
Cheesing the Guardian Ape in *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice* involves exploiting specific mechanics to bypass its formidable combat. Players often utilize the environment, such as the nearby bell demon to stun the ape, or focus on targeting its head to remove its mask early, significantly reducing its health. Another strategy includes using the Loaded Umbrella Prosthetic Tool to deflect its fire breath, followed by a swift counterattack. These methods, while not traditional, allow players to overcome the boss with less reliance on perfect parrying and dodging, making the fight more manageable for those struggling with its aggressive and unpredictable attacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Guardian Ape |
| Game | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice |
| Cheese Strategy | Use the environment and specific tactics to avoid direct combat |
| Key Location | Under-Shrine Valley (near the Guardian Ape boss arena) |
| Required Items | Shuriken, Firecrackers, or other ranged tools |
| Strategy Overview | Lure the Guardian Ape to the edge of the arena and knock it off the cliff |
| Phase 1 | Avoid direct combat, use ranged tools to stun and position the boss |
| Phase 2 | Wait for the boss to jump to the lower area and repeat the strategy |
| Damage Required | Minimal, focus on positioning rather than dealing damage |
| Risk Level | Low, as the boss is easily manipulated into falling |
| Success Rate | High, with proper timing and positioning |
| Additional Tips | Use the Sculptor's Idol for quick retries if needed |
| Patch Compatibility | Works in most recent patches (as of latest updates) |
| Difficulty | Easier than traditional combat methods |
| Recommended Skill Level | Beginner to Intermediate |
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What You'll Learn
- Exploit Terrain: Use environment to stun, knock off ledges, or avoid attacks effectively
- Fire Arrow Spam: Continuously shoot fire arrows to stagger and damage quickly
- Poison Strategy: Apply poison via shuriken or blades for gradual health drain
- Distract with Items: Throw items to create openings for safe attacks
- Phase Skip: Deal enough damage in phase one to skip transformation entirely

Exploit Terrain: Use environment to stun, knock off ledges, or avoid attacks effectively
The Guardian Ape's arena is a deathtrap by design, but it's also your greatest weapon if you learn to manipulate its hazards. Forget head-on clashes; this fight is about turning the environment into your ally. Observe the arena: crumbling ledges, flammable debris, and strategically placed hazards. Each element can be leveraged to stun, disorient, or outright eliminate the ape, transforming a brutal battle into a calculated dance of environmental exploitation.
Step 1: Lure, Position, and Precipitate. The ape's aggression is your opening. Bait him towards the arena's edges, particularly the crumbling ledges overlooking the lower areas. Time your dodges to lead him into a full-force charge, then sidestep at the last moment. His momentum will carry him over the edge, granting you precious seconds to heal or reposition. Repeat this tactic near flammable debris piles; a well-timed shuriken or firecracker will ignite the area, stunning him and creating a window for damage.
Caution: The Double-Edged Sword of Fire. While fire is a potent tool, it's a volatile one. The ape's attacks can inadvertently spread flames, turning your trap into a hazard. Always maintain a safe distance when using fire, and be prepared to retreat if the blaze becomes uncontrollable. Additionally, avoid positioning yourself between the ape and flammable objects; a desperate ape might charge through the fire, dragging you into the inferno.
Advanced Technique: The Waterfall Maneuver. The arena's waterfall isn't just a scenic backdrop; it's a tactical asset. Lure the ape to the waterfall's edge during his enraged state. A well-timed jump onto the ledge just as he begins his ground-pound attack will cause him to miss, sending him tumbling into the water below. This not only deals damage but also stuns him, allowing for a flurry of attacks from the safety of the ledge.
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Fire Arrow Spam: Continuously shoot fire arrows to stagger and damage quickly
Fire arrows are a Guardian Ape's bane, exploiting its vulnerability to fire and staggering it repeatedly. This strategy hinges on the arrow's dual purpose: dealing damage and interrupting the ape's attacks. Aim for the head or torso, as these areas are most susceptible to stagger. With enough arrows, you can keep the ape off-balance, preventing it from executing its devastating combos.
To execute this tactic effectively, equip the Flame Vent prosthetic tool and a quiver of Fire Arrows. Position yourself at medium range, just outside the ape's melee reach. Time your shots to coincide with the ape's attack wind-ups, staggering it mid-animation. Maintain a steady rhythm, firing arrows in quick succession to maximize damage and stagger potential.
A critical aspect of this strategy is resource management. Fire Arrows are finite, so conserve them by avoiding unnecessary shots. Prioritize staggering the ape during its longer, more dangerous attacks, such as the sweeping claw strike or the ground pound. If you run low on arrows, fall back temporarily to replenish your supply or switch to another tactic.
Comparatively, this method outshines others like poison or posture damage builds due to its reliability and speed. While poison requires time to take effect, and posture damage builds rely on precise deflects, fire arrow spam offers immediate results. It’s particularly effective in Phase 1, where the ape’s aggression leaves ample openings for uninterrupted firing.
In practice, this strategy demands precision and patience. The ape’s erratic movements can make targeting challenging, so practice your aim in less pressured situations. Pair this tactic with the Flame Vent’s sweeping fire attack to cover blind spots and maintain pressure. With consistent execution, fire arrow spam transforms a daunting fight into a manageable, even predictable, encounter.
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Poison Strategy: Apply poison via shuriken or blades for gradual health drain
The Guardian Ape, a formidable foe in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, demands precision and strategy. One underutilized yet effective approach is the Poison Strategy, which leverages gradual health drain to wear down this boss. By applying poison via shuriken or blades, players can bypass the need for high damage per hit, focusing instead on consistent, cumulative damage over time. This method is particularly useful for those struggling with the Ape’s aggressive combos or limited healing resources.
To execute this strategy, equip the Poison Shuriken or a blade coated with Poisonous Mist. Time your throws during the Ape’s longer attack animations or when it’s stunned after a Perilous Attack. Aim for the head or torso, as these areas have higher hit registration. Each successful hit applies a poison stack, indicated by a green cloud effect around the Ape. Poison deals damage every few seconds, and multiple stacks amplify its effectiveness. For optimal results, maintain distance and avoid prolonged melee engagement, as the Ape’s close-quarters attacks can quickly overwhelm.
A critical aspect of this strategy is resource management. Poison Shuriken are finite, so use them sparingly and only when the Ape is vulnerable. Pair this tactic with other low-risk methods, such as whittling down posture with ranged attacks or exploiting the environment (e.g., dropping the Ape into the water). Patience is key; the poison’s gradual drain may take time, but it reduces the need for high-risk, high-reward plays. This approach is especially viable for players with lower skill levels or those using suboptimal builds.
Comparatively, the Poison Strategy contrasts with more aggressive tactics like posture-breaking or critical deathblows. While those methods require precise timing and high damage output, poison relies on consistency and attrition. It’s less flashy but more forgiving, making it ideal for players who prefer a methodical approach. However, it’s not without drawbacks: the Ape’s health pool is substantial, so poison alone may not suffice without supplementary damage. Combine it with occasional melee strikes or other status effects for faster results.
In practice, mastering the Poison Strategy requires experimentation. Start by testing the Ape’s reaction to poison during Phase 1, when it’s more predictable. Once the strategy’s rhythm is understood, adapt it to Phase 2, where the Ape becomes more aggressive. Remember, the goal isn’t to deal massive damage instantly but to create a steady, uncontested health drain that forces the Ape into a vulnerable state. With patience and precision, this cheese tactic transforms one of the game’s toughest battles into a manageable test of endurance.
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Distract with Items: Throw items to create openings for safe attacks
In the heat of battle against the Guardian Ape, every second counts, and every opening is precious. One effective strategy to gain the upper hand is to utilize the environment and your inventory to create distractions. The key lies in understanding the ape's behavior and exploiting its instincts. When you throw items, such as shuriken or pebbles, the ape's natural curiosity and aggression take over, causing it to investigate or react, thus creating a window of opportunity for you to strike.
Imagine this scenario: you're locked in a fierce duel with the Guardian Ape, and its relentless attacks leave little room for offense. By strategically tossing a shuriken at its feet, you can provoke a reaction. The ape, startled or intrigued, might pause or turn its attention to the source of the disturbance. This split-second distraction is your cue to close the distance and land a well-timed strike. The element of surprise is crucial, as the ape's focus shifts momentarily, allowing you to exploit its brief vulnerability.
The art of distraction through item throwing requires precision and timing. Aim for areas within the ape's immediate vicinity, ensuring the item lands close enough to capture its attention but not so close as to cause damage. The goal is to trigger a response without alerting the ape to your true intentions. Experiment with different items to understand their effectiveness; some may produce louder noises or create more noticeable visual cues, increasing the likelihood of a reaction. For instance, a well-placed pebble might cause the ape to glance down, providing an opening for a swift attack.
This tactic is particularly useful during the ape's more aggressive phases when its attacks become relentless and predictable. By introducing an unexpected variable, you disrupt its rhythm and create opportunities to regain control of the battle. However, exercise caution, as overusing this strategy may lead to diminished returns. The ape might adapt and become less responsive to the distractions, requiring you to vary your approach and keep it guessing.
In the context of cheesing the Guardian Ape, the 'Distract with Items' technique is a subtle yet powerful tool. It showcases the importance of understanding enemy behavior and manipulating their instincts to your advantage. By mastering this skill, players can transform a seemingly unfair fight into a calculated dance of distractions and precise strikes, ultimately leading to victory over this formidable foe. Remember, in the world of Sekiro, creativity and adaptability are often the keys to success.
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Phase Skip: Deal enough damage in phase one to skip transformation entirely
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the Guardian Ape is a formidable boss that undergoes a terrifying transformation midway through the fight. However, a daring strategy known as the "Phase Skip" allows skilled players to bypass this entirely by dealing enough damage in the first phase. This technique requires precision, timing, and a deep understanding of the boss's mechanics, making it a high-risk, high-reward approach. By mastering this method, players can save time, conserve resources, and experience a unique challenge that deviates from the standard encounter.
To execute a Phase Skip, players must focus on maximizing damage output during the Guardian Ape's first phase. This involves exploiting the boss's vulnerabilities and using high-damage combos efficiently. One effective strategy is to utilize the Loaded Umbrella Prosthetic Tool to deflect the ape's sweeping attacks, creating openings for punishing counterattacks. Additionally, applying the Firecracker Prosthetic Tool can stun the boss momentarily, providing a brief window to unleash a flurry of strikes. Aim to deal at least 60% of the boss's health in this phase, as this is the threshold required to trigger the skip.
While the Phase Skip is enticing, it’s not without its challenges. The Guardian Ape’s aggressive behavior and unpredictable movements make consistent damage difficult to achieve. Players must also be mindful of their posture and vitality, as a single mistake can lead to a devastating counterattack. To increase the chances of success, consider using the Dragonrot Pellet to regain health and the Gokan’s Sugar for a temporary attack boost. Practicing the timing of deflections and perfecting the rhythm of combos in the Shugendo training area can also significantly improve performance.
Comparing the Phase Skip to the traditional fight reveals its unique appeal. While the standard approach allows players to experience the full scope of the battle, including the ape's transformation and the second phase's aerial combat, the Phase Skip offers a condensed, adrenaline-fueled challenge. It rewards players who have honed their skills and encourages experimentation with different tools and techniques. For speedrunners or those seeking a fresh twist on the encounter, this strategy provides an exciting alternative that tests both reflexes and strategy.
In conclusion, the Phase Skip is a testament to the depth and versatility of Sekiro’s combat system. By dealing enough damage in the first phase, players can bypass the Guardian Ape’s transformation, turning a grueling battle into a showcase of skill and precision. While it demands practice and patience, the satisfaction of executing this technique successfully is unparalleled. Whether you’re aiming for efficiency or simply seeking a new challenge, mastering the Phase Skip adds another layer of accomplishment to conquering one of the game’s most iconic bosses.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest method is to use the "Firecracker + Prosthetic Tool" strategy. Throw a Firecracker to stun the Guardian Ape, then quickly use the Prosthetic Tool (like the Loaded Axe or Flame Vent) to deal massive damage while it’s immobilized.
Yes, you can use the environment to your advantage. Lure the Guardian Ape to the edge of the arena and perform a Deathblow when it’s near the cliff. If timed correctly, the Ape will fall to its death, instantly defeating it.
Yes, using the Gokan’s Sugar or Gokan’s Spiritfall can significantly reduce the difficulty. These items increase your attack power or restore health, allowing you to deal more damage or survive longer during the fight.
Yes, you can exploit the Guardian Ape’s AI by staying at a distance and using the Shinobi Firecracker Prosthetic Tool repeatedly. This keeps the Ape stunned and unable to attack, allowing you to chip away at its health without taking damage.

























