The Genma are the demon army that serves Nobunaga and his master Fortinbras, and they are the enemies you face throughout Inabayama Castle. They come in several shapes and behaviors, and learning to read each type is the foundation of clean combat in Warlords. Unlike pure action games where every foe is a damage sponge, Onimusha rewards recognition and reaction: identify what an enemy does, pick the correct counter, and punish before it recovers.
Two systems shape every encounter. First, the Oni Gauntlet lets Samanosuke absorb souls from fallen Genma, so killing enemies efficiently also fuels your upgrades and healing. Second, each elemental weapon carries a magic spell that interacts differently with different foes, so the anti-Genma toolkit is really about matching the right weapon and technique to the right enemy. Kaede lacks the gauntlet, so her anti-Genma play is about evasion and items instead.
The rest of this guide breaks down the common enemy archetypes, their elemental weaknesses, and the advanced techniques -- especially the Issen counter -- that turn dangerous packs into routine fights.
Understanding the Genma
The Genma are the demon army that serves Nobunaga and his master Fortinbras, and they are the enemies you face throughout Inabayama Castle. They come in several shapes and behaviors, and learning to read each type is the foundation of clean combat in Warlords. Unlike pure action games where every foe is a damage sponge, Onimusha rewards recognition and reaction: identify what an enemy does, pick the correct counter, and punish before it recovers.
Two systems shape every encounter. First, the Oni Gauntlet lets Samanosuke absorb souls from fallen Genma, so killing enemies efficiently also fuels your upgrades and healing. Second, each elemental weapon carries a magic spell that interacts differently with different foes, so the anti-Genma toolkit is really about matching the right weapon and technique to the right enemy. Kaede lacks the gauntlet, so her anti-Genma play is about evasion and items instead.
The rest of this guide breaks down the common enemy archetypes, their elemental weaknesses, and the advanced techniques -- especially the Issen counter -- that turn dangerous packs into routine fights.
Common Genma Enemy Types
Most Genma fall into a few recognizable archetypes. Basic Genma soldiers are slow, telegraphed melee fighters that appear in nearly every area; they are fodder for souls and easy to stagger with any weapon. Three-eyed demons are more aggressive and swing faster, so respect their wind-ups and punish after they commit. Armored or shielded foes shrug off frontal hits and require you to flank, guard-break with a charged attack, or hit them with magic.
Ranged Genma -- archers and similar -- are low on health but dangerous in groups because they chip you while you fight melee enemies. Always close the distance and kill them first, or break line of sight behind corners. Fast, darting enemies are the most annoying: they close gaps quickly and can stunlock you if you let them surround you. Use Raizan's stun magic to lock them down, then clean up.
Boss-tier Genma -- Osric, Reynaldo, Marcellus, Hecuba, and Fortinbras -- follow their own patterns and are covered in the boss rush guide. The principles below apply to the rank-and-file you meet between them.
Elemental Weaknesses and Counters
Elemental matchups matter more than raw weapon level in many fights. Raizan (thunder) is your control element: its stun interrupts enemies mid-attack and breaks up crowds. Use it against fast, aggressive foes that would otherwise overwhelm you, and to create safe openings against shielded enemies by staggering them. Enryuu (fire) is your damage element: its area burn chunks tough targets and melts clustered groups in corridors, making it the default choice for bosses and tight packs.
Shippuu (wind) is your crowd-clear element: its wide arc knocks down multiple enemies at once, ideal for open rooms where foes spread out. Swap between elements mid-fight in the remaster, which lets you open with Shippuu to flatten a pack and finish stragglers with Enryuu.
A practical rule: match the element to the formation. Single tough enemy -- Enryuu. Spread-out crowd -- Shippuu. Fast or interrupt-heavy group -- Raizan. Magic costs blue souls, so do not waste a full Shippuu cast on one leftover soldier when a charged melee hit will do.
Advanced Tactics: Issen and Charged Attacks
The Issen counter is the most important advanced technique in the game. By guarding or dodging at the precise moment an enemy attacks and then striking immediately, you trigger a critical counter that deals massive damage and often kills lesser Genma outright. Mastering the timing turns ordinary fights into one-hit exchanges and is the single biggest skill jump a player can make. Practice against basic soldiers until the window feels natural, then apply it to faster enemies.
Charged attacks are your other key tool. Hold the attack button to build a charged strike that staggers or knocks down most enemies, breaking shields and opening guards. Use charged attacks to control single tough foes and to set up Issen counters by baiting their retaliation.
Finally, manage positioning and crowd control. Never let enemies surround you: keep your back to a wall or a corner so all threats are in front of you, pick off ranged enemies first, and retreat to reset spacing when a pack grows. Combined with elemental matchups and counters, these habits make any Genma encounter manageable.
More Onimusha Guides
- Onimusha Fluorite Rewards: What You Get for Collecting All Fluorites
- Mastering Issen & Break Issen
- Onimusha Oni Armament Locations: Where to Find All Armaments
- Top 7 Hidden Secrets and Easter Eggs in Onimusha Warlords
- Onimusha Estoma Magic: How to Use Barrier and Defense Magic
- Onimusha Oni Magic Guide: All Magic Spells and Best Uses