In Sekiro, the Prosthetic Tools expand your combat options in ways that often define encounters. While every tool has its place, some are more situational than others. This list ranks all ten Prosthetic Tools in reverse order of overall usefulness, taking into account versatility, damage output, synergy with skills, and boss applications.
10. Sabimaru
The poison blade is flashy but inconsistent. While it deals poison damage over time, many of the game’s most challenging enemies, especially bosses, have high resistance or immunity to poison. It can stagger humanoid foes slightly and looks great in rapid sequences, but its niche application keeps it from higher placement. Better suited for crowd control in specific areas than for boss fights.
9. Mist Raven
In theory, this is one of the most elegant tools in the game. It allows Wolf to vanish and reposition when struck, making it excellent for dodging heavy, single-hit attacks. In practice, the timing is finicky, and the wind-up makes it less practical against quick or combo-heavy enemies. Its potential in PvP or theoretical duels would be immense, but in the structured AI combat of Sekiro, it too often gets sidelined.
8. Loaded Axe
A devastating option against shields, and one of the earliest tools to offer a raw power spike. It can break guard and deal heavy posture damage, especially to slower, armoured foes. However, it is slower than other tools, often leaving you exposed in faster-paced fights. Its main draw is against shielded enemies, which become rare after the midgame.
7. Divine Abduction
This tool causes most enemies to turn around, effectively stunning them, and can instantly remove certain monks from fights when used correctly. In late-game areas like the Senpou Temple, it becomes more viable. Still, its effectiveness drops significantly against stronger opponents and bosses. Stylish and tactically clever, but too niche to be consistently relied on.
6. Loaded Umbrella
It’s essentially a mobile shield with elemental variants. The base version can block all directions, with minimal posture penalty. Later upgrades let you reflect lightning or fire, making this tool invaluable for certain boss fights like the Demon of Hatred or the final phase of Genichiro. Its defensive nature doesn’t suit every playstyle, but in the right hands, it changes the flow of battle.
5. Flame Vent
Early-game enemies crumble under the flame effect, and it’s particularly brutal against beasts and those vulnerable to fire. It synergises well with Oil to boost burn damage and posture destruction. While it loses potency late-game, the Flame Vent remains one of the best early tools for disrupting enemy rhythms and punishing gaps.
4. Loaded Spear
The spear is excellent for pulling enemies out of formations and stripping armour, most notably from the heavily armoured enemies. Its reach and quick recovery frames make it effective even without upgrades. It also has great posture damage and interrupts sweeping attacks from larger foes. Versatile, technical, and more rewarding with practice.
3. Shuriken (Loaded Shuriken)
At first glance, it’s a simple ranged projectile. But its low cost, fast execution, and stagger potential make it indispensable. Ideal for punishing aerial enemies, interrupting charges, or quickly finishing off fleeing foes. Its usefulness spans the entire game, and while it’s rarely the most powerful tool, it’s one of the most reliable.
2. Finger Whistle
Often overlooked, this tool has immense utility in stealth-heavy areas and beast fights. It can draw individual enemies away from groups, creating opportunities to assassinate them. Against beasts, it causes rage, leading to internal attacks or brief stuns. This can trivialise some otherwise difficult encounters. Quiet, deadly, and consistently useful.
1. Firecrackers (Shinobi Firecracker)
The Firecrackers win by sheer versatility. They interrupt nearly every enemy in the game, stun beasts, provide a breather during intense fights, and open windows for counterattacks. Cheap, quick, and effective against bosses like Gyoubu, Guardian Ape, and many minibosses. Whether you’re stalling for healing or baiting a reaction, no other tool offers as much raw utility.
Each tool rewards experimentation, but when it comes to consistent impact throughout the game, the Firecrackers stand above the rest. Others may shine in specific encounters, but they don’t match the sheer flexibility this core tool provides.
