So I did mortal journey now, as the only challenge remaining for me in Sekiro, on my fifth try….
I lost 2 times to headless ape (fucking hate those monkeys) and once at ishinn ashina and on inner father both because I was nervous
I have to say, it took me around 7 hours to do which might be a lot, wouldve done it first try if those headless monkeys didnt gank me
Obviously, losing to inner father should’ve been devastating, but I lost at worse circumstances multiple times
And that “experience” reminded me of Pantheon 5 in Hollow Knight, which was wayyyy harder. Yes mortal journey is longer because each boss takes a lot of time, but man does Pantheon have no mercy
Losing atleast once at each of the last six bosses (out of ~40) and oh boy is it devastating
I really hate P5 and if anyone has done it before, they might understand what I have gone through
Also unlike Sekiro Gauntelts, pantheons in how knight don’t have rests after each boss (though they do after around every 5 bosses or so) so if you really did bad in a boss you’d have to live with it for the next boss
(Naturally, and to be honest, this is just a show off post)
Man I couldn’t recommend hollow knight more

Phantom Blade 0 is coming out soon, so I revisited Sekiro to remind myself of what it has to beat, and this happened.

It was weird because I've only ever fought Owl (Father) two other times before this most recent playthrough, and had only lost once to it. But this time it took several attempts for me to find my bearings.

What was even stranger was Isshin. I had a miserable time with the boss on my previous playthrough and died more times than I can remember. I was playing on quest 2 so a single mistake could kill you, but still. My time before that was pretty rough too, but nothing compared to that last time.

I told myself I didn't even like the boss after that, and wasn't looking forward to refighting him. But yesterday, the fight went so smoothly, all those thoughts disappeared. Only got downed once, and went through multiple phases without getting hit.

Guess sometimes it takes some bad memories to get you to lock in. I didn't have any with Owl (father) which is why I got trounced for a bit, ha.

Ashina cross my beloved

Just as I was starting to get good, she goes and dies miserably 🙄

Really love this game but it definitely has a few issues here and there (gank fights suck!)

I did something I’m not proud of today. After getting so close to beating him a couple times and then getting my ass best for hours, I caved and went to watch the fightin cowboy “get gud guide”

But the “beat DOH in 60 seconds” video came up first..

I’m sorry friends. It won’t happen again

I am doing a hitless charmless db and sword only challenge and this is the first mini boss that I felt was genuently so unfair to the point I made this edit of my worst attempts all because of that damn archer that messed me up all the time. This was not even frustrating, I was laughing my ass off xD. I did it eventually and the way I did was even more ridicilous :)

Finally got my tattoo after hesitating for a couple years. So happy!!!!

First Playthrough idk how to do Isshin, Genichiro was easy but Isshin always messes with his moves or something idk.

Current stats-

Attack Power -10

Vitality -16

I have like a few hours of attempts then I can't play for like 2 weeks. If anyone knows something helpful please do tell. The mod is only skin not gameplay changing.

My guy just wanted to protect his land.

Though he’s the antagonist, his motives are genuinely understandable. He wants to protect Ashina and its people, and he’s willing to go to absolutely any lengths to achieve that.

And I think that’s what makes his character so compelling. He isn’t chasing power to become the strongest or conquer other lands. He sees his homeland on the brink of ruin, and he’s desperate to save it, even if it means resorting to increasingly extreme measures.

The writing genuinely makes you feel why he would turn to the Rejuvenating Sediment, and why he would want Kuro to make him a part of the Immortal Oath.

And perhaps that’s why the ending hits so hard. After everything he’s done, he ultimately gives up his own life to summon Isshin, placing his final hope in the one person he believes can save his homeland.

This is my first FromSoftware game, so I don’t know how common this kind of motivation is among their antagonists. But I found Genichiro’s character to be such a refreshing change. His desire for immortality and his willingness to cross every line aren’t driven by some selfish pursuit of power, but by his desperation to protect the land he calls home.

He’s a man whose love for his homeland pushes him so far down a dark path that, by the end, you can’t help but feel for him, even if you disagree with everything he does.

This, honestly is a very refreshing take for me. The writing keeps his ideas very grounded and personal so that the player can connect with him, and at the same time, makes it difficult to see him defeated. This hits harder because you’re the one who’s stopping him

All in all, i thoroughly enjoyed his character arc. Coming from games where the motivation for antagonist is either world domination or self preservation, Genichiro felt like a true leader wanting the best for his people, but convoluted enough to go to any lengths to keep them safe. Even if it means destruction.

Yes I know it's not NG+7 and Charmless :(. Yes I know I have my attack power upgraded (forgot about it) :(. If anyone has such a save file or know where to get one please let me know! I'd very much appreciate it. Would love to do Isshin on NG+7 and the Gauntlet but I don't have too much time to spend on the game these days :(.

(P/s: /s title, hopefully obviously)

Is worth do the kuro amulet challenge in my first NG+?

My best Isshin kill yet, I’m practicing for the perfect parry one 🔥🔥
While Demon of Hatred took me a little longer to defeat compared to him, he still was a hell of a challenge. This is one of the best bosses in Fromsoft without any doubt, that second and third phase with that naginata and the lightning is so good, and deflecting that 7-hit combo with that last mikiri counter is so goddamn satisfying.

**My notes from learning Genichiro & Isshin (still haven't beaten Isshin)**

**Genichiro**

* Starts with Mortal Blade: dash behind him and attack. If you don't cancel it, he repeats the Mortal Blade.

* Deflect normal attacks.

* He has a combo: if you fail to block or deflect, he just keeps going. If you get to the end of it, he always finishes with a thrust. Wait 1 second and then Mikiri, because there's a delay before he actually does the thrust, even though he's already in position.

* When he jumps after a deflect: if his sword is pointed forward, Mikiri. Otherwise, jump on his head.

**Isshin – Phase 1**

* **Sheathed stance from far away:** press L1 twice after the sword flashes, he's going to do Ashina Cross.

* **Sheathed stance up close:** he does one normal attack and one spinning attack that opens up his posture, jump on his head.

* **Vertical attack stance:** if you deflect the first one, he cancels. If you miss or block, he does a second one.

* **Vertical wind attack stance:** run toward him, go to the side and attack from behind.

* **Spinning attack stance:** jump on his head or use Firecrackers.

* Deflect normal attacks. If a deflect pushes you far away, he's going to do a thrust, so Mikiri.

**Isshin – Phase 2**

* He starts using the spear and the gun.

* All Phase 1 patterns are still used, mixed in with the new combos. Same answers as Phase 1.

* Mikiri the spear thrusts.

* When he jumps in the air with the spear: dash toward him. That keeps you close enough to attack and out of the spear's range.

* For the spinning attack, Firecrackers are more reliable, the range is bigger than in Phase 1 and it's hard to dodge.

* For the gunshots, just parry.

* This phase gives you time to heal: if you back off and use an item, he always does a jumping spear attack, which gives you plenty of time.

**Isshin – Phase 3**

* Still figuring it out

This is what I've learned so far from fighting, any corrections or tips?

Its not beautiful but works

and now the progress didn’t save and I have to redo it.

absolutely slaughtered second and third phase sword saint and now I’m getting obliterated by geni all over again

I’m tryna rationalize it by telling myself now I get to experience peak for even longer