Are you a more offensive or defensive fighter?
I‘ve found this game puts truth to the old adage that the most effective defense is a good offense, but there are those enemies who stand firm (flaming dudes) to make me defend. I’m still a bit unsure as to what is most effective in doing so: tapping L1 while pressing down (which seems to cover 75%+ of the high attacks), or holding L1 down while keeping my finger on the stick. Again, the enemies seem a bit too quick for the latter approach, but it appears to be the way that everyone is recommending.
The bosses are far too quick for me to even hold hope out that I can reliably predict what they are going to do, it’s just a crapshoot of luck, and the majority of my deaths accumulate at the end. I can’t beat the first level with any age better than 34.…..nearly all from the Botanist.
I'm offensive on mobs, defensive on boss because it's a general game mechanic that you counter bosses' attack, not attack them directly.
You are panicking, i think no one here is directly reacting at their attack, there's no doubt that all of them attack fast. But if you manage to observe or learn from the youtube vids, there are telltale signs that makes you anticipate the attacks easier. The youtube vids help you break down to realize the boss patterns, it's by one of our Gaf's member, and he break down it really well
Like when you parry, don't parry and press down at the same time, just parry. "Weaving" is a must because they tend to put an unblockable at the end of the combo, and constant parrying will break your structure.
I don't know all their attacks too. I just tend to weave down, and if they swipe low, i just eat that, but that way i avoid 80% of the high attacks. Like
Punished Miku
says, if you get swiped, then just use ground counter skill to deal back damage to him.
Keep on weaving down, and it works very well against the botanist, 90% of his attacks are high. Weave down, once he finish his combo, punish him with one set of your combos, then if you have a focus meter, swipe him down, give a slight beating, and when he stand up, give him another set of light attacks till he blocks them, and you immediately prepare to block his and weave down again, and repeat the combo.