Controls and button layouts
Use a Hozuki Pouch with D-pad up on either controller layout, or E with the default keyboard bindings.
Choose the controller layout that matches your guard button: Square / X on a face button, or L1 / LB on the shoulder. If you have changed your bindings, follow the prompts in your game's Control Settings.
| Action | Face-button guard layout | Shoulder-button guard layout | Keyboard / mouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Handed Attack | Triangle / Y | Square / X | Left mouse button |
| Two-Handed Attack | Circle / B | Triangle / Y | R |
| Block/Parry | Square / X | L1 / LB | Right mouse button |
| Evade | Cross / A | Circle / B | Space |
| Use Hozuki Pouch | D-pad up | D-pad up | E |
| Use Item | D-pad down | D-pad down | Q |
| Select Item | Hold D-pad left | Hold D-pad left | Hold Tab |
| Oni Armament | R1 / RB | R1 / RB | G |
| Select Oni Armament | Hold D-pad right | Hold D-pad right | Hold Left Alt |
| Oni Bow | Hold R2 / RT | Hold R2 / RT | Hold Left Ctrl |
| Absorb Souls | Hold L2 / LT | Hold L2 / LT | Hold C |
| Examine | L1 / LB | Cross / A | F |
| Lock On | Press right stick | Press right stick | Middle mouse button |
Using the controls in combat
- Parry with the block button at impact. Learn guard, parry, and deflect before treating them as the same defense.
- Item selection and healing with a pouch use different actions.
- Absorb loose souls during an opening. Some enemies can take them before you do.
- Open the System Menu to review the in-game controls and tips.