How To Defeat Isshin, The Sword Saint:

Location: Ashina Castle Grounds.

Strategy:

The toughest boss in the game, Isshin, The Sword Saint is a four-phase boss fight that will make you pull your hair out. This boss gives you very little room for counter attacks so you have to be on your toes all the time.

In phase 1, he is Genichiro, Way of Tomoe and will start with a couple of sword swings. Just dodge the first swing, get behind, take some shots at him. He will also do a front attack which can be encountered using the Mikiri counter. Rinse and repeat and you will be (hopefully) done with phase 1.

Phase 2 is when he starts showing his true (and tough!) colors. Below you will find some pointers on the kind of attacks he does and what you need to do.

• The thrust attack: Use the Mikiri counter.
• The boss will sheath his sword followed by a white light: When this happens, get ready to deflect the attack.
• The massive wind attack: Dodge sideways. This will give you room for landing a few shots on the boss.
• Close sweep: Sprint backwards.

Phase 3: This is even tougher than Phase 2. The boss has a spear, a small sword and a gun! Below you will find some pointers on the kind of attacks he does and what you need to do.

• Wind sweep: This attack can be deflected.
• Pistol attack: If the gap between you and the boss gets too big, get ready to be shot at. This attack can be defelected.
• Thrust attack: Use the Mikiri counter.
• Massive overhead attack: Dodge and get a few hits on the boss.

Phase 4: This is largely the same as phase 3 except that he has a new set of attacks. Below you will find some pointers on the kind of attacks he does and what you need to do.

• Long range wind attack:  This can be deflected.
• Lightning swing attack: Get close to the boss, and when the attack is about to happen, jump and deflect the attack back to the boss.
• Lightning slash attacks: Use the Mikiri counter.

Rewards: Memory: Memory: Saint Isshin, Dragon Slash.

Video Guide: