Issen is one of the signature mechanics featured in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. This powerful counterattack allows Musashi to turn an enemy’s attack into a devastating critical strike, often cutting through regular enemies in a single hit. Here is our quick guide on how to do Issen in Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
How to Do Issen in Onimusha: Way of the Sword
To perform an Issen in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, you need to input an attack action just before the enemy attack lands. The timing for an Issen is very tight, and button mashing will often result in a very low Issen proc rate.
The best way to practice your timing is against low-damage mobs with telegraphed attacks. As your timing improves and you get more comfortable with using it, you can start trying to land Issen counterattacks against bosses.
Also, note that using the Issen is very risky if your timing isn’t on point, as inputting an attack action even a tiny bit too late or too early will result in you taking hits from the enemy. This can be especially bad against difficult bosses with hard-to-predict attacks.
Issen vs. Parry / Deflect / Evade
Don’t confuse Issen with Deflect, Parry, or Evade, as they are completely separate parts of Musashi’s toolkit. The main difference between them is that to perform an Issen, you need to input an attack action as the enemy attack lands, while others are primarily defensive moves.
Also, missing an Issen will almost always result in you taking damage, and the window for a successful Issen is smaller compared to that for a successful Deflect, Parry, or Evade. Issen is harder to master in general, and much more rewarding if you do manage to do that.
How to Do a Break Issen
Break Issen is the more powerful version used against tougher enemies and bosses. Rather than simply waiting for a normal attack, you need to deplete the enemy’s Stamina and break their defense. Once the enemy is broken, you can perform a Break Issen on one of their body parts. Using a Break Issen on different body parts applies different debuffs to the enemy for the rest of the fight.
How to Do a Chain Issen
Chain Issen is a variation of the Issen that you can perform when fighting multiple enemies. To execute it, you’ll need to start with a regular Issen against one of the enemies, and then follow up with an attack input as soon as the first Issen lands. You can chain Issen up to 3 times on 3 different enemies.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Issen FAQ
A: Issen is a powerful critical counterattack that rewards precise timing against enemy attacks.
Q: How do you trigger an Issen?
A: You need to input an attack action just before an enemy attack lands.
Q: Is Issen an instant kill?
A: Most weaker mobs will be one-shot by an Issen. Bosses, on the other hand, will require many more Issens to land to take them down.
Q: Can you Issen every enemy?
A: Issen is primarily used against melee attacks. Ranged attacks and projectiles are handled using Deflect instead.
Q: How do I get better at Issen?
A: Practice against regular enemies and focus on recognizing their attack animations. The key is to wait for the attack to approach rather than reacting as soon as the enemy begins moving.
Issen takes some practice, but once you learn to recognize enemy attack patterns, it becomes one of the most effective ways to deal with enemies in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. For more helpful content, including our Onimusha: Way of the Sword soul colors guide, be sure to bookmark Gamepur!
Published: Aug 30, 2026 11:16 pm