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Nioh 3
Best Dual Swords Build
This is a guide to the best build for Dual Swords in Nioh 3. See the best armor and accessories to use with the Dual Swords, which Guardian Spirit and Soul Cores to equip, as well as which stat scaling to prioritize.
List of Contents
Dual Swords Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| ✔︎ Extremely fast attacks and combos
✔︎ High mobility ✔︎ Easy to maintain Ki and chain attacks |
✖︎ Low damage and relies on combos
✖︎ Committing to long combos can leave you vulnerable |
Dual Swords excel at extremely fast attacks and fluid combos, allowing for high mobility and sustained offensive pressure. Their low Ki cost makes it easy to chain attacks continuously.
However, each individual strike deals relatively low damage, so the weapon relies on combos to be effective, and committing to long sequences can leave you vulnerable if mistimed.
Best Scaling for Dual Swords
Put Points Into Heart, Intellect, and Magic
| Dual Swords Scaling |
|---|
 Heart  Strength  Magic |
| Character Stats |
 Stamina  Intellect |
Dual Swords excel at fast combos, high mobility, and sustained offensive pressure, allowing you to stay aggressive while maintaining control of your Ki. To support this playstyle, Heart should be your primary stat, as it increases melee attack, Ki, and Ki recovery speed, which are crucial for sustaining combos.
Next, invest in Magic to equip multiple Talismans, and in Intellect to improve Effect Duration, which helps extend your buffs, as well as Ki Recovery Speed to sustain your offense. Allocate enough points into Stamina to wear heavier armor while keeping your Agility in the green range to improve survivability.
Strength also scales with Dual Swords, increasing your melee attack along with additional Ki Damage. However, it should be a low priority, as the overall boost to damage is minimal.
Use any remaining points to invest in stats that activate beneficial Special Effects from your armor and accessories, further strengthening your build.
Best Special Effects for Dual Swords
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Armor |
| Accessories | |
Best Special Effects for Weapons
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Ki Recovery Speed
・Ki Pulse Recovery ・Quick Attack Ki Consumption ・Martial Art Ki Consumption ・Martial Art Ki Damage |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Melee Damage (Ichigo Hitofuri & Oyako Toshiro)
・Melee Damage vs Winded Enemy (Kanesada & Yasutsugu) ・Imbue Wind (Regal Lion & Bone Eater) ・The Duplicitous General (Goichimonshu Dual Swords) |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
Dual Swords rely on quick attacks and chaining combos, making Ki management important. Take Special Effects that reduce Ki Consumption and improve Ki Recovery to help sustain continuous attacks. Additionally, prioritize effects that also increase overall damage to maximize the effectiveness of your fast, combo-focused playstyle.
The Goichimonshu Dual Swords is the best Dual Swords when paired with its Goichimonshu armor set, as it provides powerful set bonuses that significantly enhance both Attack and Defense when the set is completed.
Best Special Effects for Armor
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Ki Recovery Speed
・Ki Pulse Bonus ・Dodge Ki Consumption ・Damage Taken ・Toughness ・Defense |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| The Duplicitous General (Goichimonshu Set) | |
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
For armor, include additional effects that help maintain your Ki, such as increased Ki Recovery Speed, reduced Ki Consumption, and bonuses that improve Ki Pulse efficiency. Defensive effects like reduced Damage Taken, increased Toughness, and higher Defense should also be included to improve survivability.
The Goichimonshu Set is recommended because it provides valuable set bonuses, including increased Life, Life Drain (Martial Arts), and reduced Martial Arts Ki Consumption. It also grants Versatile Warrior (Ki Consumption Down), which reduces Ki consumption after a Style Shift and when performing different Martial Arts, along with enhanced Attack and Defense.
Best Special Effects for Accessories
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Fire Damage
・Water Damage ・Ki Recovery Speed ・Dodge Ki Consumption ・Untouched Elixirs |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Ki Recovery Speed (Fan)
・Effect Duration (Writing Set) ・Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) (Prayer Beads) |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
For accessories, support your elemental talismans by choosing Special Effects that boost Elemental Damage. Prioritize effects like Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption), which help replenish your health and improve survivability during combat.
Include Ki-related enhancements to help sustain your combos, such as improved Ki Recovery or reduced Ki Consumption. You can also add utility effects like Untouched Elixirs, which give you a chance not to consume an Elixir when used, improving overall survivability during fights.
Best Martial Arts for Dual Swords
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Dual Swords Martial Arts | Samurai Martial Arts |
Where to Spend Samurai Points?
Spend your Samurai Points to unlock the High and Low stances in the Samurai tree first, as these are required to access their corresponding movesets in the Dual Swords tree.
Dual Swords Martial Arts
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Winter Wind | 2 Samurai Points
Prerequisite: ・Sign of the Cross ・Sign of the Cross II |
| Raijin Lightning | 1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・Raijin ・Unlocked with a Martial Arts Guide |
| God of Wind Wind (Mid/Low Stance) |
2 Samurai Points
Prerequisite: ・God of Wind ・Unlocked with a Martial Arts Guide |
| Deflecting Cut | 1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・Sign of the Cross |
| Sign of the Cross Pierce | 1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・Sign of the Cross ・Unlocked with a Martial Arts Guide |
| Water Sword II | 1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Water Sword |
| Twin Dragons Water (Low Stance) |
-
Prerequisite: ・Low Stance ・God of Wind ・Twin Dragons ・Unlocked with a Martial Arts Guide |
| Earth Render | 1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Water Sword |
| Spinning Dragon | 3 Samurai Points
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Cherry Blossom ・Heavenly Flow ・The Way of the Warrior: Adept |
| Random Slice | 3 Samurai Points
Prerequisite: ・Raijin ・Earthly Flow |
| Momentum | 3 Samurai Points
Prerequisite: ・Low Stance ・Mortal Flow ・Mortal Flow II |
Dual Swords have a versatile set of Martial Arts that allow you to maintain pressure through fast follow-ups, continuous attacks, and flexible combo extensions.
Prioritize Winter Wind, as it turns your Ki Pulse into an offensive follow-up, making it perfect for maintaining pressure while restoring Ki. Additionally, equip Deflecting Cut to perform a counterattack whenever you successfully use Deflect.
For close combat encounters, God of Wind Wind and Spinning Dragon are excellent follow-ups to your Quick Attacks, allowing you to maintain pressure while dealing consistent damage. Meanwhile, Water Sword II allows you to remain in place while rapidly swinging your Dual Swords, striking the enemy multiple times, making it ideal for quickly applying elemental debuffs.
To deal with enemies at mid range, use Raijin Lightning, which has you slash forward in a zigzag pattern before finishing with a downward strike imbued with Lightning. Meanwhile, Sign of the Cross Pierce performs a single quick stroke that pierces through the enemy, while Random Slice lets you rush forward, swinging relentlessly with your Dual Swords, making it ideal for maintaining constant pressure.
For airborne attacks, use Twin Dragons Water to lift yourself into the air, then follow up with Earth Render for a powerful downward strike. This combo maintains offensive pressure while repositioning and deals significant damage from unexpected angles.
For Mystic Art, use Momentum, as it reduces Ki consumption for subsequent attacks, helping you sustain your offensive pressure.
Samurai Martial Arts
| Martial Arts | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Low Stance | 1 Samurai Point |
| High Stance | 1 Samurai Point |
| Deflect | 1 Samurai Point |
| Flux II | 1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Low Stance ・Flux |
To access some of the recommended Martial Arts for Dual Swords, you will need to unlock the Low and High Stance. Acquire Deflect, as it is essential for parrying enemy attacks, conserving Ki, and improving survivability.
Lastly, Flux II restores additional Ki when switching stances during a Ki Pulse, which is crucial for maintaining combos and executing the full potential of the Dual Sword.
Best Combo for Dual Swords
Spinning Dragon to Water Sword
This combo excels at applying pressure and quickly depleting enemy Ki. From High Stance, perform a Quick Attack, then follow up with Spinning Dragon. Use Winter Wind during a Ki Pulse, and finish with Water Sword.
This combo works particularly well against individual enemies, as it allows you to maximize stagger and Ki depletion while maintaining offensive pressure.
Sign of the Cross to God of Wind
This combo excels at closing the gap and delivering burst damage. From Mid Stance, perform Sign of the Cross, then follow up with a Quick Attack and God of Wind. Finish with Random Slice to rapidly deplete the enemy’s Ki.
This combo is effective because it consists of short, quick moves that rapidly stagger enemies and deplete their Ki, making it ideal against single targets.
Best Skills for Dual Swords
Secret Skills Text
| Secret Skill | Effects |
|---|---|
| Running Water | Enables you to perform a Ki Pulse by dodging. |
| Roaring Dragon Deflect | Inflicts Increased Damage Received (Elemental) on an enemy after a successful Deflect. |
| Unshakable | Reduces damage taken while you are attacking by 10.0%. |
| Awakening | Allows you to use Onmyo Magic faster. |
| Favorable Wind | Increases melee damage dealt to enemies afflicted with status ailments. |
| Oppressive Strength | Prevents you from being staggered during Strong Attcks and Martial Arts while Arts Proficiency is active. |
The listed skills provide a balance of offense and defense to complement this Dual Swords build. Running Water makes dodging more effective by turning it into a Ki Pulse, which greatly aids in recovering Ki and maintaining your combos.
If you focus on using Deflect, Roaring Dragon Deflect is an ideal skill, especially when incorporating elemental attacks, as it boosts your overall damage after a successful parry.
Awakening enhances Onmyo Magic use by allowing faster casting, while Unshakable improves survivability by reducing damage taken during clashes with enemies.
Favorable Wind is essential, as this build focuses on inflicting elemental debuffs. This skill increases melee damage against enemies afflicted with status ailments, enhancing your overall offensive output. Oppressive Strength is also beneficial, as it prevents you from being staggered while Art Proficiency is active, allowing your Martial Arts combos to continue uninterrupted.
Best Guardian Spirits for Dual Swords
Use Guhin in Early to Late Game
| Guhin | ATK | DEF | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10 | 10 | Wind |
| Quest | |||
| Unlocked at the start | |||
| Special Effects | |||
|
・Martial Arts Ki Consumption -8.4%
・Damage Taken -4.2% ・Strong Attack Break +11.0% ・Faster Winded Recovery ・Melee Damage vs Winded Enemy +8.4% |
|||
| Guardian Spirit Skill | |||
| ・Eight-Handed Blade (Spirit Force: 40) | |||
Guhin is excellent for early to late-game, as its effects and Guardian Spirit Skill pair well with the Dual Sword. It reduces Martial Arts Ki Consumption, allowing you to chain combos more efficiently.
It also provides several useful effects, including reduced Damage Taken, increased Strong Attack Break, faster Winded Recovery, which shortens the downtime after Ki depletion. In addition, Melee Damage vs. Winded Enemy boosts your damage against foes with depleted Ki, something the Dual Swords can trigger frequently due to their rapid, multi-hit attacks.
To keep Guhin effective in the late game, you can enhance Guardian Spirits through the Manage Soul Cores option at the Shrine. This option becomes available after completing The Way of Onmyo: Adept mission from the Battle Scroll.
Leveling up a Guardian Spirit costs Soul Fragments, which can be obtained by disposing of unwanted Soul Cores through the Resting Rites option.
Best Soul Cores for Dual Swords
| Yang Position |
|---|
| Yin Position |
Use Nuppeppo Soul Core for Both Yang
| Nuppeppo Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Life +100 ・Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) 12 Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Nuppeppo x3 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Rejuvenation Talisman x5 |
Nuppeppo provides strong survivability effects, including increased Life and Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption), which synergize well with the Extraction Talisman. When summoned, Nuppeppo lunges forward with a spinning attack that hits all nearby enemies, making it excellent for crowd control.
You can carry three Nuppeppo Summoning Seals, and they are replenished at the Shrine.
Use Gaki Chief Soul Core for Yin
| Gaki Chief Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Amrita Gauge Charge +7.5% ・Strong Attack Ki Damage +3.5% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Gaki Chief x2 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Extraction Talisman x5 |
Gaki provides the Extraction Talisman, which generates Amrita from enemies with any attack. This synergizes well with Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption), replenishing your Life while on offense.
You can carry five Extraction Talismans at a time. They are replenished when resting at a Shrine.
Use Infernal Oni-bi Soul Coure for Yin
| Infernal Oni-bi Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Burn Accumulation (Enemy) +3.5% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Infernal Oni-bi x3 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Fire Talisman x3 |
Infernal Oni-bi provides the Fire Talisman, which imbues your Dual Swords with the Fire Element. This builds up the Burn status, causing enemies to take damage over time.
You can equip up to three Fire Talismans at a time, and they are replenished when resting at a Shrine.
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 provides the Water Familiar Talisman, which summons floating orbs that deal Water Damage to nearby enemies. This builds up the Saturated status, increasing the damage enemies take.
You can equip up to four Water Familiar Talismans at a time, and they are replenished when resting at a Shrine.
Use Nurikabe Soul Core for Yin
| Nurikabe Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Damage Taken -2.0% ・Decreased Elemental Damage(Guarding) -0.8% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Nurikabe x3 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Steel Talisman x5 |
Nurikabe provides the Steel Talisman, which temporarily increases your Defense, making it essential for added survivability.
You can equip up to five Steel Talismans at a time, and they are replenished when resting at a Shrine.
Dual Swords Tips and Tricks
Maintain Short and Controlled Combos
Dual Swords are most effective when using short, single or follow-up Martial Arts rather than long, committed combos. Deal damage in quick bursts, then reposition or dodge before continuing your offense. This keeps pressure on enemies while reducing the risk of being punished during long animations.
Take advantage of longer combos when the enemy is staggered, as the Dual Swords’ fast multi-hit attacks can easily maintain pressure during these openings.
Manage Your Ki Properly
Because of the Dual Swords’ fast attack speed, it is easy to consume Ki quickly if you overcommit. Perform Ki Pulse consistently and make use of skills like Running Water to recover Ki while dodging, allowing you to maintain offense without exhausting yourself.
Take Advantage of Elemental Effects
Elementally imbued Dual Swords can build up status effects rapidly thanks to their fast attacks and high hit count. Use elemental Talismans to inflict multiple statuses, which triggers the Confusion debuff and significantly increases your overall damage output.
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 this Dual Swords build, we suggest using your points on some of the following Prestige:
- Samurai: Melee Attack Ki Consumption, Martial Art Ki Damage
- Tactics: Ki Recovery Speed, Onmyo Magic Power
- Subjugation: Final Blow/Grapple Damage, Elemental Damage
- Formidable Enemies: Melee Ki Damage, Melee Damage vs. Winded Enemy
- Exploration: Medicine Efficacy, Dash Ki Consumption
- Collection: Martial Art Damage, Damage Bonus (Equipment Weight)
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.
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 Dual Swords Build
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