Any Tips on defeating Isshin Spear form?

[Vermilion Knight]

I can't seem to figure out where he's open. Seems like if you get to close he just destroys you. I can do just fine on the other stages of the fight before but this one is tough.

[Tom Bombathrill]

the cheese way is to run around bait his jump attack and get a single hit in. rinse and repeat

[Dok]

When you perfect deflect, you usually have time for one strike. Whether he blocks or not, go back to blocking. Mikiri counter his thrusts. Eventually, you'll chip at his health enough to break his posture.
He's challenging, hang in there!

[CMDR Shven]

Originally posted by Silver Mantis:

I can't seem to figure out where he's open. Seems like if you get to close he just destroys you. I can do just fine on the other stages of the fight before but this one is tough.

They key is to stay in his face and trade parries with him and then to get back when he's about to use either a really long combo you think you'll botch blocking, or when he jumps back and runs away to use some sort of big charge type move. It's after the latter that you can always run in and get at least one hit off, or use mortal draw, or something. As long as you keep getting in his face when he's not already mid-combo, you can usually successfully trade parries with him a handful of times and get his posture meter up pretty quick. I don't think I've ever needed to get him down to even half vitality before breaking his posture.

[Vermilion Knight]

Originally posted by CMDR Shven:

They key is to stay in his face and trade parries with him and then to get back when he's about to use either a really long combo you you'll botch, or when he jumps back and runs away to use some sort of big charge type move. It's after the latter that you can always run in and get at least one hit off, or use mortal draw, or something. As long as you keep getting in his face when he's not already mid-combo, you can usually successfully trade parries with him a handful of times and get his posture meter up pretty quick. I don't think I've ever needed to get him down to even half vitality before breaking his posture.

Actually how well does Mortal Draw work against bosses anyway? I've never tried it. I'd much rather use my Mist Raven for when he attempts to shoot me which works quite well. I hate that Mortal Draw takes up a ton of Spirit Emblems.

Originally posted by Dok:

When you perfect deflect, you usually have time for one strike. Whether he blocks or not, go back to blocking. Mikiri counter his thrusts. Eventually, you'll chip at his health enough to break his posture.
He's challenging, hang in there!

I noticed some of his attacks have armor so he doesn't flinch which is giving me the most issues.
I'm tryin'!

[CMDR Shven]

Originally posted by Silver Mantis:

Originally posted by CMDR Shven:

They key is to stay in his face and trade parries with him and then to get back when he's about to use either a really long combo you you'll botch, or when he jumps back and runs away to use some sort of big charge type move. It's after the latter that you can always run in and get at least one hit off, or use mortal draw, or something. As long as you keep getting in his face when he's not already mid-combo, you can usually successfully trade parries with him a handful of times and get his posture meter up pretty quick. I don't think I've ever needed to get him down to even half vitality before breaking his posture.

Actually how well does Mortal Draw work against bosses anyway? I've never tried it. I'd much rather use my Mist Raven for when he attempts to shoot me which works quite well. I hate that Mortal Draw takes up a ton of Spirit Emblems.

From what I can tell, each slash does the equivalent of several normal hits even through guard, or more if they don't block it. It's really useful for getting their health down to the first tier of decreased posture recovery.

The one downside is that for reasons I've not been able to figure out, once in a while the boss will just take the first hit and attack you back for no discernible reason, even when they clearly were not already telegraphing their attack. But the majority of the time they attempt to block it or they flinch from both slashes.

[Vermilion Knight]

Originally posted by CMDR Shven:

From what I can tell, each slash does the equivalent of several normal hits even through guard, or more if they don't block it. It's really useful for getting their health down to the first tier of decreased posture recovery.

The one downside is that for reasons I've not been able to figure out, once in a while the boss will just take the first hit and attack you back for no discernible reason, even when they clearly were not already telegraphing their attack. But the majority of the time they attempt to block it or they flinch from both slashes.

Hmm okay, I'll give it a shot!

[ahaha.wav]

It's honestly just about learning his moveset and parry timings. I don't think there's a single attack aside from red kanji deathblows in his second phase that can't be perfect parried. He also uses a lot of thrusts, so mikiri counter is super useful, and you can usually follow one up with a few hits.

Other than that the same rules as any other one on one fight against a humanoid enemy apply, just wail on him until you see the spark indicator for him parrying one of your attacks, then switch to defense until the next attack opening. Once you have the second phase down you pretty much have the third too, very similar movesets.

[JanTran-Sama]

when he does his enormously slash , you can jump on him to gain more posture and damage.
Straight wind slash just run from the side.

his jump in : you could side step if he is close enough, or parry it.
Wait for his thrust spear, then parry das ♥♥♥♥.

His thunder if possible spam jump from the side and press attack on hit and landing.Lightning reversal

[primobrainlet]

-Whenever you see him jump backwards, deflect
-Use the magnetic umbrella to counter the heavy slashes, then combo out of it to give him a big slap
-be VERY agressive, you will be suprised by how many attacks you cancel, really only need to worry about the spear and heavy attacks

The third phase is imo much easier, since lightning reversal is a thing

He also has this weird shotgun attack he does, only seen it once, not sure how to avoid it, but if you get hit, get up and gtfo

[Scraps]

As I've stated in a different forum about Sword Saint, the worst phase is Isshin's second. Once you've got that complete, the final phase is the same with a couple moves, most notable being his variant of the Combat Art, Dragon Flash (it's better on him than on you, typical), and two lightning moves.
The lightning moves are important, as doing Lightning Reversal via jumping and pressing RB before landing redirects it to Isshin, causing severe vitality and posture damage, and he can be downed in 2 or 3 hits, depending how consistent you are with hitting him. If you need practice on the mechanic, go to Sanctuary Idol in Fountainhead and train on the Okami Warriors, all 3 are the lightning variant.

[primobrainlet]

Originally posted by Anarchy:

As I've stated in a different forum about Sword Saint, the worst phase is Isshin's second. Once you've got that complete, the final phase is the same with a couple moves, most notable being his variant of the Combat Art, Dragon Flash (it's better on him than on you, typical), and two lightning moves.
The lightning moves are important, as doing Lightning Reversal via jumping and pressing RB before landing redirects it to Isshin, causing severe vitality and posture damage, and he can be downed in 2 or 3 hits, depending how consistent you are with hitting him. If you need practice on the mechanic, go to Sanctuary Idol in Fountainhead and train on the Okami Warriors, all 3 are the lightning variant.

And seem to literally have the same lightning attacks

Never tried it, but the eel liver consumable might also help if you would prefer to straight up ignore lightning...

[Vermilion Knight]

Originally posted by Davy Jones:

-Whenever you see him jump backwards, deflect
-Use the magnetic umbrella to counter the heavy slashes, then combo out of it to give him a big slap
-be VERY agressive, you will be suprised by how many attacks you cancel, really only need to worry about the spear and heavy attacks

The third phase is imo much easier, since lightning reversal is a thing

He also has this weird shotgun attack he does, only seen it once, not sure how to avoid it, but if you get hit, get up and gtfo

I didn't think about using the umbrella at this stage, also a good thing for me to try out.
The lighting reversal is a piece of cake, I've done it so many times to lightning enemies I'll probably destroy his 3rd phase lol.

[primobrainlet]

Originally posted by Silver Mantis:

Originally posted by Davy Jones:

-Whenever you see him jump backwards, deflect
-Use the magnetic umbrella to counter the heavy slashes, then combo out of it to give him a big slap
-be VERY agressive, you will be suprised by how many attacks you cancel, really only need to worry about the spear and heavy attacks

The third phase is imo much easier, since lightning reversal is a thing

He also has this weird shotgun attack he does, only seen it once, not sure how to avoid it, but if you get hit, get up and gtfo

I didn't think about using the umbrella at this stage, also a good thing for me to try out.
The lighting reversal is a piece of cake, I've done it so many times to lightning enemies I'll probably destroy his 3rd phase lol.

Yeah, you will.

Only the magnetic umbrella works, its kind of weird using it this late, but still satisfying and works well

[hayaku]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXXxrJHmEvM
dodge the spear , parry the sword and practice this video was my 1 rst die of him dont master him actually with HM on and no item no die. But i remember parry the spears is dangerous for your posture at 3 rd life bar u need reverse the lightning. Stay close be offensive and practice :p

[Vermilion Knight]

Originally posted by hayaku:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXXxrJHmEvM
dodge the spear , parry the sword and practice this video was my 1 rst die of him dont master him actually with HM on and no item no die. But i remember parry the spears is dangerous for your posture at 3 rd life bar u need reverse the lightning. Stay close be offensive and practice :p

Really good video, Thanks!