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Nioh 3
Best Ninja Swords Build
This is a guide to the best build for Ninja Swords in Nioh 3. See the best armor and accessories to use with the Ninja Swords, which Guardian Spirit and Soul Cores to equip, as well as which stat scaling to prioritize.
List of Contents
Ninja Swords Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| ✔︎ Has a balance of speed and damage.
✔︎ Attacks have low Ki consumption. ✔︎ Easy-to-learn movesets. ✔︎ Versatile combos with skills for both aerial and ground combat. |
✖︎ Block stat is low.
✖︎ Limited range. ✖︎ Requires Ki management when using Martial Arts. |
The Ninja Swords are a light and easy-to-learn weapon. With its balanced attack speed and damage, it is perfect for players who are learning the feel of the combat without sacrificing attack power. Because of their moderate attack stat, the Ninja Swords are best combined with Martial Arts, Ninjutsu, or Onmyo to do more damage.
For this build, we will combine Ninjutsu and Onmyo Magic to take advantage of the Ninja Swords' innate Skill and Intellect scaling. Specifically, we'll be building up on Burn and Saturated status ailments to inflict Confusion as much as possible. We will also stack up on buffs and debuffs from talismans to get an advantage against tougher enemies.
Best Scaling for Ninja Swords
Put Points Into Skill, Intellect, and Strength
| Ninja Swords Scaling |
|---|
 Skill  Intellect  Strength |
| Character Stats |
 Magic  Constitution |
Ninja Swords scale primarily with Skill, Strength and Intellect. Focus your points on Skill, as it increases both Ninjutsu power and your damage with the Ninja Swords. Then, follow this with Intellect so your Ki regenerates faster as you'll be continuously attacking and dodging. For this build, putting points into Magic is suggested as well, so invest at least 10 points in the stat to equip 3 or more talismans.
Then if you have extra Amrita to spend, put it on Strength for more damage scaling or Stamina to be able to wear heavier armor without sacrificing Agility.
If you feel that the stats where a weapon scales are not beneficial to your playstyle or build, you can use Remodel in the Blacksmith to change them. However, do note that this will cost materials and Gold; as such, it's not recommended to do until you get better equipment.
Best Special Effects for Ninja Swords
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Armor |
| Accessories | |
Best Special Effects for Weapons
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Ki
・Ki Recovery Speed ・Backstab Damage ・Aerial Damage ・Melee Damage vs. Yokai/Human ・Onmyo Magic Ki Damage ・Attack Bonus (Skill/Intellect) ・Ki Damage vs. (Scorched/Saturated) |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
|
・Quick Attack Ki Consumption
Weapons: Bizen Uchigatana / Heshikiri Hasebe ・Melee Ki Damage Weapons: Senjuin Uchigatana ・Melee Attack Ki Consumption Weapons: Kiku Ichimonji |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
As Ninja Swords have balanced attack power, it's good to get special effects that increase your damage further. Specifically, look for items that increase your raw Melee damage, or those with damage against an enemy type (Yokai or Human). Additionally, Ninja Swords attack in quick slashes in combination with Martial Arts, so any special effects that increase your Ki or Ki recovery will also be crucial.
Consider using elements to buff your attacks as well. For example, having Ki Damage vs. Scorched Enemies will synergize with using the Uncanny Flame Ninjutsu, effectively increasing the damage you can deal.
Best Special Effects for Armor
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Life
・Imbue Fire/Water ・Ki Recovery Speed ・Melee Attack Ki Consumption ・Ki Damage vs. (Scorched/Saturated) Enemy ・Quick Attack Ki Consumption ・Ninjutsu Gauge Charge ・Faster Movement (Onmyo Magic Hit) ・Defense Bonus (Skill/Intellect) ・Damage Over Time ・Yokai Realm Resistance |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Dodge Ki Consumption
Armor: Any Heir Shinobi armor piece ・Ki Armor: Any Ferryman's armor piece |
|
| Armor Sets | |
| ・Iga Jonin Armor Set (Head of the Iga Ninja)
・Heizo Armor Set (Devious Loyalty) |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
For Armor, it's best to find special effects that increase your Ki and Ki Recovery to ensure that you can do combos continuously with minimal Ki management. You can also equip any special effect that increases the Ninja Swords' raw damage.
Getting Ninjutsu Gauge Charge is also a good option, as you will be using Ninjutsu for chip damage, building status effects, or fininshing off enemies.
A good armor set for the Ninja Swords is the Iga Jonin armor set that provides a ton of Ninjutsu bonuses such as Ninjutsu Damage and Faster Movement (Ninjutsu Hit). You can start finding pieces of this armor from early game to late mid-game. Wearing at least 5 pieces of this armor gives you the bonuses you'll need.
In late game, you'll find the Heizo armor set which gives the bonus Devious Loyalty. The bonuses in this armor include special effects that strengthen the Ninja Swords' damage output, such as Quick Attack Damage, Melee Attack Ki Consumption, and Attack Bonus (Skill). It's recommended to acquire 6 pieces to gain Attack Bonus (Skill) and Faster Ki Recovery (Enemy Killed). If you do not have access to a full set, having at least 2 to 4 pieces of this armor will also suffice.
Best Special Effects for Accessories
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Life
・Ki ・Ki Recovery Speed ・Imbue Fire/Water ・Ninjutsu Gauge Charge ・Living Artifact Duration ・Faster Movement (Onmyo Magic Hit) ・Faster Movement (Ninjutsu Hit) ・Damage Over Time ・Untouched Elixir |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Effect Duration
Accessory: Wrting Set |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
As the Ninja Swords' Martial Arts expend a lot of Ki, prioritize Accessories that increases Ki or Ki Recovery. Other special effects like Living Artifact Duration is a helpful addition too, as it lengthens the time you can stay in Living Artifact form. Then with Faster Movement (Ninjutsu Hit), throwing a Kunai or a Gunpowder Bomb at an enemy gives you a boost in speed so you can run away or space yourself from an opponent when needed.
Best Ninjutsu and Martial Arts
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Ninja Swords Skills | Ninja Style Skills |
| Crucible Arts | |
Where to Spend Skill Points?
Spend your points on the Ninja Sword and Ninja Style skill trees to learn new combos for the Ninja Swords, while also acquiring useful Ninjutsu and Martial Arts.
Ninja Swords Skills
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Kickslash | Unlocked at the start |
| Hollow Stab | Unlocked at the start |
| Shadow Cyclone | 1 Ninja Point |
| Sky Rift | 1 Ninja Point |
| Swallow Slash | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Shadow Cyclone |
| Wagon Kick | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Shadow Cyclone |
| Izuna Drop | 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Kickslash ・Complete The Way of the Ninja: Veteran |
| Height of Obscurity | 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Sky Rift ・Complete The Way of the Ninja: Veteran |
| Shadow Cyclone Combo | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Shadow Cyclone |
| Wagon Kick (Water) | 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Wagon Kick ・Unlock with Martial Arts guide |
Shadow Cyclone is one of the most efficient Ninja Swords skills, as it can be executed fast and deals significant health damage with its spinning multi-attacks. Use this skill as a finisher or as a gap closer for ground combos together with Kickslash and Hollow Stab. Sky Rift also functions the same, but it's used more as an aerial combo finisher or to chase after enemies who like to dodge back.
Wagon Kick deals a good amount of Ki damage and is best used against enemies who often guard your attacks. If you drain the target's Ki and stagger them, you can follow it up with an Izuna Drop.
When you reach mid to late-game you'll be able to unlock Shadow Cyclone Combo and Wagon Kick Water. Shadow Cyclone Combo is an even better version of the previous skill, as it allows you to do as many follow-up attacks as you want until you run out of Ki. Once this move is combined with Onmyo buffs and elemental statuses, it could decimate enemies quickly.
Ninja Style Skills
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Evade | 1 Ninja Point |
| Cicada Shell | 1 Ninja Point |
| Uncanny Bubble | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Uncanny Flame |
| Pinwheel Shuriken | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Shuriken |
| Shrapnel Bomb | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Shuriken |
| Mid-Air Dodge | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Footstool Jump |
| Enhanced Shrapnel Bomb | Prerequisite:
・Shrapnel Bomb ・Unlock with Handbook |
| Fire Shuriken | Prerequisite:
・Pinwheel Shuriken ・Unlock with Handbook |
| Glacial Calamity | Prerequisite:
・Uncanny Bubble ・Uncanny Breeze ・Complete The Way of the Ninja: Veteran |
For Ninjutsu, Evade and Cicada Shells are crucial to have as you get used to the combat of the Ninja Style. Evade regenerates Ki and gives a short invulnerability that allows you to dodge again; use this skill to put space between enemies. Cicada Shell is another important skill, as it allows you to safely maneuver behind an enemy, giving you the chance to backstab them with Martial Arts or strong attacks.
The Shrapnel Bomb and Pinwheel Shuriken are cheap, fast, and decently ranged Ninja Tools to use for flying enemies, to attract the attention of an enemy, or as an alternative to Bows and Rifles. Additionally, the Pinwheel Shuriken can hit multiple enemies and does damage on its path as it returns to you.
For additional elemental damage, use either Uncanny Flame or Uncanny Bubble to stack up on status ailments. These Ninjutsu are most effective when your Skill and Intellect stats are high.
Crucible Arts
| Falling Moon | Spin and slash in mid-descent (For use while airborne). |
|---|---|
| Morning Light (Optional) |
This skill allows you to do an attack when downed to spring back up. |
As for Crucible Arts you can use, the Falling Moon is a good finisher for aerial combos and does decent Ki damage; however, proper timing is needed when using as it can easily be punished. Optionally, you can opt for Morning Light, which is a defensive skill that allows you do an attack as you get up from being downed.
Best Combo for Ninja Swords
Wagon Kick to Kickslash
The Kickslash is quite efficient in damaging the enemy's Ki, so it's best used as part of your basic combo chain. Start with a Wagon Kick to dash forward, then execute a Mist to reset your position. After that, follow it up with a quick attack transitioning to a Kickslash. Use this combo to take out individual enemies quickly.
Footstool Jump to Sky Rift
This is a mid-air descending combo that's best use against human enemies, especially those that like to guard your attacks like Hattori Hanzo. Perform a Foostool Jump on your target to maneuver behind them, then transition to a Sky Rift. If timed right, it can hit an enemy multiple times and instantly drains their Ki.
Consider pairing this combo with a Power Talisman or any elemental talisman for additional damage and buildup. Note that this combo can be risky and uses up a lot of Ki, and is easily punishable if Footstool Jump is not timed correctly, so it's best to use when finishing off targets.
Best Skills for Ninja Swords
Secret Skills Text
| Secret Skill | Effects |
|---|---|
| Evil-Dispelling Evade | Dispels the Yokai Realm from an area where you have successfully Evaded. |
| Dodging | Reduces Ki consumed when dodging by 10.0% |
| Snakebite Technique | Increases the amount of damage over time you inflict upon enemies by 16.0% |
| Armor Piercer | Increases damage dealt by Final Blow and Grapple by 10.0%. |
| Awakening | Allows to use Onmyo Magic faster. |
| Panacea Curefast | Increase Life restored by elixirs by 15.0% |
| Lingering Spirit | Recovers 30.0% of the Amrita left at your grave when you die. |
The Evil-Dispelling Evade is a must-have Secret Skill for any Ninja Style user, as it is the only way to clear Yokai Realm pools. It requires having the Ninja Style skill Evade to be used. Dodging is also required for its decrease in Ki consumption when dodging.
For secret skills exclusive to the Ninja Style, take Snakebite Technique to get an increase in damage for status effects against enemies; this is best paired with Burn or Poison.
Common Secret Styles like Panacea Curefast will allow you to survive battles even if you have a few Elixirs left, while Lingering Spirit is a good safety net in case you fail to retrieve your grave after dying.
Best Guardian Spirits for Ninja Swords
| Early Game | |
|---|---|
| Mid Game |
Use Enko in Early Game
| Enko | ATK | DEF | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
|
12 | 11 | Fire |
| Quest | |||
| The Hamamatsu Incident | |||
| Special Effects | |||
|
・Melee Damage vs Scorched Enemy +6.3%
・Damage Over Time +10.6% ・Damage Taken Over Time +16.8% ・Amrita Gauge Charge +6.9% Requirements: Destroy 12 Spikes ・Reduced Spirit Force Consumption -7.4% Requirements: Destroy 13 Spikes |
|||
| Guardian Spirit Skill | |||
|
・Blazing Claw (Spirit Force: 60)
・Hellfire Maul (Spirit Force: 40) |
|||
As this build will use Fire as one of its elemental buffs, it's best to use Enko for the Melee Damage vs. Scorched Enemy and Damage Over Time special effects. Both of these special effects will strengthen the Burn status ailment inflicted on your target. Moreover, Enko provides Reduced Spirit Force Consumption, which allows you to use Hellfire Maul more often. Enko also has Amrita Gauge Charge which charges your Living Artifact form faster.
Use Kongojishi (Ninja) in Mid Game
| Kongojishi (Ninja) |
ATK | DEF | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
13 | 18 | Fire |
| Quest | |||
| The Battle of Saigagake | |||
| Special Effects | |||
|
・Increased Damage Dealt (Evade)
・Fire Damage +8.6% ・Life +130 ・Ki Recovery Speed (Unscathed) +6.0% ・Melee Damage (Unscathed) +7.6% Requirements: Destroy 16 Spikes |
|||
| Guardian Spirit Skill | |||
| ・Inferno Rush (Spirit Force: 40) | |||
After defeating Takeda Shingen's Yokai Form, you will receive Kongojishi for the two styles. For this build, we will be using Kongojishi in the Ninja Style for its additional Fire Damage and Life special effects, this will enhance any Fire-based attacks you do. Additionally, Kongojishi has Increased Damage Dealt (Evade) which makes counterattacking after you succesfully evade more viable to do.
Kongojishi (Ninja) Guardian Spirit Guide
Best Soul Cores for Ninja Swords
| Yang Position |
|---|
| Yin Position |
Use Infernal Oni-bi Soul Core for Yang
| Infernal Oni-bi Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Burn Accumulation +3.5% ・Fire Damage +4.4% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Infernal Oni-bi x3 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Fire Talisman x3 |
The Infernal Oni-bi is best used in the Yang position, as it increases the Burn build-up for your Fire attacks. This gives you more chances to stack up on other elemental damages to inflict Confused status effect on an enemy. 6 Magic points to unlock all of Infernal Oni-bi's special effects.
Use Sunakake-baba Soul Core for Yang
| Sunakake-baba Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Ki Pulse Bonus +50 ・Blindness (Onmyo Magic Hit) Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Sunakake-baba x4 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Devigorate Talisman x3 |
Sunakake-baba provides the Blindness (Onmyo Magic Hit) in the Yang position. Hitting an enemy with any offensive Onmyo Magic inflicts the Blindness status ailment, disorienting their movements and causing them to attack in random directions and providing a huge opportunity to do backstabs or get to safety and heal up.
Use Jakotsu-baba Soul Core for Yin
| Jakotsu-baba Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Water Damage +4.4% ・Auto-Grave Recovery +17.0% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Jakotsu-baba x2 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Water Familiar Talisman x4 |
Jakotsu-baba gives the Water Familiar Talisman when inserted into the Yin position. Use this talisman to build up the Saturated status ailment in tandem with the Burn effect to inflict Confusion on a target and make them take more damage. If you run out of talismans to keep Saturated up, use the Uncanny Bubble Ninjutsu to keep the status ailment.
Use Kyokotsu Soul Core for Yin
| Kyokotsu Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Damage Take (Critical) -3.5% ・Melee Damage +2.0% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Kyokotsu x3 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Weakness Talisman x2 |
The Kyokutsu Soul Core grants the Weakness Talisman in the Yin position. This talisman temporarily lowers the enemy's defense and is especially useful for targets with large health pools. Combine this with the Power Talisman and elemental damage to easily take out enemies.
Use Yoki Soul Core for Yin
| Yoki Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Spirit Force Bonus (Purification) +20 ・Defense +10 Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Yoki x4 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Power Talisman x5 |
Yoki gives the Power Talisman in the Yin position. This buff is generally useful for increasing your damage temporarily, helping you inflict damage faster and consistently. This talisman does not last very long, so it's best to recast it during battle, or consider investing more points into Intellect to make them last longer.
Ninja Swords Tips and Tricks
Spend Your Prestige Points to Get Bonuses
Prestige Points can be used to obtain permanent bonuses (known as Prestige) to enhance a variety of stats from 9 different categories. For the Ninja Style, we suggest using your points on some of the following Prestige:
- Ninja: Dodge Ki Consumption, Melee Attack Ki Consumption
- Tactics: Ki Recovery Speed, Onmyo Magic Power
- Subjugation: Amrita Earned, Damage Taken (Ki Depleted)
- Exploration: Medicine Efficacy
- Crucible: Amrita Earned (Crucible)
Take note that the Prestige Points you've spent can be reset and redistributed to another bonus within the same category.
How to Get Prestige Points?
To get more Prestige Points for a category, fulfill a milestone or complete challenges to earn Titles. To see the available Titles you can unlock, open the Main Menu then go to Titles > Title List.
Use Equipment Suited to Your Level
To get the best bonuses, always use equipment that suits your current level. Using underleved items will give you less attack bonuses for weapons, and less defense bonuses for armor.
Use Purple Rarity If Possible
Items with Purple (Exotic) rarities provide better and rarer special effects. Additionally, you'll sometimes find better combinations of special effects from Exotic weapons.
Raise the Tonfa to Full Familiarity
Constantly using weapons will increase its Familiarity. Weapons with full Familiarity gets a significant bonus in damage.
Nioh 3 Related Guides
All Samurai Builds
| Samurai Weapons | ||
|---|---|---|
 Swords |
 Dual Swords |
 Spears |
 Axes |
 Odachi |
 Switchglaives |
 Cestesus |
||
All Ninja Builds
| Ninja Weapons | ||
|---|---|---|
 Ninja Swords |
 Dual Ninja Swords |
 Kusarigama |
 Tonfa |
 Hatchets |
 Splitstaff |
 Talons |
||
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Best Ninja Swords Build
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