This started out as a ♥♥♥♥ post but then I started typing stuff that was actually useful (very out of character of me) so i changed the title :D

1. Don't play it like dark souls. Seriously, forget everything you know about souls games because this one is different .....but still same (but different).

2. Loot and kill as much as you can early game and don't skip those people who you've fought 5 times already, it stacks up.

3. If you're stuck on a boss its good to take a quick break and before progressing, if its something you can come back to then try doing something else for a a bit and come back. Fighting the same boss over and over is good practice for it but is also unhealthy because you might pick up bad habits while fighting it and it will be hard to break them if you're constantly doing it for an hour straight

4. EXPLORE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! This will help you familiarize yourself with the map. Now I'm not telling you to go to that one place where there's enemies that will kill you just by sneezing on you, but when you get a mission and it tells you to go a certain place you might be like "Oh Yeah! I know that place! That's where they killed me by sneezing on me when i was lower lvl but i can take them now" Instead of having to pull up google and find out where that place is.

5. Never take your hands off of the kb/m / controller.......ever...EVER!! (you'll thank me later)

6. Save your Balloons for when you really need them. There will come a time where you will want something but aren't quite there yet. whether it be coin or XP, there are lots of guides on YouTube for farming gold and XP and having boons are great ways to boost it even more.

7. Blocking is a big deal in this game. In fact this game is all about blocking and stealth. practicing blocking and parrying is going to go far in this game. For every attack an enemy does, there is a way to counter it in some form or fashion, its not so much about dodging and doing as much damage as you can its about countering their next attack. And remember it goes both ways, they can counter your attacks too.

8. Get the Mikiri Counter early. it will save you a lot of headache.

9. Spend your coin when you can because you lose that stuff fast if you die a couple of times.

10. Candy is very important in this game and can be the difference between winning and losing a boss fight. if you feel like you're not doing enough damage or you're taking too much damage it might be time to pop some candy and try it again! But don't go crazy. That stuff isn't cheap and can get scarce quick.

BONUS TIP!! Don't die. And if you do then don't die again....because the games not called shadows die 3 times.....even though....never mind. :D

Good luck and i hope you found some of these tips useful!