Combat skills, shrine upgrades, and move unlocks. Explore how the equipment and progression systems work.
Choose a topic to see how it works, where it helps and what to consider.
Environmental Mastery lets you throw objects directly from the ground without first picking them up. This can speed up an attack and reduce the chance an enemy lands a hit before being stunned. The EIP guide also describes kicking objects such as stools and chairs to trip enemies, while IGN places the skill on the second pendant of the skill tree.
Understand this choiceStrong Sweep Focus spends one Focus meter to trip an enemy and put them on the ground. IGN says it can affect every enemy except Yang, potentially interrupt an attack and create time for follow-up punches. EIP notes that waiting before attacking can also give your structure time to recover.
Understand this choiceHolding the heavy attack input performs a punch that IGN says can stun any enemy. When wielding a weapon, the attack changes to a weapon-specific hit described as dealing very high damage; it can sometimes down an enemy outright.
Understand this choiceGround Counter lets you parry an enemy's follow-up attack while you are on the floor, then reverse the situation by bringing the attacker down. IGN presents it as a response to being tripped or knocked down, where enemies capable of doing so will follow up with an attack.
Understand this choiceSlide Kick is performed while sprinting with a heavy attack input; it slides into and trips the targeted enemy. IGN describes it as a way to remove an opponent from the immediate fight and follow with ground punches. EIP also notes it can help disarm a weapon-wielding foe, leaving the weapon available to take.
Understand this choiceWeapon Mastery lets you use a weapon beyond its usual breaking point. IGN says the remaining scraps can be thrown as a projectile to deal damage. This extends the usefulness of a weapon that would otherwise break, which the guide notes is valuable against groups and tougher enemies.
Understand this choiceStructure Reserve increases maximum structure, giving you more room to guard before your structure breaks. IGN says the upgrade is locked once you pass age 60; EIP describes it as an age-gated option for players learning to survive longer.
Understand this choiceHealth Gained on Takedowns increases the health restored by finishing moves on enemies. The upgrade is age-gated and becomes unavailable after age 40, according to IGN; EIP calls it a strong early choice for players trying to survive.
Understand this choiceWeapon Durability makes knives, bats, staffs, and sticks you pick up last longer. IGN says it is locked after age 25. The evidence gives no numeric increase, so the supported effect is simply extended weapon life.
Understand this choiceStructure Regain increases the structure recovered after successfully avoiding an attack by dodging. IGN says access requires a score of 800. The source also explains that score is built by maintaining your combat combo level and that taking damage resets that combo.
Understand this choiceFocus Regain increases the Focus recovered after successfully avoiding or parrying an attack. IGN says it requires a score of 1,200 and notes that it can work in conjunction with Structure Regain, which also rewards defensive play.
Understand this choiceParry Impact increases the effect of your parries on an opponent's structure. IGN says it requires a score of 5,000 and describes the upgrade as potentially important in boss fights. Its documented benefit is specifically tied to parrying, rather than general damage.
Understand this choiceFocus Reserve adds half a Focus bar for each of its four tiers. IGN describes it as necessary for performing more complex Focus attacks and states a requirement of 250 XP. This upgrade is tied to XP rather than the score thresholds described for some other shrine options.
Understand this choiceWeapon Proficiency improves weapon damage and the impact weapons have on an enemy's structure. IGN states that it requires 500 XP. Its supported benefits apply to weapons, so this choice is relevant when you have access to and use them.
Understand this choiceSkills and Dragon Shrine upgrades in Sifu. Covers named moves, passive upgrades, their documented effects, and supported requirements. Does not compare editions or claim current rankings.
