Best Weapon Upgrades in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is one of the best standalone titles in FromSoftware's award-winning souls-like series. In this entry, you take on the role of Shinobi, a.k.a Wolf, and seek vengeance on an opposing samurai clan that kidnapped and murdered your lord. You progress through vast, detailed, and difficult-to-navigate areas filled with unique enemies that will test any soul-like veteran. You must rely on precise attacks with your katana and prosthetic arm with only a few skill sets to upgrade. However, your prosthetic arm allows you to equip various weapons with numerous upgrades to aid in combating enemies. Today, we'll rank the best prosthetic arm weapon upgrades that will help make the game's daunting combat a tad bit easier.

5. Sabimaru – Piercing Sabimaru

Piercing Sabimaru is a variant upgrade for the Sabimaru. It outperforms other upgrades due to the damage it inflicts on enemies while they are blocking attacks, allowing for a more aggressive playstyle. As a result, it’s one of the best weapon upgrades in the game for players who struggle with enemies who block strikes. Plus we have to mention the animations, which are tirelessly satisfying and flow seamlessly into ducks, dodges, and parries.

What’s more, is that you can chain up to 12 attacks for the combo. While chaining the combo, keep in mind that the opening strikes are slower; if timed correctly, you will have no problem attacking. What's more, is that when you combine it with your Kusibarmu Katana, you can unleash a barrage of attacks on enemies capitalizing on speed and damage.

4. Divine Abduction – Golden Vortex

The Golden Vortex is one of the best weapon upgrades for Divine Abduction because not only does it grant new abilities, but also rewards. For example, it allows items and gold to be dropped from enemies just by hitting them. Furthermore, it nets you double the gold when you do kill them. However, this can’t be re-used on the same enemy. So, just your first strike on a new enemy will grant you this bonus. Nonetheless, this makes it one of the best weapon upgrades for farming enemies.

That’s why the Golden Vortex is best used when first engaging enemies. Additionally, because It can only be activated on enemies once, it helps you avoid burning through your spirit emblems. However, just beware of using it in the late game, as it gets a lot more costly the higher level you get. But with that said, due to its insane drop and gold buff, we consider it one of the best weapon upgrades in the game.

3. Loaded Axe – Sparking Axe

The loaded axe prosthetic is one of the game's most powerful weapons with the Sparking Axe being the best upgrade for it. It is best described as spin to win because of its ability to constantly spin around dealing large amounts of damage in a circle. As a result, you can attack multiple enemies at once, and on the flip side, they can't engage you. This will easily be your go-to attack through the course of the game, costing the same amount of spirit emblems throughout.

Sparking Axe is especially effective against bosses who are vulnerable to fire and posture damage. Unlike other weapons, the sparking axe has a powerful jump attack that can be a devastating opener, staggering enemies and allowing you to land more blows. Along with great combos, it also deals flame damage when swinging at burning enemies. Though it is one of the best weapon upgrades in the game, it can be quite slow when swinging to set up combos. So, we recommend primarily using the spin attack.

2. Shinobi Firecracker – Long Spark

Shinobi Firecracker is one of the best upgrades and an excellent choice for your prosthetic arm. That's because it allows you to stun multiple enemies at once by dispersing a wall of firecrackers around your position. This is ideal because it gives you more time to set up attacks and flee if you are being pursued by enemies. But due note, this isn’t used to kill enemies. Rather, it should be used to set up great entries and exits while slashing through with your Katana.

Long Spark is one of the best weapon upgrades for the Shinobi Firecracker because it increases the duration of each firecracker released and shoots them further. Creating a greater area of protection around you. As a result, Long Spark is extremely effective in almost every situation. To be honest, the extended time and range make this upgrade extremely broken, stunning enemies for nearly double the time. We recommend using this when enemies are charging attacks or setting up combos.

1. Loaded Umbrella – Suzaku's Lotus Umbrella

As the best weapon upgrade in the game, the Loaded Umbrella will not disappoint. This upgrade allows you to block multiple attacks thanks to the umbrella popping out like a shield, putting defense first. And, if you have played FromSoftware's souls-like games, you'll know defense first is typically how you come out on top. It is especially effective when blocking enemies' physical and fire damage. However, you can also charge toward enemies while blocking to set yourself up for a combo once their attack is over.

Using the projected force skill a part of this upgrade allows you to absorb three projectiles from enemies. Then once the umbrella starts to smoke, you can shoot a projectile back that pierces through enemies and deals absurdly high damage. Safe to say, this weapon upgrade and skill are the most effective duo in the game, allowing you to block incoming attacks and hit back even harder.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other weapon upgrades in Sekiro you think are best? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!