Counter-slash Attacking

Deflecting not only keeps you from being harmed by an attack, it also damages your enemy's Posture and can create an opportunity to perform a counter attack on the enemy. After you successfully Deflect an incoming enemy attack, quickly attack to execute a Counter-slash. A master Shinobi will use a combination of attacks, deflections, and counter-slashes to damage Posture and quickly dispatch enemies.

Safety Roll

Just as it is with your enemies, you also have Posture that you need to maintain and defend. Enemy attacks that land can leave you vulnerable to more attacks. If your Posture is broken or you find yourself downed by an enemy, quickly press the jump or Step Dodge buttons to perform a Safety Roll, which allows you to get on your feet and minimize your vulnerability.

Safety Roll can be especially useful when you're low on Vitality or facing multiple enemies.

Locking On

Locking on to an enemy is crucial for attacking, defending yourself, or performing other combat actions. To Lock On to an enemy, face your target and then press the right thumbstick to Lock On. You can release an enemy by facing him and pressing the right thumbstick, or you can change the locked on enemy by pressing the right thumbstick in the direction of the enemy you'd like to target.

Healing Gourds

The mysterious Healing Gourd is granted to Wolf by the Divine Heir very early in the game.

The Healing Gourd can be added to your Quick Items within the Equipment Menu, allowing you to regain a certain amount of health upon use. The Healing Gourd refills upon resting at a Sculptor’s Idol, and its maximum uses per rest can be increased by giving Gourd Seeds to Emma. Once the Shinobi Prosthetic is acquired, Emma can be found standing just outside the entrance of the Sculptor’s Dilapidated Temple.

Grappling

Aside from replacing Wolf's severed left arm, the Shinobi Prosthetic comes with a Grappling Hook, giving you access to higher ground and other spots that would be otherwise unreachable.

As you make your way through Ashina, you'll begin to see circular markers on grapple points. Once a grapple point becomes within reach, the symbol will turn green, indicating you can grapple to it.