Bosses
Boss encounters in Way of the Sword are structured posture duels: every opponent has telegraphed commit points, specific defensive counters, and critical vulnerability windows for Break Issen execution. Below are tactical guides for confirmed story encounters.
| Boss | Mission | Core Counter Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Sasaki Ganryu | The Stage is Set at Kiyomizu | Maintain mid-distance to force long-windup gap closers; dodge sideways around Phase 2 grabs. |
| Rasho-gan | Careful What You Wish For | Sever lotus tether in Phase 1; shoot hanging boulder threads with the Oni Bow; deflect scissor dive. |
| Dokyo | In the Light of an Icy Moon | Dispel fake clone with Oni Vision; let floating moon mask swell before detonating with Oni Bow; hide behind solid meteor. |
| Shuten Doji | The Demon on the Mount | Interrupt 50% flame breath with Oni Bow; parry body sword strikes and Grab Reverse the flying head. |
| Minamoto no Yoshitsune | The Clash at the Ethereal Dais | Dodge forward on 2-hit slashes and parry second strike; deplete stagger bar and trigger Onimusha Form for true HP damage. |
| Daidara | Quarry of the Colossus | Break armor plates with charged Oni Bow shots; perfect block rushing charge to stun; absorb floating souls before he regenerates. |
| Benkei | The Stand at Gojo Bridge | Hold guard through sweeping arcs; execute Issen counters on his heavy thrusts; unleash heavy combos on purple posture breaks. |
- Sasaki Ganryu
The rooftop duel in Kiyomizu: why distance forces heavy telegraphs, how to handle multi-hit strings, and evading the Phase 2 grab.
- Rasho-gan
How to sever the lotus tether early, drop boulders with the Oni Bow, sever auxiliary back arms, and deflect scissor charges.
- Dokyo
How to pin down the elusive spellcaster: charged heavy punishes, Oni Vision clone dispel, moon mask explosion, and meteor shelter.
- Shuten Doji
How to handle the two-phase warlord: bow interrupts on flame breath, mastering the head and body split, and Oni Awakening.
- Minamoto no Yoshitsune
Mastering the dual-katana phantom duel: parrying dashing lunges, managing the stagger gauge, and the letter-M finisher cutoff.
- Daidara
How to defeat the stone colossus: shattering armor plates with the Oni Bow, perfect blocking charges, and the soul absorption contest.
- Benkei
How to conquer the Gojo Bridge sentinel with no damage: reading naginata sweeps, capitalizing on generous Issen frames, and purple breaks.