Onimusha: Way of the Sword features a range of boss fights that test your ability to parry, deflect, dodge, manage stamina, and make use of your Oni abilities. This Onimusha: Way of the Sword boss guide covers the bosses in progression order, explaining their key mechanics, attack patterns, phases, and the safest ways to create openings and deal damage, making it easier for Onimusha beginners to understand and overcome each encounter easily.

Whether you're looking for Onimusha: Way of the Sword all bosses, trying to learn how to defeat a specific boss, or looking for all boss locations, this guide breaks down each encounter without unnecessary filler. Use the sections below to identify the boss you're facing and learn the mechanics you need to overcome them. And if you're a busy player who wants to handle some preparation or resource farming without being tied to your PC, OSLink lets you remotely play Onimusha: Way of the Sword from your mobile device, making it easier to stay prepared wherever you are.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword All Bosses

Onimusha: Way of the Sword features 13 unique boss encounters, with several returning bosses appearing in different forms or rematches throughout the story. Each fight introduces or tests different combat skills, from parrying and stamina management to Soul absorption, Oni abilities, ranged counters, and environmental mechanics.

How to Defeat Sasaki Ganryu in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Sasaki Ganryu is the first boss in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, putting all the skills you learned as a beginner to the test. He serves as an early check of your ability to parry, dodge, and manage stamina. The safest approach is to stay controlled, punish his attacks with a few hits at a time, and avoid getting greedy as his attacks become faster later in the fight.

Learn His Attack Patterns 

Ganryu frequently opens with a sword thrust that can be parried, giving you a short window to land around two or three attacks before backing away. His spinning sword jump can be sidestepped or parried, while his jumping kick should be dodged rather than parried. If his sword clashes with yours during an attack, follow up with a two-handed attack to win the exchange and deal damage.

Watch for his dash fake-out as well. Ganryu runs toward you before stepping to the side and striking, so don't react to the initial movement. Wait for the actual slash, then parry or safely block it. Keeping your punish windows short is important throughout the fight; two or three hits before returning to defense is a reliable rhythm.

Break His Stamina for Big Damage

Ganryu's stamina is another major part of the fight. Keep attacking and defending to prevent the bar from recovering, and once it is depleted, you can target his exposed body parts for significant damage. Staying close enough to maintain pressure is useful, but don't overextend when his stamina begins recovering.

Deal With Ganryu's Second Phase 

Around half health, Ganryu introduces a grab attack and his existing attacks become faster and less predictable. When he goes for the grab, dodge just before it connects; this not only avoids the attack but can drain his stamina and create another opening. His dash can also become a real slash, so watch his movement carefully and be ready to parry or block.

The key to this first boss is patience. Parry his sword attacks, dodge his kicks and grabs, keep your combos short, and pressure his stamina rather than trying to overwhelm him with constant attacks.

How to Defeat Daidara in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Daidara is the second boss in Onimusha: Way of the Sword and is a fight built around dodging, breaking his armor, and controlling the Souls he drops. Unlike Ganryu, Daidara's attacks cannot simply be blocked, so focus on staying out of his reach and punishing him after his longer attack sequences.

Break Daidara's Armor 

Daidara's club attacks usually come in two- or three-hit combinations, so don't rush in after the first swing. Wait for the entire sequence to finish, then attack during the opening. His attacks gradually knock armor from his legs, and once the armor is gone, you can safely extend your attacks a little further.

His dash into a ground pound is another attack to watch for. Back away or dodge the impact, then punish him once the attack finishes. When Daidara drops Souls, absorb them quickly with L2/LB. If he absorbs them himself, he can recover health and make the fight considerably longer.

Survive His Berserk Phase 

Once his armor is removed, Daidara enters a more aggressive state and gains a boulder attack. Don't immediately try to counter after he throws it; prioritize avoiding the attack and wait for a safe opening. You can use the arena's walls as temporary cover, although his attacks can eventually destroy them.

He also gains a jump slam and a stomp/charge that can happen twice in succession. Both are relatively easy to dodge and punish as long as you don't stay directly underneath him.

Deal With Phase 2 

The second phase moves the fight into a smaller arena. Let Daidara destroy the surrounding pillars and shells so you have more room to maneuver. Most of his previous attacks remain, but he adds a glowing-hand grab and fire-based club attacks.

When he reaches for you with his glowing hand, dodge the grab to create a counter opportunity and force Souls out of him. Absorb them before Daidara can reclaim them. His extended club attacks also have much greater reach, while his triple smash can cause fire to erupt from the ground, so keep moving sideways rather than standing in one place.

The safest overall strategy is to dodge, wait for the full attack sequence to finish, and then punish with a short combo. Breaking his armor and denying him Souls are the two most important parts of the fight.

How to Defeat Rasho-gan in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Rasho-gan is the third boss in Onimusha: Way of the Sword and the first encounter built around two health bars and disabling the boss's abilities. The key is to cut the thread connecting Rasho-gan to the surrounding flower, then use stamina breaks and the Oni Bow to remove its most troublesome attacks.

Cut the Thread and Disable Its Abilities 

At the start of the fight, Rasho-gan is connected to a flower by a thread of chained hands. Attack or shoot the boss to make it move toward you, then back away while blocking or parrying to stretch the thread. Once it is extended, land several attacks to cut it. This prevents the spectral hands from repeatedly pulling you toward the boss.

Once the thread is severed, stay relatively close and defend against Rasho-gan's regular attacks. Its ranged attacks can be blocked, parried, or deflected, with wider swings and back-swings offering useful opportunities to deal stamina damage. When you break its stamina, use Break Issen to target the supporting arms on its back. Cutting these removes the arms responsible for its ranged and grab attacks.

Use the Environment Against Rasho-gan 

Rasho-gan can use its surrounding tendrils to lift pieces of the environment and throw them at you. Instead of simply avoiding these attacks, use the Oni Bow to shoot the supporting thread holding the debris. This causes the object to fall onto Rasho-gan, dealing damage, stamina damage, and briefly stunning it.

Deal With the Second Phase 

After the first health bar is depleted, Rasho-gan enters its second phase and its ranged abilities return. Repeat the same approach: stay close enough to limit its ranged options, defend against its attacks, and work toward another stamina break. The red hands add another grab attack, but this can be reversed more easily at close range or avoided with a side dodge.

Near the end of the fight, Rasho-gan's weapon opens like scissors and it gains a large jumping attack and a double charge. The jump is clearly telegraphed, giving you an opportunity to deflect or Issen it, while the double charge requires you to defend against the first approach and prepare for the follow-up. If a dangerous grab or attack becomes difficult to manage, Oni Armament can be used to interrupt it.

Overall, Rasho-gan is less about rushing its health down and more about systematically removing its abilities. Cut the connecting thread, break its stamina, remove the supporting arms, and use the environment whenever the opportunity appears.

How to Defeat Byakue in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Byakue is the fourth boss in Onimusha: Way of the Sword and is a good test of your deflection timing. His attacks are generally well telegraphed, making deflection and side dodging the safest way to control the fight and quickly break his posture.

Deflect His Attacks to Break Posture 

Byakue's attacks have generous timing windows for deflection, so prioritize defending and look for opportunities to build his red posture bar. His rushing attacks are better handled with a side dodge, while his regular weapon swings can be deflected to steadily weaken his posture.

Be careful not to attack immediately after every successful deflection. Some attack sequences require you to make multiple deflections in succession before Byakue is truly open. After completing the sequence, you can safely move in and punish him.

Wait for the Right Opening 

Byakue's overhead slam can also be deflected, but dodging it is safer if you're not confident with the timing. His axe swings can include spins and flourishes before the actual heavy strike, so wait for the animation to finish before attempting your parry or deflection.

Once his posture breaks, take advantage of the large damage window. A few successful posture breaks can deal significant damage, making this fight much easier than trying to chip away at his health with constant attacks.

You can also use the blue orbs and dual-dagger attacks for additional damage while maintaining some protection, but the main strategy remains simple: deflect his predictable attacks, dodge his rushes, and prioritize posture breaks over aggressive combos.

How to Defeat Ifuu in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Ifuu is the fifth boss in Onimusha: Way of the Sword and a fight that rewards patience and spacing. Keep your distance to bait his rushing axe attack, deflect it when possible, and use your bow when he takes to the air. Most importantly, absorb the Souls he drops so he cannot use them to power himself up.

Bait His Axe Attacks 

Staying at mid-to-long range makes Ifuu more predictable. He will often close the distance with a dragging axe attack that can be deflected, giving you an opening to counter. If you cannot confidently deflect an attack, blocking it is safer than taking the hit.

His grab is particularly important to learn. When Ifuu jumps toward you, wait until he begins descending before dodging. Dodging too early can cause the grab to track you, while a late dodge avoids it and gives you a chance to counter.

Defend Against His Wind Attacks 

Ifuu uses wind attacks throughout the fight, particularly when he creates distance. At minimum, block these attacks rather than trying to run through them. Some of the slower, more clearly telegraphed wind attacks can later be deflected for an additional opening.

When Ifuu uses suction to pull you toward him, use the Oni Bow to interrupt him. This can also give you another opportunity to fire at the wind tubes supporting him when he becomes airborne.

Knock Ifuu Down in Phase 2 

After his first health bar is depleted, Ifuu becomes more aggressive and his wind tubes inflate, allowing him to fly around the arena. Use your bow to shoot the wind tubes and knock him back to the ground , where you can punish him.

If you miss the first arrow during his suction attack, you can get another shot at the suctions while he is airborne. His later attacks may look chaotic, but several of them provide good deflection opportunities if you stay calm and wait for the attack to become readable.

Throughout both phases, make Soul absorption a priority. Ifuu can use the Souls to power himself up, so absorbing them denies him that advantage while keeping the fight under control. Cross-blade clashes can also provide strong damage opportunities when they occur.

Overall, the safest approach is to keep your distance, bait his rushing attacks, deflect when you're confident, use the bow to control his airborne phase, and never leave Souls available for Ifuu to absorb.

 

How to Defeat Greater Nue in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Greater Nue is the larger and more dangerous version of the earlier Nue encounter. This fight is primarily about parrying its close-range attacks, breaking its stamina, and taking advantage of openings created by its tail. The second phase adds lightning attacks, but the core strategy remains the same.

Parry Greater Nue's Attacks 

Unlike the earlier Nue, Greater Nue rewards an aggressive defensive approach. Stay close and look for opportunities to perfect parry its paw strikes and other melee attacks. Many of its slashes and bites come in pairs, so don't drop your guard after the first hit.

At range, you can use the Oni Bow to provoke an attack, then defend against its approach and follow-up. Its aerial shriek and pounce are also good opportunities for an Issen when you're confident with the timing.

The grab is one of the more dangerous attacks. Sprint toward Greater Nue's left side to get behind it, then dodge at the end of the movement if necessary. This is safer than trying to react to the grab from directly in front of it.

Cut Off Its Tail 

Greater Nue's tail can be severed during the fight. Once you've cut it off, you can throw the tail back at the boss to deal damage and stamina damage while creating another temporary opening.

Keep working toward stamina breaks rather than simply trading attacks. Successfully parrying its repeated attack sequences can deplete the stamina bar quickly and give you significant damage opportunities.

Deal With the Lightning in Phase 2 

The second phase keeps most of Greater Nue's existing moves but introduces electric attacks. Lightning attacks can leave electrical orbs around the arena, so keep moving if you miss the perfect parry rather than standing in the affected area.

Its electrified forelegs also add danger to its melee attacks, while some attacks leave lightning patches around its current position. The dragging leg slam can still be parried if you recognize the timing, and some of the new electrical attacks provide relatively easy perfect-parry opportunities.

The fight is ultimately about staying close, parrying its melee attacks, breaking stamina, and using the tail as an additional source of damage. Once the lightning phase begins, maintain the same defensive rhythm while avoiding the electrical areas it leaves behind.

How to Defeat Dohatsu-ten in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Dohatsu-ten is one of the more aggressive bosses in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, constantly chaining kicks, sword attacks, jumps, and dashes. The safest strategy is to stay defensive, parry or deflect his attacks, and punish only during clear openings rather than trying to match his aggression.

Defend Against His Attacks 

Dohatsu-ten's unarmed attacks are easier to read than his sword attacks. His roundhouse kick can be particularly dangerous, so block or deflect the earlier kicks and prepare for the final strike. If you are confident with the timing, dodging the roundhouse can also create a counter opportunity.

His signature circular sword slash is one of the most important attacks to learn. Dohatsu-ten raises and moves his blade before performing the slash. Wait until the circular motion begins, then parry or deflect just before the attack connects. This is a frequent attack, so learning its timing can make a major difference.

His sudden charge is another good parry opportunity. When he briefly stops before rushing forward, prepare for the attack rather than immediately dodging. If you successfully deflect it, he can sometimes repeat the attack, giving you another chance to damage his stamina.

Break His Stance 

Dohatsu-ten's defensive stance can be interrupted with Oni Strength. When he raises his blade and takes a blocking stance, use Oni Strength to break through his defense and create an opening.

Stamina damage is particularly valuable during this fight. Charged attacks such as Earth Shakers can help drain his stamina, while Oni Armament can interrupt dangerous attacks when you need an emergency opening.

Don't get trapped into attacking continuously, though. A reliable rhythm is to defend first, land one or two attacks, then return to defense. This prevents Dohatsu-ten from catching you during a long attack animation.

Handle His Empowered States

As the fight progresses, Dohatsu-ten can enter stronger Enhanced and Blazing states, becoming faster and more mobile. He begins moving around the arena more aggressively, and his glowing sword can make his attacks harder to read.

During these states, don't react to his movement alone. Keep your guard up and wait for the actual attack before committing to a parry, deflect, or dodge. His wind blades also become more dangerous; parry the first blade to negate it, then remain ready to block or deflect the follow-up blades.

The key to Dohatsu-ten is defensive consistency. Learn the timing of his circular slash and charge, use Oni Strength against his defensive stance, and focus on stamina damage while limiting your own exposure.

How to Defeat Benkei in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Benkei is a heavily armored boss who cannot be damaged effectively until you break through his defenses. The key to this fight is deflecting his weapon attacks to drain his stamina, then using the resulting posture breaks to target his exposed body parts. His punches, kicks, and jumping attacks are better handled with dodges.

Break Benkei's Armor and Stamina 

Focus on deflecting Benkei's polearm attacks rather than trying to trade blows with him. His weapon swings provide reliable opportunities to drain his stamina, and repeatedly deflecting them eventually creates a posture-break window.

Once his posture breaks, use the opening to target his exposed body parts, particularly his head. Charged hammer attacks can also deal substantial posture damage, helping you reach the next break faster.

A useful way to trigger his weapon attacks is to stay around mid-range. Benkei is more likely to use his weapon when you're positioned just far enough away, giving you repeated opportunities to practice the deflection timing.

Deal With His Second Phase 

Benkei keeps his basic moves in the second phase but becomes more aggressive and adds additional jumping attacks, stomps, and weapon attacks. His weapon sequence can also become a triple attack, so don't stop defending after the first deflection.

If he uses an additional weapon, knock it away before focusing on his main weapon and exposed body. Continue prioritizing deflections over greedy attacks, especially when using charged hammer attacks.

Benkei is ultimately a battle of attrition. Rather than trying to overwhelm his armor with attacks, repeatedly deflect his weapon strikes, break his posture, and use each opening to deal focused damage.

How to Defeat Burai in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Burai is a lightning-based boss who combines naginata attacks with formations of lightning orbs. The safest strategy is to deflect his physical attacks, position yourself carefully around his lightning formations, and absorb Souls before he can use them to empower himself.

Deflect Burai's Naginata Attacks 

Burai's Dash Slice is one of the easiest attacks to punish. He lowers his stance before leaping forward with the naginata, giving you enough warning to prepare a parry or deflection. His quick poke works similarly, although he can repeat it, so be ready for another attack rather than immediately countering.

His two-hit naginata combo is another reliable deflection opportunity. Successfully defending against it builds your Blazing Gauge and usually leaves a short window to attack.

Burai's kick is different. When he raises his leg, prepare to dodge rather than trying to parry it. A successful dodge can also build your Reflex Gauge.

Position Around the Lightning 

Burai's lightning attacks cannot simply be treated like his physical attacks. When the seven orbs on his back form two rows and fire lightning shots, position yourself between the lines of lightning rather than trying to parry the projectiles. You can then dash toward Burai while the attack is active to close the distance.

Another formation creates an X-shaped lightning trap that moves across the arena. Move around the orbs and avoid being caught between the electrical formations while looking for your next opening.

Always watch Burai's Soul supply as well. Absorb the Souls he leaves behind to prevent him from powering himself up and to delay his transition into stronger attacks.

Handle Burai's Empowered Phase 

In his second phase, Burai is automatically empowered and gains several dangerous attacks. During Thunderbolt, he crouches before launching upward and coming down with an electrical area attack. Rather than simply running away, hold your guard and prepare to parry or deflect when the vertical electricity appears. A successful defense can knock him down and create a major opening.

His counter stance is signaled by Burai standing on one leg with his naginata positioned behind him. Don't attack during this stance. If you do, he can warp behind you and perform a powerful jab. That follow-up attack itself can be parried or deflected.

His harder naginata swing has a clear wind-up, while his Beatdown surrounds the arena with lightning orbs before extending the naginata's reach with electricity. During the orb deployment, dashing forward through the formation can be safer than staying at range.

Burai is ultimately a fight about reading the difference between physical and lightning attacks. Deflect his naginata strikes, dodge his kick, position yourself around the lightning formations, and keep absorbing Souls so his empowered attacks don't become harder to manage.

How to Defeat Dokyo in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Dokyo is a heavily ranged-focused boss, so the biggest challenge is closing the distance while avoiding her projectiles. Rather than trying to force your way into melee range, use her own attacks, the Oni Bow, and the arena's environmental objects to create openings.

Avoid and Counter Her Projectiles 

During the first phase, keep moving in the opposite direction of Dokyo's regular projectiles. When red or electric projectiles are unavoidable, dodge through them at the last moment rather than trying to outrun them.

Some of her thrown projectiles can be parried back at her, stunning Dokyo and giving you a chance to close in for melee damage. Don't overcommit after the stun, however, as she can disappear before you get a long combo.

When Dokyo creates a ring of fireballs in the air, quickly use the Oni Bow to shoot the target near her. This stuns her and creates another opportunity to get into melee range.

Use the Arena Against Dokyo 

Dokyo's explosive mask attack is easier to handle by running away while positioning the explosives so they travel toward her. If they detonate near Dokyo, they can create an opening without requiring you to approach her directly.

In the second phase, her attacks become more erratic. She gains additional projectile patterns, including attacks that require multiple defensive responses. When a projectile can be parried twice, parry the first attack, reposition if necessary, then parry the second so it is sent back toward Dokyo.

Her spinning weapon can also be parried, causing it to fly upward before falling back onto her for damage. When she creates a net-like attack by splitting apart, simply dodge through the net rather than trying to fight it.

Survive the Rock Attack 

One of Dokyo's most important Phase 2 mechanics involves the rocks around the arena. When she begins her large aerial rock attack, find a rock that does not crumble and use it as cover. Once the attack finishes, throw the surviving rock at Dokyo to create an opening and follow up with attacks.

Her double fire attack can similarly be handled by clearing both attacks quickly before closing the distance. Near the end of the fight, when she retreats and launches another simultaneous attack, jump over it at the correct timing.

Dokyo is primarily a fight about movement, projectile defense, and creating your own openings. Keep moving rather than chasing her recklessly, use the Oni Bow and projectile parries to interrupt her, and save the environmental counters for her larger attacks.

How to Defeat Minamoto no Yoshitsune in Onimusha: Way of the Sword 

Minamoto no Yoshitsune is the final boss of Onimusha: Way of the Sword and one of the most demanding fights in the game. The battle has three phases, with each phase adding new attacks and mechanics. The key is to learn when to parry, when to dodge, and how to manage your stagger and Oni Ultimate gauge for the final phase.

Phase 1: Learn Yoshitsune's Timing 

Yoshitsune's basic lunge and katana attacks are good opportunities to parry, while his jump kick should be dodged at the last moment. His two-slice attack can be handled by dodging toward him on the first strike and parrying the second.

His grab has a glowing hand as a warning, so wait until the last moment before dodging. If you're unsure about an attack's timing, blocking is safer than taking unnecessary damage.

When Yoshitsune's defense breaks and he falls, use the opening to land several attacks. His short periods of backing away also give you useful opportunities to heal before the next sequence begins.

Phase 2: Parry His Combos 

Yoshitsune becomes more aggressive in the second phase and introduces several three-hit attack sequences. The first two attacks can generally be parried, while the third may require a dodge toward him depending on the sequence.

His purple sword attack should be dodged, while his large punch is another attack to avoid at the last moment. He also introduces arrows, which are relatively easy to dodge or counter with your Oni abilities.

Save your Oni Armament rather than spending it immediately. As the fight progresses, it becomes particularly valuable for its invulnerability and for building your Ultimate gauge. Once your Ultimate is available, a well-timed Issen can counter Yoshitsune's attacks and create a significant damage opportunity.

Phase 3: Break His Stagger and Use Oni Ultimate 

The final phase changes the objective of the fight. Normal attacks are no longer effective against Yoshitsune's health , so focus on depleting his stagger/stamina bar instead.

Continue using the patterns you've learned: parry his lunges and appropriate three-hit attacks, dodge his purple sword, and react carefully to his blue-smoke attack and aerial attacks. His arrows can also be parried back at him.

The most important part of this phase is Oni Ultimate management . Absorb Souls to build the Ultimate gauge, then use Oni form after breaking Yoshitsune's stagger. Don't completely empty his stagger bar during your Oni Ultimate. Leave a small amount remaining so that when the transformation ends, you can stagger him again quickly and refill your Ultimate gauge.

You will likely need several Oni Ultimate activations to finish this final phase. Once Yoshitsune's health reaches the required point, the fight transitions into its finishing sequence.

Yoshitsune is ultimately a test of parry and dodge timing combined with resource management . Learn his attack patterns in the first two phases, save your Oni resources, and treat the final phase as a stagger-and-Ultimate battle rather than a normal damage race.

Conclusion

That covers all the major boss encounters in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, from the early fights against Sasaki Ganryu and Daidara to the final battle with Minamoto no Yoshitsune. While each boss has its own mechanics, learning when to parry, deflect, dodge, manage stamina, and use your Oni abilities will make even the toughest encounters much more manageable. If you want to spend less time tied to your PC while preparing for your next boss fight, OSLink lets you remotely play Onimusha: Way of the Sword from your mobile device. You can use it to handle exploration, resource gathering, and other preparation whenever you're away from your PC, making it easier to return to the game ready for your next challenge.