Enter the Dojo: Mastering Combat and Arts Proficiency Flow in Nioh 3

In Nioh 3, players often mistakenly view Samurai and Ninja styles as mutually exclusive options, selecting one based on the situation’s demands. While both styles offer distinct advantages and can be effective on their own, this limited approach can restrain your potential. Mastery in combat comes from fluidly switching between the two styles, a hallmark of the Nioh series’ combat philosophy.

Welcome to the dojo! This guide is designed to explore crucial combat mechanics such as Arts Proficiency and how they intertwine to create a unique combat experience.

The Importance of Ki Damage

A warrior character in Nioh 3 engages an enemy on a rocky cliff with 'Living Artifact: △ + ○' on-screen

At the heart of combat in Nioh 3 is the strategy of depleting enemy Ki. This tactic provides a significant advantage regardless of your foe’s type.

Human Enemies: Once their Ki is exhausted, they become vulnerable to grapple attacks.
Yokai: Diminishing their Ki allows you to stagger them with any attack, while reducing their Max Ki makes them susceptible to a Final Blow, dealing substantial damage.

Although regular enemies can often be defeated without focusing on Ki damage during your initial playthrough, it becomes a critical mechanic against bosses. Effectively managing Ki is vital to avoid their counterattacks, enabling you to maximize your damage output.

Navigating Style Challenges

A character in 'SAMURAI STYLE' wearing a green robe contrasted with one in 'Ninja Style'

In Nioh 3, dealing Ki damage presents new challenges. Samurai Style attacks are inherently slower compared to those in previous iterations, and the primary weapon designed for Ki depletion—the Tonfa—has now been reserved for Ninja Style.

Because of its rapid pace, Ninja Style excels at gradually whittling away an enemy’s Ki, irrespective of the weapons in use. This speed not only inflicts damage but also significantly hastens the accumulation of Arts Proficiency.

Harnessing the Power of Arts Proficiency

A character in Nioh 3 faces off against a horse-mounted enemy, with 'Guardian Spirit Skill' instructions visible

Arts Proficiency is a mechanic in Nioh 3 that enables you to deal devastating damage, rendering even bosses vulnerable. This gauge fills as you attack with either style. Once charged, your next Martial Art or Heavy Attack becomes considerably more powerful. Additionally, chaining diverse attacks while the gauge is active amplifies the damage of each successive hit.

This mechanism enhances the synergy between Ki depletion and Arts Proficiency in Ninja Style, creating a seamless combat flow. If a Yokai’s Ki isn’t diminished, it won’t be staggered, leaving you open to attack interruptions. You may consider equipping the Oppressive Strength Samurai skill, but this can lead to survivability challenges that advanced builds with healing through attacks must address.

Fundamental Combat Loop of Nioh 3

Two samurai characters engaged in combat within a forest setting in Nioh 3

With the above strategies in mind, the fundamental combat loop in Nioh 3 can be summarized as follows:

Pressure With Ninja Style: Initiate combat using Ninja Style to deplete enemy Ki and quickly fill your Arts Proficiency gauge.
Inflict Damage With Samurai Style: After exhausting the enemy’s Ki and staggering them, shift to Samurai Style to deliver high-damage Strong Attacks and Martial Arts combos.
Recovery: Conclude your assault by reverting to Ninja Style post-Ki Pulse to accelerate Ki recovery. This allows you to utilize Ninjutsu for burst damage from a safe distance.

As you delve deeper into the game, your understanding of these mechanics will evolve, allowing for instinctive style switches based on battle dynamics. However, adhering to this loop during the early hours of your journey through the Warring States will empower you to conquer Yokai and build the confidence needed to become the next Shogun.

Thank you for engaging with our second Enter the Dojo guide, which investigates the intricate mechanics of Nioh 3 to facilitate your mastery of its combat flow.

This guide is based on a complete playthrough executed on the Steam 1.01 version, with all screenshots captured from the same version.

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