Attack, then move out of the way from a monster's attack. Learn the monster's attack patterns. A monster's special attack usually has a clue that will alert you just before it is executed. Immediately move out of the way when you know a special attack is incoming. If you hit a monsters just before or after their attack animation begins, you may interrupt it. Some drawn out attacks cannot be interrupted, but you might be able to kill the monster with a quick series of attacks before they are able to execute it.