Here are all of our Nioh 3 guides, as well as some tips and tricks to help you with getting started.
Nioh 3 is the largest game in the series yet, with the third instalment in the series having a huge open-world map spanning multiple eras of Japanese history. That’s a lot of exploring to be doing and collectibles to be gathering…
With such a big task at hand in Nioh 3, and plenty of bosses waiting to get in your way of becoming shogun, we’ve put together this page full of Nioh 3 guides, tips, and tricks to help you with getting started.
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Nioh 3 guides
Below, we’ve listed all of our Nioh 3 guides to help you with getting used to the game’s systems, boss fights, and gargantuan open-world. Further along, we’ve also dished out some tips and tricks learnt during our time playing the game to help you with getting started.
Systems guides
- System requirements
- New Game Plus explained
- Crossplay explained
- Co-op explained
- How to level up
- How to earn more Amrita
- How to respec stats
- How to reset Skills
- How to change appearance
- How to emote
- How to use character codes
Exploration and Collectable guides
- How to use Spirit Veins
- All Guardian Spirits and how to unlock them
- How to charm Nurikabe
- All Scampuss locations
- All Hot Springs locations
- All Six Jizo Statue locations
- All Secret Skills Texts locations
- Where to get Yokai Teardrops
Bosses and Combat guides
- All bosses listed
- How to upgrade weapons
- How to get the Handcannon
- How to find the Bloodedge Demon
Nioh 3 tips and tricks
To help you with getting started in Nioh 3, we’ve put together some tips and tricks for making the most of the game. There’s lots that can be easily missed in this huge open world!
Switching between stances is encouraged
During Nioh 3’s tutorial, you’re introduced to both Samurai and Ninja combat styles, and the ability to switch between both on the fly. On top of that, switching between combat styles as enemies are preparing to land ultimate attacks (the glowing red ones), means you can put a stop to their attack and dish out a chunk of damage in the process.
I’ve always been a fan of dextrous, agile builds in games like Nioh 3, so I initially found myself constantly using Ninja style and Ninja style only. The game will be very quick to remind you that switching between both styles of combat is encouraged and very valuable, as it’s the only way to counter some enemies’ most devastating attacks. Each combat style has its own pros and cons too: Samurai’s are a lot more defensive and can restore Ki after attacking, but they’re slower and less agile, while Ninja’s can be incredibly fast and are able to Evade attacks, but will deal less damage overall as to counteract how quickly they can attack.
As much as it may be tempting to stick to your preferred style, do give some love to both styles where possible and ensure you’ve found a weapon you like with each. Be sure to spend some time getting used to switching between styles on the fly too, so you don’t have to learn to effectively Burst Break during a tough boss fight like I did….
Check your Skills and Soul Cores regularly
Once you get going in Nioh 3, you’ll soon run into Secret Skills Texts and Soul Cores regularly, both of which can be applied to your build at a Shrine in exchange for helpful passive effects or Talismans. Make sure to spend some time seeking them out and familiarising yourself with anything you collect, as they may be the difference between struggling with or steamrolling through the next fight.
Skills can be equipped in the ‘Skill Management’ menu of a Shrine, and can provide all kinds of helpful buffs. Ninja Skills include attack improvements, or the ability to restore Ki or sling a kunai out upon attacking, while Samurai Skills can improve defense, reduce damage taken while attacking, and so forth. Some Skills can also be applied to both styles, allowing you to earn more Amrita from fights, or even create an entire build based on straight-up punching your enemies without weapons equipped. There’s some fun Skills to be discovered, so check them out often!
Similarly, Soul Cores can be equipped in the ‘Manage Soul Cores’ menu of a Shrine, and depending on which slot you equip them in, they can provide you with powerful summons to fight alongside you or useful Talismans that’ll buff certain stats – such as Attack or Defense – or your resistance to certain elements and so forth. Much like Skills, it’s always worth checking these out whenever you get a new one, or whenever you come face to face with a tough boss.
Obtain Prestige from Titles
After dispelling the Crucible for the first time in Nioh 3, you’ll be introduced to Titles. To put it simply, these are essentially achievements you’re given for your in-game activities, such as dodging a certain amount of times, dealing damage with Ninjutsu Tools, successfully landing ranged attacks and more.
If you select the ‘Titles’ tab from your main menu however, you’ll see that each Title you earn rewards you with Prestige Points within a related category such as ‘Samurai’, ‘Tactics’, ‘Crucible’ and more. These points can then be spent on buffing certain stats to do with those categories – such as your Medicine Efficacy, Equipment Drop Rate, Martial Art Damage and more – which can improve your build even further.
The Prestige Points from Titles can be incredibly easy to miss out on or forget about, so make sure to check on them and spend them regularly. That way, you aren’t missing out on any of the additional stats available to you in Nioh 3.
Attack wells
As you explore in Nioh 3, you’ll often run into wells that have rocks attached to them. By attacking them and causing the rock to fall, the bucket at the bottom of the well will be sent to the top and you’ll receive some kind of reward. This could be some loot, a collectible that’s hiding away, and in some instances, a Kappa enemy. Kappa’s will drop Yokai Teardrops when felled, which you can then exchange with a Merchant for more Skills Texts or useful items, so you want as many as you can get!
If you see a well, don’t forget to hit it. It might be a basic piece of loot, but you could also encounter something useful.
Seek out Kodama and Six Jizo Statues
Collectibles, Kodama and Six Jizo Statues, reward you with two currencies known as Kodama Merit and Jizo Merit. Both of these can be spent at the ‘Blessings’ menu of a Shrine on further stat buffs and effects. For example, Kodama will provide buffs to things such as your Medicine Efficacy or reducing your Damage Taken, while Jizo will provide you with Crucible-specific buffs, such as reducing how much Life Corrosion you’re inflicted with.
That’s it for our Nioh 3 guides, tips, and tricks for now. Good luck on your journey throughout Japanese history!
