Sly uses a combination of quick, close range attacks, with huge as earth big hitboxes.

For instance, one of his attack can hit at a range thats almost one dash long. But its not only that problem. Sly is quite smart, since his AI is built differently. HE IS HIM.

Basically: For example, during the 3 hit combo, after the first hit, Sly will check whether youre still infront. If you are, the attack continues. If not, he will UNEXPECTEDLY turn around and hit. After the second hit, Sly checks whether youre still close or not. If you are, the attack continues, if not, he just cancels the third hit.

He has only 1-2 staggers(From my experience), plus the transition to Final Frenzy, which you can squeeze 1-2 heals through.

One of the ANNOYING attacks that you will see alot.

During this attack, Sly runs up to you(Or not, if you are close), and then does 3 hits. Each hit deals a mask of damage, and during the 3rd hit he slightly goes up and turns into a shaw for a second.

As mentioned in the overview, this attack is pretty interesting with his AI. So, its suggested to just back away far, but not TOO far, or he will cancel the attack and use something else. If you are good, you probably can squeeze in a hit during this attack, specifically between 1st and 2nd hits.

And remember: After every attack, Sly doesnt do anything for a moment. Hit him during those moments to do SOME damage atleast.

During this attack, Sly jumps above you, and after landing, does 2 hits. One when he lands, and the other hit around himself.

This attack also has interesting AI, since if youre too far after the first hit, he wont do the second, and just continue with a different attack. So its better to not back away from him during this attack, but just enough to not get hit, since the second hit of his attack is around half of your dash.

This attack does 1 mask of damage, and also has the same pause between attacks.

Its possible to hit him between the first and second hits of this attack, but you will most likely get hit. (Unless you shade dash away or through him, but dashing through will probably get you hit)

Just like you, this Nailsage can also Great Slash. (Makes sense)

This attack is by far THE MOST dangerous, except final frenzy, Why? This attack does 2 MASKS OF DAMAGE, and has ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ HUGE HITBOXES. During this attack, Sly will stop and charge up a nail arts attack, with around the duration of charging with Nailmasters Glory. If you see him charge in the middle of the arena ON THE GROUND, DASH AWAY IMMEDIATELY. Due to the big hitbox, even sometimes jumping will get you hit.

I think he will turn around before finishing charging if you go behind him, but i honestly didnt test this one yet.

Its suggested to just avoid this attack entirely and not try going over. Even if you hit him before he finishes charging, its almost 100% you will get hit afterwards.

basically, Mato's Cyclone attack,

Sly will start charging Mid-air, which is a sign he will do this. After this, he will do the cyclone for 6-7 seconds(THIS JOKE IS NOT INTENDED), bouncing off of walls while doing so. This attack does one mask of damage, and is pretty easy to avoid.

Its better to just pogo on him while he does this attack, like pogo once, and dash away to the other side. And, if you can do so, pogo on Sly, not on his nail, since that will push Sly down.

Theres not much about this attack, so its quite simple to avoid. Though, in corners it can be troublesome. (for me atleast)

He does the dash slash attack, basically like Oro.

before the charge up, he will jump into one of the corners of the arena, which is a clue to him charging the Dash Slash. Sometimes, if hes close enough to a corner far from you, he wont jump away and start charging there. This attack does 1 mask of damage, and has similar hitbox to Great Slash, but smaller and not so vertical. (For some reason, Great Slash had diabolical vertical hitbox)

This attack also has the AI gimmick, where if you get behind him before he finishes charging, he will stop charging and continue on with other attacks.

Pretty avoidable, and better just to jump over, or, like with any dashing boss, try to pogo on him during the dash. But i didnt try that yet.

The attack we, yes WE hate.

After the last hit, Sly will seem staggered, but will vanish. Then, as his nail falls from the center, he will catch it and do his battle cry thing again. During this transition, DO HEAL if you can.

During this attack, Sly will constantly jump off walls of the arena, and the moment he is close, he will go shaw mode and move a bit close to you, and then dash away again.

This attack is VERY HARD for me atleast. To counter this, its etiher use Mark of Pride and hit him quickly after he stops being a shaw, OR, use Nailmasters Glory to Great Slash him, which is a more effective way. I think during this attack he doesnt have alot HP, but i cant tell since im using Unbreakable Strength. (Im certain you will have it too by then)

oh, and also, this attack deals 1 mask of damage every time he hits you.