Andy Montoya
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the Guardian Ape is a notoriously challenging boss that demands precision, patience, and strategy to defeat. However, players have discovered a method to cheese this encounter, exploiting specific mechanics to simplify the battle significantly. By utilizing the environment, such as the toxic swamp or the nearby bell to summon the Great Serpent, players can minimize direct confrontation and whittle down the Guardian Ape's health with minimal risk. Additionally, leveraging tools like the Firecrackers or the Loaded Umbrella can stun or deflect the boss’s attacks, further reducing the difficulty. While this approach may not align with the intended spirit of the fight, it offers a viable alternative for those struggling to overcome the Guardian Ape’s relentless aggression and complex patterns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Guardian Ape |
| Game | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice |
| Cheese Strategy | Using the environment or mechanics to bypass intended combat |
| Primary Method | Lure the Guardian Ape into the water to trigger a phase skip |
| Required Items | None (optional: Shuriken for distraction) |
| Location | Sunken Valley, Guardian Ape arena |
| Phase Skip | Yes, skips Phase 2 entirely |
| Difficulty | Easier than traditional combat |
| Risk | Requires precise timing and positioning |
| Additional Tips | Use the rock near the water to bait the ape into jumping into the river |
| Post-Cheese | Fight the headless ape in a smaller, more manageable arena |
| Community Popularity | Widely known and used by players |
| Patch Status | Still viable in the latest game version (as of October 2023) |
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What You'll Learn
- Stun Lock Strategy: Use firecrackers to stun, then attack relentlessly during the stun duration
- Poison Buildup: Apply poison repeatedly to drain health without direct combat
- Rope Glitch: Use the grappling hook to bypass phases and avoid damage
- Fire Damage: Equip fire-infused weapons to exploit the boss’s weakness to fire
- Summon Distraction: Use a summon to draw aggro while you deal damage safely
Stun Lock Strategy: Use firecrackers to stun, then attack relentlessly during the stun duration
Firecrackers aren’t just for celebrations—they’re your ticket to stunning the Guardian Ape and turning the tide of battle. This stun lock strategy hinges on exploiting the ape’s vulnerability to loud noises, a mechanic often overlooked by players focused on traditional combat. By timing your firecracker throws to coincide with the ape’s attacks or idle animations, you can interrupt its actions and create a window of opportunity. The key is precision: aim directly at the ape’s head or body, as the stun effect is triggered by proximity, not damage. Once stunned, the ape will freeze for a brief but crucial 3-5 seconds, during which you can unleash a barrage of attacks without fear of retaliation.
Executing this strategy requires preparation and practice. Equip at least 5-10 firecrackers in your quick-use slot for easy access, as fumbling through your inventory mid-fight can be fatal. Pair firecrackers with a fast, high-damage weapon like the Loaded Umbrella or the Flame Vent for maximum efficiency. During the fight, observe the ape’s patterns: it’s most susceptible to stuns after it roars, swings its club, or performs its ground slam. Throw a firecracker immediately after these actions to capitalize on its recovery frames. Be mindful of your positioning—stay just outside the ape’s melee range to avoid getting caught in its follow-up attacks if the stun fails.
While the stun lock strategy is effective, it’s not without risks. Over-reliance on firecrackers can deplete your supply quickly, leaving you vulnerable if the ape adapts to your tactics. To mitigate this, alternate between stun locks and traditional dodging to conserve resources. Additionally, the strategy works best in Phase 1 of the fight, as the ape’s increased aggression in Phase 2 reduces the stun duration and frequency. If you’re struggling to land firecrackers consistently, practice in a controlled environment, such as the nearby area with weaker enemies, to refine your timing and aim.
The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. Unlike more complex strategies that require precise parries or stealth, the stun lock method is accessible to players of all skill levels. It’s particularly useful for those who find the Guardian Ape’s aggressive combos overwhelming. By mastering this technique, you transform the fight from a test of reflexes into a game of timing and resource management. Remember, the goal isn’t to brute-force your way through—it’s to outsmart the ape by exploiting its one weakness: its ears. With patience and practice, you’ll turn this cheese strategy into a reliable tool for victory.
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Poison Buildup: Apply poison repeatedly to drain health without direct combat
The Guardian Ape in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a formidable opponent, but poison can turn the tide in your favor. By exploiting poison buildup, you can bypass much of the direct combat, draining the boss’s health while minimizing risk. This strategy hinges on repeated application of poison, which deals damage over time and forces the boss into vulnerable states. Here’s how to execute it effectively.
Step 1: Equip Poison Tools and Understand Mechanics
Start by equipping the Poisonous Mist prosthetic tool and ensuring you have enough supplies, such as Poisoned Water or Poisoned Throwing Knives. Poison buildup in Sekiro works cumulatively: each application adds to a meter, and once full, the boss becomes poisoned, taking continuous damage. The Guardian Ape has a large health pool, so focus on consistent, repeated poison application rather than single high-damage attacks.
Step 2: Exploit Openings and Phase Transitions
The Guardian Ape’s attacks are aggressive, but it has predictable patterns. Use its sweeping strikes or lunges as opportunities to dash in, apply poison, and retreat. During phase transitions—when it transforms or summons the headless—poison damage continues uninterrupted, making these moments ideal for stacking poison. Aim for at least 3-4 poison applications per phase to maximize damage.
Step 3: Manage Distance and Posture
While poison does the heavy lifting, managing your posture and distance is critical. Stay just outside the boss’s attack range to avoid taking damage while applying poison. If your posture breaks, you risk a deathblow, so prioritize dodging over aggressive play. Use the Mist Raven or other mobility tools to reposition quickly after each poison application.
Cautions and Adjustments
This strategy requires patience. The Guardian Ape’s poison resistance is low, but its health is high, so progress may seem slow. Avoid greediness—attempting too many poison applications at once can leave you vulnerable. If you run out of poison tools, fall back on basic combat to create openings, but always prioritize refilling your poison supplies.
Poison buildup is a methodical, low-risk way to defeat the Guardian Ape. By focusing on repeated poison application during safe openings and phase transitions, you can drain its health without engaging in prolonged, risky combat. This strategy rewards patience and precision, turning one of the game’s toughest fights into a manageable test of timing and resource management.
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Rope Glitch: Use the grappling hook to bypass phases and avoid damage
The Rope Glitch is a game-changer for players looking to minimize frustration and maximize efficiency when facing the Guardian Ape in *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*. By leveraging the grappling hook, you can bypass entire phases of the fight, drastically reducing the risk of taking damage. This exploit hinges on the game’s mechanics allowing you to reposition yourself in ways the developers likely didn’t intend, turning a grueling battle into a calculated maneuver.
To execute the Rope Glitch, timing and precision are key. During the first phase, wait for the Guardian Ape to perform its leaping slam attack. As it jumps, grapple to the nearby tree branch directly above the arena. If timed correctly, the Ape will miss its attack, and you’ll be safely out of reach. From this vantage point, you can drop down behind the Ape, avoiding its frontal aggression entirely. This step alone skips the most dangerous part of the phase, allowing you to focus on dealing damage without fear of retaliation.
However, the true power of the Rope Glitch becomes evident in the second phase, when the Guardian Ape becomes more aggressive and introduces the deadly centipede summoning. Instead of engaging directly, grapple to the same tree branch as before. The Ape will often get stuck in a loop, attempting to reach you but failing due to the distance. This creates a window to throw shuriken or use prosthetics like the Firecracker to chip away at its health. With patience, you can whittle down its health bar without ever stepping into harm’s way.
While the Rope Glitch is effective, it’s not without risks. Misjudging the timing of the grapple can leave you vulnerable to attacks, and over-reliance on the glitch may hinder your ability to learn the fight’s mechanics. Additionally, the glitch requires familiarity with the arena layout and the Ape’s attack patterns. Practice is essential to master the timing and positioning needed to pull it off consistently.
In conclusion, the Rope Glitch is a high-reward strategy for players seeking to streamline the Guardian Ape fight. By exploiting the grappling hook’s mechanics, you can bypass phases, avoid damage, and focus on offense. While it demands precision and practice, the payoff is a significantly less stressful encounter. Whether you’re a completionist or a casual player, this glitch offers a unique and satisfying approach to one of *Sekiro*’s most challenging battles.
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Fire Damage: Equip fire-infused weapons to exploit the boss’s weakness to fire
The Guardian Ape, a formidable Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice boss, harbors a critical vulnerability: fire. Exploiting this weakness through fire-infused weaponry transforms a grueling battle into a calculated, almost surgical takedown. While the fight demands precision and patience, incorporating fire damage significantly reduces its complexity, making it a cornerstone of any cheese strategy.
Fire-infused weapons, such as the Flame Vent prosthetic tool or a Flame-infused sword, deal substantial damage to the Guardian Ape. The Flame Vent, in particular, excels due to its range and ability to stagger the boss, creating openings for vital deathblows. Aim for the Ape’s head or torso, where its defenses are weakest, and prioritize fully charged Flame Vent shots for maximum impact.
However, relying solely on fire damage is insufficient. The Guardian Ape’s aggressive combos and sweeping attacks require evasive mastery. Practice deflecting its initial strikes to create distance, then unleash a flurry of fire-infused attacks during its recovery animations. Remember, fire damage is a tool, not a crutch—timing and positioning remain paramount.
For optimal results, combine fire-infused weapons with the Firecrackers prosthetic. Used strategically, Firecrackers stun the Guardian Ape momentarily, providing a window to unleash a concentrated burst of flame. This combo disrupts the boss’s rhythm and maximizes fire damage output. Additionally, consider equipping the Flame Barrel prosthetic for emergency situations, as its area-of-effect damage can deter the Ape’s relentless pursuit.
While fire damage is a potent tactic, it’s not without risk. Over-reliance on flame-based attacks can deplete resources quickly, leaving you vulnerable if the Ape closes the distance. Balance fire damage with traditional combat techniques, and always maintain a healthy supply of healing items. With practice, this fire-focused approach becomes less of a cheese and more of a refined strategy, turning the tides against one of Sekiro’s most intimidating foes.
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Summon Distraction: Use a summon to draw aggro while you deal damage safely
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the Guardian Ape is a formidable boss that demands precision, patience, and strategy. One effective cheese tactic involves leveraging summons to draw aggro, allowing you to deal damage safely from the sidelines. This method exploits the game’s AI mechanics, turning the boss’s aggression into a predictable pattern you can manipulate. By summoning an NPC like the Shinobi Firecracker or using items like the Gourd Seed, you create a secondary target that absorbs the Guardian Ape’s focus, giving you crucial windows to strike without risking posture or health.
To execute this strategy, position yourself near the boss arena’s edges, ensuring you have ample space to maneuver. Summon your NPC or use the Gourd Seed just as the fight begins, immediately drawing the Guardian Ape’s attention. Time your attacks during its prolonged combos or when it locks onto the summon, focusing on high-damage moves like the Ichimonji Double or Perilous Sweep. Be mindful of the summon’s health; if it dies, the boss will revert to targeting you. Keep a Gourd Seed ready to revive the summon if needed, or use the opportunity to heal and reposition.
This tactic is particularly effective during the Guardian Ape’s first phase, where its attacks are slower and more predictable. In the second phase, when it becomes more aggressive and gains new abilities, the summon’s effectiveness diminishes, but it can still buy you precious seconds to chip away at its health. Pair this strategy with stealth deaths to reduce its overall health before the fight, making the summon distraction even more impactful. Remember, the goal isn’t to rely solely on the summon but to use it as a tool to disrupt the boss’s rhythm and create openings.
While this method may feel less honorable than a head-on confrontation, it’s a practical solution for players struggling with the Guardian Ape’s relentless pressure. It highlights Sekiro’s design philosophy, where creativity and resourcefulness are rewarded. By mastering the summon distraction, you not only bypass the boss’s difficulty but also gain a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics, preparing you for future challenges. Use this cheese wisely, and let it serve as a stepping stone to mastering the Guardian Ape through skill alone.
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Frequently asked questions
The "cheese" strategy involves exploiting the Guardian Ape's behavior by staying out of its attack range and using the environment to your advantage, such as hiding behind the rock pillar to avoid its attacks and chip away at its health.
Yes, using the Firecrackers Prosthetic Tool can stun the Guardian Ape temporarily, allowing you to deal damage without engaging directly. Repeating this tactic can significantly reduce its health.
Yes, staying in the water during the second phase can prevent the Guardian Ape from attacking you directly, though this method is slower and requires patience to whittle down its health.
The Guardian Ape has a limited range of attacks and can get stuck in certain animations. By staying just out of its reach and baiting specific attacks, you can minimize damage and create opportunities to strike.
Yes, summoning the Sculptor using Spirit Emblems can distract the Guardian Ape, allowing you to deal damage while it focuses on the NPC. This tactic is especially useful for reducing its health quickly.
