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* GutturalGrowler: In the Japanese dub and less so in the English dub, Wolf has a rather raspy voice, which stands out since he's very quiet most of the time.
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* ArtificialLimbs: Has a skeletal-looking prosthetic arm, a Ningishu, that was given to him by the Sculptor after Genichiro severed his arm. It contains a grappling hook mechanism, and can be fitted with a variety of Prosthetic Tools, from spring-loaded shuriken to magical fans to help him go through the many battles ahead of him.
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* ArtificialLimbs: Has a skeletal-looking prosthetic arm, a Ningishu, that was given to him by the Sculptor {{Sculptor|s}} after Genichiro severed his arm. It contains a grappling hook mechanism, and can be fitted with a variety of Prosthetic Tools, from spring-loaded shuriken to magical fans to help him go through the many battles ahead of him.
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trope disambig
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** [[BladeOnAStick The Loaded Spear]]. It looks like a small BladeBelowTheShoulder, but [[RetractableWeapon when drawn]], it offers the largest melee range available in a fight where spacing is key. Great for attacking from a distance, but can also drag enemies and poorly-equipped armor pieces towards Wolf during a follow-up attack. Upgrade variations fall into two categories - the thrust-type provides a charging attack where Wolf runs his foes through with armor-piercing precision; the cleave-type instead is swung in a wide circle when charged, and can even be [[FlamingSword set ablaze]] for bonus fire damage.
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** [[BladeOnAStick The Loaded Spear]].Spear. It looks like a small BladeBelowTheShoulder, but [[RetractableWeapon when drawn]], it offers the largest melee range available in a fight where spacing is key. Great for attacking from a distance, but can also drag enemies and poorly-equipped armor pieces towards Wolf during a follow-up attack. Upgrade variations fall into two categories - the thrust-type provides a charging attack where Wolf runs his foes through with armor-piercing precision; the cleave-type instead is swung in a wide circle when charged, and can even be [[FlamingSword set ablaze]] for bonus fire damage.
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Per TRS.
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* BadassBaritone: Wolf possesses a cavernously deep voice in both English and Japanese.
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* TheRedBaron: The player character is known as Wolf, and after losing his arm, The One-Armed Wolf (which is the near-literal translation of "Sekiro").
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* TheRedBaron: RedBaron: The player character is known as Wolf, and after losing his arm, The One-Armed Wolf (which is the near-literal translation of "Sekiro").
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An Axe To Grind is no longer a trope
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** [[AnAxeToGrind The Loaded Axe]]. A hefty weapon meant to simply smash things apart in an overhead strike, it deals generous amounts of Vitality and Posture damage with every blow. It has a slow wind-up time, but that is offset by high poise that tanks through most attacks. Upgrading it gives an additional swing as a charge attack, and even create [[StuffBlowingUp explosions]] at the point of impact. The final variant instead casts shockwaves that [[DispelMagic wipes away illusions]].
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** [[AnAxeToGrind The Loaded Axe]].Axe. A hefty weapon meant to simply smash things apart in an overhead strike, it deals generous amounts of Vitality and Posture damage with every blow. It has a slow wind-up time, but that is offset by high poise that tanks through most attacks. Upgrading it gives an additional swing as a charge attack, and even create [[StuffBlowingUp explosions]] at the point of impact. The final variant instead casts shockwaves that [[DispelMagic wipes away illusions]].
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** [[WeaponOfChoice The]] [[KatanasAreJustBetter Kusabimaru]], a family heirloom granted to Wolf in service to Kuro. It's his go-to option for basic offense and defense, and what all the combat of the game centers around.
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** [[WeaponOfChoice The]] [[KatanasAreJustBetter The Kusabimaru]], a family heirloom granted to Wolf in service to Kuro. It's his go-to option for basic offense and defense, and what all the combat of the game centers around.
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some TRS cleaning
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* AwesomeMcCoolname: The first kanji in Sekiro refers to "one missing half of something" (e.g., missing one of two arms), while the second means "wolf." ''The One-Armed Wolf''. This is actually the exact route he gets this name, since the name is given to him by another character. In a play on words, "Seki" can also mean "[[RedIsHeroic red]]", so a different reading of the title would be "The Red Wolf", which highlights the amount of bloodshed that's about to go down in order to save Kuro. It must also be noted that his ''official job title'' is "Shinobi of the Divine Heir".
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* AnAxeToGrind: Wolf can install a powerful hatchet as a sub-weapon onto his prosthetic, useful for piercing shields, breaking down tough material, and just doing damage in general.
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Up To Eleven is a defunct trope
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* BloodKnight: Wolf isn't just duty-bound; he ''enjoys'' what he does, even if he isn't a sadist about it. Both the Sculptor and Isshin are concerned with his bloodlust, to the point where the latter warns him that he's in danger of manifesting Shura. [[spoiler:Taken UpToEleven during the Shura ending, as Shura literally means "Demon enthralled by violence". His transformation into a blood-soaked demon completes the cycle of violence. No matter what lies before him -- civilian or soldier -- Wolf will cut them down all the same with a smile on his face.]]
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* BloodKnight: Wolf isn't just duty-bound; he ''enjoys'' what he does, even if he isn't a sadist about it. Both the Sculptor and Isshin are concerned with his bloodlust, to the point where the latter warns him that he's in danger of manifesting Shura. [[spoiler:Taken UpToEleven [[spoiler:Exaggerated during the Shura ending, as Shura literally means "Demon enthralled by violence". His transformation into a blood-soaked demon completes the cycle of violence. No matter what lies before him -- civilian or soldier -- Wolf will cut them down all the same with a smile on his face.]]
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* OneManArmy: While he can't take too many foes at once without running into trouble, Wolf still ends up carving through what's left of Ashina's military and likely kills most of their high ranking commanders. In fact, many fans have argued that Genichiro's single biggest strategic mistake was just ''pissing him off''. Taken UpToEleven in the Shura ending, where he [[spoiler:becomes a demon that slaughters ''thousands'' of people]].
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* OneManArmy: While he can't take too many foes at once without running into trouble, Wolf still ends up carving through what's left of Ashina's military and likely kills most of their high ranking commanders. In fact, many fans have argued that Genichiro's single biggest strategic mistake was just ''pissing him off''. Taken UpToEleven in In the Shura ending, where he [[spoiler:becomes a demon that slaughters ''thousands'' of people]].
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* SwordLines: Many of Wolf's high-tier combat arts will give off this effect. Mortal Draw and Empowered Mortal Draw take this UpToEleven by literally staining the air with inky strokes of immortality-ending energy.
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* SwordLines: Many of Wolf's high-tier combat arts will give off this effect. Mortal Draw and Empowered Mortal Draw take this UpToEleven by literally staining stain the air with inky strokes of immortality-ending energy.
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No longer a trope
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* MulticoloredHair: He has a patch of white hair and pale white skin on the side of his face, implied to be an effect of the Dragon Heritage pact.
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[[Characters/SekiroMainCharacters Main Characters]] ('''Sekiro/Wolf''') | [[Characters/SekiroSecondaryCharacters Secondary Characters]] | [[Characters/SekiroEnemiesAndBosses Enemies and Bosses]] | [[Characters/SekiroMangaCharacters Manga Characters]] -]]]]]
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* AnimalMotif: Heavily associated with [[NobleWolf Wolves]].
* AnArmAndALeg: Loses his arm in a fight at the start of the game and wears a special prosthetic as a replacement.
* AnArmAndALeg: Loses his arm in a fight at the start of the game and wears a special prosthetic as a replacement.
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* AnimalMotif: Heavily He's heavily associated with [[NobleWolf Wolves]].
* AnArmAndALeg:Loses He loses his arm in a fight with Genichiro at the start of the game and wears a special prosthetic as a replacement.
* AnArmAndALeg:
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* BadassBaritone: Possesses a cavernously deep voice in both English and Japanese.
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* BadassBaritone: Possesses Wolf possesses a cavernously deep voice in both English and Japanese.
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* BadassLongcoat: Wears an impressive orange ''haori''.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: Despite being the main protagonist, he's the one major character with the least spoken dialogue and prefers keeping his sentences short and concise when conversing with others. He's also the biggest OneManArmy in the setting, has slaughtered countless natural and unnatural enemies in his way, and has defeated many big named warriors who are TheDreaded in their own right.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: Despite being the main protagonist, he's the one major character with the least spoken dialogue and prefers keeping his sentences short and concise when conversing with others. He's also the biggest OneManArmy in the setting, has slaughtered countless natural and unnatural enemies in his way, and has defeated many big named warriors who are TheDreaded in their own right.
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* BadassLongcoat: Wears He always wears an impressive orange ''haori''.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: Despite being the main protagonist, he's the one major character with the least spoken dialogue and prefers keeping his sentences short and concise whenconversing with others. conversing. He's also the biggest OneManArmy in the setting, has slaughtered setting; he slaughters countless natural and unnatural enemies in his way, and has defeated many big named big-named warriors who are TheDreaded in their own right.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: Despite being the main protagonist, he's the one major character with the least spoken dialogue and prefers keeping his sentences short and concise when
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* CursedWithAwesome: The game goes to great lengths to portray immortality as a curse, either outright, or disguised as a blessing. That being said, Wolf's immortality has allowed him to continue fighting, [[ContinuingIsPainful albeit not without its consequences.]]
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* CursedWithAwesome: The game goes to great lengths to portray immortality as a curse, either outright, or disguised as a blessing. That being said, Wolf's immortality has allowed him to continue fighting, [[ContinuingIsPainful albeit not without its consequences.]]]] His resurrections pose the risk of infecting those near him with a painful disease that he has to help treat with special medicine.
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* [[DefrostingIceQueen Defrosting Ice King]]: Face it, Wolf isn't very sociable, especially not in the early game. Early on, he is focused only on getting Kuro back and killing anyone in his way, and most of his conversations amount to little more than a silent grunt or growling out a few words containing a very thinly veiled threat. If he chooses to forsake the Iron Code and/or brings Sake to the three people who are available for it, he shows a softer side of himself, more willing to ask questions and show his appreciation to them.
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* [[DefrostingIceQueen Defrosting Ice King]]: Face it, To put it lightly, Wolf isn't very sociable, especially not in the early game. Early on, he is focused only on getting Kuro back and killing anyone in his way, and most of his conversations amount to little more than a silent grunt or growling out a few words containing a very thinly veiled threat. If he chooses to forsake the Iron Code and/or brings Sake to the three people who are available for it, he shows a softer side of himself, more willing to ask questions and show his appreciation to them.
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[[WMG:[[center: [-''VideoGame/SekiroShadowsDieTwice'' '''[[Characters/SekiroShadowsDieTwice Main Character Index]]'''\\
[[Characters/SekiroMainCharacters Main Characters]] ('''Sekiro/Wolf''') | [[Characters/SekiroSecondaryCharacters Secondary Characters]] | [[Characters/SekiroEnemiesAndBosses Enemies and Bosses]] | [[Characters/SekiroMangaCharacters Manga Characters]] -]]]]]
'''Warning: unmarked spoilers ahead.'''
!!Sekiro / Wolf
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sekiro_3.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here for Young Wolf]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sekiro_young_wolf.jpg[[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"The Mortal Blade. Without question... I accept its power."'']]
->''"Do what must be done."''
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (Japanese), Creator/NoshirDalal (English)
The PlayerCharacter and protagonist, Wolf is an older ninja bound to protect The Divine Heir, the last scion of an ancient bloodline. Ambushed while escorting his charge through a war-torn province, Wolf is attacked by a young samurai commander, costing him his left arm, his master's safety, and his honor. Waking up, and having found his arm replaced by a "ninja prosthetic", Wolf is told his master still lives, and that he still has the chance to redeem himself by preventing the samurai from sacrificing his liege to obtain immortality.
----
[[folder:A-L]]
* AbilityMixing: If Wolf fully masters one of the esoteric texts given to him throughout the game, the Tengu of Ashina will be impressed enough to hand over the means to develop Mushin Arts - this skill tree combines various combat arts that Wolf learned before to create new, devastating attacks.
* AntiHero: A type [[PragmaticHero III]]; not only is he hellbent on getting revenge, he has no qualms with murdering [[KickTheDog defenseless old women]] to remain undetected, and as expected of a ninja, using pragmatic tactics that would be considered very dishonorable. That being said, he's quite noble and pleasant otherwise, being respectful to everyone he meets and, in turn, being treated nicely by his comrades.
* AnimalMotif: Heavily associated with [[NobleWolf Wolves]].
* AnArmAndALeg: Loses his arm in a fight at the start of the game and wears a special prosthetic as a replacement.
* ArtificialLimbs: Has a skeletal-looking prosthetic arm, a Ningishu, that was given to him by the Sculptor after Genichiro severed his arm. It contains a grappling hook mechanism, and can be fitted with a variety of Prosthetic Tools, from spring-loaded shuriken to magical fans to help him go through the many battles ahead of him.
* ArmourPiercingAttack: Several sword arts and prosthetic upgrades damage enemies [[UnblockableAttack even through guard]], such as the Ashina Cross. The spear can also be used to remove armour from some of the larger enemies, allowing you to hurt them normally.
** In a variation on this theme, the Axe can be used to chop through ShieldBearingMook.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: The first kanji in Sekiro refers to "one missing half of something" (e.g., missing one of two arms), while the second means "wolf." ''The One-Armed Wolf''. This is actually the exact route he gets this name, since the name is given to him by another character. In a play on words, "Seki" can also mean "[[RedIsHeroic red]]", so a different reading of the title would be "The Red Wolf", which highlights the amount of bloodshed that's about to go down in order to save Kuro. It must also be noted that his ''official job title'' is "Shinobi of the Divine Heir".
* AxCrazy: [[spoiler:What he becomes at the end of the Shura ending; a crazed demon that slaughters tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians alike in blood-fueled massacres. He displays this earlier just before his transformation by grinning when he kills Emma.]]
* AnAxeToGrind: Wolf can install a powerful hatchet as a sub-weapon onto his prosthetic, useful for piercing shields, breaking down tough material, and just doing damage in general.
* BadassAndChildDuo: With Kuro, though he never takes Kuro with him on his missions.
* BadassBaritone: Possesses a cavernously deep voice in both English and Japanese.
* BadassBoast: Tells Kuro "This... will only take a moment" before his second battle with Genichiro.
* BadassCape: His "Ashina Shinobi" costume gives him a particularly badass one, colored dark blue.
* BadassLongcoat: Wears an impressive orange ''haori''.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: Despite being the main protagonist, he's the one major character with the least spoken dialogue and prefers keeping his sentences short and concise when conversing with others. He's also the biggest OneManArmy in the setting, has slaughtered countless natural and unnatural enemies in his way, and has defeated many big named warriors who are TheDreaded in their own right.
* BizarreTasteInFood: A few minor examples. Among the things he can eat are eel liver and Red Lumps. He even states "I will eat anything." The most normal thing he enjoys the sweet rice he is given by the Divine Child. Only...
--> '''Kuro:''' Wolf. Rice tastes much better when it is cooked.
--> '''Wolf:''' ...Cooked?
* BlindObedience: One of the choices he can make during the game is to wholeheartedly obey his father and mentor, setting him up on the path of [[spoiler:becoming a Shura]].
* BloodKnight: Wolf isn't just duty-bound; he ''enjoys'' what he does, even if he isn't a sadist about it. Both the Sculptor and Isshin are concerned with his bloodlust, to the point where the latter warns him that he's in danger of manifesting Shura. [[spoiler:Taken UpToEleven during the Shura ending, as Shura literally means "Demon enthralled by violence". His transformation into a blood-soaked demon completes the cycle of violence. No matter what lies before him -- civilian or soldier -- Wolf will cut them down all the same with a smile on his face.]]
-->''[[spoiler:Soldiers and townfolk alike died by the thousands. Very few survived. Ashina became the setting for the most tragic massacre of the Sengoku era. And for a long time after, it was said a demon lurked the land...]]''
* BloodMagic: Two of Wolf's ninjutsu techniques that he can initiate after performing a Backstab Deathblow (Bloodsmoke and Bestowal) draw upon the blood of his victims as well as Spirit Emblems.
* BloodSplatteredWarrior: Just like in the previous [=SoulsBourne=] games, the more Wolf kills, the more blood-drenched he will be. Deathblowing some bosses will literally shower his whole body with so much blood.
* CastFromHitpoints: The Ceremonial Tanto Wolf can obtain later in the game is used by damaging himself for half of his maximum health, in exchange adding five Spirit Emblems to his already-available count. A smart player would balance health and tanto usage to practically double the number of Spirit Emblems the Wolf can expend in combat.
* CastingAShadow: He can turn briefly into a shadow, moving at a fast speed in a short distance in order to avoid attacks and FlashStep.
* CatchPhrase: Responds to most expository dialogue with a contemplative "I see..."
* CharacterDevelopment: Events throughout the game push him to become more empathetic to others. He is frequently rewarded for helping those in need, which incentivizes the player to form bonds with those around them - indeed, the Dragonrot only affects people who know of the Wolf, so narratively the player is meant to talk to as many people as possible. [[spoiler:Whether or not this development is effective is determinant on what ending the player chooses.]]
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower:
** Wolf's shinobi training has given him strength sufficient to leap twelve feet vertically while carrying armor and weapons, deflect blows from a guy who can collapse an entire guard tower with a single swing,[[note]]the first boss, Gyoubu Oniwa, can do this.[[/note]] fall a hundred feet onto hard rock without taking damage, shove a katana straight through iron lamellar, and deflect matchlock bullets with his sword, among other things.
** Pay close attention to his grappling hook animation. He doesn't let the hook pull him up like most video game protagonists; he just plants it somewhere and then yanks his left arm ''really'' hard, enough that he sends himself flying dozens of feet through the air. When considering the low distance over which he had to exert force, and the fact that he's doing this solely with the muscles in his non-dominant arm instead of his more powerful [[InASingleBound legs]], this would require an insane amount of strength, enough to lift several tons.
* CoolMask: He wears a silvery, jeering ''Menpo'' over his face with his "Ashina Shinobi" outfit [[spoiler:which was the Sculptor's outfit back when he was a shinobi]]. In contrast, his "Tengu" costume has the same red-faced ceremonial ''Tengu'' mask that [[spoiler:Isshin wears while disguised.]]
* CombatPragmatist: As a shinobi, Wolf has a strong sense of honor concerning loyalty, but little if any concerning combat. Wolf, and by extension, the player, is expected to use every dirty tactic available, whether it be stealth or ninja tools, in order to rescue his lord. This was in fact a conscious choice [=FromSoft=] made and a reason Wolf was made a shinobi rather than a samurai, as a normal samurai wouldn't sully his honor with dirty tricks and pragmatism.
* TheComicallySerious: Wolf's sense of humor is nonexistent, leading to some amusing interactions with more lighthearted characters like Isshin and Emma. See NoSocialSkills and BizarreTasteInFood for examples.
* ConflictingLoyalty: Wolf is bound by the Iron Code of the Shinobi of Hirata which was taught to him by his father, but faces a moment of hesitation when Kuro decides to go against the code and seek a way to sever the ties of the Dragon's blood. [[spoiler:He faces another choice between obeying his father and killing Kuro, or disobeying his father and staying loyal to Kuro.]]
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Downplayed. While the game is not a sequel to the ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' series, Sekiro is completely different from the blank slate protagonist. Not only does he have his own personality and backstory, he also has a much simpler goal.
* CradlingYourKill: [[spoiler:If Wolf chooses to obey Owl and follows through with stabbing Emma in the throat, he will lower her to the ground until she properly expires.]]
* CripplingOverspecialization: Wolf is a StealthExpert and a master duelist, enabling him to kill even very powerful foes with single precision strikes as long as he can land a surprise deathblow, and take on behemoths he should logically have no chance against in a straight fight. However, due to the fact that (unlike previous Soulsborne protagonists) his only weapon is a small sword that can only hit one person at a time, he's ill-suited to taking on several enemies at once. The game encourages you to get around this by picking enemies off one by one.
* CursedWithAwesome: The game goes to great lengths to portray immortality as a curse, either outright, or disguised as a blessing. That being said, Wolf's immortality has allowed him to continue fighting, [[ContinuingIsPainful albeit not without its consequences.]]
* DarkIsNotEvil: He's a grim-faced Shinobi who employs BloodMagic, dishonorable tactics, and wields an EvilWeapon. But he's also highly loyal to his master and friends, and is actually quite honorable. The "Ashina Shinobi" outfit he can unlock even switches out his orange colored clothing for dark blue ones.
* DavidVersusGoliath: Wolf is not necessarily a small man himself, but he's positively ''tiny'' compared to the many larger-than-life warriors and behemoths blocking his path.
* [[DefrostingIceQueen Defrosting Ice King]]: Face it, Wolf isn't very sociable, especially not in the early game. Early on, he is focused only on getting Kuro back and killing anyone in his way, and most of his conversations amount to little more than a silent grunt or growling out a few words containing a very thinly veiled threat. If he chooses to forsake the Iron Code and/or brings Sake to the three people who are available for it, he shows a softer side of himself, more willing to ask questions and show his appreciation to them.
* DespairEventHorizon: Starts the game off this way. Losing both his father and his lord, the two people whose lives he was meant to devote himself to, leaves Wolf without a purpose and wallowing in a hole surrounded by enemies. It's only when he hears news that the Divine Heir is still alive when he springs himself to action.
* {{Determinator}}: Willing to do and kill everything to rescue his lord per his Iron Code his father taught him. And he is even willing to get ingredients for Kuro [[spoiler: and the Divine Child]] that is stated to be impossible to get even if it means[[spoiler: getting Kuro killed.]]
* TheDreaded: Eavesdropping on Masanaga the Spear-bearer will reveal that Wolf has attained quite a reputation among the agents of the Interior Ministry, who consider him an unkillable demon. [[spoiler:If he becomes Shura, the ''entirety of Japan'' is so scared shitless of him that no one dares enter into the destroyed province of Ashina, now reduced to a lifeless ghost-land, with whispers of a demon stalking anyone who dares trespass. Those who survived his rampage would go on to write folk songs about the "demon wolf in red" that destroyed their homeland]].
* {{Expy}}: Driven by vengeance? A living OneManArmy? Lost an arm and replaced it with a kickass prosthetic? JerkWithAHeartOfGold? Has a patch of hair that's white despite their age? Has a backstory involving being in the service of someone that they care(d) about? Are we sure we aren't talking about a certain [[Characters/BerserkGuts Black Swordsman]] here?
* EmpoweredBadassNormal: His immortality and prosthetics aside, the only things he uses to fight are his sword and impressive sword skills, which is enough to kill ogres, apparitions and even [[spoiler: a dragon.]]
* ExperiencedProtagonist: By the time of the game's start, Wolf has been a shinobi under Owl for almost two decades, and is already a highly skilled fighter.
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Becomes a mass-murdering demon in the Shura ending]].
* FakingTheDead: Can invoke this once he gets an item late in the game. This allows him to get a free deathblow when used correctly.
* FallenHero: If the player chooses the Shura route, Wolf [[spoiler: will become a Shura, devolving from a loyal shinobi to a mindless demon hellbent on slaughter]].
* FightsLikeANormal: He has ResurrectiveImmortality, a mechanical arm that grants sometimes magical abilities, and can learn some ninjutsu, but his primary means of attack remains a mundane katana.
* FlamingSword: His arm cannon can also set his sword on fire for extra damage, much like [[VideoGame/DarkSouls charcoal pine resins]].
* FragileSpeedster: In comparison to both the enemies and previous From Software protagonists. Wolf is very fast, and not only because he can deflect bullets with his sword; his run speed is higher than that of Soulsborne protagonists and he has no stamina limit, so literally running circles around bosses to get a hit in is a perfectly valid option. However, his only weapon (besides prosthetics) is a small sword, so he doesn't do much damage and can't handle crowds of enemies, and he wears little armor, so he doesn't have much in way of defense either and must rely on dodging, blocking, and counters. He can make his fragility even ''more'' pronounced by using Yashariku's Sugar or the corresponding Spiritfall, which halves his maximum lifebar in exchange for becoming a GlassCannon. By the end of the game, it doesn't matter how much Wolf has leveled up, bosses ''will'' kill him in two to four hits.
* FromNobodyToNightmare: From an angry war orphan to one of the deadliest shinobi in Japan.
--> '''Owl:''' When I found you on that battlefield, I had no idea what you'd become.
* GameplayAndStoryIntegration: When Kuro asks him to help find a way to sever his immortality, selecting the "Help Kuro" option will cause Wolf to quote the Iron Code to himself and then refuse. It's impossible to progress until you pick the "Obey the Iron Code" option. It's not until much later in the game that he undergoes some CharacterDevelopment and is able to follow Kuro's wishes.
* GoodIsNotNice: Quite a bit of a stretch since this is the Sengoku period, but he just wants to protect his lord and nothing will stand on his way. Even if it means fighting his former allies that want to use Kuro for their own plans.
* GoombaStomp: After jumping, Wolf can kick an enemy to bounce off them for additional height. Normally this inflicts minor posture damage and interrupts attacks, but doing so while the enemy is performing a sweep attack will dramatically increase the posture damage dealt. The Senpou Leaping Kicks and High Monk Combat Arts will deal even more than that by a not-insignificant amount.
* GutturalGrowler: In the Japanese dub and less so in the English dub, Wolf has a rather raspy voice, which stands out since he's very quiet most of the time.
* AHandfulForAnEye: Wolf can pocket fistfuls of ash he finds around Ashina and toss them at his enemies, momentarily stunning them.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:In one of the endings, Wolf can eliminate the Dragon's Heritage without Kuro having to die -- in exchange, however, Wolf must offer his life in Kuro's place.]]
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Oddly enough, he's not immune to this trope. It's even {{Invoked}} to an extent, as Wolf, unlike a lot of modern depictions, wears a full set of armor.
* IaijutsuPractitioner: Wolf's strongest foes have powerful slashes that require sheathing their sword first. These are all moves he can potentially learn and equip as Combat Arts, making him one as well.
* ImplausibleFencingPowers: Some of Wolf's opponents can pull off crazy moves using their blades; a few happen to be learnable, meaning he can use them too. That's not going into the fact that even from base level, [[ParryingBullets he can already block bullets]].
* InnateNightVision: He has an ability called "Night Eye" which makes him able to see in the dark, allowing him to navigate dark caves and turning his eyes golden.
* InstantExpert: Downplayed. Wolf is a ''very'' quick study when it comes to new techniques. He picks up a few from defeating bosses, [[spoiler:two of which are gained from both incarnations of Isshin]]. It's implied that he learns these techniques just by watching his opponent use them.
* InTheBack: Backstab Deathblows are Wolf's bread and butter when it comes to stealth options. It is also the only way to trigger powerful Ninjutsu techniques.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: While quiet and stoic, Wolf is rather gruff and antisocial. However, he does display concern for the people around him and not just his master.
* LightningFireJuxtaposition: Wolf's Flame Vent, Shinobi Firecrackers, and usage of oil in direct combat differ from Genichiro's Way of Tomoe.
* LockedIntoStrangeness: Wolf's tie to the Dragon's Heritage has turned a part of his face and hair bone white, a symptom that Emma finds fascinating.
* MadeOfIron: He's endured quite a lot of beatings for Kuro's sake, with only his immortality the reason he is still alive. Hell, the first part alone has him losing his arm to Genichiro. Emma even comments that he never complained about his injuries, which made it hard for her to treat him correctly.
* MarkedChange: Sekiro's right side of his hair and part of his face are ashen-grey, likely the first sign of the Dragon's Blood in him.
* MasterOfAll: Wolf develops into this as you master the various skill trees, each of which represents a different martial arts style and philosophy. By the end, Wolf has defeated each style's grandmaster and has become the deadliest shinobi in Ashina.
** The Shinobi arts are Owl's primary style and focus on quick kills, stealth, and defense, using an opponent's movements against them.
** The Prosthetic arts developed by the Sculptor focus on getting the most out of your Shinobi Prosthetic and integrating its tools into combat.
** The Ashina arts are katana techniques developed by Lord Isshin over a lifetime of combat experience, and are the primary style used by Ashina Samurai.
** The Temple Arts are used by the monks of Senpou Temple and focus on quick unarmed strikes and kicks designed to break an enemy's posture.
** The Mushin Arts are Isshin's crowning combat achievements, properly called the Ashina Mushin Compound Style. These are advanced techniques that combine the pinnacle moves of the other arts in powerful ways.
** In addition to the unlockable skill trees, Wolf masters several enemies' {{Signature Move}}s after fighting them, following Isshin's philosophy of learning from experience, such as Floating Passage from Genichiro[[note]]technically you get this from a purchasable scroll, but Genichiro is the only other enemy that uses it[[/note]], and One Mind and Dragon Flash from Isshin himself.
* MasterSwordsman: Sekiro is capable of incredible skill with Kusabimaru; among what you can do with it in game is parrying a massive katakama-yari while the wielder is on horseback, dueling the supreme commander of the Ashina forces three times and winning two of them (three, if you're really good or on New Game+), defeating one of the greatest shinobi alive, and perhaps most impressively of them all, [[spoiler:facing Isshin Ashina himself, either as an old man with far more technique than any other character in the game, or in his physical prime.]] Gameplay wise, he is capable of casually deflecting arrows and bullets and is perfectly capable of repelling thrusts by [[BladeRun stomping]] on them.
* MeaningfulName: Besides the "Sekiro" nickname that he gets stuck with by the Tengu, Wolf lives up to acting like the animal he's named after - he's a fiercly loyal PapaWolf to a cub (Kuro), equally as loyal to his pack (Kuro, Emma, and to a lesser extent the Sculptor and Isshin) and besides bosses that need two deathblows in a row, he usually stabs enemies in the jugular area as his finishing move - going for the throat just like a hunting wolf taking down prey. Sekiro (隻狼) was formed after two words: Sekiwan (隻腕), means a man with one arm; and 狼 (ōkami) just means wolf; thus it befits him as an one-armed shinobi named Wolf. Standalone, the word 隻 also means alone, lone, and 隻狼 literally means lone wolf. [[spoiler: In the bad ending where he forsakes his allies, Wolf goes mad and violent - similar psychological detriments that have been observed in real life lone wolves who can't make a new pack.]]
** Extends to his katana, Kusabimaru, as well, which is his primary weapon that he carries through the whole game. As per the game's info, "The name Kusabimaru beseeches, 'A shinobi's role is to kill, but even a shinobi must not forget mercy.' A mantra the blade itself may manifest." This actually serves as something of a vague clue as to how he can achieve the more positive endings.
* MulticoloredHair: He has a patch of white hair and pale white skin on the side of his face, implied to be an effect of the Dragon Heritage pact.
* MultiMeleeMaster: If players desire it, Wolf can be a master swordsman, shinobi, and martial artist, with all the associated tools: katana, shuriken, kunai, axe, spear, reinforced umbrella, short knife, bare-handed techniques, as well as several occultic ninjutsu and weapons.
* MundaneLuxury: Seems to react this way towards cooking food. He didn't even know you ''could'' cook rice until Kuro expressed surprise that he would eat it raw.
* MysteriousPast: The most we know about him is that Owl adopted him after finding him on a battlefield during Isshin's rebellion and trained him to be a shinobi with the help of Lady Butterfly. Who he was and where he came from before Owl found him is never stated.
* MysticalWhiteHair: Partially. His pact of immortality with Kuro has turned much of his hair and part of his face an ashen white.
* MythologyGag: A swordsman with a wolf motif whose left arm was taken out of commission? [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsI Artorias]], is that you?
[[/folder]]
[[folder:M-Z]]
* NoNameGiven: As a shinobi, he never had one for most of his life and is called "the wolf" by all. However, Tengu of Ashina [[spoiler:who turns out to be Isshin Ashina]] dubs him Sekiro. Ironically, this name still means "wolf" - "One-Armed Wolf" in this case.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: He pretty much singlehandedly crippled Ashina's forces as he killed General [[LargeHam GYOUBU MASATAKA ONIWA!]] and several other elite troops with his rampage to save Kuro. By the time the Interior Ministry attacked, only the regular mooks are left to deal with them. To be fair, none of this would have happened if Genichiro didn't kidnap Kuro.
* NoSocialSkills: Growing up as a shinobi has left Wolf with basically no social graces. This is best shown when sharing sake with people - he basically just stands there watching them drink without partaking himself. Emma coyly pokes fun at this when she tells him about a shinobi who spoke so little that he was difficult to treat; Wolf completely misses her meaning and thinks she's talking about someone else.
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:In one of the endings, Wolf does this to ''himself'' as part of his Heroic Sacrifice to end the Dragon's Heritage without sacrificing his lord's life.]]
* OneManArmy: While he can't take too many foes at once without running into trouble, Wolf still ends up carving through what's left of Ashina's military and likely kills most of their high ranking commanders. In fact, many fans have argued that Genichiro's single biggest strategic mistake was just ''pissing him off''. Taken UpToEleven in the Shura ending, where he [[spoiler:becomes a demon that slaughters ''thousands'' of people]].
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: Characters and even text description only refer to his as "The Wolf", much like how his [[TheMentor mentor]] is called "The Owl."
* PapaWolf: His UndyingLoyalty to Kuro can be interpreted this way.
* ParrotExposition: The man repeats important phrases almost as much as [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]].
--> "Dragonrot?"
--> "The Mortal Blade?"
--> "Cooked... rice?"
* PermaStubble: He's a scruffy-looking dude. [[spoiler:After the Immortal Severance ending, where he becomes a wood-crafting hermit like the Sculptor before him, his lack of grooming becomes even more pronounced.]]
* PerpetualFrowner: Sculptor and Emma comments that his brows are always furrowed and the only time we see him smile is when [[spoiler: he is turning into Shura.]] Funnily enough, the description to the sen pouches implies he grins when his pockets are full.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: Downplayed. While Wolf ''is'' smaller than average, he looks even shorter that he actually is because a significant portion of both his allies and enemies are unusually tall.
* PlayingWithFire: The Flame Vent prosthetic sets enemies ablaze, with a later upgrade skill temporarily buffing his sword.
* {{Protectorate}}: Is sworn to defend Kuro with his life. [[ResurrectiveImmortality Which he does]]. [[NintendoHard Many times]].
* PsychoticSmirk: [[spoiler:The corners of Wolf's mouth lifts ever so slightly [[MoralEventHorizon right after he kills Emma]], persisting even as Isshin Ashina prepares to cut him down. The first time in the entire game that Wolf smiles, and it is when he has already become a Shura.]]
* TheQuietOne: He's not very talkative. Emma lampshades this by telling him of a shinobi she treated who spoke so little it was hard to actually help him; while the meaning flies completely over [[NoSocialSkills Wolf's]] head, it's clear she's talking about him.
* RapidAging: [[ZigzaggedTrope Zigzagged.]] Wolf is described as an "elder ninja", and his face shows very visible signs of age, appearing like he's a bit past his prime. However, he appeared to have be in his teens when the Owl found him during Isshin's coup twenty years before the start of the game, meaning he is likely in his mid to late thirties, early forties at most; the grey and white portions on his face and hair are actually a side effect of the Dragon's Heritage rather than age. Whether or not the Dragon's Heritage actually invokes this trope or is purely cosmetic is never stated. He is still a master shinobi, with all that entails.
* RazorWind: Learning the Dragon Flash Combat Art after defeating [[spoiler:Sword Saint Isshin]] allows Wolf to create slashing shockwaves from afar, giving him incredible range.
* TheRedBaron: The player character is known as Wolf, and after losing his arm, The One-Armed Wolf (which is the near-literal translation of "Sekiro").
* RecruitedFromTheGutter: Wolf was apparently a war orphan who was taken, raised and taught the shinobi arts by Owl. Wolf considers Owl his master and father [[spoiler:and expresses some reluctance at fighting him should he choose to]].
* RecurringElement: Another gratuitous Guts clone in a modern Creator/FromSoftware game? Only this time, we play as him.
* RedIsHeroic: He wears a reddish orange ''haori'' and is the hero of the story.
* ResurrectiveImmortality: Thanks to the power of the Dragon's Heritage, he can always bounce back from fatal blows to fight once more.
* SamuraiShinobi: The Wolf is openly called a shinobi, utilizing stealth techniques when facing hordes of enemies and many of the game's antagonists being Samurai lords, a lot of his characteristics makes him more like a samurai. While stealth-based combat is an option, the game encourages more aggressive styles of gameplay that real life shinobi tended to avoid. His mode of dress (bright orange and yellow) [[HighlyVisibleNinja clashes with the environment]] which is counter-intuitive to traditional shinobi attire and his philosophy in life is based around protecting and serving a master (though this is more due to the machinations of his adopted father Owl).
* ScarfOfAsskicking: Wolf wears a yellow scarf, befitting his shinobi nature.
* ScarsAreForever: The sword slice that Owl gave him when he was a child is slightly noticeable on his face.
* ShockAndAwe: Once the scroll demonstrating the Lightning Reversal technique is found, Wolf can temporarily absorb discharges of electricity (natural or from an enemy's attack) in midair and throw it out as a SwordBeam.
* SilverFox: Only half his hair is grey, but it still gives Wolf this effect, looking like a man who's aged but still ruggedly handsome.
* SimpleYetAwesome:
** His swordplay in comparison to many of his opponents, excluding his sword arts. Almost every boss and mini-boss has long, intricate combos, while Wolf is left with a three-swipe combo, a thrust, and deflection. This is more than enough to kill everything in the game.
** The Ichimonji sword art is also this. No flashy SwordLines or glowing energy, no absurd flamboyant combos, just a slow, powerful overhead hit... that does significant damage, interrupts most enemy attacks, and restores Posture on-hit! This applies to the Double Ichimonji, the upgraded version of this technique - which is simply the normal technique done twice in a row.
** Mikiri Counter. One of the first moves Wolf can learn, it requires him to dodge ''into'' thrust attacks, and basically consists of him stomping onto an enemy's weapon. It practically carries the game on its shoulders because it turns an otherwise dangerous Perilous Attack into an easy opportunity for free Posture and Vitality damage.
** The Mid-Air Combat Arts and Mid-Air Prosthetic Tool skills. They just let you use their respective subject matter while jumping, but trying it out in battle reveals that performing them cuts down on long windup animations that otherwise could have been interrupted. For example, using the Flame Vent in mid-air is an almost instantaneous pop compared to Wolf's rearing animation on the ground.
** The utility of the Vault Over skill will not [[GuideDangIt immediately be apparent]] to players upon first glance. It requires a Posture break, and adds an unnecessary step for killing the enemy compared to just using the Deathblow. Then Wolf begins to add Ninjutsu techniques to his repertoire, and suddenly Vault Over opens the way for using these powerful, borderline game-breaking abilities in the middle of combat.
* SituationalSword: He only makes use of the Mortal Blade when finishing off apparition-type enemies or in a certain few special attacks, preferring to rely on Kusabimaru for the majority of battles.
* SpellBlade: Wolf has a number of methods he can use to boost Kusabimaru [[RuleOfCool on top of making it look really stylish]]:
** [[HolyBurnsEvil Divine Confetti]] - A single-use item that envelops Kusabimaru in [[TechnicolorFire holy fire]], increasing its effectiveness against all enemies and ''especially'' apparitions.
** [[BloodMagic The Bestowal Ninjutsu]] - After performing a Backstab Deathblow, Wolf temporarily imbues the Kusabimaru with the victim's blood, giving it range that would make [[VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}} Lady Maria]] proud, in addition to various secondary effects depending on enemy type.
** [[ElementalPowers Living Force]] - A Shinobi Prosthetic technique performed by attacking immediately after using either the Flame Vent or the Divine Abduction, concentrating their special effects into Wolf's sword slashes.
* StealthExpert: One of the first things the tutorial teaches you is how to sneak around undetected. Wolf can even perform sneak attacks on some bosses. He becomes even more of an expert after unlocking the Suppress Presence and Suppress Sound skills, which reduce his visibility and noise even further.
* StockNinjaWeaponry: He checks off many of the items listed on the main article, including katana, shuriken, kunai (as an upgrade for the shuriken), a short sword (although unlike the types listed on the main article, Sabimaru is a kodachi), a {{Poisoned Weapon|s}} (the aforementioned short sword), and a spear. All of the above except the katana are also HiddenWeapons partially concealed inside his prosthetic arm until activated. He can also technically use "smoke bombs" through his Bloodsmoke Ninjutsu.
* SurpassedTheTeacher: Can end up defeating both [[spoiler:Lady Butterfly and Owl]], his two shinobi mentors, as well as [[spoiler:Isshin Ashina]], who teaches him numerous sword techniques during the game.
* SwordAndFist: Primarily uses a sword, but some of Wolf's Deathblows involve grappling, he can perform a GoombaStomp to interrupt enemy attacks, and the Senpou Combat Arts involve elbow strikes, shoulder charges, and flying kicks (the last of which combos kicks into sword slashes).
* SwordLines: Many of Wolf's high-tier combat arts will give off this effect. Mortal Draw and Empowered Mortal Draw take this UpToEleven by literally staining the air with inky strokes of immortality-ending energy.
* SweetTooth: When giving rice to Kuro, he accidentally hints he might like sweet things. Kuro seems to find this cute and even offers to cook Wolf sticky riceballs. [[PowerUpFood Those, and a good number of consumables he can eat to gain a buff]], tend to be dessert items.
* SupernaturalMartialArts: A plethora of combat arts the Wolf learns are fantastic in nature, though he'll need Spirit Emblems to use them at their full potential. They can still be performed otherwise, but have less power and look comparatively mundane.
* SuperNotDrowningSkills: Not only is Wolf practically a dolphin on the water, obtaining the Mibu Breathing Technique allows him to stay submerged at whatever depth level he chooses, and however long as he pleases.
* TragicKeepsake: He still wears the same scarf that he wore when he was recently orphaned and found in a battlefield by Owl. Though the game never elaborates on this, the way he clings onto it certainly indicates something.
* TakeUpMySword: [[spoiler:In the Immortal Severance ending after the Divine Heir's death, Wolf has taken up the same occupation as the Sculptor, though Emma returns the prosthetic arm to him, mentioning that another will seek strength just as he once did, [[HistoryRepeats and like the Sculptor, it will be his duty to guide them]].]]
* TraumaInducedAmnesia: He was supposed to be slain in the aftermath of the Hirata Estate's incident, and only Kuro's power brought him back to life. This caused him to initially had no memories of what happened three years ago, when the incident happened, [[spoiler:and even pointed to some wrong recollections of the truth, as shown when he received Owl's bell later on when he killed the man.]]
* UndyingLoyalty: He is completely devoted to the well-being of his young master, enough that he's willing to cut a bloody swathe through an entire enemy ''army'' to rescue him. [[spoiler:It is up to the player to decide if Wolf's sense of loyalty remains solely out of obligation, or becomes a choice of his own volition.]]
* TheUnSmile: Implied in the item description of the [[BriefcaseFullOfMoney Bulging Coin Purse]]
-> '' A purse almost overflowing with sen. It can be used to acquire the sen inside. Hefty enough to bring something resembling a grin to a Wolf's face.''
* VillainProtagonist: [[spoiler:Steps into this role if he chooses to forsake Kuro. By the time he kills Emma soon afterwards his transformation into a Shura is all but complete, and he goes on to become a mass murderer.]]
* WalkingArmory: Thanks to the Shinobi Prosthetic granted by the Sculptor, Wolf can equip a vast variety of weapons and utilities that will be of great help in his journey across Ashina. There are ten prosthetic tools he can attach to his arm, which is not even going into the available sidegrades or the weapons he already has at his disposal:
** [[WeaponOfChoice The]] [[KatanasAreJustBetter Kusabimaru]], a family heirloom granted to Wolf in service to Kuro. It's his go-to option for basic offense and defense, and what all the combat of the game centers around.
** [[ImmortalBreaker The Mortal Blade]], its true epithet being the "Gracious Gift of Tears". A cursed katana glowing with crimson energy, it is the only weapon that can kill immortal beings, including the Infested and those possessing the Dragon Heritage. Wolf can also use it in combat to create wide [[SwordBeam Sword Beams]] that pierce through defenses.
** [[FlechetteStorm The Loaded Shuriken]]. While not very damaging, it is useful for sniping enemies from afar, dealing chip damage to Vitality and Posture, interrupting combos, and applying pressure in a prolonged fight. It can be upgraded to let you hit multiple times after charging, [[MoneyMauling toss sen coins]] for additional Posture damage at the cost of range and [[CastFromMoney Sekiro's wallet]], or [[LightEmUp send out glowing butterflies]] that will [[ArmorPiercingAttack always damage targets]].
** [[FireBreathingWeapon The Flame Vent]]. A small cannon that produces a gout of flame with every use, setting its targets alight. Animals and red-eyed enemies are easily paralyzed at the sight of fire, opening up an opportunity to go on the offensive. When paired with the skill Living Force, Kusabimaru [[FlamingSword can be set on fire]] to deal bonus damage. Subsequent upgrades allow Wolf to charge it up for a blast so powerful it flings him backward, and even hold down the trigger for continuous output like a proper flamethrower; the final upgrade variation instead produces [[TechnicolorFire divine flames]] that do not burn, [[HolyBurnsEvil but harm apparitions]].
** [[AnAxeToGrind The Loaded Axe]]. A hefty weapon meant to simply smash things apart in an overhead strike, it deals generous amounts of Vitality and Posture damage with every blow. It has a slow wind-up time, but that is offset by high poise that tanks through most attacks. Upgrading it gives an additional swing as a charge attack, and even create [[StuffBlowingUp explosions]] at the point of impact. The final variant instead casts shockwaves that [[DispelMagic wipes away illusions]].
** [[BlindedByTheLight The Shinobi Firecracker]]. Wolf tosses out lit fuses like confetti, creating a din of sound and bursts of light that stun anything within its area of effect, leaving them exposed for a counterattack. Animals in particular are incredibly sensitive to this tool. Upgraded versions can be charged to spread in a circle around him; more significantly, they let the Wolf choose different timings for explosions to best suit the situation.
** [[BladeOnAStick The Loaded Spear]]. It looks like a small BladeBelowTheShoulder, but [[RetractableWeapon when drawn]], it offers the largest melee range available in a fight where spacing is key. Great for attacking from a distance, but can also drag enemies and poorly-equipped armor pieces towards Wolf during a follow-up attack. Upgrade variations fall into two categories - the thrust-type provides a charging attack where Wolf runs his foes through with armor-piercing precision; the cleave-type instead is swung in a wide circle when charged, and can even be [[FlamingSword set ablaze]] for bonus fire damage.
** [[FlashStep The Mist Raven]]. Wolf assumes a stance when this tool is used. If any form of damage comes his way, he [[SuperSmoke vanishes into a puff of shadows and feathers]] and moves in whatever direction he pleases, including behind his foes back. It does not work against grab attacks, however. The upgraded versions allow him to also use this technique as a recovery after taking a hit, and even [[BurningRubber leave a blazing trail in his wake.]]
** [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe The Loaded Umbrella]]. A large metal fan that collapses into an extremely durable shield. Boasting guaranteed defense against even [[UnblockableAttack Perilous Attacks]] as long as they aren't ground sweeps, the shield can also [[AttackReflector absorb a certain amount of damage and release it as a powerful projectile]] when paired with the Projected Force skill. Upgraded versions of the umbrella can be rotated in place to make use of their generous parry windows. In addition, the alternate forms prevent buildup for certain status effects. With the Fang and Blade skill, Wolf retracts the umbrella and swipes at his foe with Kusabimaru and the [[CombatHandFan razor-edged fan]] into a cross-cut.
** [[PoisonedWeapon The Sabimaru]]. A tanto with a distinctive blue rust on its blade, making it very poisonous. The prosthetic tool can be chained into long attack combos in conjunction with Wolf's own sword, keeping his target on the defensive while stacking poison buildup. The Okami clan and their human descendants have historically been [[KryptoniteFactor deathly allergic to this blade]] (going as far as to stop whatever they're doing to [[VomitIndiscretionShot violently puke]] once affected), making it an excellent choice against them. Upgrades further improve upon Sabimaru's ability to pierce enemy defenses, while the final variation emits [[DeadlyGas noxious mist]] that lingers in the air.
** [[BlowYouAway The Divine Abduction]]. A fan made of leaves, and thus is not suited for direct combat. Instead, the Wolf uses it to gather wind for a short duration, with a second usage releasing it in an area around him. All enemies caught in the vortex are spun around and disoriented. In many cases, this exposes them for an easy Backstab Deathblow. Interestingly, monks from the Senpou Temple straight up ''disappear'' with the gusts, as if they were spirited away. Upgrades improve the fan's function by increasing the number of possible casts to two, with the final variation allowing one to shake enemies down for additional sen and item drops. When paired with the Living Force skill, [[SpellBlade Wolf's sword is imbued with golden wind]] that provides the same effects.
** [[LoudOfWar The Finger Whistle]]. A skeletal finger with two holes bored through it. Blowing into the finger creates a loud sound that draws the attention of all within Wolf's vicinity. Animals that hear its tune are instead [[BrownNote driven into a frenzy and proceed to attack everything in sight]]. This tool also has some bizarre acoustic properties; focusing onto a single target will cause the tune to ''only'' be audible to that one target, drawing them away from the rest of a group. Upgraded versions can even be charged to delay the noise for a few seconds, allowing a shinobi to reposition as one needs. The final variation, which requires a ring to tune the whistle, can torment apparitions by bringing forth memories of a past life.
* WalkingWasteland: A small-scale and unusual variant. [[spoiler:The Dragonrot will slowly kill anyone who comes in contact with Wolf, as his Resurrection power draws from their life force to support his own. This means that any who comes into contact with him risks death just by knowing he exists.]]
* WeakButSkilled: Contrary to the [[UnskilledButStrong usual]] Guts clone, Wolf doesn't have much in the way of close-range battle, instead having to rely on stealth, wits, and many of the tools in his prosthetic arm to cut down numerous, much larger enemies.
* TheWorfEffect: PlayedWith. Most first-time players will get curb-stomped by Genichiro when dueling him in the prologue, which results in the cutscene of Wolf getting his arm lopped off. However, it's quite possible for experienced or skilled players to defeat Genichiro here, though the only resulting difference is that [[HopelessBossFight Genichiro ends up having to rely on outside aid to defeat Wolf]].
* WouldHitAGirl: He can certainly kill old decrepit women without remorse. Even if he [[WouldNotShootACivilian spares them]], Wolf will be forced to slay ''many'' females throughout the game due to a large number of the supernatural enemies being female, such as the Okami warriors, the Corrupted Monk, and Snake Eyes. [[spoiler: And he certainly didn't hold back with his boss fight against Emma.]]
* YoungerThanTheyLook: He's actually not that old, mid or late-30's-to-early-40's at the absolute most. But the patches of silver in his hair, caused by partaking of Kuro's magic blood, can make it easy to mistake him for a much older person.
[[/folder]]
[[Characters/SekiroMainCharacters Main Characters]] ('''Sekiro/Wolf''') | [[Characters/SekiroSecondaryCharacters Secondary Characters]] | [[Characters/SekiroEnemiesAndBosses Enemies and Bosses]] | [[Characters/SekiroMangaCharacters Manga Characters]] -]]]]]
'''Warning: unmarked spoilers ahead.'''
!!Sekiro / Wolf
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sekiro_3.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here for Young Wolf]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sekiro_young_wolf.jpg[[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"The Mortal Blade. Without question... I accept its power."'']]
->''"Do what must be done."''
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/DaisukeNamikawa (Japanese), Creator/NoshirDalal (English)
The PlayerCharacter and protagonist, Wolf is an older ninja bound to protect The Divine Heir, the last scion of an ancient bloodline. Ambushed while escorting his charge through a war-torn province, Wolf is attacked by a young samurai commander, costing him his left arm, his master's safety, and his honor. Waking up, and having found his arm replaced by a "ninja prosthetic", Wolf is told his master still lives, and that he still has the chance to redeem himself by preventing the samurai from sacrificing his liege to obtain immortality.
----
[[folder:A-L]]
* AbilityMixing: If Wolf fully masters one of the esoteric texts given to him throughout the game, the Tengu of Ashina will be impressed enough to hand over the means to develop Mushin Arts - this skill tree combines various combat arts that Wolf learned before to create new, devastating attacks.
* AntiHero: A type [[PragmaticHero III]]; not only is he hellbent on getting revenge, he has no qualms with murdering [[KickTheDog defenseless old women]] to remain undetected, and as expected of a ninja, using pragmatic tactics that would be considered very dishonorable. That being said, he's quite noble and pleasant otherwise, being respectful to everyone he meets and, in turn, being treated nicely by his comrades.
* AnimalMotif: Heavily associated with [[NobleWolf Wolves]].
* AnArmAndALeg: Loses his arm in a fight at the start of the game and wears a special prosthetic as a replacement.
* ArtificialLimbs: Has a skeletal-looking prosthetic arm, a Ningishu, that was given to him by the Sculptor after Genichiro severed his arm. It contains a grappling hook mechanism, and can be fitted with a variety of Prosthetic Tools, from spring-loaded shuriken to magical fans to help him go through the many battles ahead of him.
* ArmourPiercingAttack: Several sword arts and prosthetic upgrades damage enemies [[UnblockableAttack even through guard]], such as the Ashina Cross. The spear can also be used to remove armour from some of the larger enemies, allowing you to hurt them normally.
** In a variation on this theme, the Axe can be used to chop through ShieldBearingMook.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: The first kanji in Sekiro refers to "one missing half of something" (e.g., missing one of two arms), while the second means "wolf." ''The One-Armed Wolf''. This is actually the exact route he gets this name, since the name is given to him by another character. In a play on words, "Seki" can also mean "[[RedIsHeroic red]]", so a different reading of the title would be "The Red Wolf", which highlights the amount of bloodshed that's about to go down in order to save Kuro. It must also be noted that his ''official job title'' is "Shinobi of the Divine Heir".
* AxCrazy: [[spoiler:What he becomes at the end of the Shura ending; a crazed demon that slaughters tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians alike in blood-fueled massacres. He displays this earlier just before his transformation by grinning when he kills Emma.]]
* AnAxeToGrind: Wolf can install a powerful hatchet as a sub-weapon onto his prosthetic, useful for piercing shields, breaking down tough material, and just doing damage in general.
* BadassAndChildDuo: With Kuro, though he never takes Kuro with him on his missions.
* BadassBaritone: Possesses a cavernously deep voice in both English and Japanese.
* BadassBoast: Tells Kuro "This... will only take a moment" before his second battle with Genichiro.
* BadassCape: His "Ashina Shinobi" costume gives him a particularly badass one, colored dark blue.
* BadassLongcoat: Wears an impressive orange ''haori''.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: Despite being the main protagonist, he's the one major character with the least spoken dialogue and prefers keeping his sentences short and concise when conversing with others. He's also the biggest OneManArmy in the setting, has slaughtered countless natural and unnatural enemies in his way, and has defeated many big named warriors who are TheDreaded in their own right.
* BizarreTasteInFood: A few minor examples. Among the things he can eat are eel liver and Red Lumps. He even states "I will eat anything." The most normal thing he enjoys the sweet rice he is given by the Divine Child. Only...
--> '''Kuro:''' Wolf. Rice tastes much better when it is cooked.
--> '''Wolf:''' ...Cooked?
* BlindObedience: One of the choices he can make during the game is to wholeheartedly obey his father and mentor, setting him up on the path of [[spoiler:becoming a Shura]].
* BloodKnight: Wolf isn't just duty-bound; he ''enjoys'' what he does, even if he isn't a sadist about it. Both the Sculptor and Isshin are concerned with his bloodlust, to the point where the latter warns him that he's in danger of manifesting Shura. [[spoiler:Taken UpToEleven during the Shura ending, as Shura literally means "Demon enthralled by violence". His transformation into a blood-soaked demon completes the cycle of violence. No matter what lies before him -- civilian or soldier -- Wolf will cut them down all the same with a smile on his face.]]
-->''[[spoiler:Soldiers and townfolk alike died by the thousands. Very few survived. Ashina became the setting for the most tragic massacre of the Sengoku era. And for a long time after, it was said a demon lurked the land...]]''
* BloodMagic: Two of Wolf's ninjutsu techniques that he can initiate after performing a Backstab Deathblow (Bloodsmoke and Bestowal) draw upon the blood of his victims as well as Spirit Emblems.
* BloodSplatteredWarrior: Just like in the previous [=SoulsBourne=] games, the more Wolf kills, the more blood-drenched he will be. Deathblowing some bosses will literally shower his whole body with so much blood.
* CastFromHitpoints: The Ceremonial Tanto Wolf can obtain later in the game is used by damaging himself for half of his maximum health, in exchange adding five Spirit Emblems to his already-available count. A smart player would balance health and tanto usage to practically double the number of Spirit Emblems the Wolf can expend in combat.
* CastingAShadow: He can turn briefly into a shadow, moving at a fast speed in a short distance in order to avoid attacks and FlashStep.
* CatchPhrase: Responds to most expository dialogue with a contemplative "I see..."
* CharacterDevelopment: Events throughout the game push him to become more empathetic to others. He is frequently rewarded for helping those in need, which incentivizes the player to form bonds with those around them - indeed, the Dragonrot only affects people who know of the Wolf, so narratively the player is meant to talk to as many people as possible. [[spoiler:Whether or not this development is effective is determinant on what ending the player chooses.]]
* CharlesAtlasSuperpower:
** Wolf's shinobi training has given him strength sufficient to leap twelve feet vertically while carrying armor and weapons, deflect blows from a guy who can collapse an entire guard tower with a single swing,[[note]]the first boss, Gyoubu Oniwa, can do this.[[/note]] fall a hundred feet onto hard rock without taking damage, shove a katana straight through iron lamellar, and deflect matchlock bullets with his sword, among other things.
** Pay close attention to his grappling hook animation. He doesn't let the hook pull him up like most video game protagonists; he just plants it somewhere and then yanks his left arm ''really'' hard, enough that he sends himself flying dozens of feet through the air. When considering the low distance over which he had to exert force, and the fact that he's doing this solely with the muscles in his non-dominant arm instead of his more powerful [[InASingleBound legs]], this would require an insane amount of strength, enough to lift several tons.
* CoolMask: He wears a silvery, jeering ''Menpo'' over his face with his "Ashina Shinobi" outfit [[spoiler:which was the Sculptor's outfit back when he was a shinobi]]. In contrast, his "Tengu" costume has the same red-faced ceremonial ''Tengu'' mask that [[spoiler:Isshin wears while disguised.]]
* CombatPragmatist: As a shinobi, Wolf has a strong sense of honor concerning loyalty, but little if any concerning combat. Wolf, and by extension, the player, is expected to use every dirty tactic available, whether it be stealth or ninja tools, in order to rescue his lord. This was in fact a conscious choice [=FromSoft=] made and a reason Wolf was made a shinobi rather than a samurai, as a normal samurai wouldn't sully his honor with dirty tricks and pragmatism.
* TheComicallySerious: Wolf's sense of humor is nonexistent, leading to some amusing interactions with more lighthearted characters like Isshin and Emma. See NoSocialSkills and BizarreTasteInFood for examples.
* ConflictingLoyalty: Wolf is bound by the Iron Code of the Shinobi of Hirata which was taught to him by his father, but faces a moment of hesitation when Kuro decides to go against the code and seek a way to sever the ties of the Dragon's blood. [[spoiler:He faces another choice between obeying his father and killing Kuro, or disobeying his father and staying loyal to Kuro.]]
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Downplayed. While the game is not a sequel to the ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' series, Sekiro is completely different from the blank slate protagonist. Not only does he have his own personality and backstory, he also has a much simpler goal.
* CradlingYourKill: [[spoiler:If Wolf chooses to obey Owl and follows through with stabbing Emma in the throat, he will lower her to the ground until she properly expires.]]
* CripplingOverspecialization: Wolf is a StealthExpert and a master duelist, enabling him to kill even very powerful foes with single precision strikes as long as he can land a surprise deathblow, and take on behemoths he should logically have no chance against in a straight fight. However, due to the fact that (unlike previous Soulsborne protagonists) his only weapon is a small sword that can only hit one person at a time, he's ill-suited to taking on several enemies at once. The game encourages you to get around this by picking enemies off one by one.
* CursedWithAwesome: The game goes to great lengths to portray immortality as a curse, either outright, or disguised as a blessing. That being said, Wolf's immortality has allowed him to continue fighting, [[ContinuingIsPainful albeit not without its consequences.]]
* DarkIsNotEvil: He's a grim-faced Shinobi who employs BloodMagic, dishonorable tactics, and wields an EvilWeapon. But he's also highly loyal to his master and friends, and is actually quite honorable. The "Ashina Shinobi" outfit he can unlock even switches out his orange colored clothing for dark blue ones.
* DavidVersusGoliath: Wolf is not necessarily a small man himself, but he's positively ''tiny'' compared to the many larger-than-life warriors and behemoths blocking his path.
* [[DefrostingIceQueen Defrosting Ice King]]: Face it, Wolf isn't very sociable, especially not in the early game. Early on, he is focused only on getting Kuro back and killing anyone in his way, and most of his conversations amount to little more than a silent grunt or growling out a few words containing a very thinly veiled threat. If he chooses to forsake the Iron Code and/or brings Sake to the three people who are available for it, he shows a softer side of himself, more willing to ask questions and show his appreciation to them.
* DespairEventHorizon: Starts the game off this way. Losing both his father and his lord, the two people whose lives he was meant to devote himself to, leaves Wolf without a purpose and wallowing in a hole surrounded by enemies. It's only when he hears news that the Divine Heir is still alive when he springs himself to action.
* {{Determinator}}: Willing to do and kill everything to rescue his lord per his Iron Code his father taught him. And he is even willing to get ingredients for Kuro [[spoiler: and the Divine Child]] that is stated to be impossible to get even if it means[[spoiler: getting Kuro killed.]]
* TheDreaded: Eavesdropping on Masanaga the Spear-bearer will reveal that Wolf has attained quite a reputation among the agents of the Interior Ministry, who consider him an unkillable demon. [[spoiler:If he becomes Shura, the ''entirety of Japan'' is so scared shitless of him that no one dares enter into the destroyed province of Ashina, now reduced to a lifeless ghost-land, with whispers of a demon stalking anyone who dares trespass. Those who survived his rampage would go on to write folk songs about the "demon wolf in red" that destroyed their homeland]].
* {{Expy}}: Driven by vengeance? A living OneManArmy? Lost an arm and replaced it with a kickass prosthetic? JerkWithAHeartOfGold? Has a patch of hair that's white despite their age? Has a backstory involving being in the service of someone that they care(d) about? Are we sure we aren't talking about a certain [[Characters/BerserkGuts Black Swordsman]] here?
* EmpoweredBadassNormal: His immortality and prosthetics aside, the only things he uses to fight are his sword and impressive sword skills, which is enough to kill ogres, apparitions and even [[spoiler: a dragon.]]
* ExperiencedProtagonist: By the time of the game's start, Wolf has been a shinobi under Owl for almost two decades, and is already a highly skilled fighter.
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Becomes a mass-murdering demon in the Shura ending]].
* FakingTheDead: Can invoke this once he gets an item late in the game. This allows him to get a free deathblow when used correctly.
* FallenHero: If the player chooses the Shura route, Wolf [[spoiler: will become a Shura, devolving from a loyal shinobi to a mindless demon hellbent on slaughter]].
* FightsLikeANormal: He has ResurrectiveImmortality, a mechanical arm that grants sometimes magical abilities, and can learn some ninjutsu, but his primary means of attack remains a mundane katana.
* FlamingSword: His arm cannon can also set his sword on fire for extra damage, much like [[VideoGame/DarkSouls charcoal pine resins]].
* FragileSpeedster: In comparison to both the enemies and previous From Software protagonists. Wolf is very fast, and not only because he can deflect bullets with his sword; his run speed is higher than that of Soulsborne protagonists and he has no stamina limit, so literally running circles around bosses to get a hit in is a perfectly valid option. However, his only weapon (besides prosthetics) is a small sword, so he doesn't do much damage and can't handle crowds of enemies, and he wears little armor, so he doesn't have much in way of defense either and must rely on dodging, blocking, and counters. He can make his fragility even ''more'' pronounced by using Yashariku's Sugar or the corresponding Spiritfall, which halves his maximum lifebar in exchange for becoming a GlassCannon. By the end of the game, it doesn't matter how much Wolf has leveled up, bosses ''will'' kill him in two to four hits.
* FromNobodyToNightmare: From an angry war orphan to one of the deadliest shinobi in Japan.
--> '''Owl:''' When I found you on that battlefield, I had no idea what you'd become.
* GameplayAndStoryIntegration: When Kuro asks him to help find a way to sever his immortality, selecting the "Help Kuro" option will cause Wolf to quote the Iron Code to himself and then refuse. It's impossible to progress until you pick the "Obey the Iron Code" option. It's not until much later in the game that he undergoes some CharacterDevelopment and is able to follow Kuro's wishes.
* GoodIsNotNice: Quite a bit of a stretch since this is the Sengoku period, but he just wants to protect his lord and nothing will stand on his way. Even if it means fighting his former allies that want to use Kuro for their own plans.
* GoombaStomp: After jumping, Wolf can kick an enemy to bounce off them for additional height. Normally this inflicts minor posture damage and interrupts attacks, but doing so while the enemy is performing a sweep attack will dramatically increase the posture damage dealt. The Senpou Leaping Kicks and High Monk Combat Arts will deal even more than that by a not-insignificant amount.
* GutturalGrowler: In the Japanese dub and less so in the English dub, Wolf has a rather raspy voice, which stands out since he's very quiet most of the time.
* AHandfulForAnEye: Wolf can pocket fistfuls of ash he finds around Ashina and toss them at his enemies, momentarily stunning them.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:In one of the endings, Wolf can eliminate the Dragon's Heritage without Kuro having to die -- in exchange, however, Wolf must offer his life in Kuro's place.]]
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Oddly enough, he's not immune to this trope. It's even {{Invoked}} to an extent, as Wolf, unlike a lot of modern depictions, wears a full set of armor.
* IaijutsuPractitioner: Wolf's strongest foes have powerful slashes that require sheathing their sword first. These are all moves he can potentially learn and equip as Combat Arts, making him one as well.
* ImplausibleFencingPowers: Some of Wolf's opponents can pull off crazy moves using their blades; a few happen to be learnable, meaning he can use them too. That's not going into the fact that even from base level, [[ParryingBullets he can already block bullets]].
* InnateNightVision: He has an ability called "Night Eye" which makes him able to see in the dark, allowing him to navigate dark caves and turning his eyes golden.
* InstantExpert: Downplayed. Wolf is a ''very'' quick study when it comes to new techniques. He picks up a few from defeating bosses, [[spoiler:two of which are gained from both incarnations of Isshin]]. It's implied that he learns these techniques just by watching his opponent use them.
* InTheBack: Backstab Deathblows are Wolf's bread and butter when it comes to stealth options. It is also the only way to trigger powerful Ninjutsu techniques.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: While quiet and stoic, Wolf is rather gruff and antisocial. However, he does display concern for the people around him and not just his master.
* LightningFireJuxtaposition: Wolf's Flame Vent, Shinobi Firecrackers, and usage of oil in direct combat differ from Genichiro's Way of Tomoe.
* LockedIntoStrangeness: Wolf's tie to the Dragon's Heritage has turned a part of his face and hair bone white, a symptom that Emma finds fascinating.
* MadeOfIron: He's endured quite a lot of beatings for Kuro's sake, with only his immortality the reason he is still alive. Hell, the first part alone has him losing his arm to Genichiro. Emma even comments that he never complained about his injuries, which made it hard for her to treat him correctly.
* MarkedChange: Sekiro's right side of his hair and part of his face are ashen-grey, likely the first sign of the Dragon's Blood in him.
* MasterOfAll: Wolf develops into this as you master the various skill trees, each of which represents a different martial arts style and philosophy. By the end, Wolf has defeated each style's grandmaster and has become the deadliest shinobi in Ashina.
** The Shinobi arts are Owl's primary style and focus on quick kills, stealth, and defense, using an opponent's movements against them.
** The Prosthetic arts developed by the Sculptor focus on getting the most out of your Shinobi Prosthetic and integrating its tools into combat.
** The Ashina arts are katana techniques developed by Lord Isshin over a lifetime of combat experience, and are the primary style used by Ashina Samurai.
** The Temple Arts are used by the monks of Senpou Temple and focus on quick unarmed strikes and kicks designed to break an enemy's posture.
** The Mushin Arts are Isshin's crowning combat achievements, properly called the Ashina Mushin Compound Style. These are advanced techniques that combine the pinnacle moves of the other arts in powerful ways.
** In addition to the unlockable skill trees, Wolf masters several enemies' {{Signature Move}}s after fighting them, following Isshin's philosophy of learning from experience, such as Floating Passage from Genichiro[[note]]technically you get this from a purchasable scroll, but Genichiro is the only other enemy that uses it[[/note]], and One Mind and Dragon Flash from Isshin himself.
* MasterSwordsman: Sekiro is capable of incredible skill with Kusabimaru; among what you can do with it in game is parrying a massive katakama-yari while the wielder is on horseback, dueling the supreme commander of the Ashina forces three times and winning two of them (three, if you're really good or on New Game+), defeating one of the greatest shinobi alive, and perhaps most impressively of them all, [[spoiler:facing Isshin Ashina himself, either as an old man with far more technique than any other character in the game, or in his physical prime.]] Gameplay wise, he is capable of casually deflecting arrows and bullets and is perfectly capable of repelling thrusts by [[BladeRun stomping]] on them.
* MeaningfulName: Besides the "Sekiro" nickname that he gets stuck with by the Tengu, Wolf lives up to acting like the animal he's named after - he's a fiercly loyal PapaWolf to a cub (Kuro), equally as loyal to his pack (Kuro, Emma, and to a lesser extent the Sculptor and Isshin) and besides bosses that need two deathblows in a row, he usually stabs enemies in the jugular area as his finishing move - going for the throat just like a hunting wolf taking down prey. Sekiro (隻狼) was formed after two words: Sekiwan (隻腕), means a man with one arm; and 狼 (ōkami) just means wolf; thus it befits him as an one-armed shinobi named Wolf. Standalone, the word 隻 also means alone, lone, and 隻狼 literally means lone wolf. [[spoiler: In the bad ending where he forsakes his allies, Wolf goes mad and violent - similar psychological detriments that have been observed in real life lone wolves who can't make a new pack.]]
** Extends to his katana, Kusabimaru, as well, which is his primary weapon that he carries through the whole game. As per the game's info, "The name Kusabimaru beseeches, 'A shinobi's role is to kill, but even a shinobi must not forget mercy.' A mantra the blade itself may manifest." This actually serves as something of a vague clue as to how he can achieve the more positive endings.
* MulticoloredHair: He has a patch of white hair and pale white skin on the side of his face, implied to be an effect of the Dragon Heritage pact.
* MultiMeleeMaster: If players desire it, Wolf can be a master swordsman, shinobi, and martial artist, with all the associated tools: katana, shuriken, kunai, axe, spear, reinforced umbrella, short knife, bare-handed techniques, as well as several occultic ninjutsu and weapons.
* MundaneLuxury: Seems to react this way towards cooking food. He didn't even know you ''could'' cook rice until Kuro expressed surprise that he would eat it raw.
* MysteriousPast: The most we know about him is that Owl adopted him after finding him on a battlefield during Isshin's rebellion and trained him to be a shinobi with the help of Lady Butterfly. Who he was and where he came from before Owl found him is never stated.
* MysticalWhiteHair: Partially. His pact of immortality with Kuro has turned much of his hair and part of his face an ashen white.
* MythologyGag: A swordsman with a wolf motif whose left arm was taken out of commission? [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsI Artorias]], is that you?
[[/folder]]
[[folder:M-Z]]
* NoNameGiven: As a shinobi, he never had one for most of his life and is called "the wolf" by all. However, Tengu of Ashina [[spoiler:who turns out to be Isshin Ashina]] dubs him Sekiro. Ironically, this name still means "wolf" - "One-Armed Wolf" in this case.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: He pretty much singlehandedly crippled Ashina's forces as he killed General [[LargeHam GYOUBU MASATAKA ONIWA!]] and several other elite troops with his rampage to save Kuro. By the time the Interior Ministry attacked, only the regular mooks are left to deal with them. To be fair, none of this would have happened if Genichiro didn't kidnap Kuro.
* NoSocialSkills: Growing up as a shinobi has left Wolf with basically no social graces. This is best shown when sharing sake with people - he basically just stands there watching them drink without partaking himself. Emma coyly pokes fun at this when she tells him about a shinobi who spoke so little that he was difficult to treat; Wolf completely misses her meaning and thinks she's talking about someone else.
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:In one of the endings, Wolf does this to ''himself'' as part of his Heroic Sacrifice to end the Dragon's Heritage without sacrificing his lord's life.]]
* OneManArmy: While he can't take too many foes at once without running into trouble, Wolf still ends up carving through what's left of Ashina's military and likely kills most of their high ranking commanders. In fact, many fans have argued that Genichiro's single biggest strategic mistake was just ''pissing him off''. Taken UpToEleven in the Shura ending, where he [[spoiler:becomes a demon that slaughters ''thousands'' of people]].
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: Characters and even text description only refer to his as "The Wolf", much like how his [[TheMentor mentor]] is called "The Owl."
* PapaWolf: His UndyingLoyalty to Kuro can be interpreted this way.
* ParrotExposition: The man repeats important phrases almost as much as [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]].
--> "Dragonrot?"
--> "The Mortal Blade?"
--> "Cooked... rice?"
* PermaStubble: He's a scruffy-looking dude. [[spoiler:After the Immortal Severance ending, where he becomes a wood-crafting hermit like the Sculptor before him, his lack of grooming becomes even more pronounced.]]
* PerpetualFrowner: Sculptor and Emma comments that his brows are always furrowed and the only time we see him smile is when [[spoiler: he is turning into Shura.]] Funnily enough, the description to the sen pouches implies he grins when his pockets are full.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: Downplayed. While Wolf ''is'' smaller than average, he looks even shorter that he actually is because a significant portion of both his allies and enemies are unusually tall.
* PlayingWithFire: The Flame Vent prosthetic sets enemies ablaze, with a later upgrade skill temporarily buffing his sword.
* {{Protectorate}}: Is sworn to defend Kuro with his life. [[ResurrectiveImmortality Which he does]]. [[NintendoHard Many times]].
* PsychoticSmirk: [[spoiler:The corners of Wolf's mouth lifts ever so slightly [[MoralEventHorizon right after he kills Emma]], persisting even as Isshin Ashina prepares to cut him down. The first time in the entire game that Wolf smiles, and it is when he has already become a Shura.]]
* TheQuietOne: He's not very talkative. Emma lampshades this by telling him of a shinobi she treated who spoke so little it was hard to actually help him; while the meaning flies completely over [[NoSocialSkills Wolf's]] head, it's clear she's talking about him.
* RapidAging: [[ZigzaggedTrope Zigzagged.]] Wolf is described as an "elder ninja", and his face shows very visible signs of age, appearing like he's a bit past his prime. However, he appeared to have be in his teens when the Owl found him during Isshin's coup twenty years before the start of the game, meaning he is likely in his mid to late thirties, early forties at most; the grey and white portions on his face and hair are actually a side effect of the Dragon's Heritage rather than age. Whether or not the Dragon's Heritage actually invokes this trope or is purely cosmetic is never stated. He is still a master shinobi, with all that entails.
* RazorWind: Learning the Dragon Flash Combat Art after defeating [[spoiler:Sword Saint Isshin]] allows Wolf to create slashing shockwaves from afar, giving him incredible range.
* TheRedBaron: The player character is known as Wolf, and after losing his arm, The One-Armed Wolf (which is the near-literal translation of "Sekiro").
* RecruitedFromTheGutter: Wolf was apparently a war orphan who was taken, raised and taught the shinobi arts by Owl. Wolf considers Owl his master and father [[spoiler:and expresses some reluctance at fighting him should he choose to]].
* RecurringElement: Another gratuitous Guts clone in a modern Creator/FromSoftware game? Only this time, we play as him.
* RedIsHeroic: He wears a reddish orange ''haori'' and is the hero of the story.
* ResurrectiveImmortality: Thanks to the power of the Dragon's Heritage, he can always bounce back from fatal blows to fight once more.
* SamuraiShinobi: The Wolf is openly called a shinobi, utilizing stealth techniques when facing hordes of enemies and many of the game's antagonists being Samurai lords, a lot of his characteristics makes him more like a samurai. While stealth-based combat is an option, the game encourages more aggressive styles of gameplay that real life shinobi tended to avoid. His mode of dress (bright orange and yellow) [[HighlyVisibleNinja clashes with the environment]] which is counter-intuitive to traditional shinobi attire and his philosophy in life is based around protecting and serving a master (though this is more due to the machinations of his adopted father Owl).
* ScarfOfAsskicking: Wolf wears a yellow scarf, befitting his shinobi nature.
* ScarsAreForever: The sword slice that Owl gave him when he was a child is slightly noticeable on his face.
* ShockAndAwe: Once the scroll demonstrating the Lightning Reversal technique is found, Wolf can temporarily absorb discharges of electricity (natural or from an enemy's attack) in midair and throw it out as a SwordBeam.
* SilverFox: Only half his hair is grey, but it still gives Wolf this effect, looking like a man who's aged but still ruggedly handsome.
* SimpleYetAwesome:
** His swordplay in comparison to many of his opponents, excluding his sword arts. Almost every boss and mini-boss has long, intricate combos, while Wolf is left with a three-swipe combo, a thrust, and deflection. This is more than enough to kill everything in the game.
** The Ichimonji sword art is also this. No flashy SwordLines or glowing energy, no absurd flamboyant combos, just a slow, powerful overhead hit... that does significant damage, interrupts most enemy attacks, and restores Posture on-hit! This applies to the Double Ichimonji, the upgraded version of this technique - which is simply the normal technique done twice in a row.
** Mikiri Counter. One of the first moves Wolf can learn, it requires him to dodge ''into'' thrust attacks, and basically consists of him stomping onto an enemy's weapon. It practically carries the game on its shoulders because it turns an otherwise dangerous Perilous Attack into an easy opportunity for free Posture and Vitality damage.
** The Mid-Air Combat Arts and Mid-Air Prosthetic Tool skills. They just let you use their respective subject matter while jumping, but trying it out in battle reveals that performing them cuts down on long windup animations that otherwise could have been interrupted. For example, using the Flame Vent in mid-air is an almost instantaneous pop compared to Wolf's rearing animation on the ground.
** The utility of the Vault Over skill will not [[GuideDangIt immediately be apparent]] to players upon first glance. It requires a Posture break, and adds an unnecessary step for killing the enemy compared to just using the Deathblow. Then Wolf begins to add Ninjutsu techniques to his repertoire, and suddenly Vault Over opens the way for using these powerful, borderline game-breaking abilities in the middle of combat.
* SituationalSword: He only makes use of the Mortal Blade when finishing off apparition-type enemies or in a certain few special attacks, preferring to rely on Kusabimaru for the majority of battles.
* SpellBlade: Wolf has a number of methods he can use to boost Kusabimaru [[RuleOfCool on top of making it look really stylish]]:
** [[HolyBurnsEvil Divine Confetti]] - A single-use item that envelops Kusabimaru in [[TechnicolorFire holy fire]], increasing its effectiveness against all enemies and ''especially'' apparitions.
** [[BloodMagic The Bestowal Ninjutsu]] - After performing a Backstab Deathblow, Wolf temporarily imbues the Kusabimaru with the victim's blood, giving it range that would make [[VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}} Lady Maria]] proud, in addition to various secondary effects depending on enemy type.
** [[ElementalPowers Living Force]] - A Shinobi Prosthetic technique performed by attacking immediately after using either the Flame Vent or the Divine Abduction, concentrating their special effects into Wolf's sword slashes.
* StealthExpert: One of the first things the tutorial teaches you is how to sneak around undetected. Wolf can even perform sneak attacks on some bosses. He becomes even more of an expert after unlocking the Suppress Presence and Suppress Sound skills, which reduce his visibility and noise even further.
* StockNinjaWeaponry: He checks off many of the items listed on the main article, including katana, shuriken, kunai (as an upgrade for the shuriken), a short sword (although unlike the types listed on the main article, Sabimaru is a kodachi), a {{Poisoned Weapon|s}} (the aforementioned short sword), and a spear. All of the above except the katana are also HiddenWeapons partially concealed inside his prosthetic arm until activated. He can also technically use "smoke bombs" through his Bloodsmoke Ninjutsu.
* SurpassedTheTeacher: Can end up defeating both [[spoiler:Lady Butterfly and Owl]], his two shinobi mentors, as well as [[spoiler:Isshin Ashina]], who teaches him numerous sword techniques during the game.
* SwordAndFist: Primarily uses a sword, but some of Wolf's Deathblows involve grappling, he can perform a GoombaStomp to interrupt enemy attacks, and the Senpou Combat Arts involve elbow strikes, shoulder charges, and flying kicks (the last of which combos kicks into sword slashes).
* SwordLines: Many of Wolf's high-tier combat arts will give off this effect. Mortal Draw and Empowered Mortal Draw take this UpToEleven by literally staining the air with inky strokes of immortality-ending energy.
* SweetTooth: When giving rice to Kuro, he accidentally hints he might like sweet things. Kuro seems to find this cute and even offers to cook Wolf sticky riceballs. [[PowerUpFood Those, and a good number of consumables he can eat to gain a buff]], tend to be dessert items.
* SupernaturalMartialArts: A plethora of combat arts the Wolf learns are fantastic in nature, though he'll need Spirit Emblems to use them at their full potential. They can still be performed otherwise, but have less power and look comparatively mundane.
* SuperNotDrowningSkills: Not only is Wolf practically a dolphin on the water, obtaining the Mibu Breathing Technique allows him to stay submerged at whatever depth level he chooses, and however long as he pleases.
* TragicKeepsake: He still wears the same scarf that he wore when he was recently orphaned and found in a battlefield by Owl. Though the game never elaborates on this, the way he clings onto it certainly indicates something.
* TakeUpMySword: [[spoiler:In the Immortal Severance ending after the Divine Heir's death, Wolf has taken up the same occupation as the Sculptor, though Emma returns the prosthetic arm to him, mentioning that another will seek strength just as he once did, [[HistoryRepeats and like the Sculptor, it will be his duty to guide them]].]]
* TraumaInducedAmnesia: He was supposed to be slain in the aftermath of the Hirata Estate's incident, and only Kuro's power brought him back to life. This caused him to initially had no memories of what happened three years ago, when the incident happened, [[spoiler:and even pointed to some wrong recollections of the truth, as shown when he received Owl's bell later on when he killed the man.]]
* UndyingLoyalty: He is completely devoted to the well-being of his young master, enough that he's willing to cut a bloody swathe through an entire enemy ''army'' to rescue him. [[spoiler:It is up to the player to decide if Wolf's sense of loyalty remains solely out of obligation, or becomes a choice of his own volition.]]
* TheUnSmile: Implied in the item description of the [[BriefcaseFullOfMoney Bulging Coin Purse]]
-> '' A purse almost overflowing with sen. It can be used to acquire the sen inside. Hefty enough to bring something resembling a grin to a Wolf's face.''
* VillainProtagonist: [[spoiler:Steps into this role if he chooses to forsake Kuro. By the time he kills Emma soon afterwards his transformation into a Shura is all but complete, and he goes on to become a mass murderer.]]
* WalkingArmory: Thanks to the Shinobi Prosthetic granted by the Sculptor, Wolf can equip a vast variety of weapons and utilities that will be of great help in his journey across Ashina. There are ten prosthetic tools he can attach to his arm, which is not even going into the available sidegrades or the weapons he already has at his disposal:
** [[WeaponOfChoice The]] [[KatanasAreJustBetter Kusabimaru]], a family heirloom granted to Wolf in service to Kuro. It's his go-to option for basic offense and defense, and what all the combat of the game centers around.
** [[ImmortalBreaker The Mortal Blade]], its true epithet being the "Gracious Gift of Tears". A cursed katana glowing with crimson energy, it is the only weapon that can kill immortal beings, including the Infested and those possessing the Dragon Heritage. Wolf can also use it in combat to create wide [[SwordBeam Sword Beams]] that pierce through defenses.
** [[FlechetteStorm The Loaded Shuriken]]. While not very damaging, it is useful for sniping enemies from afar, dealing chip damage to Vitality and Posture, interrupting combos, and applying pressure in a prolonged fight. It can be upgraded to let you hit multiple times after charging, [[MoneyMauling toss sen coins]] for additional Posture damage at the cost of range and [[CastFromMoney Sekiro's wallet]], or [[LightEmUp send out glowing butterflies]] that will [[ArmorPiercingAttack always damage targets]].
** [[FireBreathingWeapon The Flame Vent]]. A small cannon that produces a gout of flame with every use, setting its targets alight. Animals and red-eyed enemies are easily paralyzed at the sight of fire, opening up an opportunity to go on the offensive. When paired with the skill Living Force, Kusabimaru [[FlamingSword can be set on fire]] to deal bonus damage. Subsequent upgrades allow Wolf to charge it up for a blast so powerful it flings him backward, and even hold down the trigger for continuous output like a proper flamethrower; the final upgrade variation instead produces [[TechnicolorFire divine flames]] that do not burn, [[HolyBurnsEvil but harm apparitions]].
** [[AnAxeToGrind The Loaded Axe]]. A hefty weapon meant to simply smash things apart in an overhead strike, it deals generous amounts of Vitality and Posture damage with every blow. It has a slow wind-up time, but that is offset by high poise that tanks through most attacks. Upgrading it gives an additional swing as a charge attack, and even create [[StuffBlowingUp explosions]] at the point of impact. The final variant instead casts shockwaves that [[DispelMagic wipes away illusions]].
** [[BlindedByTheLight The Shinobi Firecracker]]. Wolf tosses out lit fuses like confetti, creating a din of sound and bursts of light that stun anything within its area of effect, leaving them exposed for a counterattack. Animals in particular are incredibly sensitive to this tool. Upgraded versions can be charged to spread in a circle around him; more significantly, they let the Wolf choose different timings for explosions to best suit the situation.
** [[BladeOnAStick The Loaded Spear]]. It looks like a small BladeBelowTheShoulder, but [[RetractableWeapon when drawn]], it offers the largest melee range available in a fight where spacing is key. Great for attacking from a distance, but can also drag enemies and poorly-equipped armor pieces towards Wolf during a follow-up attack. Upgrade variations fall into two categories - the thrust-type provides a charging attack where Wolf runs his foes through with armor-piercing precision; the cleave-type instead is swung in a wide circle when charged, and can even be [[FlamingSword set ablaze]] for bonus fire damage.
** [[FlashStep The Mist Raven]]. Wolf assumes a stance when this tool is used. If any form of damage comes his way, he [[SuperSmoke vanishes into a puff of shadows and feathers]] and moves in whatever direction he pleases, including behind his foes back. It does not work against grab attacks, however. The upgraded versions allow him to also use this technique as a recovery after taking a hit, and even [[BurningRubber leave a blazing trail in his wake.]]
** [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe The Loaded Umbrella]]. A large metal fan that collapses into an extremely durable shield. Boasting guaranteed defense against even [[UnblockableAttack Perilous Attacks]] as long as they aren't ground sweeps, the shield can also [[AttackReflector absorb a certain amount of damage and release it as a powerful projectile]] when paired with the Projected Force skill. Upgraded versions of the umbrella can be rotated in place to make use of their generous parry windows. In addition, the alternate forms prevent buildup for certain status effects. With the Fang and Blade skill, Wolf retracts the umbrella and swipes at his foe with Kusabimaru and the [[CombatHandFan razor-edged fan]] into a cross-cut.
** [[PoisonedWeapon The Sabimaru]]. A tanto with a distinctive blue rust on its blade, making it very poisonous. The prosthetic tool can be chained into long attack combos in conjunction with Wolf's own sword, keeping his target on the defensive while stacking poison buildup. The Okami clan and their human descendants have historically been [[KryptoniteFactor deathly allergic to this blade]] (going as far as to stop whatever they're doing to [[VomitIndiscretionShot violently puke]] once affected), making it an excellent choice against them. Upgrades further improve upon Sabimaru's ability to pierce enemy defenses, while the final variation emits [[DeadlyGas noxious mist]] that lingers in the air.
** [[BlowYouAway The Divine Abduction]]. A fan made of leaves, and thus is not suited for direct combat. Instead, the Wolf uses it to gather wind for a short duration, with a second usage releasing it in an area around him. All enemies caught in the vortex are spun around and disoriented. In many cases, this exposes them for an easy Backstab Deathblow. Interestingly, monks from the Senpou Temple straight up ''disappear'' with the gusts, as if they were spirited away. Upgrades improve the fan's function by increasing the number of possible casts to two, with the final variation allowing one to shake enemies down for additional sen and item drops. When paired with the Living Force skill, [[SpellBlade Wolf's sword is imbued with golden wind]] that provides the same effects.
** [[LoudOfWar The Finger Whistle]]. A skeletal finger with two holes bored through it. Blowing into the finger creates a loud sound that draws the attention of all within Wolf's vicinity. Animals that hear its tune are instead [[BrownNote driven into a frenzy and proceed to attack everything in sight]]. This tool also has some bizarre acoustic properties; focusing onto a single target will cause the tune to ''only'' be audible to that one target, drawing them away from the rest of a group. Upgraded versions can even be charged to delay the noise for a few seconds, allowing a shinobi to reposition as one needs. The final variation, which requires a ring to tune the whistle, can torment apparitions by bringing forth memories of a past life.
* WalkingWasteland: A small-scale and unusual variant. [[spoiler:The Dragonrot will slowly kill anyone who comes in contact with Wolf, as his Resurrection power draws from their life force to support his own. This means that any who comes into contact with him risks death just by knowing he exists.]]
* WeakButSkilled: Contrary to the [[UnskilledButStrong usual]] Guts clone, Wolf doesn't have much in the way of close-range battle, instead having to rely on stealth, wits, and many of the tools in his prosthetic arm to cut down numerous, much larger enemies.
* TheWorfEffect: PlayedWith. Most first-time players will get curb-stomped by Genichiro when dueling him in the prologue, which results in the cutscene of Wolf getting his arm lopped off. However, it's quite possible for experienced or skilled players to defeat Genichiro here, though the only resulting difference is that [[HopelessBossFight Genichiro ends up having to rely on outside aid to defeat Wolf]].
* WouldHitAGirl: He can certainly kill old decrepit women without remorse. Even if he [[WouldNotShootACivilian spares them]], Wolf will be forced to slay ''many'' females throughout the game due to a large number of the supernatural enemies being female, such as the Okami warriors, the Corrupted Monk, and Snake Eyes. [[spoiler: And he certainly didn't hold back with his boss fight against Emma.]]
* YoungerThanTheyLook: He's actually not that old, mid or late-30's-to-early-40's at the absolute most. But the patches of silver in his hair, caused by partaking of Kuro's magic blood, can make it easy to mistake him for a much older person.
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