This is a guide on how to use the Tension Gauge in No More Heroes 3 (NMH3) for the Nintendo Switch! The tension gauge increases the number of hits in your combo and the amount of damage dealt. Read on to learn how to build up the tension gauge!

How to Use the Tension Gauge

Increase by Attacking Enemies

The tension gauge comes in 4 stages: kitten, cat, yellow tiger, and red tiger. Build up the tension gauge from kitten to red tiger by attacking enemies. Normal and Heavy Attacks do well to increase tension.

It's also recommended to use wrestling moves when enemies are stunned, because wrestling moves greatly increase the tension gauge for a single throw and recharge your beam katana as well.

How to Perform Wrestling Moves

Don't Take Damage

Attacking increases your tension gauge, but on the other hand, taking hits decreases your tension gauge. Even when your tension gauge reaches max, it can still drop when you take any kind of hits from an enemy.

Perform Combos on Red Tiger

As you increase through each stage of the tension gauge, your attacks will incrementally increase in damage. Try to keep your tension gauge at the max, red tiger, in order to deal the most damage you can during fights.

Tension Gauge Buffs

Nigiri or Tamago Sushi

Nigiri: Matsu	Nigiri: Take	Nigiri: Ume	Tamago

You can increase your tension with the take-out sushi Tamago or the any of the eat-in Nigiri sushi (only 1 of the Nigiri can be consumed before each fight). Purchase these sushi at DonMai Sushi shops located before boss fights or around the map.

DonMai Sushi Guide

Death Glove Victory Chips

You can buff the tension gauge 50 or 100% with the Victory Chip and Victory Chip-EX, respectively. These chips can be crafted at the Death Glove Chips machine in the Laboratory under the Motel. You can craft Victory Chip-EX after beating Kimmy Love on Spicy difficulty.

Death Glove Chips Guide

No More Heroes 3 Related Guides

Tips and Tricks Top Page