To beat Chapter 3 in Ronin: The Last Samurai, you must defeat two major milestone encounters: the agile mid-boss at Stage 10 and the heavy-hitting final boss at Stage 20. Defeating both requires standing your ground to deflect multi-hit combos, breaking enemy posture, and punishing red kanji warning cues with well-timed Counter Flashes.
How to Beat the Stage 10 Mid-Boss
The Stage 10 mid-boss attacks aggressively and closes distance quickly. Do not dash or roll backward when the fight starts, as his lunges track backward movement and catch you out of defensive stance.
Follow this sequence to counter his attack cycle:
- Deflect the slash flurry: Stand firm and tap block in rhythm with his rapid two- to three-hit blade combo. Successfully deflecting the full string damages his posture while preserving yours.
- Recover your posture: If your posture bar flashes yellow or red after deflecting, take a quick step backward immediately after the final hit to allow your meter to regenerate before his next advance.
- Counter Flash the unblockable strike: When the crimson kanji warning appears over the boss, wait for the visual flash on his blade, then tap attack forward. A successful Counter Flash interrupts his charge, inflicts heavy posture damage, and stuns him.
- Punish the stun window: Land a full four-hit light attack combo while he is staggered, then prepare to deflect when he recovers and repositions.
How to Beat the Stage 20 Final Boss
The Stage 20 boss features high health, wide horizontal swings, and delayed overhead strikes designed to punish early deflections. Rely on disciplined deflection timing and Counter Flash rather than dodging.
| Boss Attack | Threat | Correct Response |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Sweeping Cleave | Moderate | Deflect early during the forward swing; do not dodge backward. |
| Delayed Overhead Slam | High | Wait out the wind-up pause; deflect only when his arms descend. |
| Red Kanji Charge Thrust | Fatal | Execute a Counter Flash forward into the path of the charge. |
| Ground Pound Shockwave | High | Deflect on the physical impact frame or back away to mid-range. |
Dealing with Delayed Wind-ups
The boss pauses his weapon overhead for roughly one second before swinging downward. Tapping deflect during the pause leaves your guard open when the blade drops. Watch his arms and shoulders rather than his weapon tip, and press deflect only when his arms initiate the downward motion.
Breaking Posture
Keep steady offensive and defensive pressure on the boss. Weave single light attacks between deflected strikes so his posture gauge cannot reset. Once his posture breaks completely and triggers a stun, immediately activate your weapon skill or ultimate ability to deal heavy damage to his primary health bar.
Recommended Upgrades for Chapter 3 Runs
Failing at Stage 10 or Stage 20 resets your run to Stage 1. When selecting traits at level-up altars throughout Stages 1 to 19, prioritize defensive sustainability over low-health passives:
- Posture Recovery Rate: Speeds up your guard reset between boss combos.
- Deflection and Block Efficiency: Reduces posture damage taken if your block timing is slightly off.
- Counter Flash Damage: Maximizes posture and health damage whenever you interrupt red kanji attacks.
- Life Leech or Healing on Kill: Restores lost health during normal mob stages so you enter boss arenas at full capacity.
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Player Comments
33 players commented on this guide.
The tips are practical and easy to follow.
I wish I had read this before upgrading the wrong thing.
This saved me time in the early game.
Can you add more details about strategy in a future update?