Daidara — Boss Guide | Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Daidara is a massive armor-plated troll wielding a giant mace, encountered in the Oni Refuge — the otherworldly dimension accessed mid-game in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Two phases, separate HP bars. Difficulty 3/10 on Carnage.

TL;DR Quick Summary

Daidara is a massive armor-plated troll wielding a giant mace. He is encountered in the Oni Refuge.
Two phases with separate HP bars.
Difficulty: 3/10 on Carnage.

Quick Attributes

Attribute	Value
Type	Boss
Location	Oni Refuge (otherworldly dimension)
Difficulty (Carnage)	3 / 10
Phases	2 phases, separate health bars

Last verified: 2026-09-04 · Patch 1.0 · Carnage Boss Rematch

1. Boss Overview

Daidara is the boss you fight when you first push deep into the Oni Refuge — the otherworldly dimension where the Genma's source of power is concentrated. He is a massive armor-plated troll whose defining feature is the giant mace he swings in slow, crushing arcs. His armor plating makes him feel like a fortress: you cannot stagger him easily and his attacks stagger you plenty.

Daidara is built around the same lesson Byakue taught you, but dialed up: dodge the heavy slow swings, deflect the few moves that are deflectable, and punish the long recoveries. He has two phases with separate HP bars, so each phase resets cleanly even if your opener whiffs.

Strategy in progress. The full attack-pattern table for Daidara is still being assembled from the Carnage Rematch recordings. PowerPyx confirms the basics (mace swings, two phases, 3/10 difficulty) but does not list every attack name in the public guide. This page will be expanded in a follow-up patch with the full pattern table, Issen windows, and Phase 2 specific attacks.

2. Strategy — Preliminary

What we have confirmed from PowerPyx and from in-game observation at patch 1.0:

Dodge heavy mace swings. His biggest overhead swings have long wind-ups but massive reach. Sidestep rather than try to deflect.
Deflect slower overhead attacks. Some of his slower overhead slams are deflectable. Use the same window you would for Byakue.
Use Issen on telegraphed openings. After his biggest swings he leaves a long recovery. That is your Issen.
Phase 2 likely adds enhanced attacks. PowerPyx confirms Daidara has two distinct HP bars, matching the pattern of every other two-phase boss in the rematch. Treat the Phase 2 transition as a reset and expect new moves.

3. Recommended Build (1st Playthrough)

Action Difficulty Starter Build

Charm of HealerBoosts healing received

Charm of ProtectionReduces HP lost when hit

Fencer's Strength CharmBoosts regular attack power

Hozuki PouchDefault — no swap needed

4. Rewards

Defeating Daidara grants:

Souls — yellow soul payout (varies by difficulty).
Oni Refuge lore item — story / crafting reagent.
Progress unlock — story progression past the Oni Refuge.

Source data: PowerPyx — Carnage Difficulty Boss Guide (verified Sept 3, 2026); expanded with patch 1.0 in-game observation.