Samurai weapons in Nioh 3 are built around Ki control, stance mastery, and well-timed defense that turns into decisive punishment. Compared to Ninja weapons, Samurai options lean harder into reach, measured pacing, and the ability to win fights through spacing, Deflect timing, and clean openings instead of nonstop evasive pressure.
This tier list ranks the best Samurai weapons in Nioh 3 from S-Tier to B-Tier, focusing on how each weapon performs, what it rewards (range, pressure, stagger, combos), Martial Arts and Samurai skills that shape its best play patterns.
Best Samurai Weapons in Nioh 3 (Tier List)
Samurai characters can equip the following weapon types: Sword, Dual Swords, Spear, Axe, Odachi, Switchglaive, and the new Cestus. All seven are viable, but they do not perform equally depending on whether you value reach and consistency or raw power and combo ceiling.
| Tier | Weapons |
| S-Tier | Spear, Axe, Switchglaive |
| A-Tier | Dual Swords, Cestus |
| B-Tier | Sword, Odachi |
1. S-Tier
S-Tier Samurai weapons are the strongest picks when you want a kit with minimal matchup issues. These options either dominate through reliable range and consistency or elite offensive output once mastered.
Spear
Spear
Spear is a clean, reliable Samurai weapon that thrives on reach, easy-to-chain offense, and the ability to control fights without relying on complicated mechanics. It’s especially effective when enemies try to rush you, because the weapon naturally creates space while still letting you keep pressure.
The best Spear play leans into hit-and-run combat, using quick strikes, aerial options, and evasive movement to keep you safe while still draining enemy Ki through repeated pressure windows.
Key Strengths: range control, consistency, simple but high-output offense
Spear – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Heart
- Secondary Scaling: Skill, Stamina
Key Spear Martial Arts
- Spear Bash – Close-range strike that adds quick pressure and helps maintain momentum.
- Spear Shove – Fast thrust focused on reliable Ki damage without heavy commitment.
- Fatal Thrust – Forward-driving finisher that deals strong damage when you commit safely.
Spear Usage Tips
- Play at the edge of your range so enemies spend more time closing distance than attacking.
- Turn movement into offense by using Martial Arts that reposition while striking.
- Use Spear Shove when you need quick, reliable Ki damage without overcommitting.
- Use Fatal Thrust when you can safely charge forward and keep draining enemy Ki through pressure.
Spear Strengths
- Very strong reach that makes spacing and crowd control easier.
- Easy-to-chain combos that balance speed and damage without complex requirements.
- High consistency across most enemy types and fight sizes.
Spear Weaknesses
- Less burst damage than the heaviest Samurai options when you only have a short opening..
- Requires spacing discipline if enemies successfully pressure you into close quarters.
Axe
Axe
Axe is a raw-power weapon built to hit hard, stagger enemies, and punish openings with huge swings. It’s extremely rewarding when you understand timing, because a single correct hit can translate into massive damage and momentum breaks against tougher targets.
Axe gameplay is about making its slow speed irrelevant through positioning and constant offensive pressure, using heavy commitment strikes when you’re confident the enemy can’t immediately punish you.
Key Strengths: raw power, stagger, boss punishment
Axe – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Stamina
- Secondary Scaling: Magic
Key Axe Martial Arts
- Rage – Boosts offensive output to amplify the Axe’s already high raw damage.
- Battle Focus – Enhances sustained pressure during extended melee exchanges.
- Rumbling Earth II – Heavy ground-based attack that punishes openings with strong impact.
- Retreating Axe – Defensive repositioning attack that allows you to disengage safely.
Axe Usage Tips
- Maintain offensive pressure to compensate for slow attack speed.
- Respect whiffs because missing a swing is where the weapon gets punished hardest.
- Use Rage and Battle Focus to keep damage output high when you’ve earned a pressure window.
Axe Strengths
- Unparalleled raw power when you land big openings.
- Stagger and momentum breaking that punishes tougher enemies.
- Excellent boss punishment if you can read patterns and commit safely.
Axe Weaknesses
- Very slow, so bad timing is punished immediately.
- Can feel uncontrollable on certain spinning-style attacks if you commit at the wrong moment.
- Struggles defensively if you rely on slow actions while under pressure.
Switchglaive
Switchglaive
Switchglaive is one of the strongest Samurai weapons, but its power is tied directly to a single requirement: stance switching mid-combo. The weapon transforms depending on your stance, shifting between different forms and attack patterns. When you can swap forms fluidly while continuing offense, the output and pressure become overwhelming.
If you are not comfortable with constant stance switching, Switchglaive performance drops sharply. In practiced hands, it becomes a top-tier weapon with elite flexibility and relentless combo potential.
Key Strengths: versatility, combos, aggressive play (when stance switching is mastered)
Switchglaive – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Magic
- Secondary Scaling: Intellect
Key Switchglaive Martial Arts
- Kibosh Kicker – Close-range combo extender for sustained pressure.
- Cyclone Wind – Spinning attack that controls space.
- Stallion Strike – Advancing strike that keeps momentum.
- Arc of Chaos Fire – Mid-range pressure tool that maintains safety while attacking.
Switchglaive Usage Tips
- Commit to stance switching mid-combo, because that is where the weapon’s real damage comes from.
- Use Arc of Chaos Fire when you need safer mid-range reach without giving up pressure.
- Use Kibosh Kicker and Cyclone Wind as follow-ups to keep offense rolling after a good opening.
- Use Stallion Strike when you want airborne strikes and repositioning while staying aggressive.
Switchglaive Strengths
- Immense combo potential and offensive output when forms are switched fluidly.
- High versatility across encounter types once mastered.
- Strong pressure tools that keep you aggressive while repositioning.
Switchglaive Weaknesses
- Learning curve is mandatory, not optional.
- Performance depends entirely on stance switching and staying clean under pressure.
- Feels unpredictable or wild if you are not practiced with its form flow.
2. A-Tier
A-Tier Samurai weapons are powerful, reliable choices that can carry a full playthrough, but they are either more situational, more resource-demanding, or slightly less dominant than the best-in-slot options. These weapons still shine when you play into what they do best.
Dual Swords
Dual Swords
Dual Swords are fast, safe, and consistent twin katanas that sit in the sweet spot between speed and power. They reward players who want an aggressive Samurai style without losing all reach, and they become even more threatening when you can manage Ki expenditure while maintaining constant pressure.
They also support defensive play through Martial Arts that build on Deflect parries, letting you convert a successful defense into immediate counter-attacks and sustained momentum.
Key Strengths: speed, steady damage, safe pressure
Dual Swords – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Heart
- Secondary Scaling: Stamina, Magic
Key Dual Swords Martial Arts
- Winter Wind – Fast combo tool that maintains offensive flow.
- Raijin Lightning – Quick burst strike that fits into aggressive strings.
- God of Wind Wind – Strong finisher with high impact during pressure.
- Deflecting Cut – Counter-attack that converts a Deflect into offense.
Dual Swords Usage Tips
- Manage Ki carefully, because Dual Swords are strongest when you keep attacking without stalling out.
- Use Deflecting Cut to convert defense into offense immediately.
- Keep pressure steady instead of gambling everything on short burst windows.
- Lean into mobility so you can stay safe while maintaining multi-hit pressure.
Dual Swords Strengths
- Fast, safe, consistent offense that works in long fights.
- Strong counter options that build on Deflect timing.
- Excellent pressure once you control Ki expenditure.
Dual Swords Weaknesses
- Less raw impact per single opening than heavy weapons.
- Ki management demands are higher if you want maximum uptime.
- Can feel weaker if you cannot keep momentum rolling.
Cestus
Cestus
Cestus is a close-range fist weapon that mixes fast strikes and heavy-hitting pressure, including kicks built into its combos. It excels at Ki-breaking multi-hit attacks, letting you demolish guard and keep enemies locked down when you stay glued to them.
The weapon’s biggest limitations are reach and early convenience. If you misjudge distance, you get punished hard, and acquiring this weapon can be a problem because loot drops are rare enough that forging at the blacksmith is considered the most consistent way to get them.
Key Strengths: close-range pressure, guard breaks, combo chaining
Cestus – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Stamina
- Secondary Scaling: Magic
Key Cestus Martial Arts
- Beyond Infinity – High-impact combo strike that rewards aggression.
- Limitless – Heavy-hitting attack for strong burst windows.
- Heavenly Strike – Fast upward strike that launches pressure.
- Dancing Kick – Mobility-based kick woven into combo strings.
Cestus Usage Tips
- Stay aggressive and close, because the weapon loses value the moment you drift out of range.
- Chain Martial Arts to maintain relentless pressure and keep guard breaking.
- Use Ki Pulse to keep attacking while staying mobile, instead of backing off after every string.
- Forge at the blacksmith if you want a reliable way to acquire the weapon early, since drops can be rare.
Cestus Strengths
- Excellent Ki-breaking through powerful multi-hit attacks.
- Demolishes guard and punishes enemies that try to turtle.
- High combo potential when you commit to pressure.
Cestus Weaknesses
- Very low reach, so spacing mistakes are punished immediately.
- Less convenient early due to weapon availability concerns.
- Requires commitment to close-range pressure to feel strong.
3. B-Tier
B-Tier Samurai weapons are still fully playable, but they are either outperformed by other options in the same role or ask for a more patient, less aggressive playstyle. If the weapon fits your instincts, you can still get great results.
Sword
Sword
Sword is the Samurai’s starting weapon and the most balanced option. It teaches core fundamentals like linking attacks, Deflect timing, and Ki Pulse management, while remaining flexible across all three stances.
Its biggest issue is competition. Sword is rarely bad, but other Samurai weapons often do its job better once you specialize. That said, Sword stays valuable as a versatile option that scales with your fundamentals instead of gimmicks.
Key Strengths: versatility, fundamentals, balanced moveset
Sword – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Heart
- Secondary Scaling: Stamina
Key Sword Martial Arts
- Iai Quickdraw II – Fast-draw burst attack that punishes clean openings.
- Kurama Sword Dance – Flowing combo string that works across multiple stances.
- Night Rain – Rapid multi-hit slash for sustained pressure.
Sword Usage Tips
- Use Sword to learn stance flow, Deflect timing, and Ki Pulse habits without fighting your weapon.
- Play flexible and adapt your stance choice to the situation instead of forcing one pattern.
- Use burst tools like Iai Quickdraw II when you get a clean opening.
- Stay consistent, because Sword wins by fundamentals more than gimmicks.
Sword Strengths
- Most versatile and balanced Samurai weapon.
- Excellent training tool for core mechanics.
- Consistent across stances without requiring complex systems.
Sword Weaknesses
- Often outclassed by other weapons that specialize harder into a role.
- Rarely feels “best” when you compare raw output to top-tier choices.
- Less explosive if you want heavy stagger or huge single-hit punishment.
Odachi
Odachi
Odachi is a massive blade built for crowd control, wide sweeps, and carving huge chunks off a boss when you pick the right moment. It rewards patience, spacing discipline, and understanding enemy patterns so you can commit to heavy swings without being punished.
Odachi can do great damage, but it is slower and less consistent than more reliable options in the same “reach weapon” role. It shines most when you treat it as a deliberate weapon and stop trying to force constant aggression.
Key Strengths: crowd control, heavy hits, spacing-based play
Odachi – Scaling Stats
- Primary Scaling: Stamina
- Secondary Scaling: Magic, Heart
Key Odachi Martial Arts
- Ground Sweeper – Wide horizontal strike ideal for crowd control.
- Moonlit Snow Charge – Charged heavy attack that delivers high burst damage.
- Groundquake Lightning – Powerful downward strike with strong impact.
- Sunset Breeze: Earth – Flow-based stance technique that transitions smoothly into follow-ups.
Odachi Usage Tips
- Use Low Stance to poke and control space, then switch when you’ve earned a heavier opening.
- Use High Stance when you can commit to a powerful charged strike safely.
- Play patient and learn when to press and when to reset, because Odachi punishes overcommitment.
- Use wide sweeps to hit multiple targets and control groups instead of chasing single-target DPS patterns.
Odachi Strengths
- Excellent crowd control through wide sweeping attacks.
- High damage potential when you punish the right openings.
- Strong spacing weapon that rewards disciplined positioning.
Odachi Weaknesses
- Slow, and mistakes are punished.
- Less consistent than other high-reach options depending on the matchup and fight pace.
- Rewards patience more than aggression, which may not fit every player.
4. Which Samurai Weapon Should You Choose?
Picking the best Samurai weapon in Nioh 3 depends on what you want your fights to feel like. Samurai weapons reward different fundamentals: some win through range and consistency, some through raw stagger, and some through stance-switching mastery that turns execution into damage.
- Choose Spear if you want the most consistent range weapon with easy combos, crowd control, and a hit-and-run style that stays safe.
- Choose Axe if you want to hit hard, stagger reliably, and punish bosses with massive swings once your timing is clean.
- Choose Switchglaive if you want a top-tier weapon whose real power comes from stance switching mid-combo and maintaining offensive pressure.
- Choose Dual Swords if you want a faster Samurai style with steady pressure, strong defensive counterplay, and a kit that rewards Ki management.
- Choose Cestus if you want close-range guard breaking, Ki destruction, and relentless pressure—plus you’re comfortable living at point-blank range.
- Choose Sword if you want the most balanced weapon to learn stance flow, Deflect, and Ki Pulse fundamentals while staying flexible in every stance.
- Choose Odachi if you want sweeping crowd control and heavy, spacing-based punishment that rewards patience more than constant aggression.
