This |Boss| Lone Shadow Longswordsman - was a JOKE

Okay, so you're probably here because you've heard about or are struggling with the Lone Shadow Longswordsman boss in Sekiro. I know this guy can seem intimidating, especially with his quick attacks and those annoying poison kicks. But honestly, when I faced the Lone Shadow Longswordsman in Sekiro, I found him to be surprisingly manageable, almost a 'joke' once you understand his rhythm. Let me share my personal experience and some tips that might help you conquer him! First off, finding this guy. You'll typically encounter a Lone Shadow Longswordsman in a few spots, but the one I’m focusing on is often known as the "well fight" Lone Shadow Longswordsman, located in the Ashina Reservoir area. After defeating Genichiro and the castle undergoes its transformation, you can grapple down to the reservoir. Look for a well entrance you can drop into. This is absolutely crucial for an easier start: always try to get a stealth deathblow on him. He's usually patrolling around, so with a bit of patience, you can sneak up and get one free vitality bar, instantly cutting the fight in half! Once the actual combat begins, it's all about posture management and deflections. This particular Sekiro boss fight is a fantastic test of your deflecting skills. The Lone Shadow Longswordsman has a few predictable combos that you can learn. His signature kicks, while dealing poison, are often followed by an opening for you to counter. Focus on deflecting his rapid sword strikes – they build his posture up incredibly fast if timed correctly. Don't panic when he unleashes his perilous attacks! His sweep attack can be easily jumped over for a free kick to his head, which deals good posture damage. His thrust attack is where the Mikiri Counter shines; it's your absolute best friend here, dealing massive posture damage and creating a significant opening. I personally found that focusing almost entirely on perfect deflections and landing Mikiri Counters made this lone shadow swordsman sekiro encounter much smoother than trying to chip away at his health. Don't get greedy with your attacks. Land one or two hits after a successful deflection or Mikiri, then immediately get ready to deflect again. He's a very aggressive opponent, which surprisingly works in your favor because it means more opportunities for you to build his posture. A quick note on Shinobi Tools or Combat Arts: while some might recommend the Loaded Axe for posture damage, I primarily relied on pure deflection and patience. Sometimes the axe can stun him, but perfecting your deflects is more consistent. Keep an eye on your own posture gauge too; if it's getting dangerously high, create some distance to recover. The arena in the well isn't massive, but there's just enough space to maneuver if you need a breather. Regarding his poison attacks: if you're consistently deflecting, you shouldn't be getting hit enough for the poison status effect to be a major threat. However, having an Antidote Powder ready in your quick items isn't a bad precaution if you're still getting used to his moves. Ultimately, the Lone Shadow Longswordsman fight becomes incredibly satisfying once you grasp his timings and commit to deflecting. Don't be discouraged if you die a few times; that's the Sekiro experience! Keep practicing those deflections, look for those Mikiri opportunities, and you'll soon realize just how much of a 'joke' this boss can be once you get into the flow. You've got this, Shinobi!