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Nioh 3

How to Beat Kusanagi

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Nioh 3 - How to Beat Kusanagi

Kusanagi is a boss from Nioh 3 during the mission Calamity's Seed. See how to beat Kusanagi, as well as the weaknesses, drops, and location in this guide.

How to Beat Kusanagi

Kusanagi Strategy








Stay Mobile with Ninja Style

Ninja style is recommended as it's important to be mobile during this boss fight. You'll need to avoid both Kusanagi and the ranged magic attacks of the priestess, so don't stay in one area too long.

Ignore the Priestess

It's not worth going after the priestess during the fight as she will just get up eventually after getting knocked out. Keep her in your field of view and get ready to dodge when she casts her magic.

Strike Kusanagi from Behind

Try to position yourself behind Kusanagi as most of its attacks hit directly in front, and for the extra backstab damage. Watch out for its tail slam because it deals fire damage in a wide cone.

Remember not to overcommit your attacks because you might get hit by the priestess's magic.

Pull Back During Red Attack

Kusanagi's red attack is easy to counter as it will leap to the air for the wind-up. Simply pull back to create distance and give yourself more time to react.

User Your Summoning Seals

By this point in the story, you should have already unlocked a second slot for a summoning seal. Don't underestimate summons as they can sometimes come in clutch when Kusanagi's health is low.

Farm Levels and Better Gear

If you're still struggling with Kusanagi, don't hesitate to farm some levels and equip gear that match your level then try again.

How to Level Up Fast: Amrita Farming Guide

Secure with Living Artifact

Keep your Living Artifact ready to secure the victory when Kusanagi is low. You're invulnerable while in this state but you must still dodge or block because sustaining damage shortens its duration.

You also have unlimited Ki while Living Artifact is active. Use this to spam your most potent Martial Arts.

List of All Martial Arts

Summon Assistance from Acolytes

Summon an acolyte from nearby benevolent graves to serve as a distraction and help deal chip damage. You'll need Ochoko Cups to summon acolytes, which you can obtain by defeating revenants from bloody graves.

Use Talismans and Items for Buffs

Use talismans and items such as Power Talismans and Power Pills to boost your attack. Note that they do not stack and only refresh the duration of the attack buff.

You can also use the talismans from Soul Cores listed below to give you an advantage.

Talisman / Soul Core Effect
Scampuss Summoning Seal
(Scampuss Soul Core)
Shreds enemy Ki quickly
Life Leech Talisman
(Mermaid Soul Core)
Helps keep your health topped up
Preservation Talisman
(Mujina Soul Core)
Saves you from a fatal hit
Barrier Talisman
(Otoroshi Soul Core)
Boosts Ki regeneration and dispels Yokai Realms

List of Soul Cores

Equip Awakening to Speed Up Talisman Usage

The Awakening skill is highly recommended to speed up talisman usage, especially against bosses where you can easily get punished.

It is also easy to fit in most builds as it only costs 3 Points.

List of All Skills

Kusanagi Weaknesses

Boss Weakness and Overview

Era Antiquity
Main Mission Calamity's Seed
(Recommended: Lv 89)

Kusanagi's weaknesses and resistances aren't mentioned in the game, but it seems to be weak against Wind since it takes decent damage. Since it uses Fire and Water attacks, it may be resistant to those elements.

Kusanagi Drops and Rewards

・Himiko's Staff Lv. 97
・Shaman Queen's Necklace Lv. 97
・Ninja's Locks
・Smithing Text: Himiko's Staff

Kusanagi Location

Found in Spirit Tree Village

Kusanagi is found in Spirit Tree Village during the mission Calamity's Seed.

List of All Main Missions

Nioh 3 Related Guides

Bosses

List of All Bosses

List of Main Bosses

Warring States
Yamagata MasakageYamagata Masakage Jakotsu-babaJakotsu-baba Baba NobuharaBaba Nobuharu
Yamagata Masakage MikatagaharaYamagata Masakage (Yokai) Takeda ShingenTakeda Shingen Takeda Shingen SaigagakeTakeda Shingen (Yokai)
Heian
Great TenguGreat Tengu OtoroshiOtoroshi Ibaraki DojiIbaraki Doji
Kajiwara KagetokKajiwara Kagetoki Minamoto no YoritomoMinamoto no Yoritomo
Antiquity
KusanagiKusanagi HirukoHiruko
Return to Edo
Tokugawa KunimatsuTokugawa Kunimatsu
Bakumatsu
Takasugi Shinsaku Enenra Nuribotoke
Okita Soji Tokugawa Yoshinobu
Final Battle of Edo
Death Veil Hiruko (Final Boss)

List of Secret Bosses

Optional Bosses
Demon of PrideDemon of Pride Demon of EnvyDemon of Envy Demon of ObsessionDemon of Obsession

List of Optional Bosses

Optional Bosses
Bloodedge DemonBloodedge Demon Ryomen SukunaRyomen Sukuna Hino-EnmaHino-Enma
Otazu no KataOtzu no Kata YokiYoki Hattori Hanzo
Ninja Yoki Kyokotsu Aggrieved Warrior

List of Formidable Enemies

Warring States Era
KamaitachiKamaitachi MezukiMezuki Green ShadowGreen Shadow's Blade
Blood-Spurting Ogin Naito Masatoyo Anayama Nobutada
Honda Tadakatsu Nuppeppo Onryoki

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