[Spoiler!!!] this one attack from a certain woodland spirit...

[Pebbles]

for context: on the way from the Remnant camp to the Inn, east of the main road, you can find a rune stone (which gives 3 learning points).....guarded by a Leshy (I think? please correct me if I got my pagan/slavic mythological creature wrong)

now, despite having a lot of health, the Leshy has pretty simple attacks - except its "life drain" attack, in which it kneels down and literally sucks the life out of you, usually one-shotting you unless you're at full health
I have, so far, found no way of stopping or dodging or defending against this attack. it has extreme range, and you can be hit by it even if the Leshy is off screen. I have 44 magic resistance from gear, and even with food buffs it doesn't seem to reduce the damage this attack deals; and blocking with a shield (which has magic resistance) doesn't seem to work either. I have tried to fight the Leshy numerous times, and this one attack always ends up being an impossible obstacle

am I missing something here? is there a specific way to counter this attack? or am I just supposed to wait til I am at a higher level (currently at 15) and come back with better gear so I could "trade" with the Leshy?? help please -.-

[Ark]

Leshen are the hardest fights in the open world, Hot bar proper healing items like Healing potions or Dark Brew, or come back later, 42 magic is not that big in the grand scheme. Shattering blow will stun them for one second, if you keep your focus at 70, and there are items you can utilise as well. You need to come more prepared.

[Saileri]

For me it was timing breaking their stance for when they start the life siphon. It interrupts the technique and makes the fight fairly easy since all the other attacks are simple to avoid, like destroying pixies or its summons.

[Sgt.JESUS]

Yep im having the same issue, easy moveset, easy fight until he pulls out the autohit drain life crap hehehe, oh well, just wish that was a line of sight attack, at least we could run for cover.
There are some itens that improve the poise damage though, i found one in the bear cave, 25% more poise damage, gotta try that on him, breaking him a lot should work like Saileri said.

[Saileri]

Originally posted by Sgt.JESUS:

Yep im having the same issue, easy moveset, easy fight until he pulls out the autohit drain life crap hehehe, oh well, just wish that was a line of sight attack, at least we could run for cover.
There are some itens that improve the poise damage though, i found one in the bear cave, 25% more poise damage, gotta try that on him, breaking him a lot should work like Saileri said.

Don't forget traps. Even Root Traps. You can set it under his ass since he doesn't move a lot and that gives you a few seconds of free damage + chunks down his stance bar. Traps are underappreciated in the game. They feel like a total cheat when you finally embrace them.

Now that I think of it, a trap should interrupt his casting if you place it while he is sucking you. Yes, you can put traps literally on enemies if you aim your cursor there.

[CornBreadtm]

It's a stat check. There is no real skill with Leshens. Either have the stats to kill first and survive the mechanics or die.

His stamina is pretty low and his hp isn't the highest for endgame boss mobs. He just has BS mechanics which are hard to avoid damage against. Once you have high magic defense, he's pretty much free exp.

Once I hit the stat break I killed all 3 that where around the map back to back. And that was basically right after getting my runestone and new faction armor.

[Sgt.JESUS]

I used all my traps against the pit fighter on the waterfalls, dont remember his name, hell of a fight hehehe, guy has infite focus it seens. Could make more but i killed those leshens using some potions between the autohit magic thingie.

[Pleasant Peasant]

Originally posted by Ark:

Leshen are the hardest fights in the open world, Hot bar proper healing items like Healing potions or Dark Brew, or come back later, 42 magic is not that big in the grand scheme. Shattering blow will stun them for one second, if you keep your focus at 70, and there are items you can utilise as well. You need to come more prepared.

Do you happen to know where to find shattering blow?

[Magus Coldfire]

Yeah, it's a hard attack, but it challenges the player to use other tools then just dodging/attacking. Bear Traps, Stun, Stance Damage, Root Effects. All these things stop the drain attack. Also, if you time your dodges well, you can easily avoid at least 3 hits from the drain attack, letting you survive it most of the time and give you time to use a potion. And it ives tons of experience, so it's supposed to be a challenge. But it gives you tons of experience.

Try to use your traps/stuns and the fight will be easier (but not easy).

[Nakaris]

i beat him up with a combi of the shout wich grants me defence and the stun ability if he was doing his life leeching. with that i hadnt hard of a problem with him.

[KillaKiwi]

I beat one in Chapter 2. The aggresive shout ability was helpful applying stance damage and also for destroying the little explosive homing spirits.
In hindsight I think that one ability that stuns an opponent for 1s would probably also help interrupting their life drain ability.
Some items that give focus would probably also help to stay aggresive.

[D#]

I killed 2 in act 1 using the stun when they started the drain, they were still hard but hey 1500exp each is nice.

[Mister Lemon]

So I figured something out, kinda? Im using daggers and have only like 56 prowess, but i easily killed it by standing outside the stone circle and just hitting his floating lights. i didnt even see him. After two waves of floating lights and chugging a health potion against his drain, he just died.
I think he takes dmg from attacking the lights? literally killed him in less than 30 seconds witht his

[FrozZen]

Once you know that a perfect parry with tier-2 shieldfighting can disrupt the drain, it's literally over for Leshen. Just Right click when he knee down for the drain

[MASSA]

Got a spear (partisan at the leshen near the tavern is a good option), kill every lesser enemy one by one if needed, then chose a large stone were you will hide. Call the Leshen, stay behing the stone and attack with spear when he approaches. Some time you will need to circle the stone, and the Leshen ONLY ATTACK IF IT SEES YOU. You can beat then without it unleashes a single attack if you are patient enought.

[Spicy Bois]

Originally posted by FrozZen:

Once you know that a perfect parry with tier-2 shieldfighting can disrupt the drain, it's literally over for Leshen. Just Right click when he knee down for the drain

This makes the fight so much easier, I would never have thought that you can parry a magical attack!