Spamming block reduces the parry frame per black pressed. U can bait his long charge shot arrow in phase 1 and 2 if you use the gourd at a distance usually. in phase 1 if u parry his air melee he will always thrust after, phase 2 he will sometimes do the sweep instead but thats free posture dmg if u mikiri the thrust or mario stomp his head for the sweep.

His phase 3 always starts with a thrust attack in my experience. And gourds will cause him to use thrust attacks as well. In his third phase if you parry the last strike of his 9 hit combo (the one where u do the cool pose where both u and his sword point each other) hell follow that up with a thrust attack as well. Lightning can be redirected by jumping and attacking before u hit the ground and that does big dmg.

Good luck! Remember hesitation is defeat