Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is FromSoftware's action game set in Sengoku-era Japan where you play as Wolf, a shinobi on a mission to rescue his kidnapped lord. Unlike Dark Souls, Sekiro has no RPG stats, no build variety, and no co-op — it's a pure action game built around the posture system and deflection mechanics. The game won Game of the Year 2019 by demanding mastery of its sword-clashing rhythm combat. Every boss teaches you that aggression and precise deflection are the path forward.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary weapons | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary weapons | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Ashina Outskirts
Key resources: Basic combat skills, first Prayer Bead minibosses, Gourd Seed Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Loaded Axe upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Hirata Estate
Key resources: Lady Butterfly, Mist Raven prosthetic, Father's Bell Charm Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Loaded Axe upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Sunken Valley
Key resources: Guardian Ape fight, Lotus of the Palace, Dried Serpent Viscera Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Loaded Axe upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Fountainhead Palace
Key resources: Divine Dragon fight, Lapis Lazuli (prosthetic upgrades), Flower endgame item Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Kusabimaru max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Ashina Depths
Key resources: Headless drops (Spiritfall items), Mibu Village area, shelter Stone Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Kusabimaru max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Ashina Outskirts — Hirata Estate)
- Upgrade your starting weapons to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Loaded Axe once accessible
Mid Game (Sunken Valley)
- Push Loaded Axe to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Kusabimaru
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Fountainhead Palace — Ashina Depths)
- Max out Kusabimaru — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary weapons for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple weapons — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Sunken Valley farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Deflect, don't block. Timing is everything — a deflection (tap block at impact) deals massive posture damage to the enemy while taking none yourself. Blocking fills your posture bar.
- Farm Sunken Valley during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Guides
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Overview
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Best Builds
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Tier List
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Walkthrough
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Beginner's Guide
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Tips & Tricks
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Weapons Guide
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Combat Guide
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Boss Guide
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Maps & Locations
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Crafting Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Crafting Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Crafting Guide — action game with similar mechanics
