Shinobi Hunter Enshin of Misen (忍び狩り 弥山院圓真, Shinobi Hunter Enshin of the Temple of Misen) is an optional Mini-Boss with two Vitality bars.
He's found patrolling the way to the Main Hall of Hirata Estate along some bandits. An injured Wolf tended to by Emma in a house can be overheard talking about this shinobi hunter.
Behaviour and Tactics[]
Perilous Charge: holds his spear forward and charges. If it connects, it impales then throws the attacker onto the ground.- Perilous Foresight: if his attacker is behind him, he jabs him with the butt of the spear rapidly.
- Perilous Sting Combo: runs ahead with the spear thrust forward, then stabs with it repeatedly.
- Perilous Sweep: sweeps the ground in front of him in a narrow angle.
- Perilous Swift Stab: a rapid stab with the spear.
- Forward Slice: steps forward, swinging the spear low in front of him.
- Low Stab: stabs at the attacker's feet, then follows up with a hit of the butt of the spear.
- Reverse Slice: steps backward, swinging the spear low in front of him.
- Swing: raises the spear above his head then swings it horizontally in a wide angle.
- Tail Hop: steps forward then hits the attacker with the butt of the spear.
Before fighting this Mini-Boss, it's strongly recommended to unlock the Mikiri Counter Combat Art, which can be learned with the Shinobi Esoteric Text received after talking to the Sculptor once the first Skill Point has been obtained: now dashing toward a thrust attack, signaled by a red kanji above Wolf's head, with the correct timing will deflect the attack and deal massive Posture damage, more than if simply parried with the katana.
While the only enemy that's mandatory to kill to not draw the aggro of this Mini-Boss is the archer hidden among the tall grass, it's recommended to use a Gachiin's Sugar to also take out the torch wielding bandit at the start of the area at least: the two remaining bandits have to be separated to avoid having one alerting the Shinobi Hunter, while the other is getting killed.
It's important to note that the appearance of the Perilous kanji on the screen isn't to be taken as a signal of a correct timing to use a Mikiri Counter, as this Mini-Boss tends to delay most of his thrust attacks.
Dodging backward will be punished by the long range of his attacks and jumping by the high vertical tracking of his every move, but side-stepping to the right will mostly leave him vulnerable to any counter-offensive.
If kept under pressure, he'll either use a Tail Hop followed by a Perilous Swift Stab, that requires an immediate Mikiri Counter, or he'll dash backward preparing to throw a Perilous Charge (or, albeit rarely, he'll use a Perilous Swift instead).
Since this miniboss will often dash back, Shurikens can easily interrupt his attacks and keep his Posture from recovering. Firecrackers will create a safe open to deplete his Vitality. Flame Vent, especially when used in combination with Oil, will stun the Mini-Boss, reducing his Vitality and stopping his Posture from regenerating with Burn. Although risky from the front, dashing behind this Mini-Boss offers the opportunity to fill up his Posture bar massively with a hit of the Axe.
Loot[] | |||
| +168 Skill Experience |  78
| ||
 |
Prayer Bead | ||
Notes[]
- If the Young Lord's Bell Charm isn't retrieved prior to the final invasion of Ashina Castle and Outskirts by the Central Forces, the Prayer Bead this Mini-Boss would have dropped won't become available in the Offering Box next to Hanbei and it won't be obtainable for the rest of the playthrough, since the Timid Maid will be found dead.
