Tips for early-game?

[Mercotroll]

I know for this kind of game you have to "git gud". However, the older I get, the less patience I have for this kind of "git gud" grinding. I'm still really enjoying the game, and would like to continue through it. However, I would appreciate any tips. particularly for the part early in the game where you find the chef's hat, and you need to beat a string of enemies that continue popping up. Thanks!

[Kasp]

make sure you have all your arrows and bug juice full. also ensure your equipment is the best for your play style. I find keeping weight in the feather range best. shield is your friend.

[Mercotroll]

My issue was that I was very low on bug juice when starting that particular part of the trail. I was able to beat it though. It was before arrows so it was maybe just bad luck. I see now that the game is very grindy (but more in "learn the characters' behaviors and then try to time things right" way) by design. Thanks for the tips. I will use my shield more for sure!

[Serpiko82]

When you keep dying because you're low on juice, it is (almost) always possible to go back and either resupply at a barrel or slay some small bugs in nearby areas, then come back and save at a bench when your stores are full.

[MachineGod]

Git gud with parrying

[Geruhn]

You can parry(? the one with the shield) even non-yellow attacks, if you see them telegraphing their next attack without any marker, you can parry that which def helps

[Doc_Simulac]

Originally posted by Mercotroll:

My issue was that I was very low on bug juice when starting that particular part of the trail. I was able to beat it though. It was before arrows so it was maybe just bad luck. I see now that the game is very grindy (but more in "learn the characters' behaviors and then try to time things right" way) by design. Thanks for the tips. I will use my shield more for sure!

I'm guessing you figured it out.
This game punishes you for doing the wrong actions at the wrong time. In fact, it seems that you take more damage from botched actions like rolling at the wrong time than from just not doing anything and blocking.

Also, the bosses have to run their patterns. Interrupting them just leads to frustration. Sometimes they can take half a dozen deaths to figure out what pattern the boss is trying to run.
As far as parrys... I never really got the hang of them... But if you learn the patterns well enough, you'll know exactly when the boss or enemy is about to do a yellow attack.

[Clead HeavenHell]

There is also a really weird but exploitable mechanic in which is better to only heal a bit once you reach 1 HP, since the game always puts you on 1 HP (black and white screen) as long you had a minimum amount of HP (Use the colours on screen as reference).

Personally, I feel like this mechanic gives flavour to the game, but healing to full life is usually unnecessary.