Quick answer: Parry normal and Blue-flash attacks with Right Mouse, dodge Red-flash attacks with Left Shift, drain the enemy’s Sha-Chi with Parries and Sha-Chi Combos, then press E to execute when its guard breaks.
Parry
To parry, hit Block (Right Mouse) immediately before a regular or Blue-flash strike connects. Evade red-flash strikes rather than attempting to block them.
Dodge
For a dodge, press Left Shift alone to Backstep Dodge, or pair it with a WASD direction for a Directional Dodge. Time Left Shift just before a Red-flash attack connects to perform a Perfect Dodge.
Guard Stance
Holding Right Mouse puts you in Guard Stance, which blocks normal attacks automatically. The catch is that it drains your Sha-Chi while held and more with every hit, and your guard breaks if the bar empties.
Guard Break
To break an enemy’s guard, parry to drain its Sha-Chi, then finish the job with Sha-Chi Combos. Every weapon card lists Damage and Guard Break, and a weapon with a high Guard Break number weakens an enemy’s guard faster.
Sha-Chi Combos
Sha-Chi Combos are heavy-attack sequences: start with zero to three Light Attacks (Left Mouse), then finish with Heavy Attacks (F). Examples include F, F, F and Left Mouse, F, F. These sequences use your Sha-Chi, but wear down an enemy’s guard more quickly.
Executions
An enemy must already have a broken guard for an Execution, so deplete its Sha-Chi first. When the E prompt appears above the enemy, press E to finish it, or press Circle or B on a controller.
Weapon switching
After equipping a weapon in the second slot, press 1 to switch weapons; each change refills your Sha-Chi completely. A brief cooldown must pass before another switch.
Healing
To heal, press R to Use Lower Medicine or T to Use Upper Medicine, based on the remedy’s slot. The Healing Gourd restores 40% HP. Touch or rest at a bell to replenish both HP and Medicine.
Stealth
For a stealth assassination, press C to crouch and approach an enemy from behind before it notices you. Press E when the prompt appears on its back, and Soul kills it in one move.
