You can't side dodge, to pull mikari off stand still and press B/O to counter. It's dumb that it doesn't spell that out but that's fromsoft for ya

Press the button while standing still. Timing's the same as with deflecting, if not even more generous. Once you see them winding up for the attack and the red mark pops up, stop moving, and as soon as they start closing the distance, press the button.

Having to stand still is again copied from Nioh ^^

Having a katana is also copied from Nioh. Nioh did it first. Dark Souls also copied Nioh.

Don't listen to the rest. What you actually do is dodge into the thrust. Dodge button is always dodge no matter if you input the direction or not. If you dodge INTO the thrust the timing is way more forgiving. You can train on the undying dude if you don't believe me. This is how I've been doing the counter ever since first spear mini boss.

Play demons- en dark souls first

Thank you for the tip to dodge into the thrust. This had been driving me nuts.

was only pulling this off by accident alot, now you guys have confirmed to neutral dodge or dodge *towards* the frust I can finally beat ishiin!

The moment you see their weapon begin to move from the windup, step dodge towards them

This happens to me as well. I'm pretty sure it depends on the type of enemy. For example the priest/cleric/munk dudes just shoves ne off. Maybe certain enemies are immune or you need to build up more posture?damage

When you perform the stomp and they shove you off, you did it correctly. It's just that the enemy has too much posture so you'd have to do it many times or in combination with deflections/ other counters. Weaker enemies don't have enough posture so it grants a deathblow opportunity first try.

The second slot isn't for a shinobi art. It will unlock naturally as you progress through the game at a certain point.

it'll unlock when you beat your first boss on the top of the ashina castle, and it's called ninjitsu techniques

I mean. yeah. thats. you are right.

Not easy to pull off at all lmao

Very easy to pull off, just have to dodge INTO the attack.

update: i have stepped on isshin's long *** spear more times than i can count in ng+. i think i've finally gotten gud at sekiro