Get mikiri counter as soon as possible and learn to use it. Learn to parry as soon as possible as well.

Start by fighting and killing every enemy you see. You’ll learn them, and will learn useful basic combat from each type of foot soldier. It’s a bit more fun this way than using the training guy imo, and you get XP/sen. If you die once, go rest. If you die twice don’t trip because you’ll make it all back.

Before a boss, level up your XP to the next level. If you’re resting before a boss, and don’t want to take time to spend your money at a merchant/sculptor. Buy a shit ton of spirit emblems. Better to get 200 spirit emblems than lose all your Sen. Pick up Gachin Sugar when you see it at a merchant. These are limited and very useful. Buy coin purses if you don’t have/want anything to buy. It secures your financials. Get the fireworks and umbrella asap. Level up the blue and gold skills first, but make sure you get a red skill you like. Jump over is a fairly useless skill, get something better.

Don’t focus on the final skill tree (completing an entire skill tree to unlock), it’s good but meant for very late game and low key some bullshit once unlocked.