss fights, requiring a completely different approach than human enemies. This massive beast cannot be defeated through posture damage in the first phase, requiring traditional vitality damage. The fight teaches patience, positioning, and prosthetic tool usage.
Phase Breakdown
Phase 1: Enraged Guardian Ape
Key Attacks:
- Belly Flop: Jumps and crashes down with full body
- Grab Attack: Tries to grab you with massive hands
- Poop Throw: Throws excrement - can cause terror buildup
- Tantrum: Falls on back and thrashes around
- Side Swipes: Swings arms left and right
Strategy:
Focus on vitality damage, not posture. Stay behind the ape and attack its feet/legs. Use firecrackers to stun it for free damage. When it falls on its back during tantrums, run to the head and attack for massive damage.
Phase 2: Headless Guardian Ape
New Attacks:
- Sword Swipes: Uses a massive sword with wide swings
- Terror Scream: Roars causing terror buildup
- Falling Slash: Jumps and slams sword down
- Crawling Attacks: Low sweeping attacks while on ground
Strategy:
Now you CAN build posture damage! Deflect the sword attacks and stay aggressive. When it falls after certain attacks, run to the neck area where the centipede is visible and attack for critical damage.
Essential Tips
Use Firecrackers
The Shinobi Firecracker prosthetic stuns the ape in phase 1, giving you free damage opportunities.
Attack the Neck
In phase 2, target the neck area where the centipede is visible for maximum damage.
Patience in Phase 1
Don't get greedy. Wait for safe openings and focus on consistent chip damage.
Terror Management
Keep Pacifying Agent or Mottled Purple Gourd handy for terror buildup from screams and poop.
Detailed Strategies
Phase 1 Tactics
- Positioning: Stay behind or to the side of the ape, never directly in front
- Target Areas: Attack the feet and legs consistently for vitality damage
- Firecracker Usage: Use when the ape is standing still for 2-3 free hits
- Tantrum Opportunity: When it falls on its back, sprint to the head for 4-5 attacks
- Grab Avoidance: If grabbed, button mash to escape quickly
Phase 2 Tactics
- Deflect Training: Practice deflecting the sword swings - they have generous timing
- Posture Focus: Unlike phase 1, now focus on posture damage through deflections
- Centipede Attacks: When it falls, attack the glowing centipede in the neck
- Terror Management: Back away during screaming attacks to avoid terror buildup
- Stay Close: Maintain pressure to prevent posture recovery
Recommended Prosthetic Tools
Shinobi Firecracker
Essential for phase 1. Stuns the ape for several seconds, allowing free damage.
Loaded Spear
Can be used to pull the centipede from the neck in phase 2 for extra damage.