Mushin/Zanshin state of mind. Great game for understanding this state of mind and being in it as well

[Dr.Dingus]

The one thing I love about games like this is that after you die a ♥♥♥♥ ton of times and learn how the enemy reacts and how you move you get so much better at fighting and reacting without thinking. I remember when I first played this game i was dying in forest a ♥♥♥♥ tons but after getting used to the controls to where its become second nature I can last in a long drawn out duel with the master at times without sweating. Its really fun though after a good 30 to a minute of dodge, block, counter, and repeat he always gets me through some mistake I make, but I've beaten him three times before just not in a row. That's the interesting thing this game fully gets me into such a focused state that combat is a breeze. It stops being a breeze when I being to start thinking again. Then I make more mistakes and get cut down. Its so good.

For new players if you get ambushed by to guys just dodge into one guy to get out the ambush. Just be careful not to aggro more enemies. Also practice dodging and countering it helps a lot. There two techniques that are very important when it comes to killing bosses one is the charge bait and slash that personguy on YouTube does. My method is the double phasing technique. You dodge into the opponent going past him then dodge back into the same spot your where in. The boss some times is slow to react in frames and his back should be exposed to you for a frame before he turns back to you again. strike him down and take your win. Normal enemies die easily to it. (you have to get good at dodging and reading the opponent to do this, the AI Attacks and defends based on what you do btw.)

I love duelist and master difficulty it forces you to learn how the AI behaves so that you can defeat them in the future. though you may die. Remember "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." -some Chinese or Japanese guy ( I cant remember which one, I think they both said it.) Either way it a great game!!!