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Nioh 3

Best Splitstaff Build

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Best Splitstaff Build Nioh 3

This is a guide to the best build for Splitstaff in Nioh 3. See the best armor and accessories to use with the Splitstaff, which Guardian Spirit and Soul Cores to equip, as well as which stats to level up.

Splitstaff Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses
✔︎ Can dish out solid Ki damage with blunt strikes.
✔︎ Has a variety of short and long-range skills.
✔︎ Its Fluid Form can create wide arcs to hit multiple enemies at once.
✖︎ Has low health damage without the Fluid Form.
✖︎ Skills consume a lot of Ki, especially in Fluid Form.
✖︎ Some of the moves' wind-ups are slow.
✖︎ Mastery of when to execute the Fluid Form is necessary to avoid being punished.

The Splitstaff is a blunt polearm weapon with a unique mechanic called Fluid Form that changes the Splitstaff's form by holding down the button used to attack or execute a skill. Using the Fluid Form increases either the range or the number of hits done by an attack depending on the Martial Arts you've used. This could change the way you perform combos and opens different approaches to fighting enemies.

Some Splitstaff skills greatly benefit when executed in the Fluid Form. Shin Crusher and Twin Phoenix are prime examples, and using Fluid Form on these moves increases their range and allows them to hit more enemies.

Without the Fluid Form, however, the Splitstaff lacks raw damage and range, so you'll often have to be closer to enemies to deal damage. Conversely, using the Fluid Form consumes heavy amounts of Ki and would require holding down a move for a few seconds, making you vulnerable to counterattacks. Proper Ki management and knowing when to use Fluid Form are crucial in making the most of the Splitstaff's diverse moveset.

Best Scaling for Splitstaff

Put Points Into Strength, Magic, and Intellect

Splitstaff Scaling
Strength Strength
Intellect Intellect
Magic Magic
Character Stats
Constitution Constitution
Stamina.png Stamina

The Splitstaff specializes in damaging Ki through hard blunt strikes while combining versatile skills to do multi-hits or attack enemies from a distance. As most of your Ki damage will come from Strength, it's recommended to prioritize this stat especially during early game. We will also be using a bit of Onmyo Magic for buffs and element stacking, so invest in the Magic to make your talismans more effective. Then, raise your Intellect to extend the duration of your buff talismans and lessen the need to recast them often.

If you have excess Amrita to spare, increase your Constitution for health, as well as Stamina to be able to wear armor without going beyond 70% of your equipment weight.

Best Special Effects for Splitstaff

Jump to Section!
Weapon Armor
Accessories

Best Special Effects for Weapons

Common Special Effects
・Imbue Water
・Ki Damage vs Saturated Enemy
・Martial Arts Ki Consumption
・Ki Recovery Speed
・Attack Bonus (Magic/Strength/Intellect)
・Onmyo Ki Damage
・Grapple/Final Blow Damage
Fixed Special Effects
・Melee Attack Ki Consumption
Weapons: Seven Scalp Splitstaff
・Melee Damage
Weapons: Head Ninja's Splitstaff
・Martial Art Damage
Weapons: Elite Warrior's Splitstaff

You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.

This build will focus on building Saturation to increase the Splitstaff's HP damage while dishing out powerful Ki damage. It's recommended to have Imbue Water to accelerate the buildup of Saturation while attacking, making enemies receives more damage for as long as the status ailment persists.

However, if you don't have access to this effect yet, you can get special effects that increase Ki recovery, Ki consumption reduction, or Attack Bonus instead. Ki recovery is crucial, as the Splitstaff's moveset can use up Ki very quickly. This helps you perform more combos while lessening the need for Ki management.

Best Special Effects for Armor

Common Special Effects
・Auto Life Recovery (Evade)
・Ki
・Ki Recovery Speed
・Decrease Damage Taken
・Ki Damage vs Saturated Enemy
・Faster Movement (Onmyo Magic Hit)
・Spirit Force Bonus (Water Damage)
・Defense Bonus (Magic/Strength/Intellect)
Fixed Special Effects
・Dodge Ki Consumption
Armor:
・ Ascetic armor piece
・ Heir's Shinobi armor piece
Armor Sets
Kobo Daishi Armor Set (Devout Practitioner)

You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.

For Armor, try to get as many pieces with Ki Recovery Speed or Faster Ki Recovery (Amrita Absorption) as using Splitstaff moves, especially in Fluid Form, drains Ki quickly. Equipping enough Ki recovery special effects will prevent you from being winded and grappled by your opponent. Additionally, this ensures that you have enough Ki to do other actions like evading or dashing. It's also recommended to wear armor with Defense bonuses so you can absorb strikes when fighting close to enemies.

The Devious Practitioner bonus from the Kobo Daishi armor set has special effects fitting for the Splitstaff, and wearing 5 pieces from this set grants you the Enhanced Attack & Defense (SPLITSTAFF) special effect. Moreover, the Devout Practitioner also gives Melee Damage, Dodge Ki Consumption, and Attack Bonus (Magic).

Best Special Effects for Accessories

Common Special Effects
・Saturation Accumulation
・Ki
・Toughness
・Ki Damage vs. Saturated Enemies
・Imbue Water
・Spirit Force Bonus (Water Damage)
・Living Artifact Duration
Fixed Special Effects
・Life
Accessories: Omamori
・Ki Recovery Speed
Accessories: Fan (White)
・Onmyo Magic Power
Accessories: Divination Board

You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.

Equip Accessories that also raise your Ki as you will be using the Splitstaff's Fluid Form to deal stronger damage. Having Life and Toughness are good as well for better survivability. Lastly, try to get Living Artifact Duration and Spirit Force Bonus to be able to use your Guardian Spirit in combat more often.

If you cannot find a weapon with Imbue Water, you can use any Accessory that has that special effect instead.

Best Ninjutsu and Martial Arts for Splitstaff

Jump to Section!
Splitstaff Skills Ninja Style Skills
Crucible Arts

Where to Spend Skill Points?

Spend your points on the Splitstaff and Ninja Style skill trees to learn new combos for the Splitstaff, while also acquiring useful Ninjutsu and Martial Arts.

Splitstaff Skills

Skills Requirements
Seesaw Strike Unlocked at the start
Fluid Form Unlocked at the start
Twin Phoenix 1 Ninja Point
Twin Phoenix Extend 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Twin Phoenix
・Unlock with Martial Arts Guide
Serpent Sweep 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Shin Crusher
Serpent Sweep (Water) 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Shin Crusher
Serpent Sweep
Swirling Tides 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite:
Seesaw Strike
Dragon Dance
Wrapping Flail 3 Ninja Points
Prerequisite:
Seesaw Strike
Dragon Dance
Swirling Tides
Roar Power 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Fluid Form
Darting Cloud 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Fluid Form
Radiant Moon 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite:
Fluid Form
Darting Cloud
Deft Counter 3 Ninja Points
Prerequisite:
Shin Crusher
Shin Crusher II
Shockstopper
Law of Largesse 3 Ninja Points
Prerequisite:
Coiled Strike
Side Splitter
・Complete Way of the Ninja: Veteran

The Splitstaff's moveset often relies on using the Fluid Form to get the most power out of your attacks. When successfully executed, it can often deal heavy Ki damage, stagger a target, or hit more enemies at once. Fluid Form is best applied to skills like the Twin Phoenix, which extends its range and widens its spinning arcs, making it more effective for crowd control.

Roar Power is a wind-up skill with a range that can be extended further with Fluid Form. Hitting an enemy with this skill causes strong HP and Ki damage, and it can be used to finish off targets from a safe distance. This move is best used when the enemy is presenting a large opening; otherwise it might leave you vulnerable to counterattacks.

Other Splitstaff skills to note are the positioning moves that can get you behind an enemy easily, like Radiant Moon and Darting Cloud. Radiant Moon, in particular, is easy to execute and one of the best ways to deal backstabs with the Splitstaff. Darting Cloud, on the other hand, changes the way Mist behaves and has you use the Splitstaff to leap in a direction instead of dodging. The distance of Darting Cloud's jump can be extended using the Fluid Form.

How to use the Fluid Form for Splitstaff

To use the Fluid Form of a skill, hold down the button(s) used when doing the attack. If successfully triggered, your character will either do an additional move using the rope part of the Splitstaff, or make the attack's range longer.

For example, when doing Shin Crusher, simply pressing the button will do a quick swipe with the Splitstaff, but holding the button will have you do a quick swipe and then a follow-up spinning attack that makes its reach longer.

Just be warned that using the Fluid Form consumes Ki quickly in exchange for better damage. Moreover, holding down your attack will leave you open to be punished by enemies who do not stagger immediately (especially bosses). Timing and positioning are often required to master the Fluid Form.

Ninja Style Skills

Skills Requirements
Evade 1 Ninja Point
Kunai 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Shuriken
Uncanny Breeze 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Uncanny Flame
Shrapnel Bomb 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Shuriken
Gunpowder Bomb
Fire Shuriken Prerequisite:
・Learned from a Handbook
Shadowstitch 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
・Learned from a Handbook
Tempestuous Calamity 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite:
Uncanny Flame
Uncanny Breeze

For Ninjutsu, Evade is always a must-have defensive tool for the Splitstaff as it is used to put gaps between targets and gives you a chance to heal or recover some Ki. This strategy is often needed when using this weapon, especially with Fluid Form that drains Ki rapidly. Moreover, since spacing is a crucial strategy, it gives you the opportunity to pelt your target with the Shrapnel Bomb or Fire Shuriken, both dealing high amounts of fire and explosive damage. You can also use Uncanny Bubble or Glacial Calamity to deal decent Water damage and to help maintain Saturation buildup from a distance.

When facing an enemy head-on, use Shadowstitch to stop your target in place for a very short period of time, allowing you to deal damage or cancel their dangerous attacks like grabs and Burst Attacks.

Crucible Arts

Ebb and Flow Unleash two additional strikes after a Strong Attack, turn your back on the enemy and then rotate the extended part of the splitstaff behind you again. Hold the button to extend the splitstaff without rotating the extended part.

The Ebb and Flow skill has you do two additional spin strikes, both from the rope part of the Splitstaff. This move can be included in your basic melee combo and is quite effective in staggering the opponent due to its quick and successive spin attacks. Using the Fluid Form on this move transforms the second spin into a straight blunt strike instead, causing strong Ki damage.

Best Combo for Splitstaff

Darting Cloud to Ebb and Flow

This basic combo uses Darting Cloud to leap behind an enemy then doing the Ebb and Flow as you land. It is easy to execute, has a fast move recovery, and is effective in staggering an opponent while dealing backstab damage. Ebb and Flow is especially useful for this combo as it doesn't require using Fluid Form to do a spin attack. However, using Fluid Form will deal more Ki damage.

Seesaw Strikes and Elemental Onmyo Combo

Seesaw Strikes is an efficient but extremely Ki-consuming way of building up Saturation on an enemy, which can be followed up with Tempestuous Calamity or by throwing the wind orbs from the Wind Familiar Talisman to build up Bluster. If both status ailments are successfully inflicted, the opponent will suffer from Confusion which makes them even more vulnerable to damage. Adding another status ailment to an already Confused enemy increases the damage they receive further.

Best Skills for Splitstaff

Use Common and Ninja Skills

Secret Skill Effects & Type
Evil-Dispelling Evade Dispels the Yokai Realm from an area where you have successfully Evaded.
Ninja Skill (Passive)
Armor Piercer Increases damage dealt by Final Blow and Grapple by 10.0%.
Ninja Skill (Passive)
Tachi Arts Increase melee attack by 8.4% against enemies with maximum Life.
Ninja Skill (Passive)
Awakening Allows to use Onmyo Magic faster.
Common Skill (Mastery)
Panacea Curefast Increase Life restored by elixirs by 15.0%
Common Skill (Passive)
Lingering Spirit Recovers 30.0% of the Amrita left at your grave when you die.
Common Skill (Passive)

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 playstyle.

Best Guardian Spirits for Splitstaff

Early Game
Mid Game
Late Game

Use Nekomata in Early Game and Mid Game

Nekomata ATK DEF Element
Nekomata 10 10 Lightning
Quest
The Fall of Edo Castle
Special Effects
・Ninjutsu Ki Damage +7.3%
・Ki Recovery Speed +6.2%
・Quick Attack Break +10.6 %
・Melee Attack Ki Consumption
・Final Blow/Grapple Damage
Guardian Spirit Skill
・Electrified Kunai (Spirit Force: 60)
・Thunderclaw Kick (Spirit Force: 40)

For this build, use Nekomata from early game to mid game, as it provides special effects such as Melee Attack Ki Consumption and Ki Recovery Speed. These special effects ensure you'll always have enough Ki to maintain combos and do other actions. Additionally, Nekomata also has Quick Attack Break which increases your ability to damage the enemy's Ki bar faster and putting them in a winded state, opening them to a grapple or final blow.

For Nekomata's skill, use Thunderclaw Kick to perform a backflip kick that deals Lightning damage and allows you to dodge away from enemies.

Use Kurama Tengu in Late Game

Kurama Tengu ATK DEF Element
Kurama Tengu 18 11 Fire
Quest
The Age of Clans Begins
Special Effects
・Martial Arts Ki Damage +6.6%
・Enemy Sensor
・Wind Damage Reduction +18
・Spirit Force Bonus (Elixir) +12
・Elemental Damage +7.2%
Guardian Spirit Skill
・Kurama's Tempest (Spirit Force: 60)
・Kurama's Slicer (Spirit Force: 30)

Use Kurama Tengu to increase Martial Arts Ki Damage and Elemental Damage. This will help make your combos imbued with Water damage more efficient in dealing hits to HP. Additionally, Kurama's Slicer deals Wind damage and accumulates the Bluster special effect. Adding a second element to buildup, together with Saturation, inflicts Confusion on the enemy and causes them to receive even more damage.

Best Soul Cores for Splitstaff

Yang Position
Yin Position

Use Mezuki Soul Core for Yang

Mezuki Soul Core
Mezuki
Yang Position Special Effects:
・Ki Recovery Speed +2.5%
・Strong Attack Ki Damage +3.5%
Yokai Ability:
・Summoning Seal: Mezuki x2
Yin Position Talisman:
・Cutting Blast Talisman x4

Mezuki is equipped in the Yang position for its Ki Recovery Speed and Strong Attack Ki Damage, both of which are important when using the Splitstaff. Ki Recovery Speed is especially needed as the Splitstaff consumes a heavy amount of Ki when attacking and doing combos.

Use Bloodedge Demon Soul Core for Yang

Bloodedge Demon Soul Core
Bloodedge Demon
Yang Position Special Effects:
・Elemental Damage +5.5%
・Damage vs. Revenants +7.5%
Yokai Ability:
・Summoning Seal: Bloodedge Demon x1
Yin Position Talisman:
・Carnage Talisman x5

The Bloodedge Demon is equipped in the Yang position to further strengthen Elemental Damage. This increases the HP damage dealt by your weapons that are imbued with elements. Moreover, the Summoning Seal for the Bloodedge Demon is quite strong and deals both physical and elemental damage.

How to beat Bloodedge Demon

Use Kamaitachi Soul Core for Yin

Kamaitachi Soul Core
Kamaitachi
Yang Position Special Effects:
・Wind Damage +4.4%
・Dodge Ki Consumption +8.0%
Yokai Ability:
・Summoning Seal: Kamaitachi x2
Yin Position Talisman:
・Wind Familiar Talisman x4

Use Kamaitachi to get the Wind Familiar Talismans. These will be the fastest way to inflict Bluster upon an enemy while also dealing Wind damage. Blustered enemies get an increase to Ki damage, as well as increasing the Ki they use when attacking.

How to Beat Kamaitachi

Use Maelstrom Oni-bi Soul Core for Yin

Maelstrom Oni-bi Soul Core Soul Core
Maelstrom Oni-bi
Yang Position Special Effects:
・Saturation Accumulation (Enemy) +3.5%
・Water Damage +4.4%
Yokai Ability:
・Summoning Seal: Kamaitachi x2
Yin Position Talisman:
・Water Talisman x4

To build up Saturation during battle, use the Maelstrom Oni-bi Soul Core to get the Water Talisman. Activate this before or during combat to imbue your weapon and deal Water damage, as well as inflict Saturation which increases the damage an enemy receives. Pair Saturation with building up Bluster to inflict Confusion on your opponents.

Use Otoroshi Soul Core for Yang

Otoroshi Soul Core
Otoroshi
Yang Position Special Effects:
・Ki Recovery Speed +2.5%
・Life Recovery (Yokai Realm)
Yokai Ability:
・Summoning Seal: Otoroshi x2
Yin Position Talisman:
・Barrier Talisman x5

As using the Splitstaff consumes a lot of Ki, get the Barrier Talisman to help regenerate Ki faster so you can continuously attack, evade, and execute combos. The Barrier Talisman also clears out the Yokai Realm pools that prevent you from gaining back your Ki if you're inside.

Use Mermaid Soul Core for Yin

Mermaid Soul Core
Mermaid
Yang Position Special Effects:
・Life Drain (Water Damage) B-
・Faster Movement (Ailing)
Yokai Ability:
・Summoning Seal: Mermaid x5
Yin Position Talisman:
・Life Leech Talisman x3

The Life Leech Talisman from the Mermaid Soul Core is an offensive Onmyo that forces enemies you attack to release Life Force which you can absorb and restore health. When using this talisman, the Splitstaff's multi-hits allow you to maintain a full health bar while you fight up close to an enemy.

Use Ibaraki Doji Soul Core for Yin

Ibaraki Doji Demon Soul Core
Ibaraki Doji
Yang Position Special Effects:
・Spirit Force Bonus (Electrified Enemy) A-
・Melee Damage (Critical) +5.7%
Yokai Ability:
・Summoning Seal: Ibaraki Doji x1
Yin Position Talisman:
・Carnage Talisman x5

To help with the Splitstaff's low damage output, use the Carnage Talisman to increase your melee attack but lower your Defense in return. This talisman significantly increases the HP damage you deal, making the Splitstaff more reliable in taking out enemies faster. Although your Defense will decrease in exchange, this can be mitigated by using the Life Leech Talisman to restore your health while hitting an enemy or by using the Steel Talisman to increase your defense.

How to Beat Ibaraki Doji

Splitstaff 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 Splitstaff to Full Familiarity

Constantly using weapons will increase its Familiarity. Weapons with full Familiarity gets a significant bonus in damage.

Nioh 3 Related Guides

Builds

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All Samurai Builds

Samurai Weapons
swords Swords dual swords Dual Swords spears Spears
axes Axes odachi Odachi switchglaives Switchglaives
cestuses Cestesus

Best Samurai Builds

All Ninja Builds

Ninja Weapons
Ninja Swords Ninja Swords Dual Ninja Swords Dual Ninja Swords Kusarigama Kusarigama
Tonfa Tonfa Hatchets Hatchets Splitstaff Splitstaff
Talons Talons

Best Ninja Builds

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