Should I Spare or Kill Lord Shimura?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You prioritize narrative continuity and want to keep the mentorship storyline alive, allowing future interactions and the possibility of a more hopeful ending.
• Good fit: Your character follows a heroic or honorable role‑play, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed and staying true to a code of conduct.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You are aiming for the “Lord of the Forest” ending or seeking the unique weapon granted only after killing Shimura; sparing him would foreclose that path.
• Warning sign: Your playthrough is heavily focused on speed‑running or resource efficiency, and you need the immediate experience points and upgrade materials that come from his defeat.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sparing Shimura preserves a valuable ally who can provide lore, dialogue, and potential future assistance.
• Killing Shimura grants exclusive gear (the Ash of War “Bloodhound’s Step”) and contributes to a darker, more complex character arc.

Cons

• Sparing him may limit your access to certain quest rewards, experience points, and the unique ending tied to his death.
• Killing him can break immersion for role‑players who view the act as a betrayal, and it eliminates a source of narrative depth.

Decision Checklist

• Am I aiming for a specific ending or exclusive reward that requires Shimura’s death?
• Does my character concept value loyalty and mentorship enough to justify sparing him?
• Do I have alternative ways to obtain the gear or experience I need without killing Shimura?

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure, you can postpone the decision by stepping away from the encounter and returning later after exploring other areas. Some players also use a save‑file backup to test both outcomes without committing permanently.

Final Recommendation

Choose to spare Lord Shimura if your playstyle emphasizes narrative cohesion, role‑playing honor, or the desire to keep a mentor alive. Opt to kill him if you are pursuing the exclusive weapon, a darker storyline, or need the immediate experience boost. As always, consider saving your game before the encounter to keep both options open, and remember that high‑stakes narrative choices in RPGs are ultimately personal preferences rather than right or wrong answers.