Completing Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a monumental achievement, but the journey across Ashina does not have to end once the final credits roll. Entering New Game Plus allows players to test their refined parrying skills against scaling opponents while retaining most of their combat capabilities. Understanding how to initiate this new cycle and prepare your character ensures a seamless transition into higher difficulty tiers.
Requirements for Unlocking Playthrough 2
To unlock New Game Plus in Sekiro, players must first successfully complete the main campaign and trigger one of the four distinct story endings. After the ending sequence plays out, you will receive an immediate prompt asking whether you want to begin Playthrough 2 right away. Selecting no allows you to remain in your current world to finish open tasks, after which you can manually trigger the new playthrough from the Sculptor's Idol at the Dilapidated Temple.
Essential Preparation Checklist Before Resetting
Before launching your next playthrough, taking time to clear remaining optional content across the map provides a massive long-term benefit. You should collect all obtainable Prayer Beads and Gourd Seeds to maximize Wolf's health, posture, and healing capacity before enemy damage scales up. Furthermore, defeating all Headless and Shichimen Warriors rewards permanent reusable items that prove invaluable during tougher encounters.
What Carries Over and What Resets
When you start New Game Plus, Sekiro preserves your hard-earned character stats, including your overall Attack Power and physical vitality levels. Your unlocked skill tree abilities, Combat Arts, Ninjutsu techniques, and collected Sen currency also carry over completely into the new run. However, key narrative items like the Mortal Blade, Mibu Breathing Technique, and key event items reset to preserve story progression logic.
Progression Changes and Hardship Options
In subsequent playthroughs, all enemies and bosses deal significantly higher posture and vitality damage while possessing larger health pools. Additionally, players seeking the ultimate test of combat skill can surrender Kuro's Charm during the prologue sequence in Moonview Tower. Playing without Kuro's Charm forces you to take damage when blocking standard attacks unless you land a flawless deflection every time.
