As a Soulslike, Nioh 3 assumes a reputation of being a hard game. We can say with complete certainty that it lives up to this mantle and more. This guide has the absolute top tips and tricks you have to use and absorb if you are to survive and complete Nioh 3.
Playing Souls games is as daunting as ever. While the genre has largely moved away from the sneaky traps and enemy placement of yesteryear—and don’t forget the backtracking—bosses are tougher than ever, and the emphasis on meta tricks and knowledge is as imperative as ever in Nioh 3.
Nioh 3 Tips & Tricks You Need To Stay Alive
Become Adept With Both PlayStyles
Nioh 3 switches up the formula by having both Samurai and Ninja be changeable-on-the-fly options. A swift click of the trigger, and you go from being a strong Samurai to a master of speed and stealth as a Ninja. Don’t make the mistake of sticking to one: Use both as each is VERY useful for certain bosses and combat situations.
A boss fight with another Samurai will favor the style of the same name, whereas being a Ninja and darting about an arena could be better suited to a fast-moving Yokai. Keep chopping and changing your gear, and ensure both styles are used in equal measure.
Burst Break Mastery
This will be difficult if you struggle with timing, but hear this tip out: You can dominate bosses with Burst Breaks. Some bosses are more liberal with their Burst Break usage, and many of those attacks are incredibly telegraphed. Landing a Burst Break does incredible HP and Ki damage and momentarily staggers the opponent, giving you time to get a few quick licks in.
- More Insider Gaming: Nioh 3 Review: The Best Soulslike You Will Play In 2026
If you’re really struggling to deal damage, there’s even a world where you mainly rely on Burst Breaks. Heed our advice: Don’t be afraid of Burst Breaks; the counter window is very generous.
Don’t Rely On Consumable Items
As a lover of Soulslike, I make it a mission not to use any consumable items in these games. Why? Because resources are finite. You could quite easily become accustomed to popping a few stat-boosting items and chucking a few status-inflicting Conumables at a boss as you repeat it over and over, but what happens when the well runs dry? (Interestingly, more on wells below).
It’s much better to focus on core combat gameplay mechanics because you can improve your own skill level, and you’ll never face a situation where you have to waste time grinding for items or coming unstuck because you relied too heavily on something other than the fundamentals of attacking, evading, and deflecting—we believe in you.
Equip Equipment Sets
Certain pieces of Armor will have specific green writing in the item description, which is the game’s way of telling you it’s part of a set. There are countless sets in Nioh 3, and because of the game’s tendency to give you loot, you’ll more than likely have multiple items in the same set.
If you keep equipping more and more gear with the same set name, you gain new and more powerful bonuses. This includes giving you more health, increasing Attack damage, and much more. Try to prioritize completing sets instead of slapping on slightly superior individual gear.
Explore & Unlock More
Insider Gaming has already gone ahead and done you a big favor by offering the complete Warring States map, showing you where every collectible is in the first region. These aren’t just run-of-the-mill collectibles. Increasing your Exploration Level upgrades your Attack, finding Kodamas and Six Jizo statues gives you Merit points, which can earn you more Elixirs, and Hot Springs are a good source of Yokai Teardrops.
Focusing on the main story mission is the last thing you should focus on; moreover, you’ll be underleveled and easy chow for the next big bad boss.
Ki Is Key
This is primarily a tip for newbies, but Nioh’s Ki system must be respected. Other Souls titles employ a basic Stamina meter that recovers, whereas the Nioh series follows in Bloodborne’s footsteps by having an active-time mechanic that encourages player aggression.
In Bloodborne, if you lose health, attacking quickly stops you from losing health; in Nioh, timing your Ki Pulse regains consumed Stamina, with a perfect Ki Pulse giving you everything back. For your first few hours, focus on your timing so that it gets to the point where you don’t need to look at the Ki meter anymore. The more Ki you have, the more attacks you can do, and the slower it takes for an enemy to stagger you.
Soul Core Placement
Pay close attention to your Souls Cores and what they do. The basics are easy enough: Place a Soul Core in the Yang position to summon a Yokai to fight for you, put it in the Yin position to generate a Talisman or another ability. Don’t just focus on what a core does in terms of Special Effects (although they can be dreamy) or default Attack and Defence stats.
- More Insider Gaming: How Long To Beat Nioh 3? Game Length & Total Hours, Explained
A Summoning Seal with fewer conjure amounts is a surefire sign that it’s a powerful summon—see how Mezuki above is only allowed to be called upon twice in one life? These can provide huge buffs during the course of battle, so take Soul Core management seriously.
Use The Best Gear & Methods
A bit of self-promotion here, but Insider Gaming has put together a few handy guides breaking down things you definitely need to utilize and know in Nioh 3:
- Best Weapons For Samurai & Ninja
- Best Ninjutsu You Need To Use
- How To Get More Elixirs & Best Elixir Farming Methods
- How To Open Locked Door In Tenryu River
Having the best weapons and Ninjutsu is self-explanatory; knowing the ins and outs of Elixirs is paramount to consumable conservation, and you should definitely open that door!
Vantage Points For Long Weapons
Mobs are more inevitable than Thanos. You can run past them like Forrest Gump galloping around the world, but sometimes it’s better to eliminate them. You also need a steady stream of Amrita coming in. All creatures, no matter how great or small, are oblivious to your position at first, and it’s beneficial to try to find a high spot to scout the area and use your Bow or guns.
This can lessen the load on your blades and resources, making life much easier. As all good Zombie movies have taught us, aim for the head—you do more damage.
Well, Well, Well
A final little bonus tip for you. If you see a well, they always have a rock tied to them. Hit the rock, and more often than not, you’ll get a special surprise! Other times…brace yourself for a WELL-drawn out skirmish.
Do you agree with Insider Gaming’s assessment of how to be better at Nioh 3? Have you concocted your own brilliant array of tips and tricks to taunt Yokai? The Insider Gaming Discord Server is where you can discuss your own strats and maybe just Nioh 3 in general.
Check out IG’s complete Nioh 3 Trophy List Difficulty Rating guide for more content.
Andy is Insider Gaming's Senior Evergreen Editor and has been in the games journalism sphere in one way or another for over 7 years. His video game taste is as…
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