Fight Strategies

Explanation

Each battle in Okami, whether it be caused by a scripted trigger, a devil gate, or a demon scroll, includes a predetermined selection of enemies. While the enemies spawn in random locations within the battle barrier, we can still construct set strategies for each fight to defeat every enemy quickly and efficiently.

Common Tools

1. Divine Instrument (DI) - Ammy's basic attack in general. In most categories, Reflectors or Glaives are used, while Rosaries are rarely used as the main weapon.
2. Sub-weapon (SW) - Ammy's secondary attack. In categories which use a SW, the Life Beads (from Crimson Helm) or Tundra Beads (purchased for NG+ saves) are used due to their extremely high burst damage at close range.
3. Power Slash (PS) - As a responsive brush technique able to deal damage to multiple targets at once, PS sees a great deal of use in all categories. It is also the most common Floral Finisher by far, for NG AB and Top Dog.
4. Cherry Bomb (CB) - A more challenging brush power which deals massive damage to adjacent targets. CB's see a great deal of use, especially against single targets. Many enemies which are immune or resistant to PS can be damaged or made vulnerable by CB. The primary downside is the skill required to consistently hit a moving target with the potentially-delayed explosion.
5. Exorcism Slips (Small/Medium/Large) (S/M/L Slips or ExS/M/L) - Battle items which hit all targets in the battle regardless of distance or visibility. Many enemies can be hit by slips even when immune to all other sources of damage, though some enemies are not damaged by them until made vulnerable some other way. They are used pervasively in runs, limited primarily by their scarcity in NG.
6. Steel Fist Sake (SFS) - A battle item which significantly increases the damage of DI, SW, and CB, but not PS. These see a great deal of use when slips are not efficient or effective. SFS + CB's is an extremely common strategy in NG runs.
7. Gold Dust - An optional item which permanently increases the power of most weapons by about 30-40%. In categories where slips and SFS are more scarce, such as NG AB or Top Dog, gold dust sees limited use. It can be acquired from many sources, but is usually purchased in Agata Forest, as that is the cheapest and fastest source.
8. Inkfinity Stone - A battle item which grants unlimited ink for 60 seconds, not including cutscenes. Used in and out of fights when a large number of brush techniques are used.
9. Ink Praise Upgrade -