Nioh 3

List of All Bosses

Nioh 3 Walkthrough Team

Last updated on: March 3, 2026 01:26 AM

★ List of Weapons | Armor Sets | Martial Arts
★ Nioh 3 Interactive Map
★ Best Weapon Tier List
★ Best Ninja Builds | Best Samurai Builds
★ Character Creation Codes
★ How to Emote

Nioh 3 - List of Bosses

This is a list of all bosses that players can encounter in Nioh 3. See a list of bosses and the hardest bosses in the game, as well as how to beat them, where to find them, and the rewards here.

List of Contents

List of All Bosses
Main Bosses
Secret Bosses
Optional Bosses
Formidable Enemies
Hardest Bosses
Related Guides

List of All Bosses

Jump to a Boss Type
Main Bosses	Secret Bosses
Optional Bosses	Formidable Enemies

Main Bosses

Boss	Details
Yamagata Masakage	Era: Warring States Main Mission: Escape from Hitokoto Slope Region: Tokaido Completion Rewards: ・Palisade Breaker Lv. 2 ・Rosewood Tonfa Lv. 2 ・Longbow Lv. 2
Jakotsu-baba	Era: Warring States Main Mission: The Hamamatsu Incident Region: Hamamatsu Completion Rewards: ・Iron Switchglaive Lv. 15 ・Simple Talons Lv. 15 ・Tanegashima Matchlock Lv. 15 ・Ninja's Locks ・Smithing Text: Twin-Snake Helmet
Baba Nobuharu	Era: Warring States Main Mission: The Battle of Futamata Castle Region: Futamata Completion Rewards: ・Leather Cestuses Lv. 44 ・Genin's Splitstaff Lv. 44 ・Hand Cannon Lv. 44 ・Demon of Mino's Charm ・Samurai's Locks
Yamagata Masakage (Yokai)	Era: Warring States Main Mission: The Battle of Mikatagahara Region: Mikatagahara Completion Rewards: ・Smithing Text: Crimson General's Armor
Takeda Shingen	Era: Warring States Main Mission: The Battle of Mikatagahara Region: Mikatagahara Completion Rewards: ・Basket Blade & Boar Cutter Lv. 51 ・Potsticker Spear Lv. 51 ・Samurai's Locks ・Smithing Text: Basket Blade & Boar Cutter ・Smithing Text: Potsticker Spear
Takeda Shingen (Yokai)	Era: Warring States Main Mission: The Battle of Saigagake Region: Saigagake Completion Rewards: ・Kongojishi ・Osafune Kanemitsu Lv.55 (+1) ・Fuma Ninja Plated Headband Lv. 55 (+1) ・Samurai's Locks ・Samurai's Text x2
Great Tengu	Era: Heian Main Mission: The Age of Clans Begins Region: Kamo Village Completion Rewards: ・Crescent Moon Kusarigama Lv. 59 ・Mino Veteran's Gauntlets Lv. 59 ・Samurai's Locks ・Great Tengu Soul Core
Otoroshi	Era: Heian Main Mission: Heian Befouled Region: Sagano Completion Rewards: ・Shugendo Hermit Hatches Lv. 72 ・Archer's Hakama Lv. 72 ・Ninja's Locks ・Otoroshi Soul Core
Ibaraki Doji	Era: Heian Main Mission: Heian Befouled Region: Hachijo Completion Rewards: ・Mantra Sword Lv. 80 ・Onmyo Hunting Hakala Lv. 80 ・Ibaraki Doji Soul Core ・ Ninja's Locks
Kajiwara Kagetoki	Era: Heian Main Mission: Heian Befouled Side Mission: True Samurai of Kamakura Region: Rokuhara Completion Rewards: ・Dual Bloodstained Cleavers Lv. 91 (+1) ・Shinto Priest's Hakama Lv. 91 ・Handbook: Roundabout ・Smithing Text:Heizo's Armor ・Ninja's Locks
Minamoto no Yoritomo	Era: Heian Main Mission: A Cause Too Great Region: Palace Grounds Completion Rewards: ・Beardcutter Lv. 94 ・Lord Kamakura's Bow Lv. 94 ・Samurai's Locks ・Warrior's Text x2
Kusanagi	Era: Antiquity Main Mission: Calamity's Seed Region: Spirit Tree Village Completion Rewards: ・Himiko's Staff Lv. 97 ・Shaman Queen's Necklace Lv. 97 ・Ninja's Locks ・Smithing Text: Himiko's Staff
Hiruko	Era: Antiquity Main Mission: Ill Omen Region: Spirit Tree Shrine Crucible Completion Rewards: ・Senjuin Tachi Lv. 101 ・Mitsumono Vest Lv. 101 ・Samurai's Locks ・Ninja Text x2
Tokugawa Kunimatsu	Era: Return to Edo Main Mission: To the Beginning Region: Edo Castle Completion Rewards: ・Brother's Dual Katana Lv. 106 ・Brother's Sandals Lv. 106
Takasugi Shinsaku	Era: Bakumatsu Main Mission: A New Era Region: Shimabara Completion Rewards: ・Fujiwara Sadayasu Lv. 109 ・Shock Troop Greaves Lv. 109 ・Samurai's Locks
Enenra	Era: Bakumatsu Main Mission: Those Left Behind Region: Shijo Completion Rewards: ・Transformed Art: Beyond Infinity Fire ・Enenra Soul Core
Nuribotoke	Era: Bakumatsu Main Mission: Those Left Behind Region: Shijo Completion Rewards: ・Kintaro's Cuirass Lv. 123 ・Yamabushi Robes Lv. 123 ・Samurai's Locks ・Nuribotoke Soul Core
Okita Soji	Era: Bakumatsu Main Mission: Final Hope Side Mission: Solitary Blade Completion Rewards: ・Kashu Kiyomitsu Lv. 139 ・First Captain's Hakama Lv. 139 ・Samurai's Locks
Tokugawa Yoshinobu	Era: Bakumatsu Main Mission: Final Hope Region: Kyoto Imperial Palace Completion Rewards: ・Samurai's Locks
Hiruko (Final Boss)	Era: Final Battle of Edo Main Mission: A Sinister End Region: Kyoto Imperial Palace Completion Rewards: ・Ornamental Blade Lv. 148 (+1) - Sword ・Ornamental Blade Lv. 148 (+1) - Spear ・Smithing Text: Ornamental Blade - Sword ・Smithing Text: Ornamental Blade - Spear ・Samurai's Locks ・Warrior's Text x2 ・Hiruko Soul Core

There are a total of 20 main bosses that are encountered throughout the story, spread out over the different eras.

Main Mission Walkthrough

Ninja Style Is Recommended for Most Bosses

The new Ninja style focuses evasion and long-range attacks via Ninjutsu. It offers high mobility with low Ki usage and a wide array of ranged attacks.

It also deals more damage when striking enemies from behind. Instead of the Ki Pulse, it has Mist, which allows you to reposition without spending Ki.

Best Ninja Builds

Secret Bosses

Boss	Details
Demon of Pride	Era: Warring States Region: Iinoya (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Transformed Art: Death from Above Water ・Demon of Pride Soul Core
Demon of Envy	Era: Heian Region: Hachijo (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Transformed Art: Arc of Chaos Fire ・Demon of Envy Soul Core
Demon of Obsession	Era: Bakumatsu Region: Nijo Castle (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Transformed Art: Kurama Sword Dance Wind ・Demon of Obsession Soul Core

Three secret bosses can be encountered across different eras, each granting an achievement when defeated. These bosses are significantly more difficult than the main bosses.

Trophy List Guide and All Achievements

Optional Bosses

Boss	Details
Bloodedge Demon	Era: Warring States Region: Hamamatsu, Tenryu River (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Bloodedge Demon Soul Core
Ryomen Sukuna	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Fated Land Region: Iinoya Completion Rewards: ・Ryomen Sukuna's Sword Lv. 35 ・Ryomen Sukuna's Axe Lv. 35 (+1) ・Ryomen Sukuna's Bow Lv. 35 ・Samurai's Locks
Hino-Enma	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Abundant Evil Region: Maisaka Completion Rewards: ・Tombokiri Lv. 24 ・Warrior of the East Helmet Lv. 24 ・Hino-enma Soul Core Lv. 21 ・Samurai's Locks
Otazu no Kata	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Princess Tsubaki (Battle Scroll) Region: Hamamatsu Completion Rewards: ・Samurai's Locks ・Kamari Hakama
Hattori Hanzo	Era: Warring States Side Mission: The Demon's Regimen Region: Hamamatsu Completion Rewards: ・Ninja's Locks ・Smithing Text: Iga Jonin Apparel ・Smithing Text: Hanzo the Demon's Spear
Ninja Yoki	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Those Who Live in the Shadows Region: Iinoya Completion Rewards: ・Ninja Yoki Soul Core
Kyokotsu	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Searching for a Spy Region: Futamata Completion Rewards: ・Hanzo the Demon's Spear
Aggrieved Warrior	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Ii's Memento Region: Hamamatsu Completion Rewards: ・Sincere Buddha's Gauntlets Lv. 36 ・Samurai's Locks
Yoki	Era: Warring States Side Mission: A Drop of Hope Region: Hamamatsu Completion Rewards: ・Omamori Lv. 11 x2

Optional bosses are enemies that are fought in Side Missions and Battle Scrolls. These bosses drop various rewards that help with progression.

List of Myths and Side Missions

Formidable Enemies

Boss	Details
Kamaitachi	Era: Warring States, Heian Region: Maisaka (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Kamaitachi Soul Core ・Transformed Art: Pollard Combo (Warring States) ・Transformed Art: Swallow Slash Jump (Heian)
Green Shadow's Blade	Era: Warring States Region: Tokaido (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Transformed Art: Swift Step Heavy (Sword)
Blood-Spurting Ogin	Era: Warring States Region: Mikatagahara (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Transformed Art: Flying Buck Stomp
Naito Masatoyo	Era: Warring States Region: Futamata Road (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Transformed Art: Resounding Lunge Extend
Anayama Nobutada	Era: Warring States Region: Futamata (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Handbook: Punish the Proud
Honda Tadakatsu	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Becoming the Champion of the East Region: Hamamatsu Completion Rewards: ・Tombokiri Lv. 25 ・Samurai's Locks
Nuppeppo	Era: Warring States Side Mission: Headaches Region: Hamamatsu Completion Rewards: ・Nuppeppo Soul Core ・Yokai Gallstone
Onryoki	Era: Warring States Side Mission: The Great Shogun of the Heian Era Region: Lake Sanaru (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Onryoki Soul Core
Mezuki	Era: Warring States Region: Tokaido (Field Boss) Completion Rewards: ・Mezuki Soul Core

Formidable enemies are powerful foes found on the map while exploring or doing missions. They may be humans or yokai and drop valuable rewards, such as Transformed Arts and Soul Cores.

Nioh 3 Interactive Map

Hardest Bosses

These are some of the toughest boss encounters in the game. Keep in mind that their difficulty decreases significantly when you fight them at a much higher level.

Tokugawa Kunimatsu
Kajiwara Kagetoki
Bloodedge Demon
Hiruko (First Encounter)
Demon of Pride
Yamagata Masakage (First Boss)

Tokugawa Kunimatsu

Overall Difficulty	5/5
Recommended Level	100+

The rematch with Tokugawa Kunimatsu is widely considered by most players to be the hardest boss in the game. His hyper armor allows him to negate being stunlocked and force his own attacks through your combos. In addition to his swift strikes, he wields lightning and wind elements to inflict status effects, all backed by a massive health pool.

The best strategy for defeating Tokugawa Kunimatsu is to use hit-and-run tactics with Ninja style and remain patient while slowly shaving off his high health.

How to Beat Tokugawa Kunimatsu

Kajiwara Kagetoki

Overall Difficulty	5/5
Recommended Level	85+

Kajiwara Kagetoki is another boss made difficult by hyper armor, similar to Kunimatsu. He has incredibly high Ki, which makes it difficult to lock him down, and his ability to throw hatchets makes him a threat at all ranges. He also regularly summons yokai that often interrupt your counterattacks.

To beat Kajiwara Kagetoki, use Ninjutsu to attack safely from a distance and punish his recovery times. You must also respect his summons by disengaging whenever they appear.

How to Beat Kajiwara Kagetoki

Bloodedge Demon

Bloodedge Demon Grave

Overall Difficulty	4/5
Recommended Level	Varies

Bloodedge Demon is an incredibly aggressive boss with quick strikes and multiple elemental attacks that cover a wide AoE, resulting in very few windows to counterattack. It becomes even more dangerous when wielding lightning, as the electrified status slows you to a crawl.

If you find yourself struggling, consider farming some levels before the fight. Additionally, summoning assistance from benevolent graves is highly recommended, as they can act as a distraction while you wait for an opening.

Bloodedge Demon Location and How to Beat

Hiruko (First Encounter)

Overall Difficulty	4/5
Recommended Level	95+

The first encounter with Hiruko is difficult because it has two phases. You'll need to minimize the damage you take in the first phase to save your Elixirs for the second. What makes him such a threat is his ability to freeze you, which is typically a death sentence, and his blood magic that decreases your max health.

To win against Hiruko, you must stay mindful of your positioning to avoid the elemental hazards in the arena. You should also be careful not to overcommit to your attacks.

How to Beat Hiruko

Demon of Pride

Overall Difficulty	4/5
Recommended Level	100+

The Demon of Pride is the first of the secret bosses, alongside the Demon of Envy and Demon of Obsession. They represent a major difficulty spike when you first encounter them in the story. The Demon of Pride is deadly at all ranges due to his long attack chains and multiple water projectiles that can be tricky to dodge.

It is recommended to take on the Demon of Pride once you have reached around level 100, allowing you to deal enough damage to end the fight quickly.

Demon of Pride Weakness and How to Beat

Yamagata Masakage (First Boss)

Overall Difficulty	3/5
Recommended Level	5+

The very first boss, Yamagata Masakage, is a tough encounter because you have limited tools at your disposal (especially for newcomers). He has an incredibly long reach and can kill you in just a few hits.

Ninja style is recommended for this fight, as the Samurai style stances are unavailable this early in the game. The best way to defeat him is to dodge toward his rear and punish him with backstabs.

How to Beat Yamagata Masakage

Nioh 3 Related Guides

Nioh 3 Wiki

Nioh 3 Walkthrough Wiki

Nioh 3 Wiki

Nioh 3 Wiki Contents
Builds	Bosses
Main Missions	Side Quests and Myths
Tips and Tricks	Martial Arts
Armor	Weapons
Skills	Guardian Spirits
News and Game Info	-

Recommended Guides

General Guides
Interactive Map	Best Weapon Tier List
Crucible Wraiths	Best Clans to Join
Smithing Texts	List of Soul Cores
List of Graces	Endings Explained
Trophy List and All Achievements	Character Creation Codes
Collectible Guides
List of All Collectibles
Shrines	Chijiko
Kodama	Lesser Crucibles
Enemy Bases	Scampuss
Six Jizo	Masters
Hot Springs	Nurikabe

Comment

Post (0 Comments)

Author

Nioh 3 Walkthrough Team

This article was created by Game8's elite team of writers and gamers.

Nioh 3 Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
List of All Bosses

Tell Us More About You!

Rankings

Gaming News

Popular Games

Recommended Games

©KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. All rights reserved.

The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.

Nioh 3 Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Quick Access

List of All Bosses