Isshin Ashina Boss Guide

A guide on how to defeat Isshin Ashina Boss Guide in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Number of Deathblow Markers	2
Reward	Memory: Isshin Ashina, Combat Art: One Mind
Appearance	Ashina Castle (Shinobi Invasion)

Strategy

Continuous attacks and parries can efficiently break Isshin’s Posture. Defeating him requires a bit of luck, though knowing his attack patterns is the best way to take him down.

↑Once your attack hits, Isshin will immediately retaliate.

↑Parry Isshin’s hits and continuously attack him.

↑Isshin will occasionally perform a Dangerous Attack. Instead of parrying, just dodge them.

Isshin can also perform a series of quick slashes. You will likely take damage even if you try to parry them.

↑Isshin about to perform his quick slashes. Create some distance from him to either parry or avoid his attacks.

Isshin will use several fire-based attacks during the 2nd phase of the fight. You will not have many chances to attack, as he will perform a number of moves that cannot be blocked.
When Isshin grasps his sword, the flames on the ground will blaze. Your vision will also be disrupted due to the flames. Isshin will then rush to the middle of the battlefield and perform a series of slashes. You can parry the last blow of this attack to stun Isshin.

↑The fire on the ground will roar during Isshin’s motion above. Be careful of where you are standing.

↑Isshin will slash and move at high speed while in the fire. You want to parry his first strike when he does this.

↑His consecutive strikes can also be reliably guarded.

↑You will have an opportunity to counterattack after parrying the last strike.

Isshin will not perform the attack shown below too often, but watch out for it and counter to break his posture. Always follow-up after parrying.

↑Isshin will perform a Dangerous Attack when holding his sword horizontally before performing a thrust. Prepare and dodge when you see it coming.

Isshin also has a quick double slash like Emma. It can damage you even if you parry or try to dodge.

↑Attack Isshin after he moves.

When flames appear under Isshin, he is preparing to summon flames in an area in front of him. This can be challenging to avoid since the attack can come unexpectedly. Sidestep to dodge it.

↑Get ready to sidestep when you see flames appear beneath Isshin.

↑You can avoid the attack at the last minute even if you don’t manage to input the dodge earlier.

When Isshin raises his sword high, run away from him. Even if you guard the attack, you will take significant damage from the fire.

↑When you see Isshin raise his sword, get as far away as possible.

↑If you are close, you will take damage from both the slash and the fire.

Attack	Details
1st HP Bar
DANGER Thrust Attack	Holds the sword horizontally before releasing a thrust. Can be countered.
Double Slash	Quickly advances to the player and performs two quick slashes.
Continuous Slashing	Slashes a few times with the sword.
2nd HP Bar
DANGER Thrust Attack	Holds the sword horizontally before thrusting. Can be countered.
Flame Summon to Continuous Slash	Grasps his sword and causes the flames from the ground to roar. Rushes to the player and performs continuous slashes after.
Flame Shockwave	Flames appear below Isshin as he raises his sword and plunges it to the ground to unleash a flaming shockwave.
Flame Strike	Strikes his sword on the ground to summon flames that scatter when slashed. The flames on the ground react and get bigger.
Double Slash	Quickly advances to the player and performs two quick slashes.
Continuous Slashing	Slashes a few times with his sword.