Onimusha: Way of the Sword Combat Guide — Parries, Absorb and Issen
Updated 2026-06-03
Onimusha: Way of the Sword combat is built on three pillars: positioning, timing, and resource management. The Issen parry is the headline mechanic, but surviving the higher difficulties requires understanding the full combat system. This guide covers everything from basic inputs to advanced tech that speedrunners use.
Issen parry system
Issen is a frame-perfect parry that instantly kills standard Genma and staggers bosses. The window is six frames (roughly 100ms) on the enemy's attack. Visual cue: a white flash on the weapon. Audio cue: a sharp ring on successful parry. Practice on Genma Soldiers in the tutorial area. Once comfortable, move to Genma Archers (8 frames, easier) then Genma Knights (4 frames, harder).
| Technique | Input | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Issen | L1 / LB at white flash | Instant kill standard enemies |
| Chain Issen | L1 / LB immediately after first kill | Chain parry multiple enemies |
| Air Issen | L1 / LB vs aerial attack | Parry airborne enemy, ground slam |
| Issen Cancel | Attack then L1 / LB mid-swing | Cancel attack into parry |
Soul absorb strategy
Hold L2 / LT near fallen enemies to absorb souls within a radius. Timing matters: absorbing immediately after an Issen kill gives a 50% bonus to soul drop count. Never absorb in the middle of a crowd—dodge away, then absorb. The Wide Absorb Gauntlet upgrade is the first upgrade you should buy because it makes collecting souls safer by letting you stay further from enemies.
- Absorb after Issen kills: +50% soul bonus.
- Absorb during boss staggers: safe window for full collection.
- Ignore blue souls until needed: they stay on the ground for 15 seconds.
Weapon swapping mid-combo
Advanced players can swap weapons during combo recovery to extend strings beyond a single weapon's moveset. The timing is tight—swap during the last two frames of an animation—but the damage output is significantly higher. This is optional tech, not required for any difficulty below Hard.
FAQ
- Is there a block button or only parry?
- Holding L1 / LB blocks attacks and reduces damage by 70%. It consumes a small amount of stamina per hit. Parry is a timed press of the same button.
- Can I rebind the parry button?
- Yes. Full button remapping is available for all platforms, including separate bindings for block and parry if you prefer them on different buttons.