
This is a guide to the best build for the Talons in Nioh 3. See the best armor and accessories to use with the Talons, which Guardian Spirit and Soul Cores to equip, as well as which stats to level up.
List of Contents
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| ✔︎ Fast attacks that deal heavy health damage.
✔︎ Continuous attacks can easily build up status effects. ✔︎ Chaining combos are smooth and reactive. |
✖︎ These have the shortest range out of all the Ninja weapons.
✖︎ Requires having an aggressive playstyle and constantly doing attacks. |
Despite being the shortest-ranged Ninja weapon, the Talons are the fastest when it comes to attacks and skill executions. Unlike the Tonfa which excels in breaking Ki, the Talons deliver massive health damage with their swift attacks. Conversely, when built to stack enough Ki Damage or Break special effects, the Talons are capable of melting enemy Ki just as efficiently due to their speed. Otherwise, their rapid combos can be used to build up elemental status ailments instead. The Talons require an aggressive playstyle to make the most out of their high-speed slashes and ability to pressure enemies.
| Talons Scaling |
|---|
| Character Stats |
The Talons scale with Heart, Stamina, and Intellect. It is recommended to prioritize leveling up Heart and Intellect to increase your Ki and Ki recovery and to lessen the need for constant Ki management. Then, put several points on Skill and Magic so you can utilize Onmyo and Ninjutsu. Invest some points into Strength as well for additional Ki damage. For Stamina, put just enough points to be able to wear the Kobo Daishi armor, or other armor you prefer, without exceeding a B rank in Agility (below 60% of equipment weight).
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.
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Armor |
| Accessories | |
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Life Drain (Melee Attack)
・Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) ・Decrease Damage Taken (Amrita Absorption) ・Attack Bonus (Heart/Stamina/Intellect) ・Melee Ki Damage ・Ki Damage vs Saturated/Electrified Enemy ・Imbue Lightning/Water ・Final Blow/Grapple Damage |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Quick Attack Ki Consumption
Weapons: Simple Talons ・Martial Arts Ki Consumption Weapons: Togakushi Talons |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
To take advantage of the Talons' rapid attacks, get the Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) or Decrease Damage Taken (Amrita Absorption) special effect and pair it with the Extraction Talisman which causes enemies to release Amrita that you can absorb whenever you hit them and activate any special effect with Amrita Absorption.
If you don't have access to the Extraction Talisman yet, you can opt to get any special effect that increases the Talons' overall Ki and health damage, like Attack Bonus or Melee Ki Damage. It is also suggested to equip Talons with Imbue Water to synergize with the Onmyo used in this build. Additionally, Lightning damage will also be used, so special effects like Ki Damage vs. Electrified or Saturated will help bolster these elements.
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Auto Life Recovery (Evade)
・Faster Movement (Evade) ・Decreased Damage Taken (Amrita Absorption) ・Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) ・Toughness ・Defense Bonus (Heart/Intellect) ・Defense ・Yokai Realm Resistance ・Ki Recovery Speed |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・ Dodge Ki Consumption
Armor: ・Heir's Shinobi armor piece ・Ascetic 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.
When using the Talons, sticking close to enemies while fighting aggressively is the core strategy of the weapon. Having special effects that allow you to absorb strikes or increase your health is recommended. Equipping any piece with Decreased Damage Taken (Amrita Absorption) or Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) is good to have while using the Extraction Talisman, as you'll get these bonuses whenever you hit a target and absorb their Amrita. You can also take Auto Life Recovery (Evade), which will increase survivability while evading. Other defensive special effects you can get are Defense Bonus, Toughness, and Yokai Realm Resistance.
For Armor sets, acquire at least 3 to 5 pieces of the Kobo Daishi armor to get the Devout Practitioner set bonus. This will give you additional special effects like Life, Melee Damage, and Effect Duration.
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Saturation Accumulation (Enemy)
・Shock Accumulation (Enemy) ・Faster Movement (Amrita Absorption) ・Spirit Force Bonus (Electrified/Saturated Enemy) ・Living Artifact Duration ・Lightning/Water Damage ・Life Recovery (Yokai Realm) |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Ki Recovery Speed
Accessories: Fan |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
Since this build will be using both Water and Lightning elements to add more damage to the Talons' attacks, any Accessory that accumulates either Saturation or Shock should be equipped to accelerate the status ailment buildup. If both status ailments proc at the same time, it will cause Confusion status ailment in the enemy, which will increase the damage they receive further.
If you don't have these special effects yet, then you can equip any Accessory with Living Artifact Duration or Spirit Force Bonus instead.
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Talons Skills | Ninja Style Skills |
Spend your points on the Talons and Ninja Style skill trees to learn new combos for the Talons, while also acquiring useful Ninjutsu and Martial Arts.
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Mist Slash | Unlocked at the start |
| Whirling Tiger | 1 Ninja Point |
| Flying Fist | 1 Ninja Point |
| Archer's Impact | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Flying Fist |
| Repulse | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Mist Slash |
| Dragonfly Reversal | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Whirling Tiger |
| Impact Punch | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Whirling Tiger |
| Opportunist | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Chaotic Cleave |
| Sunrise | 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Defensive Drop ・Defensive Drop II |
| Twirling Top | 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Whirling Tiger ・Impact Punch |
| Mist Slash Lightning | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Mist Slash ・Unlocked with a Martial Arts Guide |
| Whirling Tiger Water | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Whirling Tiger ・Unlocked with a Martial Arts Guide |
| Dragon Fly Reversal Pierce | 2 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Dragonfly Reversal ・Unlocked with a Martial Arts Guide |
| Izuna Drop | 3 Ninja Points
Prerequisite: ・Whirling Tiger ・Impact Punch ・Twirling Top ・Complete The Way of the Ninja: Veteran |
| Glowing Ember | Prerequisite:
・Chaotic Cleave ・Complete The Way of the Ninja: Veteran |
The Talons' moveset consists of fast slashes and kicks that can deal significant health damage. Most of your combos can start with Archer's Impact as a gap closer, then you can follow it up with moves like Whirling Tiger, while Mist Slash and Flying Fist function as both damage dealers and backwards evasion.
For aerial attacks, Impact Punch inflicts a good deal of damage while hitting surrounding enemies at the same time. You can pair this move and other aerial moves with the Footstool Jump Ninjutsu.
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Evade | 1 Ninja Point |
| Cicada Shell | 1 Ninja Point |
| Uncanny Bolt | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Uncanny Flame |
| Footstool Jump | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Evade |
| Mid-Air Dodge | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Evade ・Footstool Jump |
| Fire Shuriken | Prerequisite:
・Pinwheel Shuriken ・Learned from a Handbook |
| Thundering Calamity | 1 Ninja Point
Prerequisite: ・Flame Breath ・Uncanny Bolt ・Complete The Way of Ninja: Veteran |
For Ninjutsu, Evade and Cicada Shell are always a must in any Ninja Style weapon, serving as defensive skills for dodging without expending Ki. The Kunai and Uncanny Flame are always good choices to have to inflict long-range chip damage or elemental hits, especially against flying enemies. You may change to other types of Uncanny Ninjutsu based on the elemental weakness of your target.
Lightning Step and Footstool Jump are used as combat utilities. Lightning Step is used to easily close the gap without using up Ki, while Footstool Jump is for positioning or starting aerial moves.
As you get more Ninja points and unlock more skills, consider replacing the Kunai with the Fire Shuriken.
This will be your basic melee combo for the Talons, and it will only need a combination of the strong and quick attack buttons. To start, use Archer's Impact to close the gap, then quickly perform a Mist Slash, which would make you step back a short distance. As your character is moving away, press the quick attack button to perform a Repulse. End this combo by doing Mist to reset your position or gain back some Ki if you have the mystic arts, Glowing Ember.
If you have Mist Slash Lightning equipped, your Repulse will be imbued with Lightning, dealing damage and contributing to the Shock ailment buildup. This combo is good for individual enemies and human bosses, as it can stagger and pressure them while dealing good damage.
When doing this combo, take note that Archer's Impact can be cancelled with a grab attack by an enemy and is best used during an opening. Conversely, Archer's Impact can also be canceled by doing a Mist, allowing you to strafe away or immediately get back to the combo.
For an aerial combo, Flying Buck allows you to do mid-air moves as you jump after its somersault kick. You can then follow up with Impact Punch or a simple strong attack ground smash. Because of this combo's verticality, it's better to use it against larger enemies, especially those with weak points in their heads like the One-Eyed Oni yokai.
| 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.
| Early Game Mid Game |
|
|---|---|
| Late Game |
| Nekomata | ATK | DEF | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
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) |
|||
Nekomata is an overall superb Guardian Spirit for the Ninja Style, as he provides special effects for both damage and lower Ki consumption. His Ki Recovery Speed and Melee Attack Ki Consumption special effects lessen the need to manage Ki, especially during boss fights in the early game. For offense, Quick Attack Break makes up for the Talons' lesser Ki damage and gives them an advantage against enemies with large health pools. Lastly, the Ninjutsu Ki Damage makes starter Ninja Tools like Kunai, Shrapnel Bomb, and Uncanny Flame more reliable during combat.
Nekomata's Thunder Claw skill functions almost the same as the Talons' skill Flying Buck in that they both do a somersault kick backwards. For Thunder Claw, however, it's better used to reset your Ki should you find yourself staggered or as a way to put space between you and the enemy.
| Shami-choro | ATK | DEF | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
21 | 20 | Lightning |
| Quest | |||
| The Sweet Sound of Strings | |||
| Special Effects | |||
|
・Faster Movement (Evade)
・Faster Ki Recovery (Onmyo Magic Hit) ・Lightning Damage +8.9% ・Auto Life Recovery (Critical) +8.9% ・Status Enhancement Duration +14.2% |
|||
| Guardian Spirit Skill | |||
|
・Thunderous Performance (Spirit Force: 60)
・Strings of LIght (Spirit Force: 40) |
|||
Shami-choro's special effect is geared more towards enhancing Lightning damage and supporting Onmyo Magic. Her Status Enhancement Duration is especially useful as it increases the duration of Onmyo Magic that gives buffs such as the Extraction Talisman and Barrier Talisman. Additionally, you'll also get a boost in Ki Recovery when you use any offensive Onmyo, including elemental Familiar Talismans.
For her Guardian Spirit skill, we will mostly be using Strings of Light as a Ki bar reset rather than as an offensive skill. Strings of Light can be used in mid-range and is quite efficient in doing a Burst Break on an enemy who's about to use a Burst Attack (red attacks).
| Yang Position |
|---|
| Yin Position |
| Yamainu Soul Core | |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Faster Movement (Amrita Absorption) ・Quick Attack Damage +3.0% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal Yamainu x3 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Strider Talisman x2 |
Equip Yamainu Soul Core in the Yang position to get the Faster Movement (Amrita Absorption) special effect, as it can easily activate when stealing Amrita from enemies using the Extraction Talisman. Additionally, Quick Attack Damage adds more power to the Talons' devastating attacks.
| Bloodedge Demon Soul Core | |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
| 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 Soul Core amplifies your elemental damage when placed in the Yang position, allowing you to do even higher HP damage when using weapons imbued with elements.
| Gaki Chief Soul Core | |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Amrita Guage Charge +7.5% ・Strong Attack Ki Damage +3.5% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Gaki Chief x2 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Extraction Talisman x5 |
The core of this build is using the Extraction Talisman to absorb Amrita from enemies whenever you deal damage and activate special effects with Amrita Absorption as the condition. This talisman can be found from the Gaki Chief Soul Core in the Yin position.
| Otoroshi Soul Core | |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
| 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 |
The Barrier Talisman is highly recommended for this build as constant attacking and moving are required when using the Talons. This talisman increases Ki Recovery and clears out Yokai Realm pools just by going near them. This ensures that you'll always have enough Ki to continuously perform combos. Combine this by using Mist and having Glowing Embers to make the most out of your Ki.
| Maelstrom Oni-bi Soul Core Soul Core | |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Saturation Accumulation (Enemy) +3.5% ・Water Damage +4.4% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Kamaitachi x2 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Water Familiar Talisman x4 |
To increase the damage capability of the Talons, use the Water Talisman to imbue your weapon and build up Saturation on enemies. When Saturation is inflicted, it makes enemies more vulnerable and increases the damage they receive. Pair this with another elemental Onmyo spell, such as the Lightning Familiar Talisman, to build up two status ailments. This causes enemies to get the Confusion status, weakening them further.
| Raiju Soul Core | |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Lightning Damage +4.4% ・Spirit Force Charge Bonus (Cumulative Damage) C Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Raiju x5 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Lightning Familiar Talisman x3 |
Your second elemental damage will come from Raiju's Lightning Familiar Talisman. These orbs of Lightning deal shock damage to enemies close to you and build up the Shock accumulation rather quickly. Combine this with the Water Talisman to accumulate two status ailments and cause Confusion on the enemy.
| Ibaraki Doji Demon Soul Core | |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
| 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 |
The Carnage Talisman will significantly add more to your overall damage output but also lowers your Defense stat. Using this talisman can be a bit risky, as you will not be able to absorb a lot of attacks so make sure you have the Extraction Talisman's effect and at least one or two Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption) on your equipment to ensure that your health remains topped-up.
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:
Take note that the Prestige Points you've spent can be reset and redistributed to another bonus within the same category.
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.
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.
Items with Purple (Exotic) rarities provide better and rarer special effects. Additionally, you'll sometimes find better combinations of special effects from Exotic weapons.
Constantly using weapons will increase its Familiarity. Weapons with full Familiarity gets a significant bonus in damage.

| Samurai Weapons | ||
|---|---|---|
Swords |
Dual Swords |
Spears |
Axes |
Odachi |
Switchglaives |
Cestesus |
||
| Ninja Weapons | ||
|---|---|---|
Ninja Swords |
Dual Ninja Swords |
Kusarigama |
Tonfa |
Hatchets |
Splitstaff |
Talons |
||
Best Talons Build



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