Randy Chandler
Cheesing Ishin Ashina, the final boss of *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*, involves exploiting specific mechanics or strategies to simplify what is otherwise an extremely challenging fight. Players often seek these methods to bypass the boss’s complex patterns and high damage output. Common techniques include using the Loaded Umbrella Prosthetic Tool to deflect his unblockable attacks, abusing the Mist Raven to create distance or avoid combos, or exploiting environmental elements like the nearby wall to stun him. While these methods may not align with the intended combat experience, they offer a viable alternative for those struggling to master the fight’s demanding rhythm and precision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Isshin Ashina (Final Boss in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice) |
| Cheese Strategy | Misdirection + Fire Prosthetic Tool |
| Required Items | Fire Prosthetic Tool (unlocked via skill tree), Gourd Seeds, Healing Items |
| Phase Targeted | Phase 2 (Sword Saint Isshin) |
| Mechanic Exploited | Isshin's vulnerability to fire damage and misdirection |
| Steps | 1. Lure Isshin to the edge of the arena near the idol. |
| 2. Use the Fire Prosthetic Tool to deal damage and stagger him. | |
| 3. Run behind him to trigger the misdirection glitch, causing him to get stuck. | |
| 4. Repeat fire attacks until he dies. | |
| Difficulty | Requires precise timing and positioning. |
| Effectiveness | High, but relies on exploiting a glitch. |
| Patch Status | Works in most versions, but may be patched in future updates. |
| Alternative Cheese | Using the Loaded Umbrella to block and counter his attacks repeatedly. |
| Risk Level | Low, as Isshin gets stuck and cannot attack effectively. |
| Community Popularity | Widely known and used in speedruns and casual playthroughs. |
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What You'll Learn
- Perfect Mikiri Counter Timing: Master the precise timing to counter Isshin's thrusts consistently
- Fire Umbrella Exploit: Use the Flame Vent prosthetic to stun Isshin repeatedly
- Sugar + Damage Build: Stack damage buffs with Sugar and high-damage skills for quick kills
- Shadowrush Spam Strategy: Abuse Shadowrush to dodge and punish Isshin's attacks effectively
- Phase 2 Health Drain: Focus on reducing Isshin's health before he enters his final phase
Perfect Mikiri Counter Timing: Master the precise timing to counter Isshin's thrusts consistently
The Mikiri Counter is your lifeline against Isshin Ashina's relentless thrust attacks. Mastering its timing transforms a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a predictable dance. Isshin's thrusts, while fast, follow a distinct pattern: a brief wind-up, a lightning-quick lunge, and a momentary recovery. Your goal is to identify the exact instant his sword tip reaches its apex during the wind-up – this is your cue to act.
Practicing against weaker enemies with thrusting attacks is crucial. Observe the rhythm of their movements, focusing on the slight pause before the strike. Train yourself to react to this pause, not the actual thrust itself. This anticipatory timing is key to consistently landing Mikiri Counters against Isshin.
Here's a breakdown of the execution: As Isshin begins his thrust animation, don't panic. Watch his sword tip closely. The moment it reaches its highest point, input the Mikiri Counter (jump and attack simultaneously). The timing is tighter than you think – aim to press the buttons just as the sword tip starts its downward trajectory.
Success hinges on precision and patience. Don't be discouraged by initial failures; Isshin's speed demands split-second reactions. Remember, the Mikiri Counter is a reward for reading his movements, not a button-mashing solution.
A helpful tip: Pay attention to Isshin's posture. A slight lean forward often precedes his thrusts. This subtle cue, combined with the sword tip's apex, provides a more comprehensive timing indicator. With practice, you'll internalize this rhythm, turning Isshin's most dangerous attack into a predictable and punishable pattern.
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Fire Umbrella Exploit: Use the Flame Vent prosthetic to stun Isshin repeatedly
The Flame Vent prosthetic, often overlooked in favor of more aggressive tools, becomes a game-changer when exploiting Isshin Ashina's AI. This "Fire Umbrella" tactic hinges on the Flame Vent's unique ability to stun Isshin repeatedly, creating openings for massive damage.
Execution: Equip the Flame Vent prosthetic and upgrade it to maximize flame duration and range. During the fight, wait for Isshin to initiate an attack, then time your Flame Vent activation to coincide with his wind-up. The flames will stun him mid-animation, leaving him vulnerable. Quickly follow up with a charged heavy attack or a combo, then repeat the process.
Analysis: This exploit works because Isshin's AI prioritizes attacking over dodging during specific animations. The Flame Vent's stun effect interrupts these animations, effectively "freezing" him in place. While not a one-hit solution, this tactic significantly reduces the fight's complexity by neutralizing Isshin's aggressive combos and giving you control over the pacing.
Cautions: Over-reliance on this tactic can lead to complacency. Isshin may occasionally dodge or deflect the flames, so maintain awareness of his posture and attack patterns. Additionally, this method requires precise timing and spacing—too close, and you'll take damage; too far, and the flames won't connect.
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Sugar + Damage Build: Stack damage buffs with Sugar and high-damage skills for quick kills
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, defeating Isshin Ashina requires precision, patience, and often, a bit of creativity. One unconventional yet effective strategy is the Sugar + Damage Build, which leverages damage buffs and high-damage skills to dismantle Isshin quickly. This approach hinges on maximizing your offensive output while minimizing the time spent in the fight, reducing the risk of mistakes. Here’s how to execute it effectively.
The core of this build revolves around Sugar, a consumable that increases attack power for a limited duration. Pair this with skills like Ichimonji: Double or Mortal Draw for massive burst damage. Start the fight by using Sugar to amplify your attack power, then immediately follow up with a high-damage skill to stagger Isshin early. This initial burst not only deals significant damage but also disrupts his aggressive combos, giving you breathing room. Time your Sugar usage carefully, as its duration is short, and you’ll want to maximize its overlap with your most powerful attacks.
To further enhance this strategy, equip Attack Power-boosting prosthetics like the Loaded Umbrella or Firecrackers to create openings or stagger Isshin. Combine these with Gokan’s Sugar for an even greater damage boost, though this requires precise timing due to its limited availability. Additionally, prioritize upgrading your Sword Skills and Prosthetic Tools to ensure maximum damage output. A fully upgraded Ichimonji or Dragonflash can deal devastating damage when paired with Sugar, often shaving off a third of Isshin’s health in a single combo.
However, this build is not without risks. Overcommitting to aggressive attacks can leave you vulnerable to Isshin’s counterattacks, which are deadly at this stage. To mitigate this, practice your deflects and maintain awareness of his attack patterns. Use Sugar during phases where Isshin is more predictable, such as after a successful stagger or during his slower combos. If executed correctly, this build can reduce the fight’s duration significantly, minimizing the chances of fatal errors.
In conclusion, the Sugar + Damage Build is a high-reward strategy for cheesing Isshin Ashina, but it demands precision and preparation. By stacking damage buffs, timing your Sugar usage, and prioritizing high-damage skills, you can turn one of the game’s most challenging fights into a swift and satisfying victory. Just remember: this approach favors aggression, but recklessness will lead to defeat. Master the balance, and Isshin’s demise will be swift.
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Shadowrush Spam Strategy: Abuse Shadowrush to dodge and punish Isshin's attacks effectively
Shadowrush, a Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice mechanic, becomes your secret weapon against Isshin Ashina when spammed strategically. This technique, often overlooked, allows you to close distances rapidly, dodge attacks with iframe precision, and deliver punishing counterattacks.
Execution is Key: Time your Shadowrush activations to coincide with Isshin’s attack wind-ups. The animation grants a brief invincibility window, letting you phase through his sword swings and perilous sweeps. Aim to Shadowrush just as his attack connects, ensuring you emerge unscathed behind him.
Punish Relentlessly: Upon successful evasion, capitalize on Isshin’s recovery frames. A well-timed Shadowrush leaves him vulnerable to a full combo—unleash your strongest attacks, prioritizing posture damage over health depletion. Repeat this cycle, chipping away at his poise until he’s staggered, then execute a deathblow.
Caution: Stamina Management: Shadowrush spam demands meticulous stamina monitoring. Each use consumes a significant portion, leaving you exposed if overextended. Time your rushes to align with Isshin’s most predictable, high-commitment attacks (e.g., his leaping slash or Ashina Cross). Retreat and regain stamina during his more erratic combos.
Mastery Through Practice: This strategy thrives on muscle memory. Train against Isshin’s first phase to internalize his attack patterns and Shadowrush timing. Focus on consistency rather than speed—a single mistimed rush can be fatal. With repetition, you’ll transform Shadowrush spam from a gamble into a calculated, high-reward tactic.
Advanced Tip: Combine Shadowrush with the Loaded Umbrella prosthetic for added safety. Deploy the umbrella mid-rush to deflect projectiles or absorb chip damage, further minimizing risk while maintaining aggression. This hybrid approach maximizes survivability without sacrificing offensive pressure.
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Phase 2 Health Drain: Focus on reducing Isshin's health before he enters his final phase
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Isshin Ashina's second phase is a brutal test of endurance, where his attacks become more aggressive and his posture regeneration accelerates. To mitigate this, focusing on draining his health before he transitions to his final phase is crucial. This strategy not only shortens the fight but also reduces the number of high-risk encounters with his deadliest combos. By prioritizing damage over posture breaks in phase two, you can force Isshin into his final phase with significantly lower health, making the last stand more manageable.
To execute this strategy effectively, exploit Isshins vulnerabilities during his phase two attacks. For instance, after he performs his sweeping sword combo, there’s a brief window to punish him with a fully charged Mortal Draw or a well-timed Ichimonji Double. Aim for consistent, high-damage attacks rather than risking excessive aggression, which can leave you open to counterattacks. Additionally, using Prosthetic Tools like the Loaded Umbrella or Firecrackers can create openings or stagger him, allowing for uninterrupted damage. Remember, the goal is to chip away at his health bar steadily, not to rush and expose yourself to unnecessary risk.
A comparative analysis of this approach reveals its efficiency against alternative tactics. While posture-breaking Isshin in phase two is faster, it often leads to prolonged phase three encounters due to his higher health pool. By contrast, reducing his health in phase two ensures that phase three is shorter and less punishing. This method is particularly effective for players who struggle with Isshin’s final phase combos, as it minimizes the time spent dodging and deflecting his most dangerous attacks. It’s a trade-off between speed and safety, favoring survival over haste.
Practical implementation requires precise timing and resource management. Ensure your Healing Gourd is fully charged before engaging phase two, as you’ll need frequent healing to sustain the prolonged damage output. Equip the Dragon’s Return or the Gokan’s Sugar for additional healing during openings. If you’re using a build focused on damage, consider equipping the Loaded Umbrella to stagger Isshin and create safe opportunities for high-damage attacks. Finally, practice recognizing his attack patterns to maximize your damage windows without compromising your defensive posture. Mastery of this phase two health drain strategy transforms Isshin Ashina from an insurmountable foe into a calculated challenge.
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Frequently asked questions
One popular method is to use the Loaded Umbrella Prosthetic Tool to deflect his attacks, especially his Perilous sweeps, and then punish him with quick Mikiri Counter or Deathblow opportunities.
Yes, the Shinobi Firecracker can be effective. Use it to stun Isshin during his sword swings or when he’s charging attacks, creating openings for damage or posture breaks.
Yes, you can exploit his AI by staying close to him and repeatedly using the Mikiri Counter on his thrust attacks, or by baiting him into using his Perilous sweep and then punishing with a Deathblow.
