Roadmap
Time in Sekiro advances every time you acquire an item required by the main storyline. Based on this and certain events in the game that change the world, I have split the game into three parts for this guide. This is the sequence that the guide follows, each of the key items advancing time when acquired:
Early game
-
Complete the prologue in Ashina Reservoir.
-
Make your way to the top of the Ashina Castle, revisiting Ashina Reservoir on the way.
-
Get the Lotus of the Palace in the Sunken Valley (Bodhisattva Valley).
-
Get the Mortal Blade in the Senpou Temple.
-
Get the Fragrant Stone in the Ashina Depths (Mibu Village).
Acquiring all three triggers world changes in Ashina Castle, marking the start of mid-game.
Mid-game
-
Revisit bodies of water and explore underwater.
-
Make your way to the top of the Ashina Castle again.
-
Acquire the Fresh Serpent Viscera in the Senpou Temple (Sunken Valley Cavern).
Doesn't advance time, but required for one of the endings.
-
Acquire the Dried Serpent Viscera at the bottom of the Sunken Valley (Bodhisattva Valley).
Doesn't advance time, but required for one of the endings.
-
Acquire the Divine Dragon's Tears in the Fountainhead Palace.
Acquiring this triggers world changes in Ashina Castle, Ashina Reservoir and Ashina Outskirts, marking the start of endgame.
Endgame
There are no more plot items to collect, just areas and bosses to get through.
-
Get through Ashina Castle
-
Revisit Ashina Outskirts for optional bosses
-
Finish the game in Ashina Reservoir