How to Beat "Isshin Ashina" Boss Battle - Sekiro

Boss fight tips

1st Combat tip: After his swing, follow up with an attack.

You can easily defend against his lai slash and vertical slash and it's easy to prepare for a counter.

Dodge or dash away from the enemy's attack and counterattack after the enemy attacks.

2nd combat tip: By evading to the safe zones, dodge fire pillars.

Fame pillars are tricky to avoid. They have a wide area of effect, making it hard to dodge or jump.

The pillars are telegraphed by burning floors. Once you see the prompt, dodge away to the safe zone.

If you are close to the flame pillar, you can also cancel it with your Axe if you want.

3rd Combat Tip: To heal your burn, use dowsing powder.

If you have the burn status, you will receive continuous damage over time.

Be sure you have enough of it in your inventory.

By using dowsing powder, you can heal the burn.

Notable attacks (for phase 1 & 2 )

1st Notable attack: Vertical + side slash combo.

Isshin unleashes a vertical cut followed up with a side swipe, after reeling up.

Dodge from right side to his back to evade his side swipe, after dodging the vertical swing.

For a single attack after this, you will have enough opening.

For damage, follow up with a charged attack.

2nd Notable Attack: Lai cross cut.

By sheathing his sword in a lai - stance, his attack will be clearly telegraphed.

Dash away as he sheaths his sword. Immediately follow up with a thrust attack after he misses his slash.

Avoid the lai's attacks. They'll hurt you even if you block them.

Dodge his attack by moving away from him.

Notable attacks (for phase 2)

3rd Notable attack: Flame pillar + lai slash combo.

Isshin unleashes a flaming pillar to attack his opponent, then follows up with a lai slash. After taking a stance.

The flame will burn you.

Cancel his attack with a loaded Axe, if you are close in range.

Throw shurikens to cancel his lai attacks, if you are out of his range.

4th notable attack: Flame Strips.

Isshin swings his sword after stomping the ground, unleashing strips of flame.

The pool of flame has a larger range than they appear. Dash or jump to evade them.