On a long covered bridge in Sekiro’s Senpou Temple area you’ll face one of the game’s most annoying bosses. The Armored Warrior doesn’t seem all that intimidating at first, but looks can be deceiving.
The specific mechanics of the battle make for a unique fight with some incredibly frustrating win conditions. However, like other Sekiro bosses, the Armored Warrior hides a glaring weakness which, once discovered, can be exploited.
Sekiro: Defeating The Armored Warrior
Right from the start it’s important not to underestimate the Armored Warrior. He can move and attack with surprising speed given his heavy armor and large sword. Worse, that large sword also gives him a lot of range, especially when he goes for a lunging chop attack. You can technically block/deflect his attacks but doing so can quickly break your posture. It’s often better to just hang back and rush in for a quick hit after he swings at you.
When the Armored Warrior’s hits connect with the bridge’s walls and railing they’ll break away. His armor also makes him immune to standard deathblow finishers but you’ll still want to break his posture. Hitting the Armored Warrior with a deathblow knocks him back a few steps, revealing his weakness. Knock him back towards an open section of the bridge and he’ll topple over to his death.
Of course, knowing how to defeat the Armored Warrior and actually doing it are two very different things. Even a few solid hits from his sword can empty your life bar, which means you need to fight smart. Only go for an attack when you’re absolutely sure you can get away cleanly. Also, if he crouches down and roars, back up quickly as he’s prepping a series of heavy hits.
If you have the Loaded Axe tool for your Shinobi Prosthetic, it’s great for dealing heavy posture damage. Upping your Spirit Essence total also helps since it means more Loaded Axe uses during the fight.
For more on Sekiro, we’ve also got boss guides for the Blazing Bull and Gyoubu Oniwa.