How to Defeat the Bladesmith in Rise of the Ronin

In Rise of the Ronin, just like any top-notch action game, you’ll encounter some seriously tough bosses. One of the first major walls in Rise of the Ronin is the Bladesmith boss fight, so how do you take her down?

Rise of the Ronin Bladesmith Guide

The Bladesmith is the second boss in Rise of the Ronin, but she’s a whole different beast. Unlike the earlier boss, she comes at you without any training wheels. It’s just you versus her, no backup. So, get ready to tackle this challenge solo. Consider the Bladesmith as the final exam of your combat tutorial. She’s quick, packs a punch, and won’t hand out free hits.

No reckless charging here; you’ve got to balance offense with defense, waiting for the perfect openings to strike. Adding insult to injury, you actually team up with the Bladesmith to take down some assassins before facing her head-on. And here’s the kicker: every time you die, you’ve got to redo that whole section. But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through conquering the Bladesmith in Rise of the Ronin.

How to beat Bladesmith in Rise of the Ronin

The perfect moment to go on the offensive against the Bladesmith is right after she finishes one of her combos. Keep your guard up and dodge or block her attacks to spot that brief vulnerability window. With some practice and a keen eye for her patterns, you can even attempt countersparks to parry her moves and create your own opportunities to attack.

Watch out for the Bladesmith’s unblockable attacks, marked by a menacing red aura. One particularly nasty move she pulls off if you try to create too much space between you. She’ll soar into the air, fling her grappling hook at you, then zip right over for a follow-up. She’s kind enough to telegraph this move, giving you ample opportunity to roll out of harm’s way. If you’re feeling bold, you can even try a well-timed counterspark. Just be ready to parry both the hook and her follow-up strike.

Another one of the Bladesmith’s nasty tricks is her ground-level kick attack. If she lands this hit, get ready for a scripted sequence that’ll dish out a lot of damage. To avoid this, your safest bet is to dodge out of the way. Trying to counterspark this move is risky since the timing window is pretty narrow. However, if you’re feeling particularly gutsy and confident in your skills, it can be lead to a devastating counter-offensive.

By mastering the art of dodging, blocking, and seizing the opportunity for countersparks, you’ll eventually have the Bladesmith down. Keep on the move, watch for openings, and if you can’t find one, create your own. Consider the battle with the Bladesmith in Rise of the Ronin as a lesson in tackling the challenges ahead.

Rise of the Ronin is available exclusively on the PS5.