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Nioh 3
Best Kusarigama Build
This is a guide to the best build for Kusarigama in Nioh 3. See the best armor and accessories to use with the Kusarigama, which Guardian Spirit and Soul Cores to equip, as well as which stats to level up.
List of Contents
Attention! |
The following builds are currently based on early-game content. We are working on improving them as information becomes available.
|
|---|
Kusarigama Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| ✔︎ Can create wide arcs that hit multiple enemies.
✔︎ Has good range and speed. ✔︎ Works well with hit-and-run tactics. |
✖︎ Positioning and timing are important when using combos.
✖︎ Blocking feels like a punishment. |
The Kusarigama has both long and short-range attacks. Its long-range metal chain does sweeping arcs to hit multiple enemies at once, often from a distance. The sickle functions as your strong attack for close-range combat. Like any Ninja weapon, the Kusarigama's attacks are fast and can do multi-hits.
Because of its rather sluggish attack wind-up, the Kusarigama requires proper timing and positioning before committing to combos. If you're not yet confident with chaining moves, it's viable to use for hit-and-run tactics with its decent base attack and Ki damage.
Best Stats for Kusarigama
| Kusarigama Scaling |
|---|
 Constitution  Skill  Magic |
| Character Stats |
 Heart  Stamina |
The Kusarigama scales with Constitution, Skill, and Magic. As this weapon covers Constitution, you'll also end up with a high Life stat. Conversely, Skill enhances the effectiveness of Ninjutsu, while Magic increases the effects of Onmyo. Having a high Magic stat unlocks special effects from Soul Cores in the Yang position.
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 Kusarigama
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Armor |
| Accessories | |
Best Special Effects for Weapons
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Life Drain (Quick Attack)
・Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) ・Melee Ki Damage ・Attack Bonus (Constitution/Skill/Magic) ・Ki Recovery Speed ・Onmyo Ki Damage ・Final Blow/Grapple Damage |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Quick Attack Ki Consumption
Weapons: Spy's Kusarigama ・Martial Arts Damage Weapons: Crescent Moon Kusarigama |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
Having Life Drain (Quick Attack) and Quick Attack Ki Consumption would benefit the Kusarigama as you'll mainly use the chain of the weapon instead of the strong attack with the sickle. Quick Attack Ki Consumption can be found in Spy's Kusarigama as a fixed special effect.
Best Special Effects for Armor
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Toughness
・Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) ・Ki ・Ki Recovery Speed ・Faster Movement (Onmyo Magic) ・Defense Bonus (Constitution/Skill/Magic) ・Auto Life Recovery (Evade) ・Yokai Realm Resistance |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・ Dodge Ki Consumption
Armor: Ascetic, Heir's Shinobi |
|
| Armor Sets | |
| Devout Practitioner Set
・Life +100 (2 pieces) ・Melee Damage +3.0% (3 pieces) ・Dodge Ki Consumption -25.0% (4 pieces) |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
Special effects that are generally good to have in Armor are Defense Bonus, Toughness, and Yokai Realm Resistance. Dodge Ki Consumption is found in Ascetic, or Heir's Shinobi armor pieces. Some of the rarer special effects to look out for are Auto Life Recovery (Evade) and Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) to add to your survivability.
Consider getting at least 2 to 4 pieces of the Kobo Daishi armor to get the Devout Practitioner set bonus. This armor set will be available mid-game (around level 80 or more).
Best Special Effects for Accessories
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Living Artifact Duration
・Spirit Force Charge ・Spirit Force Bonus (Water Damage) ・Water Damage ・Ki ・Imbue Water |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Ki Recovery Speed
Accessories: Fan |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
For Accessories, special effects that extends the Living Artifact duration will be helpful to stay in that form. Using the Guardian Spirit Skills requires Spirit Force, so consider getting special effects like Spirit Force Charge, or Spirit Force Bonus depending on the element you're using. Lastly, Ki and Ki Recovery special effects are a must for any Ninja Style weapon.
Best Ninjutsu and Martial Arts
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Kusarigama Skills | Ninja Style Skill |
Where to Spend Skill Points?
Spend your points on the Kusarigama and Ninja Style skill trees to learn new combos for the Kusarigama, while also acquiring useful Ninjutsu and Martial Arts.
Kusarigama Skills
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Leaping Strike | Unlocked at the start |
| Crimson Flurry | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Whirlwind Kick |
| Deadly Mark | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Whirlwind Kick |
| Reedcutter | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Reaper |
| Foot Sweep | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Serpent Strike |
| Whirlwind | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Serpent Strike |
| Whirlwind (Wind) | 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Whirlwind ・Unlock with Martial Arts Guide |
| Pollard | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Leaping Strike |
| Flying Top | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Leaping Strike |
For Kusarigama skills, Deadly Mark is used to start your combo, as this move propels you forward upon hitting an enemy. Then follow it up with Whirlwind and Crimson Flurry, as well as aerial attacks like Leaping Strikes, Pollard, or Flying Top. Use Reedcutter to step away from enemies, or Foot Sweep to parry strikes.
Remember to use your Onmyo Magic, Ninjutsu, and Talismans to gain buffs or elemental advantages during combat. We recommend using Water Familiar Talisman, Uncanny Bubble, or any weapon that deals water-based attacks to build up the Saturation status effect.
Ninja Style Skills
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Mist | Unlocked at the start |
| Evade | 1 Ninja Point |
| Kunai | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Shuriken |
| Uncanny Bubble | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Uncanny Flame |
| Uncanny Bolt | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Uncanny Flame |
For Ninjutsu, Evade is always a must for the Ninja Style as this can be combined with Evil-Dispelling Evade Secret Skill to get effects similar to a Ki Pulse. Having Uncanny Bubble or Uncanny Bolt can be used to stack up elemental status effects. However, the elements you use can be replaced with the elemental weakness of the opponent. Lastly, use the Kunai to inflict quick chip damage.
Best Skills for Kusarigama
Secret Skills Text
| Secret Skill | Effects |
|---|---|
| Evil-Dispelling Evade | Dispels the Yokai Realm from an area where you have successfully Evaded. |
| Armor Piercer | Increases damage dealt by Final Blow and Grapple by 10.0%. |
| Tachi Arts | Increase melee attack by 8.4% against enemies with maximum Life. |
| 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 one of the most important Secret Skill for the Ninja Style. When combined with the Evade Ninjutsu, it has the same effects as the Samurai Style's Ki Pulse, so it is highly recommended to acquire both skills as soon as possible. Awakening is valuable too, as plenty of Ninja weapons scale with Magic, so using Onmyo and Talismans are often encouraged.
Other Secret Skills of note are Panacea Curefast and Lingering Spirit. As these are Common Secret Skills, they provide effects that apply to both Samurai and Ninja Styles.
For combat, Taichi Arts and Armor Piercer are easily found within the Warring States period, but these Secret Skills can be changed based on your weapon or play style.
Best Guardian Spirits for Kusarigama
| Kusanagi | ATK | DEF | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
|
12 | 7 | Water |
| Quest | |||
| The Fall of Edo Castle | |||
| Special Effects | |||
|
・ Aerial Attack Damage +8.4%
・ Water Damage Reduction +13 ・ Ki Consumption (Jump) -10.8% ・Quick Attack Damage +5.7% ・Spirit Force Charge (Backstab) +11.0% |
|||
| Guardian Spirit Skill | |||
| ・ Heaven's Drops | |||
For Guardian Spirits, consider using Kusanagi (Ninja), as its attacks inflict water damage. This also helps to maintain buildup of Saturation when attacking in Living Weapon form and Guardian Spirit Skills. This Guardian Spirit also has the special effects Quick Attack Damage and Aerial Attack Damage, both of which could buff your combos and finish fights faster.
Kusanagi's Guardian Spirit Skill launches a kick cloaked in water towards an enemy. If the kick lands, it will release a shockwave and move you behind your target. This skill will inflict heavy Water damage while positioning you behind, allowing you to do backstabs or retreat.
This form of Kusanagi is only available when you choose Ninja Style during The Fall of Edo Castle main quest. If you didn't do so, you can use Nekomata as the Guardian Spirit instead.
Best Soul Cores for Kusarigama
Use Jakotsu-baba Soul Core for Yang
| 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 |
Use Jakotsu-baba's Soul Core in the Yang position to get an increase in Water Damage when using Uncanny Bubble or Water Familiar Talismans. The Auto-Recovery Grave special effect can also be useful, as it gives you a small chance to recover your grave after dying.
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 |
Put the Yoki Soul Core in the Yin position to get Power Talismans. Use these magical items to increase your attack. Alternatively, you can replace Yoki with another Soul Core that has other elemental Talisman instead.
Kusarigama 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 Kusarigama to Full Familiarity
Constantly using weapons will increase its Familiarity. Weapons with full Familiarity gets a damage bonus, and some of its special effect can be inherited through Soul Match.
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 Kusarigama Build
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