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Nioh 3
Best Switchglaive Build
This is a guide to the best build for Switchglaive in Nioh 3. See the best armor and accessories to use with the Switchglaive, 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.
|
|---|
Switchglaive Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| ✔︎ Good balance of range, speed, and damage
✔︎ Strong synergy with Onmyo Magic and elemental effects ✔︎ Versatile moveset through stance switching |
✖︎ Requires stance management to perform effectively
✖︎ Learning curve can be steep for new players due to its complex moveset |
The Switchglaive offers a well balanced playstyle that combines reach, speed, and damage, making it effective in a wide range of combat situations. Its strong synergy with Onmyo Magic and elemental effects allows you to apply pressure while enhancing your overall damage output, while its versatile moveset through stance switching provides flexibility for both offense and defense.
However, its effectiveness relies heavily on proper stance management, and its complex moveset can present a learning curve, making it more challenging for new players to use efficiently at first.
Best Stats for Switchglaive
| Switchglaive Scaling |
|---|
 Skill  Intellect  Magic |
| Character Stats |
 Heart  Constitution  Stamina |
Switchglaive relies on applying pressure with support from elemental effects, so prioritize Magic to enhance both melee attacks and Onmyo Magic, boosting overall damage output. Intellect should be your secondary stat as it improves effect duration and Ki recovery speed, helping you maintain offense longer.
You can distribute your remaining points to Heart, which increases Ki and Ki recovery, crucial for sustaining attacks and combos that consume a large amount of Ki. Lastly, consider investing in Constitution and Stamina for overall defense, allowing you to equip heavier armor and increase health, improving survivability.
Best Special Effects for Switchglaive
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Armor |
| Accessories | |
Best Special Effects for Weapons
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Melee Attack Ki Damage
・Melee Damage ・Onmyo Magic Ki Damage ・Ki Recovery Speed ・Low Stance Martial Art Ki Consumption ・Mid Stance Martial Art Ki Consumption ・High Stance Martial Art Ki Consumption ・Life Drain (Wind Damage) |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Low Attack Ki Consumption (Merciful Switchglaive)
・Mid Attack Damage (Seven Scalp Switchglaive) ・Strong Attack Ki Damage (Martial Artist's Switchglaive) |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
Switchglaive focuses on maintaining pressure through fluid combos enabled by stance switching, so prioritize effects that increase Ki Recovery and reduce Ki Consumption across different stances to keep your offense consistent.
Effects that boost Melee Damage and Onmyo Magic further enhance your overall damage output, allowing both your weapon attacks and elemental effects to work together effectively. Survivability effects such as Life Drain tied to elemental damage are also valuable, helping you recover health while staying aggressive in combat.
Best Special Effects for Armor
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Ki Pulse Recovery
・Ki Recovery Speed ・Dodge Ki Consumption ・Toughness ・Damage Taken ・Defense |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・ Single Sword's Reverie (Wayfarer Set)
・The Duplicitous General (Goichimonshu Set) |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
Look for effects that support Ki management through improved Ki Recovery Speed and reduced Ki Consumption, allowing you to maintain pressure. At the same time, include defensive effects such as increased Toughness, higher Defense, and reduced Damage Taken to improve survivability.
For armor, equip pieces from armor sets that provide effects beneficial to your build. Equipping four pieces of the Goichimonshu Set grants increased Life, reduced Martial Art Ki Consumption, and Life Drain through Martial Arts, improving survivability and sustaining offensive pressure.
Alternatively, four pieces of the Wayfarer Set provide bonuses to Strong Attacks, increased Martial Art Ki Damage, and Life Recovery through Arts Proficiency Attack, improving both your offense and survivability during fights.
Best Special Effects for Accessories
| Common Special Effects | |
|---|---|
| ・Fire Damage
・Water Damage ・Wind Damage ・Lightning Damage ・Ki Recovery Speed ・Dodge Ki Consumption ・Untouched Elixirs |
|
| Fixed Special Effects | |
| ・Ki Recovery Speed (Fan)
・Effect Duration (Writing Set) |
|
You may use any equipment that has one or two of the special effects listed above.
For accessories, prioritize effects that increase elemental damage, as this strongly complements the Switchglaive’s offensive playstyle and reliance on elemental application. Ki-related effects such as improved Ki Recovery and reduced Ki Consumption are essential to help sustain stance switching and continuous attacks.
Additionally, effects like Untouched Elixir, which gives a chance not to consume an Elixir when used, are a valuable addition for maintaining survivability during encounters.
Best Martial Arts for Switchglaive
| Jump to Section! | |
|---|---|
| Switchglaive Martial Arts | Samurai Martial Arts |
Where to Spend Skill 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 Switchglaive tree.
Switchglaive Martial Arts
| Skills | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Switch Stance: Blade (High/Mid Stance) |
1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・The Path of Three |
| Switch Stance: Edge (High/Low Stance) |
1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・The Path of Three |
| Switch Stance: Retribution (Mid/Low Stance) |
1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・The Path of Three |
| Kibosh Kicker (Low Stance) |
1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・Low Stance ・Transient Blade |
| Cyclone Wind (High/Mid Stance) |
2 Samurai Points
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Focused Retribution ・Merciful Retribution ・Cyclone |
| Infinite Retribution II (High Stance) |
2 Samurai Points
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Focused Retribution ・Infinite Retribution |
| Arc of Chaos Fire (High Stance) |
1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Focused Retribution ・Arc of Chaos |
| Stallion Strike | 1 Samurai Point
Prerequisite: ・High Stance ・Focused Retribution |
Switchglaive excels at maintaining offensive pressure through combos and stance switching. Prioritize unlocking all three Switch Stance movesets, as this allows you to seamlessly connect combos from any stance and keep constant pressure on enemies.
For follow-up attacks, Kibosh Kicker and Cyclone Wind deliver strong multi-hit sequences that can be integrated after your Quick Attacks, extending your offensive strings.
For powerful independent moves, Infinite Retribution II lets you spin the Switchglaive multiple times followed by a strong finishing strike, while Arc of Chaos Fire provides a ranged Fire attack by throwing your Switchglaive like a boomerang, ideal for hitting enemies at mid-range.
Lastly, Stallion Strike grants an airborne option, unleashing a spinning slash while landing, which can be used to significantly damage enemies from above.
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 |
Unlock the Low and High Stance to gain access to the Switchglaive’s movesets essential for this build. Additionally, Deflect is a must have since parrying is an important part of your defense, while Flux II allows you to perform a Ki Pulse while switching stances, helping improve Ki recovery and maintain pressure during continuous attacks.
Best Skills for Switchglaive
Secret Skills Text
| Secret Skill | Location |
|---|---|
| Running Water | Enables you to perform a Ki Pulse by dodging. |
| Unshakable | Reduces damage taken while you are attacking by 10.0%. |
| Roaring Dragon Deflect | Inflicts Increased Damage Received (Elemental) on an enemy after a successful Deflect. |
| Awakening | Allows you to use Onmyo Magic faster. |
The listed skills improve both your combat effectiveness and defensive resilience. For defense, Running Water turns your dodge into a Ki Pulse, helping you recover Ki while evading enemy attacks, while Unshakable reduces damage taken when clashing with enemies.
For offense, Roaring Dragon Deflect increases your elemental damage after successfully parrying, allowing you to capitalize on openings created through Deflect, while Awakening improves your Onmyo Magic casting speed, making it easier to apply elemental effects during combat.
Best Guardian Spirits for Switchglaive
Use Guhin as Guardian Spirit
| 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 reduces Martial Arts Ki Consumption, allowing you to chain more combos 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, and Melee Damage vs. Winded Enemy, boosting your damage against foes with depleted Ki.
Use Kusanagi as Alternative
| Kusanagi | ATK | DEF | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
|
12 | 7 | Fire |
| Quest | |||
| Unlocked at the start | |||
| Special Effects | |||
|
・Martial Art Damage +6.3%
・Fire Damage Reduction +13 ・Ki Pulse Recovery +10.8% ・Increased Arts Proficiency Damage +6.9% ・Spirit Force Charge (Martial Art) +11.0% |
|||
| Guardian Spirit Skill | |||
| ・Heaven's Fire (Spirit Force: 40) | |||
Kusanagi is a great alternative, providing a strong offensive boost through increased Martial Arts Damage and Arts Proficiency Damage. It also enhances Spirit Force Charge while using Martial Arts, and offers Fire Damage Reduction and Ki Pulse Recovery, which improve your survivability and overall combat endurance.
Best Soul Cores for Switchglaive
Use Bloodedge Demon Soul Core for Yang
| 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 |
Bloodedge Demon provides the Summoning Seal, allowing you to summon it to unleash an elemental attack based on your equipped Guardian Spirit, followed by multiple melee strikes that deal substantial damage. It also boosts Elemental Damage, enhancing your elemental talismans and maximizing the build’s offensive potential.
You can carry one Summoning Seal: Bloodedge Demon at a time, which is replenished when resting at a Shrine.
Bloodedge Demon Location and How to Beat
Use Kamaitachi Soul Core for Yin
| Kamaitachi Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Wind Damge +4.4% ・Dodge Ki Consumption -8.0% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Kamaitachi x2 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Wind Familiar Talisman x4 |
Kamaitachi provides the Wind Familiar Talisman, which summons floating orbs that deal Wind Damage to nearby enemies. This builds up the Blustered status, increasing the Ki damage enemies take.
You can equip up to four Wind Familiar Talismans at a time, and they are replenished when resting at a Shrine.
Use Bakegani Soul Core for Yin
| Bakegani Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Melee Damage vs. Saturated Enemy +6.0% ・Defense +10 Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Bakegani x4 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Water Shot Talisman x6 |
Bakegani’s Water Shot Talisman grants an elemental projectile that deals Water Damage and inflicts Saturated status, increasing the damage enemies take.
You can equip up to six Water Shot Talismans at a time, and they are replenished when resting at a Shrine.
Use Mikoshi Nyudo Soul Core for Yin
| Mikoshi Nyudo Soul Core | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Yang Position | Special Effects:
・Melee Damage vs. Electrified Enemy +6.0% Yokai Ability: ・Summoning Seal: Mikoshi Nyudo x3 |
| Yin Position | Talisman:
・Lightning Shot Talisman x6 |
Mikoshi Nyudo’s Lightning Shot Talisman grants an elemental projectile deals Lightning Damage and inflicts Electrified status, slowing enemy movements.
You can equip up to six Lightning Shot Talismans at a time, and they are replenished when resting at a Shrine.
Switchglaive Tips and Tricks
Maintain Combos and Stance Pressure
Switchglaive relies on chaining attacks through stance switching to maximize offensive potential. Utilize all three Switch Stance movesets to connect combos from any stance, keeping enemies under constant pressure. Use Deflect to parry attacks and create openings, and Flux II to perform Ki Pulse while switching stances, ensuring you maintain Ki and keep your combos flowing.
Ki Management
Combining Martial Arts moves and stance-based attacks consumes a lot of Ki. Equip effects that increase Ki Recovery Speed and reduce Ki Consumption for each stance to keep your offensive pressure consistent. Skills like Running Water also help recover Ki while dodging.
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 Switchglaive 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: Elemental Damage
- Formidable Enemies: Melee Ki Damage
- Exploration: Medicine Efficacy
- Collection: Martial Art Damage
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 Switchglaive Build
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