Top Weapons in Nioh 3: Our Picks

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The top weapons in Nioh 3 depend on whether you’re playing as a Samurai or a Ninja, since each style has its own set of compatible weapons, moves, strengths, and weaknesses. Early on, you’re asked to pick a weapon for each style, but there’s nothing stopping you from trying out other types later. Each weapon has its own skill tree and unique abilities to explore.

It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out the best options, so we’ve created a complete list ranking all the major weapons in Nioh 3, separated by Samurai and Ninja styles. If you’re wondering which weapons are the best and how they perform, here’s a rundown of the top choices, focusing mainly on melee.

Best Weapons in Nioh 3

The leading choices for each style are the Spear for Samurai and the Tonfa for Ninja. These weapons stand out because of their unique advantages, but other options are still viable and can be effective.

Spear:
The Spear is simple to use and reliable, thanks to its long reach, good control, and versatile moves. It combines speed and damage well and doesn’t have notable flaws. Some key skills, like Spear Flourish, can turn the tide by staggering enemies during basic Ki pulses.

Tonfa:
Built for speed and quick impacts, the Tonfa excels at defensive maneuvers and inflicting Ki damage. It’s very evasive, with the ability to deflect attacks—most Ninja weapons don’t have this. It can be tricky to master, but once you do, you’ll find yourself moving faster than enemies, unleashing rapid attacks and pulling back quickly. Investing early in skills like Impenetrability and Prescience will maximize its defensive potential.

For more tips on leveling up, check out our guide on the best skills in Nioh 3.

Best Samurai Weapons Tier List

Here’s how the Samurai weapons stack up:

S-tier:
- Spear: Known for its long reach and balanced stats, it’s the top choice.
- Sword: Easy to learn, effective, and offers good mobility, making it a versatile middle-ground weapon.
A-tier:
- Dual Swords: Fast and aggressive, best when you manage your Ki well.
- Odachi: Heavy and slow but powerful for clearing groups.
- Switchglaives: Complex and with good range, but can be unpredictable if you’re not experienced.
B-tier:
- Axes: Strong hits but slow and fragile defensively.
- Cestuses: Highly mobile but less impactful, best suited for Ninja style.

Best Ninja Weapons Tier List

Ninja weapons are ranked as follows:

S-tier:
- Tonfa: Great DPS, high defense, and agility—if you master their control.
- Splitstaves: Can attack quickly in combos, effective against multiple enemies.
A-tier:
- Kusarigama: Good for control and range, but somewhat slow.
- Dual Ninja Swords: Fast and aggressive, but stamina management is key.
- Ninja Swords: Focus on evasion and attacking from behind for best results.
B-tier:
- Hatchets: Throwing weapons with high risk and high reward.
- Talons: Fast claw attacks suited for tricky jumps and quick strikes.

While ranged weapons like bows and rifles are available, they’re mainly useful for specific situations such as stealth kills or breaking through armor. They tend to be less practical during close combat because they’re slow and cumbersome, making them hard to incorporate into most fights. Use them as needed, swapping out depending on your tactics and ammo supply.

Note: All these rankings are based on extensive testing and careful consideration. Experimenting with different weapons may help you find what suits your playstyle best.