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This is not a moveset guide. The point here is to explain how to get started with the mod, as well as explain mechanics that it doesn't tell you about (some of which are relevant for dealing with certain moves). This is merely to make getting into the mod more accessible.

Questions outside the scope of this guide should be asked in https://discord.com/channels/1096548707010359296/1162051493818531910

Everything here assumes version 2.172, which is linked in #challenge-roles message

Getting started

This section will go over the reflection list, custom items, and what to equip.

[Reflection menu / the different fights](#1465608212140265596 message)

[Custom items](#1465608212140265596 message)

[What to equip](#1465608212140265596 message)

[Prosthetics (optional)](#1465608212140265596 message)

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Reflection menu / the different fights

?GoodsName?
- 3 phase fight in Gyoubu's arena. The phases are just modified versions of the first 3 phases from the main fight.
?GoodsName?
- 3 phase fight in grass field. First 3 phases of the main fight unmodified, and Isshin has an apparition appearance.
Inner Isshin
- Main fight in grass field. Lots of visual clutter, especially in phase 2. Not recommended until you’re experienced.
?GoodsName?
- Main fight in flat water arena. No music plays, a few inessential sounds are missing, & there is way less visual clutter. Highly recommended.
?GoodsName?
- Main fight in Isshin arena, but hardcore mode. Each phase takes significantly longer, any direct hit kills you, & you can’t use practice items.

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Custom items

All of these will just be named ?GoodsName?

Blue cat icon thingy
- Practice item. Gives infinite health, but doesn't protect against two certain attacks.
Mibu Pilgrimage Balloon icon thingy
- Makes you do significantly less damage. Useful for practicing individual phases.
Gokan's Spiritfall icon thingy
- Another practice item. Gives infinite posture. Can only be used if the infinite health practice item is active first.
Red cat icon thingy
- Attack buff.
Isshin icon thingy
- Even bigger attack buff, but causes continuous HP drain that will kill you if you don't fight.

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What to equip

Ashina Cross is the only thing you really need to equip. You don’t need to use the skill directly; having it equipped replaces a slow counterattack after certain moves, making it Ashina across instead.

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Prosthetics (optional)

Having certain prosthetics selected will replace specific recoil counters with a unique one. Most can actually mess you up in lots of situations. If you ever use them, you have to figure out where it’s safe. Umbrella is the least intrusive option.
Mist raven can be used to avoid the knock-back of the P4 transition. It’s not required, but it can help to get closer to Isshin at the start of that phase.

If you don’t want to bother testing these, you can either not use them, or just keep mist raven equipped since it doesn’t replace any counters.

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Fight mechanics

This section is about certain mechanics in the fight that are not explicitly explained, some being more unclear than others.

If you like trying to figure things out, come back here later if needed. There are only a couple things where the solution may be unreasonable to figure out on your own.

[Recoil counters](#1465608212140265596 message)

[Multi-deflects](#1465608212140265596 message)

[Required attack windows](#1465608212140265596 message)

[Required recoil counter before deflection](#1465608212140265596 message)

[Required non-forward dodge](#1465608212140265596 message)

[Extras](#1465608212140265596 message)

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Recoil counters

This concept is in many mods, but if this is your first time seeing them:
They're unique counterattacks you can do after deflecting certain moves, and they quickly close distance. This mod is full of them, so you will need to experiment to find every opportunity to do them.

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Multi-deflects

Some moves incentivize deflecting multiple hits with one deflect input. This concept isn’t unique to the mod, it just makes extensive use of it.

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Required attack windows

There are some required attack windows you need to learn. Not attacking in these windows gives Isshin the option to back up and heal. He can do this immediately after the missed attack window, or he can start a specific combo that ends with him doing so.

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Required recoil counter before deflection

A couple moves require you to start a recoil counter before deflecting, in order to consistently deflect it. In these cases, the counter doesn’t need to complete, it just has to be initiated.

Note: P4 has a move where you don't want to start a recoil counter before deflecting a certain part of it.

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Required non-forward dodge

A couple attacks don't let you forward dodge them, and instead require a sideways or backwards dodge. Unlocking your camera will make you unable to dodge them, since all unlocked dashes are forward dashes. Example:

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Extras

P4 lightning sweep
- Unlock camera and jump backwards to easily deal with this sequence.
P4 instant clone attack
- This does not count as a hit. The clone spawns in "hitting" you immediately, but it does not do damage or break your posture. The hit itself is the indicator for the combo.

#Yingwu Mod Starter Guide