Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - All Headless Mini-Boss Locations & Rewards Guide

Headless are dangerous opponents that spread terror wherever they linger in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. And that’s literal — they’re abominations that cause a status effect called ‘terror’. If your meter fills to the top, you’ll die instantly. Headless come in two forms; underwater and above water, but they’re all incredibly dangerous if you’re not equipped to fight them.

The first Headless you encounter will probably kill you very quickly. To defeat them, you’ll want to use Divine Confetti and Pacifying Agent. These items will increase your attack power against spectral opponents, or help protect you against the killer effects of Terror. These are rare items, so you’ll want to wait until the very late game — both items can be purchased from Fujioka the Info Broker near the end of the game.

More Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice guides:

All Headless Mini-Boss Locations & Rewards Guide

Headless are powerful foes that use terror-infused attacks. It’s best to avoid their attacks — even if you block or parry, you’ll still get hit with terror status.

To defeat Headless, use Divine Confetti to empower your sword, making you do much more damage against headless. You can also use Pacifying Agent to improve your defense significantly against Terror.

Headless Locations

There are five headless. Each one drops a different useful reward. Instead of getting Prayer Beads, you’ll get unique Spiritfall items. These items can be used endlessly. They are not consumed after one use. Instead, the items consume Spirit Emblems.

Ashina Outskirts, Underbridge Valley Idol – From the Underbridge, follow the trees and jump / drop down to a hard-to-spot ledge you can hang from. Shimmy down this path and drop down to a large cavern entrance. It leads to a dark room guarded by a Headless. This is likely the first Headless you’ll encounter in the game.

Reward: Ako’s Spiritfall (Increases posture + vitality damage for a short time.)

Ashina Depths, Hidden Forest – Near the start of the Hidden Forest, you’ll easily spot this Headless lumbering around. It’s probably best to venture to the end and defeat the Mist Noble — then you can return without fighting back respawning ghosts.

Reward: Gachiin’s Spiritfall (Grants Wolf silent movement and concealment.)

Ashina Castle, Old Grave Idol – Behind Ashina Castle, you’ll find a huge lake. After defeating the ghostly Corrupt Monk, you’ll unlock the Mibu Breathing Technique, which allows you to dive underwater. The Headless is wandering around at the bottom of the lake.

Reward: Ungo’s Spiritfall (Improves defense on Wolf, lowering damage to vitality, for a short time.)

Sunken Valley, Under-Shrine Valley Idol – From this idol, backtrack to the area with two gunners and jump to a high ledge nearby. Shimmy down this optional path, and it will eventually lead back to Ashina Outskirts. There’s a small gravestone ledge with a pool of water. Dive into the water with Mibu Breathing Technique, and swim until you reach a dark cave with this Headless.

Reward: Gokan’s Spiritfall (Improves defense on Wolf, lowering damage to posture, for a short time.)

Fountainhead Palace, Flower Viewing Stage Idol – Defeat the warrior that shoots lightning bolts, then return to the deep lake and explore near the idol. There’s a Headless in the waters below.