Ninja weapons in Nioh 3 are built around speed, mobility, and aggressive pressure. Compared to Samurai weapons, they trade raw reach and defense for fast execution, fluid combos, and strong synergy with evasive play.
This tier list ranks the best Ninja weapons in Nioh 3 from S-Tier to B-Tier, focusing purely on how each weapon performs, its scaling stats, the Martial Arts that define its moveset, and how it should be used in combat.
Best Ninja Weapons in Nioh 3 (Tier List)
Ninja characters can equip the following weapon types: Talons, Tonfa, Dual Ninja Swords, Hatchets, Ninja Swords, Kusarigama, and Splitstaves. While all are viable, some clearly outperform others in speed, pressure, and consistency.
| Tier | Weapons |
| S-Tier | Talons, Tonfa |
| A-Tier | Dual Ninja Swords, Hatchets, Ninja Swords |
| B-Tier | Kusarigama, Splitstaves |
1. S-Tier
S-Tier Ninja weapons represent the strongest and most consistent options in Nioh 3. These weapons deliver top-tier speed, pressure, and reliability with minimal drawbacks, allowing players to dominate encounters through aggressive play and superior Ki damage. If you want a Ninja weapon that performs at the highest level with few compromises, this is where to start.
Talons
Talons
Talons are the most aggressive Ninja weapon in Nioh 3, built entirely around overwhelming speed and constant pressure. They have the shortest effective range of any weapon, but also the fastest attack execution and some of the smoothest combo flow in the category.
What defines Talons is how little downtime they have between actions. Attacks chain rapidly, recovery frames are minimal, and the weapon transitions cleanly between grounded and aerial pressure. This allows you to stay glued to enemies and punish even brief openings. When an enemy’s Ki is broken, Talons excel at capitalizing immediately rather than resetting distance.
Key Strengths: unmatched pressure, speed, and combo continuity
Talons – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Heart
- Secondary Scaling: Stamina, Intellect
Key Talons Martial Arts
- Whirling Tiger – Fast advancing spin that closes distance instantly.
- Flying Fist – Aerial strike that keeps pressure while repositioning.
- Izuna Drop – Powerful finisher usable on Ki-depleted enemies.
Talons Usage Tips
- Stay extremely close, as Talons lose effectiveness at range.
- Chain fast ground and aerial attacks to maintain constant pressure.
- Exploit Ki depletion to land Izuna Drop for heavy damage.
- Prioritize mobility to avoid retaliation after extended combos.
Talons Strengths
- Fastest attack speed of all Ninja weapons, enabling constant pressure.
- Excellent combo flow with minimal recovery between attacks.
- Strong at capitalizing on Ki breaks due to immediate follow-up potential.
- Seamless ground-to-air transitions that maintain offensive momentum.
Talons Weaknesses
- Shortest effective range, requiring point-blank engagement.
- Highly punishing if spacing is mismanaged.
- Low forgiveness for late disengages or overcommitment.
Tonfa
Tonfa
Tonfas specialize in sustained close-range combat and are the strongest Ninja weapon for draining enemy Ki. Their attacks are compact, fast, and designed to chain into long sequences that keep enemies staggered and unable to respond.
Unlike burst-focused weapons, Tonfas win fights by attrition. They steadily grind down enemy Ki through repeated strikes, forcing openings through exhaustion rather than raw damage spikes. This makes them extremely effective in prolonged melee exchanges where pressure matters more than reach.
Key Strengths: best Ki pressure and stagger potential
Tonfa – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Constitution
- Secondary Scaling: Strength, Skill
Key Tonfa Martial Arts
- Demon Dance – Core combo extender and pressure tool.
- Pulverize – Heavy follow-up that punishes staggered enemies.
- Wasp Sting – Fast strike for maintaining combo flow.
Tonfa Usage Tips
- Apply constant pressure to overwhelm enemy Ki.
- Fight at point-blank range, where Tonfa perform best.
- Use long combo chains to stagger enemies repeatedly.
- Disengage briefly when needed, then re-enter to continue pressure.
Tonfas Strengths
- Highest Ki pressure among Ninja weapons.
- Long, sustained combo strings that keep enemies staggered.
- Excellent at controlling fight tempo in close-range encounters.
Tonfas Weaknesses
- Very limited reach, forcing constant close contact.
- Less effective when frequent disengagement is required.
- High commitment during extended combo chains.
2. A-Tier
A-Tier Ninja weapons are powerful and versatile but fall just short of S-Tier due to higher execution demands or situational limitations. In the right hands, these weapons can perform exceptionally well, offering strong mobility, solid damage, and flexible movesets that reward smart positioning and consistent pressure.
Dual Ninja Swords
Dual Ninja Sword
Dual Ninja Swords emphasize fluid movement and sustained offense. They excel at maintaining pressure through multi-hit attacks while constantly repositioning around enemies. Compared to heavier weapons, they trade raw impact for consistency and flexibility.
However, they lack the overwhelming dominance of S-Tier options. Without constant momentum, their damage output feels less decisive, and they don’t punish openings as hard as Talons or Tonfa.
Key Strengths: reliable speed and mobility
Dual Ninja Swords – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Heart
- Secondary Scaling: Intellect, Magic
Key Dual Ninja Swords Martial Arts
- Abscission – Mobile slashes that reposition while attacking.
- Spinning Drill – Aerial spin that maintains offense mid-movement.
- Endless Rain – Sustained mid-air strikes for pressure.
Dual Ninja Swords Usage Tips
- Maintain continuous offense through fast, multi-hit combos.
- Use mobility-based attacks to avoid counterattacks.
- Pressure enemies consistently rather than relying on burst damage.
- Stay aggressive, as the weapon thrives on momentum.
Dual Ninja Swords Strengths
- Strong mobility paired with fast, multi-hit attacks.
- Consistent pressure output across most encounter types.
- Reliable combo flow that rewards sustained aggression.
Dual Ninja Swords Weaknesses
- Lower damage payoff per opening compared to S-Tier weapons.
- Relies heavily on momentum to feel effective.
- Less dominant in short burst windows.
Hatchets
Hatchets
Hatchets are the most unorthodox Ninja weapon, blending melee combat with thrown attacks. This gives you superior space control, allowing you to pressure enemies without committing to close range.
Their defining feature is flexibility. Hatchets can poke, disengage, and re-engage fluidly, making them excellent for controlling the flow of combat. They shine in situations where spacing matters more than raw damage.
Key Strengths: unmatched spacing control
Hatchets – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Strength
- Secondary Scaling: Intellect, Magic
Key Hatchets Martial Arts
- Piercing Hurl – Strong ranged attack for mid-distance pressure.
- Dual Hurl – Rapid throws that control space.
- Tile Shaker – Defensive counter option.
Hatchets Usage Tips
- Control spacing using thrown attacks.
- Mix melee and ranged pressure to stay unpredictable.
- Reposition frequently after throwing hatchets.
- Avoid prolonged close combat, where other weapons excel more.
Hatchets Strengths
- Superior space control through ranged pressure.
- Flexible engagement options between melee and throws.
- Strong repositioning potential during combat.
Hatchets Weaknesses
- Situational effectiveness depending on spacing.
- More vulnerable during mistimed throws.
- Less reliable in forced close-quarters fights.
Ninja Swords
Ninja Sword
Ninja Swords are the most straightforward Ninja weapon. They offer a balanced mix of speed, reach, and damage without extreme strengths or weaknesses. This makes them easy to learn and dependable across a wide range of encounters.
Their moveset is clean and adaptable, allowing players to respond to enemy behavior rather than forcing a specific gameplan. While they don’t dominate in any single category, they rarely feel ineffective.
Key Strengths: consistency and versatility
Ninja Swords – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Skill
- Secondary Scaling: Intellect, Strength
Key Ninja Swords Martial Arts
- Kurama Sword Dance – Core combo tool with strong flow.
- Wagon Kick – Close-range launcher for combo extensions.
- Izuna Drop – High-damage finisher on vulnerable enemies.
Ninja Swords Usage Tips
- Use fast, clean combos to maintain steady pressure.
- Avoid blocking heavily and rely on movement instead.
- Manage Ki carefully, as frequent attacks consume resources quickly.
- Adapt to enemy behavior using a versatile moveset.
Ninja Swords Strengths
- Well-balanced performance across speed, range, and damage.
- Easy to learn and adaptable to different enemy patterns.
- Consistent and dependable in most combat scenarios.
Ninja Swords Weaknesses
- No standout specialization compared to higher-tier weapons.
- Lower peak pressure than Talons or Tonfa.
- Less explosive when punishing openings.
3. B-Tier
B-Tier Ninja weapons remain fully viable but require greater mastery or more careful play to shine. These weapons often feature unique mechanics, extended reach, or complex timing that can be extremely effective once learned, but they lack the raw consistency or ease of use found in higher tiers.
Kusarigama
Kusarigama
Kusarigama is a mixed-range weapon built around reach, wide arcs, and positional control. It allows you to threaten enemies from distances other weapons can’t, making it effective for managing spacing.
Its complexity is both its strength and weakness. Kusarigama requires precise timing and positioning to avoid being punished, and its defensive options are limited.
Key Strengths: powerful from a distance
Kusarigama – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Constitution
- Secondary Scaling: Skill, Magic
Key Kusarigama Martial Arts
- Flying Top – Long-range pressure tool.
- Foot Sweep – Knockdown option for control.
- Pollard – Heavy attack with strong reach.
Kusarigama Usage Tips
- Fight at mixed ranges, switching between distance and close combat.
- Avoid blocking, as it drains Ki quickly.
- Use pulls and wide arcs to disrupt enemy positioning.
- Rely on evasion rather than defense.
Kusarigamas Strengths
- Longest reach among Ninja weapons.
- Wide attack arcs that help control space.
- Effective at disrupting enemy positioning.
Kusarigamas Weaknesses
- High execution difficulty and low forgiveness.
- Inefficient blocking that drains Ki quickly.
- Severely punishes positioning mistakes.
Splitstaves
Splitstaves
Splitstaves rely on timed inputs and form switching to deliver extended combos and strong Ki damage. When executed correctly, they can stagger enemies repeatedly and maintain pressure through multi-hit attacks.
Their effectiveness depends entirely on mastery. Without precise timing, their attacks feel slower and less impactful. This makes them powerful in experienced hands but unreliable for many players.
Key Strengths: strong stagger potential
Splitstaves – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Strength
- Secondary Scaling: Intellect, Magic
Key Splitstaves Martial Arts
- Dragon Dance – Sustained multi-hit pressure.
- Fluid Form – Core mechanic for switching attack styles.
- Shin Crusher – Reliable Ki-damaging strike.
Splitstaves Usage Tips
- Master form transitions to unlock the weapon’s full potential.
- Exploit high Ki damage to stagger enemies quickly.
- Maintain offensive momentum through multi-hit strings.
- Expect a higher learning curve compared to other Ninja weapons.
Splitstaves Strengths
- Strong stagger potential through multi-hit pressure.
- Good Ki damage when combos are executed correctly.
- Flexible attack patterns through form switching.
Splitstaves Weaknesses
- Timing-dependent execution reduces consistency.
- Higher learning curve than most Ninja weapons.
- Performance drops sharply without precise input control.
4. Which Ninja Weapon Should You Choose?
Choosing the right Ninja weapon in Nioh 3 is better than simply picking the highest-ranked option. Each weapon favors different ranges, attack rhythms, and levels of commitment, meaning performance often depends on how well the weapon matches your instincts.
- Choose Talons if you want the fastest weapon and love staying on top of enemies with relentless close-range pressure.
- Choose Tonfa if you want to shred enemy Ki, and win by overwhelming opponents in tight melee exchanges.
- Choose Dual Ninja Swords if you want speed and mobility with consistent multi-hit offense across most encounters.
- Choose Hatchets if you prefer controlling distance, mixing melee with ranged pressure, and playing around spacing.
- Choose Ninja Swords if you want a balanced, reliable weapon that’s easy to learn and adapts well to different enemy patterns.
- Choose Kusarigama if you want long reach and a mixed-range kit, and you don’t mind a higher mastery curve for consistent results.
- Choose Splitstaves if you enjoy timing-based weapons with form switching and want a stagger-heavy, combo-driven style.
