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Early in Nioh 3, it’s clear there are numerous Martial Arts and Ninjutsu skills to allocate your Samurai and Ninja Points on. However, some skills are more important to learn first than others.
The skill trees in the ‘Acquire Martial Arts/Ninjutsu’ menu can be overwhelming for new players because of all the options. While you’re figuring out your specific build in Nioh 3, this guide will highlight the five essential skills you should prioritize.
Groundfire
Even if you prefer Samurai Style instead of Ninja Style, Ninja Tool Arts are valuable because they allow you to set traps or throw projectiles at enemies from a safe distance to guarantee hits—especially helpful with the right timing. Groundfire is particularly effective when facing large bosses, as you can use your four traps to deal consistent damage, since enemies tend to step on landmines and trigger the damage.
Caltrops
Like other Ninja Tools, Caltrops help you add damage from a distance and are useful against both regular enemies and bosses. Against groups of Yokai, Caltrops slow down opponents and cause damage, making them excellent for crowd control. When facing a fast boss, Caltrops can give you an edge by helping you create space, letting you land extra hits or heal up.
Cicada Shell
In Nioh 3, where a single mistimed hit can ruin a boss fight, Cicada Shell offers vital survivability. When activated, if an enemy’s attack would normally land, it automatically dodges, turning you into a fleeting smoke screen and keeping you behind the enemy. This skill gives you an extra layer of defense, especially useful in chaotic fights where health is low and there are no Elixirs left.
High Stance
The stance system is central to Samurai Style gameplay, and High Stance should be your first choice if you want to maximize damage. Although Mid Stance offers a balanced attack and defense, High Stance increases your offensive power and allows for more attacks before your Ki runs out. Keep in mind, this stance makes you more vulnerable if you mistime your moves, but mastering enemy attack patterns makes High Stance extremely effective for dealing lots of damage.
Deflect
Learning to master Deflect is crucial as you advance through the game. This parry skill not only deflects enemy attacks but also restores your Ki and boosts your Ninjutsu and Arts Gauges. Timing is key—you need to activate it just before an attack lands. Boss battles are where Deflect truly shines, helping you maintain pressure and stay alive longer while building your offense.
Focusing Skills On One Weapon for Each Style
Your build’s effectiveness depends heavily on your weapon choices. It’s best to invest points into one specific weapon per style, such as Samurai or Ninja, rather than spreading points across multiple weapons. Each weapon has its own skill tree, and focusing on a single favorite allows you to make that weapon incredibly powerful by directing more points into its skill tree. For example, the Axe can become more deadly with the Mad Spinner II skill, which spins faster and increases damage. Similarly, Victory Rush enhances axe combat efficiency by enabling Ki Pulses during attacks. Concentrating on one weapon early in the game lets you perform stronger moves and improve your overall damage output from the start.
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