Nioh 3’s early game can feel punishing if your stats, Martial Arts, and gear aren’t aligned with a clear plan. Instead of spreading points too thin or relying on random loot, the smartest approach is choosing a focused starter build that supports your weapon scaling, Ki management, and status application from the start.
This guide breaks down the best early-game Samurai and Ninja builds, covering stat priorities, armor choices, Guardian Spirits, Soul Cores, and Secret Skills so you can progress smoothly through missions without constantly hitting damage or survivability walls.
1. Best Axe Build (Samurai)
This Axe starter build is about high burst damage and breaking enemies with heavy hits, while using Ki recovery tools and defensive effects to avoid getting punished during slow swings. The Axe shines when you commit to Strong Attacks and big Martial Arts finishers instead of trying to play like a fast weapon.
Samurai Core Skills
1.1 Build Overview
| Focus | Notes |
|---|---|
| Playstyle | Heavy commits, Strong Attacks, high burst, Ki-aware spacing |
| Main Weapon | Axe |
| Core Stats | Stamina, Constitution, Strength |
| Key Samurai Martial Arts | High Stance, Low Stance, Deflect, Flux II, Frost Moon: Heaven |
| Best Guardian Spirit | Kusanagi (Fire) |
| Alternative Spirit | Guhin (Wind) |
1.2 Armor Sets — Best Choices
Because Axe attacks are slow and can leave you exposed, your armor goals are: Ki recovery so you can guard/dodge after swings, plus Toughness/Defense for survivability.
- Warrior of the East Set (2 pieces): Set bonus supports Axe damage through strong Martial Arts-focused value.
- Brave Demon Hunter Set (3 pieces): Set bonus provides significant Martial Arts Damage, boosting the Axe’s core payoff moves.
Armor Special Effects to prioritize: Ki Recovery Speed, Ki Pulse Recovery, High Stance Martial Art Ki Consumption, Strong Attack Ki Consumption, Toughness, Defense.
1.3 Axe Martial Arts
This build leans on buff Martial Arts and high-damage finishers. The key is using big moves when positioning is safe, then stabilizing with Ki tools so you aren’t left empty afterward.
| Martial Art | Uses |
|---|---|
| Rage | Increases Attack at the cost of higher Ki consumption (high-risk, high payoff). |
| Battle Focus | Alternative buff: reduces Attack Ki consumption while increasing Dodge Ki consumption. |
| Rumbling Earth II | Highest damaging move: long charge attack that can one-shot regular enemies and hit bosses hard if timed safely. |
| Titanic Strength | Strong follow-up after a Strong Attack to keep pressure going. |
| Fang Toss | Mid-range option to threaten enemies without committing point-blank. |
| Retreating Axe | Defensive Martial Art that leaps backward while still dealing damage. |
Samurai Martial Arts you want online early: Low Stance, High Stance, Deflect, Flux II, and Frost Moon: Heaven (for Ki Pulse follow-up utility).
1.4 Weapon Special Effects
The Axe is extremely Ki-hungry when you play it correctly (Strong Attacks + Martial Arts). Your best weapon affixes keep you attacking without emptying your Ki bar.
- Ki Recovery Speed: Core sustain for a slow weapon that needs Ki after commits.
- Melee Attack Ki Consumption: Directly reduces how fast your Axe empties your bar.
- High Attack Damage: Boosts your highest payoff stance damage.
- Strong Attack Ki Damage: Improves the Axe’s ability to break enemy Ki with heavy swings.
- High Stance Martial Art Ki Consumption: Lets you use big Axe Arts more often without collapsing your Ki.
Fixed Special Effect: High Attack Damage (Wooden Harmer), Spirit Force Bonus (Status Ailment) (Ryomen Sukuna’s Axe).
1.5 Stat Priorities for Axe Build
Priority guidance: prioritize Stamina for the largest increase to melee attack power while also enabling heavier armor. Put secondary points into Constitution and Strength to increase Life, improve Ki damage, and meet Special Effect requirements. Invest in Magic only enough to equip the recommended Soul Cores. Place remaining points into Heart to improve Ki and Ki Recovery Speed, which is crucial due to the Axe’s high Ki consumption.
1.6 Best Guardian Spirits
Guardian Spirits add passive bonuses that match your gameplan. This build’s top spirit boosts Martial Arts and Arts Proficiency damage, which directly supports the Axe’s biggest hits.
- Kusanagi (Fire): Boosts Martial Arts and Arts Proficiency Damage, improves Ki Pulse Recovery, and supports survivability with Fire Damage Reduction and Spirit Force Charge (Martial Art).
- Guhin (Wind): Alternative with reduced Martial Arts Ki Consumption, reduced Damage Taken, Strong Attack Break, and Faster Winded Recovery.
1.7 Recommended Soul Cores
This starter setup uses Soul Cores to add elemental pressure and more damage windows while your Axe does its heavy work.
| Soul Core | Best Position | Effects / Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Jakotsu-baba | Yang and/or Yin | Yang adds Water Damage and Auto-Grave Recovery; Yin grants Water Familiar Talisman to deal Water Damage and inflict Saturated (increases damage enemies take). |
| Mikoshi Nyudo | Yin | Grants Lightning Shot Talisman to inflict Electrified (slows enemy movement). |
1.8 Best Secret Skills
These Secret Skills reinforce the Axe’s identity: heavy pressure, safer commits, and better Ki control.
Axe Skills
- Attack Mastery II: Increases Attack by 12.
- Running Water: Enables you to perform a Ki Pulse by dodging.
- Oppressive Strength: Prevents you from being staggered during Strong Attacks and Martial Arts while Arts Proficiency is active.
- Awakening: Allows you to use Onmyo Magic.
2. Best Switchglaive Build (Samurai)
This Switchglaive starter build is built around stance switching pressure and elemental synergy. The Switchglaive’s identity is a flexible moveset with strong Onmyo support, but it demands stance management to perform consistently. Your goal is to keep combos flowing through Switch Stance moves while using Ki tools to stay aggressive.
2.1 Build Overview
| Focus | Notes |
|---|---|
| Playstyle | Stance switching combos, sustained pressure, elemental application |
| Main Weapon | Switchglaive |
| Core Stats | Magic (priority), Intellect (secondary), Heart (Ki sustain), then Constitution + Stamina for survivability |
| Key Samurai Skills | Low Stance, High Stance, Deflect, Flux II |
| Best Guardian Spirit | Guhin (Wind) |
| Alternative Spirit |
Kusanagi (Fire) |
Switchglaive Stats
2.2 Armor Sets — Best Choices
Armor should reinforce two things: Ki management for constant pressure, and defensive stability so you can keep attacking through busy fights.
- Goichimonshu Set (4 pieces): Grants increased Life, reduced Martial Art Ki Consumption, and Life Drain through Martial Arts to sustain offense.
- Wayfarer Set (4 pieces): Provides bonuses to Strong Attacks, increased Martial Art Ki Damage, and Life Recovery through Arts Proficiency Attack.
Armor Special Effects to prioritize: Ki Pulse Recovery, Ki Recovery Speed, Dodge Ki Consumption, Toughness, Damage Taken, Defense.
2.3 Switchglaive Martial Arts
To make Switchglaive work as a starter build, you prioritize Switch Stance moves so you can chain attacks from any stance. Then you layer in follow-ups and payoff Arts.
| Martial Art | Uses |
|---|---|
| Switch Stance: Blade | Core moveset unlock for connecting stance-based combos. |
| Switch Stance: Edge | Core moveset unlock to keep pressure flowing between stances. |
| Switch Stance: Retribution | Core moveset unlock that completes your stance-bridge toolkit. |
| Kibosh Kicker (Low Stance) | Strong follow-up option to extend offense after Quick Attacks. |
| Cyclone Wind (High/Mid) | Multi-hit sequence that fits into pressure strings (Wind emphasis). |
| Infinite Retribution II (High) | Independent payoff: multiple spins into a strong finishing strike. |
| Arc of Chaos Fire (High) | Ranged Fire option by throwing the Switchglaive like a boomerang. |
| Stallion Strike | Airborne option: spinning slash while landing for strong damage from above. |
Samurai Martial Arts you need early: Low Stance, High Stance (for full movesets), Deflect (parry tool), and Flux II (Ki Pulse while switching stances).
2.4 Weapon Special Effects
Switchglaive wins by staying active. You want affixes that boost Ki Recovery, reduce Ki Consumption per stance, and strengthen both weapon damage and Onmyo synergy.
- Ki Recovery Speed: Lets you keep chaining stance swaps without stalling.
- Low/Mid/High Stance Martial Art Ki Consumption: Directly supports long pressure strings across stances.
- Melee Damage:Raises baseline damage across stance strings.
- Onmyo Magic Ki Damage: Improves your elemental pressure and Ki damage layering.
- Melee Attack Ki Damage: Helps break enemy Ki faster during sustained combos.
Fixed Special Effect: Low Attack Ki Consumption (Merciful Switchglaive), Mid Attack Damage (Seven Scalp Switchglaive), Strong Attack Ki Damage (Martial Artist’s Switchglaive).
2.5 Stat Priorities for Switchglaive Build
This build prioritizes Magic to enhance melee attacks and Onmyo Magic for higher overall damage output. Intellect is the secondary stat for better effect duration and Ki recovery support. Then add Heart for Ki and Ki recovery, followed by Constitution and Stamina for survivability and armor flexibility.
2.6 Best Guardian Spirits
- Guhin (Wind): Reduces Martial Arts Ki Consumption, reduces Damage Taken, improves Strong Attack Break, speeds Winded Recovery, and boosts Melee Damage vs Winded Enemy.
- Kusanagi (Fire): Alternative with higher offense: boosts Martial Art Damage, Ki Pulse Recovery, Arts Proficiency Damage, and Spirit Force Charge (Martial Art), plus Fire Damage Reduction.
2.7 Recommended Soul Cores
These Soul Cores let you pick the elemental route you want while still keeping the build’s pressure identity.
| Soul Core | Best Position | Effects / Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodedge Demon | Yang | Summoning Seal attack based on equipped Guardian Spirit element, plus Elemental Damage and Damage vs Revenants. |
| Kamaitachi | Yin | Grants Wind Familiar Talisman to build Blustered (increases Ki damage enemies take). |
| Bakegani | Yin | Grants Water Shot Talisman to inflict Saturated (increases damage enemies take). |
| Mikoshi Nyudo | Yin | Grants Lightning Shot Talisman to inflict Electrified (slows enemy movements). |
2.8 Best Secret Skills
- Running Water: Enables you to perform a Ki Pulse by dodging.
- Unshakable: Reduces damage taken while you are attacking by 10.0%.
- Roaring Dragon Deflect: Inflicts Increased Damage Received (Elemental) on an enemy after a successful Deflect.
- Awakening: Allows you to use Onmyo Magic faster.
3. Best Tonfa Build (Ninja)
This Tonfa starter build is built for fast multi-hit pressure, high Ki damage, and status ailment stacking. Tonfa attacks are short-range, so the build focuses on staying close safely using Ninja defensive tools, while taking advantage of Tonfa’s low Ki cost and smooth chaining to stagger enemies.
3.1 Build Overview
| Focus | Notes |
|---|---|
| Playstyle | Close-range barrage, Ki break pressure, status buildup (Water / Lightning) |
| Main Weapon | Tonfa |
| Core Stats | Constitution, Strength, Skill (balanced Skill + Magic for elemental tools) |
| Key Ninja Skills | Evade, Cicada Shell, Kunai, Uncanny Bolt (and/or Uncanny Bubble) |
| Best Guardian Spirit | Nekomata (Lightning) |
| Alternative Spirit | Kusanagi (Water emphasis option) |
Tonfa Stats
3.2 Armor Sets — Best Choices
Tonfa needs durability because you must stay close. Use armor effects that increase Defense, Toughness, and Ki Recovery Speed so your combos don’t stall.
- Heir’s Shinobi (any piece): Light Armor with fixed Dodge Ki Consumption, easy to find early-game.
Armor Special Effects to prioritize: Defense Bonus (Constitution/Skill/Strength), Melee Attack Ki Consumption, Damage Taken, Auto Life Recovery (Evade), Decrease Damage Taken (Amrita Absorption), Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption).
3.3 Tonfa Martial Arts & Weapon Skills
Tonfa combat is built around chained follow-ups that shred enemy Ki. You want a toolkit that keeps you attached to targets and safe while staying in range.
| Tonfa Skill | Uses |
|---|---|
| Sweeping Kick | Core option for starting and extending pressure. |
| Storm of Strikes | Reliable multi-hit follow-up after attacks. |
| Heavenly Chain | Strong chained combo option after your attacks. |
| Mountain Breaker | Dashes forward while dealing damage in a small area. |
| Demon Dance | Shorter dodge range but longer invulnerability, letting you dodge safely while staying close to continue combos. |
| Pulverize | Combo extension option that fits the barrage playstyle. |
| Apocalypse | High investment Tonfa skill with mission requirement (The Way of the Ninja: Veteran). |
3.4 Weapon Special Effects
Your Tonfa wants effects that reward constant hitting and status application.
- Imbue Water: Key for building Saturation quickly through multi-hit pressure.
- Ki Recovery Speed: Lets you keep chaining without stopping.
- Ki Damage vs Saturated/Electrified Enemy: Boosts payoff after you apply Water/Lightning ailments.
- Melee Damage vs Winded Enemy: Tonfa breaks Ki often, so this converts that into damage.
- Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption): Pairs with Extraction Talismans for sustain while fighting up close.
Fixed Special Effect examples: Imbue Water (White Bone Spirit Tonfa), Quick Attack Ki Consumption (Rosewood Tonfa).
3.5 Stat Priorities for Tonfa Build
Tonfa scales with Constitution, Strength, and Skill. Constitution increases health and damage scaling, while Skill strengthens Ninjutsu value. For this build, it’s recommended to keep a balanced amount of points between Skill and Magic because Tonfa excels at quickly building status ailments, and elemental damage is best sourced from Onmyo and Talismans that scale with Magic.
3.6 Best Guardian Spirits
- Nekomata (Lightning): Provides Ki Recovery Speed, lowers quick/melee attack Ki consumption, and boosts Ninja-focused pressure (including Ninjutsu Ki Damage).
- Kusanagi: Alternative if you want to focus more on bolstering Water damage.
Kusanagi Guardian Spirit
3.7 Recommended Soul Cores
| Soul Core | Best Position | Effects / Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Jakotsu-baba | Yang | Boosts Water damage and provides Water Familiar Talismans (Yin) in its kit; good for Saturation-focused Tonfa routes. |
| Yasha | Yang (later replacement option) | Boosts Martial Arts Ki Consumption value and provides Life Drain (Water Damage), plus Geyser Shot Talismans (Yin). |
| Gaki Chief | Yin | Grants Extraction Talismans to trigger Amrita Absorption-based special effects consistently. |
| Yoki | Yin | Grants Power Talismans to increase attack before combat. |
3.8 Best Secret Skills
Tonfa uses the Ninja kit heavily, so the most important Secret Skills are the ones that replicate Ki tools and improve survivability across long close-range fights.
- Evil-Dispelling Evade: Dispels the Yokai Realm from an area where you have successfully Evaded (paired with Evade Ninjutsu for Ki Pulse-like value).
- Armor Piercer: Increases damage dealt by Final Blow and Grapple by 10.0%.
- Tachi Arts: Increases melee attack by 8.4% against enemies with maximum Life.
- Awakening: Allows to use Onmyo Magic faster.
- Panacea Curefast: Increase Life restored by elixirs by 15.0%.
- Lingering Spirit: Recovers 30.0% of the Amrita left at your grave when you die.
4. Best Kusarigama Build (Ninja)
This Kusarigama starter build is designed for range and speed with hit-and-run flexibility. Kusarigama has both long and short-range attacks: the chain creates sweeping arcs that can hit multiple enemies from a distance, while the sickle functions as the strong attack for close-range. Because combos can be punishable if mistimed, the build emphasizes positioning, timing, and Ki tools that keep you safe.
Kusarigama Gameplay
4.1 Build Overview
| Focus | Notes |
|---|---|
| Playstyle | Mid-range chain pressure, combo bursts, aerial attacking, hit-and-run options |
| Main Weapon | Kusarigama |
| Core Stats | Constitution, Skill, Magic (Heart + Stamina as supporting character stats) |
| Key Ninja Skills | Evade, Kunai, Uncanny Bubble, Uncanny Bolt |
| Best Guardian Spirit | Kusanagi (Ninja) (Water) |
| Alternative Spirit | Nekomata |
4.2 Armor Sets — Best Choices
Kusarigama benefits from armor effects that improve dodge economy, Ki sustain, and survivability while you reposition. Dodge Ki Consumption is a major early value point.
- Ascetic / Heir’s Shinobi pieces: Provide fixed Dodge Ki Consumption value (strong for Ninja positioning).
- Kobo Daishi Set (2–4 pieces): Devout Practitioner set bonus: Life +100 (2 pieces), Melee Damage +3.0% (3 pieces), Dodge Ki Consumption -25.0% (4 pieces). Available mid-game (around level 80 or more).
Armor Special Effects to prioritize: Toughness, Life Recovery (Amrita Absorption), Ki, Ki Recovery Speed, Defense Bonus (Constitution/Skill/Magic), Auto Life Recovery (Evade), Yokai Realm Resistance.
4.3 Kusarigama Martial Arts & Weapon Skills
This build’s Kusarigama combo plan starts with gap closing, then layers multi-hit pressure and aerial follow-ups, with tools to disengage or disrupt enemies.
| Kusarigama Skill | Uses |
|---|---|
| Deadly Mark | Used to start combos by propelling you forward on hit. |
| Whirlwind | Core combo follow-up pressure tool. |
| Crimson Flurry | Follow-up combo pressure after Deadly Mark + Whirlwind. |
| Leaping Strike / Pollard / Flying Top | Aerial tools that complement Kusarigama’s strong mid-air performance. |
| Reedcutter | Used to step away from enemies for safer spacing. |
| Foot Sweep | Parry option to disrupt strikes. |
| Whirlwind (Wind) | Transformed Art option (requires unlocking with Martial Arts Guide) for Wind-focused status pressure. |
4.4 Weapon Special Effects
Kusarigama benefits heavily from effects that support frequent Quick Attacks, Ki sustain, and damage payoff from Ninja pressure.
- Life Drain (Quick Attack): Supports sustain while you pressure with fast chains.
- Quick Attack Ki Consumption: Key if you focus on chain-based Quick Attack pressure (fixed on Spy’s Kusarigama).
- Melee Ki Damage: Improves Ki break value from repeated hits.
- Ki Recovery Speed: Maintains pressure without forced downtime.
- Final Blow / Grapple Damage: Boosts payoff after breaking Ki or creating openings.
Fixed Special Effect: Quick Attack Ki Consumption (Spy’s Kusarigama), Martial Arts Damage (Crescent Moon Kusarigama).
4.5 Stat Priorities for Kusarigama Build
Kusarigama scales with Constitution, Skill, and Magic. Constitution supports Life and damage scaling, Skill improves Ninjutsu effectiveness, and Magic increases Onmyo effects. Having a high Magic stat also unlocks special effects from Soul Cores in the Yang position. If you don’t like the scaling stats, Remodel at the Blacksmith can change them, but it costs materials and Gold and isn’t recommended until you get better equipment.
4.6 Best Guardian Spirits
This build strongly supports a Water plan through the Ninja version of Kusanagi, but it also gives you a clean fallback spirit if you didn’t pick it during the relevant main quest choice.
- Kusanagi (Ninja) (Water): Supports Saturation pressure and buffs combos with Quick Attack Damage and Aerial Attack Damage.
- Nekomata: Alternative if you did not choose Ninja Style during The Fall of Edo Castle.
4.7 Recommended Soul Cores
| Soul Core | Best Position | Effects / Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Jakotsu-baba | Yang | Boosts Water Damage (strong with Uncanny Bubble / Water Familiar). Also offers Auto-Grave Recovery chance. |
| Yoki | Yin | Grants Power Talismans to increase attack for better burst windows. |
4.8 Best Secret Skills
Kusarigama starter builds benefit most from Ninja tools that replace Samurai Ki conveniences, plus general survival/value picks.
- Evil-Dispelling Evade: Dispels Yokai Realm where you successfully Evade; paired with Evade Ninjutsu for Ki Pulse-like value.
- Armor Piercer: Final Blow and Grapple damage +10.0%.
- Tachi Arts: Melee attack +8.4% against enemies with maximum Life.
- Awakening: Allows to use Onmyo Magic faster.
- Panacea Curefast: Elixir Life restored +15.0%.
- Lingering Spirit: Recovers 30.0% of Amrita left at your grave when you die.
5. Starter Build Tips That Apply to All Four Builds
- Prioritize Ki tools early. Skills like Flux II (Samurai) and combinations like Evade + Evil-Dispelling Evade (Ninja) are core to staying aggressive without running dry.
- Special Effects matter more than names early. When you’re constantly swapping loot, keep grabbing gear that matches your build’s priority effects (Ki Recovery Speed, Ki Pulse Recovery, Dodge Ki Consumption, Damage Taken).
- Use status ailments for real damage windows. Saturated increases damage enemies take, Electrified slows enemies, and stacking multiple status ailments can trigger Confusion for increased damage taken.
- Don’t over-commit your big moves. Axe payoff Martial Arts (like Rumbling Earth II) are strongest when you choose safe timings and positioning instead of forcing them.
- Match talismans and Soul Cores to your element plan. If you’re running Water pressure, cores that grant Water talismans (and Water damage bonuses) scale the build much faster than random summons.
