Wild Hearts

Nodachi Best Builds and Equipment

Version 1.0.5 is out now!
★ Check our Kemono Weakness Chart before hunting!
★ Our Best Weapons Tier List is updated as of March 2023!
★ We're working on the Best Builds for every weapon!
Best Karakuri Staff Builds | Best Claw Blade Builds
★ Check our Items List to learn how to get whatever you need!

Wild Hearts - Nodachi Builds

This is a guide to the best builds and equipment for the Nodachi in Wild Hearts. Learn about the best Nodachis and the best skills and armor to use with the Nodachi from the early game until the end game!

All Nodachi Guides
Wild Hearts - Nodachi Weapon Tree and How to UseNodachi Weapon Tree Wild Hearts - Nodachi BuildsNodachi Builds

Best End Game Nodachi Builds

Fushitsu-mitama All-Rounder

Weapon ATK ATK. Type Crit. Rate
Fushitsu-mitama 1,105 Slash 0%
Element Element Power
- -
Inherent Skills
Iai Art 8% (Base Inherited Skill)
Hawk Eye 10%
Battle Swordsmanship: Attack 20%
Req. Materials
Lump of Ore x10
Celestial Dragon Limb x4
Celestial Dragon Tail x4
Celestial Dragon Essence x1
Recommended Build Path (Inherited Skills)
Weapon Skill
Amber Nodachi Hawk Eye 5%
Ice Crystal Torrent Charge Boost: Fury 6%
Scarlet Doom Nodachi 2 One Stroke: Fury 18%
Blaze Nodachi: Blessed Bird Charge Boost: Fury 6%
Final Weapon Output
Fushitsu-mitama Fushitsu-mitama Iai Art 8%
Hawk Eye 15%
Battle Swordsmanship: Attack 20%
Charge Boost: Fury 12%
One Stroke: Fury 18%
Armor Skills
Garuda Hat
Fatigue Recovery (Stam Regen) 10%
Deaf Ears
Solar Protection 5%
Draconic Back Guard
Ancient Tree Champion 15%
Hawk Eye 5%
Rude Health 12%
Wayward Brigand Tekko
One Stroke: Fury 17%
Tangle Recovery 33%
Draconic Body Armor
Fusion Master
Battle Spirit 10%
Rude Health 12%
Wayward Brigand Boots
Grab Master 6%
Resurrection
Tangle Recovery 33%
Skills
Iai Art 8% | Hawk Eye 20%
Charge Boost: Fury 12% | One Stroke: Fury 35%
Resurrection | Fatigue Recovery 10%
Deaf Ears | Solar Protection 5%
Rude Health 24% | Tangle Recovery 66%
Battle Spirit 10% | Grab Master 6%
Battle Swordsmanship: Attack 20%
Recommended Talisman Skills Hawk Eye
Desperation
Double Strike
Build Merits This build prioritizes maximizing the Nodachi's raw damage output and providing players with a well-rounded set for dealing with Chapter 5's Volatile and Deeply Volatile Kemono.

The Fushitsu-mitama is one of the best raw Nodachis in the game, featuring 1,105 base damage and solid skills like Hawk Eye, Battle Swordsmanship: Attack, and Iai Art. Following our recommended build path further increases the Nodachi's damage output with skills like Charge Boost: Fury and One Stroke: Fury.

Mixing the Garuda, Wayward Brigand, and Draconic sets, and using their Kemono-Path modifications, provides the build with potent utility skills, like Deaf Ears, Resurrection, and Rude Health, while contributing to the Nodachi's damage output with Hawk Eye, One Stroke: Fury, and Battle Spirit.

To round the build out, we recommend using Talismans with damage-boosting skills like Hawk Eye, Desperation, and Double Strike to increase your damage output with the Nodachi.

Best Mid Game Nodachi Builds

Balanced Sable Mara Agate Set

Weapon ATK ATK. Type Crit. Rate
Agate Nodachi 2 983 Slash 0%
Element Element Power
- -
Inherent Skills
Strong Arm: Spirit 20%
Rally: Ironclad 10%
Desperation 15% (Base Inherited Skill)
Req. Materials
Lump of Ore x8
Onyxshard Rock Incisor x2
Onyxshard Spine x2
Spinous Onyxshard Hide x1
Recommended Build Path (Inherited Skills)
Weapon Skill
Wrack Nodachi: Balsam Charge Boost: Fury 4%
Nodachi of Nature's Splendor 4 Critical Master 5%
Destruction Art 10%
Agate Nodachi Iai Art 8%
Final Weapon Output
Agate Nodachi 2 Strong Arm: Spirit 20%
Rally: Ironclad 10%
Desperation 15%
Charge Boost: Fury 4%
Critical Master 5%
Destruction Art 10%
Iai Art 8%
Armor Skills
Sable Mara Mengu
Lunar Protection 5%
Deaf Ears
Sable Mara Body Armor
Poison Recovery 33%
Provocation 33%
Blackout Recovery 33%
Sable Mara Tekko
Poison Recovery 33%
Rally: Ironclad 5%
Blackout Recovery 33%
Sable Mara Kusazuri
Provocation 33%
Fusion Art: Fury 12%
Sable Mara Sune-ate
Provocation 33%
Sprint Master
Blackout Recovery 33%
Skills
Strong Arm: Spirit 20% | Rally: Ironclad 15%
Desperation 15% | Charge Boost: Fury 4%
Critical Master 5% | Destruction Art 10%
Iai Art 8% | Deaf Ears
Lunar Protection 5% | Poison Recovery 66%
Blackout Recovery 99% | Provocation 99%
Fusion Art: Fury 12% | Sprint Master
Recommended Talisman Skills Slight of Hand: Fury
Battle Spirit
One Strike: Fury
Build Merits This build provides a balanced gear set for tackling the Emberplume and Golden Tempest. It also acts as a viable set for taking on the Celestial Dragon.

The Agate Nodachi 2 offers heavy raw damage and potent Inherent and Inherited offensive skills like Strong Arm: Spirit and Desperation. In addition, its upgrade paths provide it with a balanced spread of utility and damage skills, like Charge Boost: Fury, Iai Art, and Destruction Art.

The Sable Mara set from the Mighty Fumebeak provides high Fire and Wind resistance alongside potent utility skills, like Deaf Ears, Lunar Protection, Fusion Art: Fury, and Blackout Recovery, improving your survivability against the hard-hitting Emberplume and Golden Tempest.

To round the build out, we recommend using Talismans with damage-boosting skills like Slight of Hand: Fury, Battle Spirit, and One Strike: Fury to increase your damage output with the Nodachi further.

Anti-Amaterasu Sasanqua Set

Weapon ATK ATK. Type Crit. Rate
Sasanqua Nodachi 463 Slash 0%
Element Element Power
Wind 272
Inherent Skills
Final Blow 25%
Recovery Boost 10% (Base Inherited Skill)
Req. Materials
Ripclaw Corona Spray x3
Ripclaw Sickle Feather x4
Ripclaw Bloom Beak x2
Large Piece of Ore x2
Recommended Build Path (Inherited Skills)
Weapon Skill
Intoxicating Birch Nodachi 2 Wind Wilt 5%
Twilight Nodachi Fog Fall 4%
Summer Camellia Nodachi Karakuri Coordination: Remedy +3
Summer Camellia Nodachi 2 Critical Master 5%
Final Weapon Output
Sasanqua Nodachi Final Blow 25%
Recovery Boost 10%
Wind Wilt 5%
Fog Fall 4%
Karakuri Coordination: Remedy +3
Critical Master 5%
Armor Skills
Great Juniper Headgear
Nostrum Water
Strong Arm: Water +3
Great Juniper Body Armor
Health Boost +5
Health Boost +5
Tangle Recovery 33%
Great Juniper Gauntlets
Health Boost +5
Strong Arm: Remedy +33
Great Juniper Field Hakama
Strong Arm: Remedy +33
Fusion Master
Great Juniper Sune-ate
Health Boost +5
Savage +3
Skills
Final Blow 25% | Recovery Boost 10%
Wind Wilt 5% | Fog Fall 4%
Karakuri Coordination: Remedy +3 | Critical Master 5%
Strong Arm: Water +3 | Nostrum Water
Health Boost +15 | Tangle Recovery 33%
Strong Arm: Remedy +66 | Strong Arm: Thread +6
Fusion Master | Savage +3
Recommended Talisman Skills Wind Boost
Wind Wilt
Wood Resilience
Build Merits This build provides an excellent set of gear for the first fight against Amaterasu while remaining solid against Mighty Wood Kemono in Harugasumi Way.

The Sasanqua Nodachi is the strongest Wind-based Nodachi at this point in the game, making it one of the best options for taking down the Amaterasu. In addition, it also features potent damage-enhancing Inherent and Inherited skills from its upgrade paths, like Final Blow, Wind Wilt, and Fog Fall.

The Great Juniper set from the Mighty Kingtusk provides high Wood and Entangle resistance alongside potent Human-Path utility skills, like Nostrum Water, Strong Arm: Remedy, and Fusion Master, greatly improving your survivability against the Amaterasu and other Mighty Wood Kemono.

To round the build out, we recommend using Talismans with Wind Boost, Wind Wilt, and Wood Resilience to improve your survivability and damage output against the Amaterasu and other Wood Kemono.

Ember Nodachi Bandit

Weapon ATK ATK. Type Crit. Rate
Ember Nodachi 289 Slash 0%
Element Element Power
Fire 204
Inherent Skills
Leeway 4%
Iai Art 5% (Base Inherited Skill)
Req. Materials
Ore x10
Cobalt Lavaback Fang x2
Cobalt Lavaback Hide x2
Recommended Build Path (Inherited Skills)
Weapon Skill
Ripple Nodachi Double Strike 4%
Ripple Nodachi 3 Fire Wilt 5%
Wrack Nodachi: Rhododendron 2 Tiger's Den 5%
Final Weapon Output
Ember Nodachi Leeway 4%
Iai Art 5%
Double Strike 4%
Fire Wilt 5%
Tiger's Den 5%
Armor Skills
Bandit Mengu
Grab Master 4%
Bridge Burning 10%
Bandit Uwagi
Resurrection
Freezing Recovery 22%
Bandit Tekko
One Stroke: Fury 11%
Bandit Loincloth
Core Boost 10%
Freezing Recovery 22%
Bandit Boots
Grab Master 4%
Skills
Leeway +4% | Iai Art +5%
Double Strike 4% | Fire Wilt 5%
Tiger's Den 5% | Grab Master 8%
Bridge Burning 10% | Freezing Recovery 44%
Resurrection | One Stroke: Fury 11%
Core Boost 10 %
Recommended Talisman Skills Flame Wielder
Battle Spirit
Water Resilience
Build Merits This build is primarily designed for taking down the Deathstalker near the end of Chapter 2 while remaining a solid starter set when taking on the Mighty Kemono of Chapter 3.

The Ember Nodachi is the strongest Fire-based Nodachi at this point in the game, making it an excellent pick for fighting against the Deathstalker. In addition, it also features solid Inherent and Inherited skills from its upgrade paths, like Iai Art, Fire Wilt, and Double Strike.

The Bandit set provides high Water resistance and Freezing Recovery, letting you have an easier time dealing with the Deathstalker's icy attacks. In addition, modifying the set toward the Kemono-Path gives you access to potent offensive and defensive skills, like Resurrection and Bridge Burning.

To round out the build, we recommend using Talismans with Flame Wielder, Battle Spirit, and Water Resilience to improve your survivability and damage output against the Deathstalker and other Water Kemono.

Crystal Cleaver Akikure Veteran

Weapon ATK ATK. Type Crit. Rate
Crystal Cleaver 405 Lunge 10%
Element Element Power
- -
Inherent Skills
Critical Chain 8% (Base Inherited Skill)
One Stroke: Fury 15% (Kemono-Path)
Req. Materials
Corestone x6
Goldshard Tail x3
Goldshard Claw x2
Goldshard Spine x3
Recommended Build Path (Inherited Skills)
Weapon Skill
Clove Nodachi Fillip 6%
Demon Grass Nodachi Battle Paragon 10%
Final Weapon Output
Crystal Cleaver Critical Chain 8%
One Stroke: Fury 15%
Fillip 6%
Battle Paragon 10%
Armor Skills
Veteran Helmet
Bare Thread 6%
Veteran Armor
Bare Thread 6%
Fatigue Resilience 13%
Veteran Tekko
Dodge Master (Armor) 17%
Veteran Kusazuri
Fatigue Resilience 13%
Poison Recovery 22%
Veteran Sune-ate
Dodge Master (Armor) 17%
Skills
Fillip 6% | Battle Paragon 10%
Critical Chain 8% | One Stroke: Fury 15%
Bare Thread 12% | Fatigue Resilience 26%
Dodge Master 34% | Poison Recovery 22%
Recommended Talisman Skills Health Boost
Poison Recovery
Wind Resilience
Build Merits This build provides players with a solid set of gear for dealing with the Fumebeak while remaining effective against the rest of the Akikure Canyon kemono.

The Crystal Cleaver provides high raw Piercing damage, a 10% critical rate, and solid offensive skills like Critical Chain.

The Veteran set provides excellent resistances against the Sporetail, Goldshard, and Fumebeak, while also featuring solid utility skills like Bare Thread and Dodge Master. In addition, we also recommend modifying this armor set toward the Kemono-Path to activate the Crystal Cleaver's One Stroke: Fury.

To round the build out, we recommend equipping Talismans with Health Boost, Poison Recovery, and Wind Resilience to further enhance your survivability against the Fumebeak.

Best Early Game Nodachi Builds

Ripple Natsukodachi Hunter

Weapon ATK ATK. Type Crit. Rate
Ripple Nodachi 270 Slash -10%
Element Element Power
- -
Inherent Skills
Nimble-Fingered 25%
Reutilization 10% (Base Inherited Skill)
Double Strike 4% (Base Inherited Skill)
Req. Materials
Corestone x4
Bluestone x3
Gritdog Iron Nugget x1
Gritdog Enteric Sack x1
Armor Skills
Roaming Bard Mengu
Recovery Boost 15%
Roaming Bard Uwagi
Presence of Mind 4%
Roaming Bard Tekko
Savage +1
Grithide Loincloth
Core Boost 10%
Grithide Tabi
Strong Swimmer
Resurrection
Skills
Recovery Boost 15% | Presence of Mind 4% (Kemono Path)
Nimble-Fingered 25% | Double Strike 4%
Savage +1 | Core Boost 10%
Resurrection (Pure Kemono-Path)
Strong Swimmer (Pure Human-Path)
Recommended Talisman Skills Health Boost
Ironclad
Fire Resilience
Build Merits This build provides players with a solid set of gear for dealing with the Lavaback while remaining effective against the rest of the Natsukodachi Isle kemono.

Despite its 10% negative crit rate, the Ripple Nodachi is one of the strongest raw Nodachi at this point in the game with its 270 base attack. It also offers strong offensive and defensive skills with Nimble-Fingered, Double Strike, and Reutilization.

The mix of Roaming Bard and Grithide sets provides high Fire resistance while keeping its Water, Wind, and Earth resistances above zero, making it a great set for tackling the entirety of Natsukodachi Isle. In addition, modifying your armor set toward the Pure Kemono-Path gives you access to the Resurrection skill, which is incredibly handy for giving you a second chance in a pinch.

To round the build out, we recommend equipping Talismans with Health Boost, Ironclad, and Fire Resilience to further enhance your survivability against the Lavaback.

Creeping Vine All-Rounder

Weapon ATK ATK. Type Crit. Rate
Creeping Vine Nodachi 165 Slash 0%
Element Element Power
Wood 36
Inherent Skills
Final Blow 13%
Strong Arm: Spirit 4% (Base Inherited Skill)
Req. Materials
Kingtusk Hide x1
Kingtusk Ivory x1
Corestone x4
Recommended Build Path (Inherited Skills)
Weapon Skill
First Bloom Nodachi Savage +3
Final Weapon Output
Creeping Vine Nodachi Final Blow 13%
Strong Arm: Spirit 4%
Savage +3
Armor Skills
Basara Helm
Nostrum Water
Basara Body Armor
Strong Arm: Thread +4
Basara Gauntlets
Strong Arm: Remedy +22
Basara Field Hakama
Strong Arm: Remedy +22
Basara Sune-ate
Savage +1
Skills
Strong Arm: Remedy +44 | Final Blow 13%
Strong Arm: Spirit 4% | Strong Arm: Thread +4
Savage +4 | Nostrum Water (Pure Human-Path)
Recommended Talisman Skills Health Boost
Wood Boost
Ukemi Art
Build Merits This build focuses on giving players a strong set of gear for dealing with the Wood-based kemono in Harugasumi Way while still remaining effective against the Spineglider, Gritdog, and Dreadclaw in Natsukodachi Isle.

The Creeping Vine Nodachi offers adequate raw and Wood elemental damage while also providing extra damage potential with its Final Blow and Strong Arm: Spirit skills.

The Basara Armor Set, obtained from the Kingtusk, provides a solid spread of elemental resistances for dealing with Chapter 1's first few kemono and also offers plenty of survivability skills like Strong Arm: Remedy and Strong Arm: Thread.

To round the build out, we recommend equipping Talismans with Health Boost, Wood Boost, and Ukemi Art to further enhance your early survivability and damage output.

Best Skills for Nodachi

Best Skills Explanation
Charge Boost: Fury
★★★
This skill boosts the power of the Nodachi's charged-up attacks, which make up most of its damage output, making it a must-have for Nodachi builds.
Iai Art
★★★
This skill lowers the amount of stamina loss while charging up your Iai Stance, making it a great addition for any Nodachi build.
Double Strike
★★★
This skill increases your damage output for a short period after landing a charge attack, allowing the Nodachi to land mightier blows.
Battle Swordsmanship: Attack
★★
This skill provides a straight damage boost to your Attack 1 and Attack 2 moves, so it's an excellent skill for any weapon, including the Nodachi.
One Stroke: Fury
★★
With the Nodachi capable of breaking parts quickly with its high-damage hits, boosting attack after destroying kemono parts is nice to have.
Final Blow
★★
The Nodachi unleashes high-damage combos during knockdowns, so a skill that boosts damage against toppled kemono is excellent to have.
Karakuri Coordination: Fury
Iai attacks from the Spring and Crate are essential in Nodachi combos, so a boost in their power is always great to have.
Slight of Hand: Fury
Similar to Karakuri Coordination: Fury, gaining bonus attack after summoning karakuri boosts the power of the Nodachi's karakuri attacks.

Wild Hearts Related Guides

Wild Hearts - Best Weapon Builds

Best Builds and Armor for Each Weapon

All Weapon Builds
Wild Hearts Karakuri Katana Weapon TypeKarakuri Katana Wild Hearts Nodachi Weapon TypeNodachi
Wild Hearts Karakuri Staff Weapon TypeKarakuri Staff Wild Hearts Claw Blade Weapon TypeClaw Blade
Wild Hearts Bow Weapon TypeBow Wild Hearts Cannon Weapon TypeHand Cannon
Wild Hearts Maul Weapon TypeMaul Wild Hearts Bladed Nagasa Weapon TypeBladed Wagasa

Author

    Walkthrough Menu

    All rights reserved