Team Ninja has done it again. With the release of Nioh 3 just five days ago, players are already uncovering the immense depth of the new Dual Playstyle system. While the game's open-field design allows for unprecedented exploration, it’s the combat nuances—specifically the shift between Samurai and Ninja stances—that are separating the novices from the Shoguns. If you are struggling to adapt or simply looking to maximize your damage output, this Nioh 3 combat walkthrough will help you master the new mechanics. Furthermore, the community has just cracked the code on the game's most elusive challenges: we have verified the Nioh 3 secret boss locations hidden across the early timeline layers.
Mastering the Dual Playstyle: Samurai vs. Ninja
The core innovation in Nioh 3 is the ability to swap instantly between the grounded, disciplined Samurai Style and the acrobatic Ninja Style. Unlike previous entries where your build dictated your playstyle, Nioh 3 lets you toggle these modes on the fly, effectively giving you two character sheets in one.
The Samurai Style will feel familiar to veterans. It retains the classic High, Mid, and Low stances and relies on the Ki Pulse to sustain stamina. However, the new Deflect mechanic allows you to block at the last second to recover Ki and build your Arts Gauge. This style is essential for how to increase DPS in Nioh 3 against heavy, armored bosses where trading blows is inevitable.
The Ninja Style and Aerial Combat
Switching to Ninja Style changes the game physics entirely. Stances are removed, replaced by a focus on verticality and evasion. This style excels at crowd control and status application. The biggest change? The Ki Pulse is gone. In its place is the Mist mechanic, a high-skill maneuver that defines the Nioh 3 dual playstyle guide meta.
Nioh 3 Mist Mechanic Tutorial: How to Dodge Like a Ghost
Many players are confused by the removal of Ki Pulse in Ninja form, but the Mist is arguably stronger once mastered. By pressing R1 after an attack, your character doesn't just recover Ki—they perform a Mist dodge. This action leaves behind a tangible afterimage or 'decoy' that distracts enemies.
To optimize this, you shouldn't just use Mist to retreat. Use it aggressively. When an enemy attacks your decoy, they are left wide open for a backstab, which deals critical damage in Ninja Style. Later in the skill tree, you can unlock an ability that allows the Mist to purify Yokai Realms, a crucial tip for surviving the Dark Realm phases of boss fights. Mastering this rhythm—Attack, Mist, Flank, Punish—is one of the most vital Nioh 3 tips and tricks for high-level play.
All Nioh 3 Secret Boss Locations Discovered
In the last 48 hours, dedicated players have found three hidden bosses tucked away in the game's time-displaced regions. These "Demons" do not appear on the main map and require specific triggers to spawn.
1. Demon of Pride (Warring States Period)
The first secret boss is located in the Warring States era (1572 CE). To find him, you must first reach the Heian period and complete the side quest "Sacred Mountain Defiled." Once that is done, return to the Warring States map and travel to the Sengan Waterfall Shrine. Head down to the river base and look for a spirit vein interaction point near the waterfall. Riding the vein up will reveal a shadowy figure. Approach it to trigger the fight with the Demon of Pride. He drops the "Kunimatsu's Pride" achievement and a unique water-elemental Odachi.
2. Demon of Envy (Heian Period)
Found in the Heian Period (1192 CE), this boss requires you to visit the Anneibo Temple Shrine. From the shrine, head east until you spot a tall wooden watchtower. Climb the ladders to the very top. Instead of looking for loot, sprint and jump off the western edge towards a secluded cliffside platform. The Demon of Envy awaits there. This fight is tight and claustrophobic, so we recommend the Samurai Style to Deflect his rapid strikes.
3. Demon of Obsession (Bakumatsu Period)
The final and toughest secret boss is in the Bakumatsu Period (1864 CE). You must have completed the quest "Those Left Behind." Travel to the Abandoned Temple Outskirts in the Nijo Castle region. Cross the small red bridge near the shrine and look for an area covered in red vines. A shadow will spawn as you enter the clearing. The Demon of Obsession is a relentless foe, and defeating him is currently the only known way to obtain the "Cursed Vermilion" armor set.
Best Nioh 3 Early Game Builds
If you are just starting out, the most efficient early game build is the "Wind-Swept Ninja." Focus on pumping points into Dexterity and Skill. This maximizes the duration of your Mist decoys and increases the damage of your aerial shurikens. Combine this with the Dual Ninja Swords, which have the fastest attack frames in the game, allowing you to trigger Mist more frequently than heavier weapons.
For those who prefer the tanky route, the "Iron Deflector" Samurai build focuses on Constitution and Strength. Using the new Cestus weapons allows you to bully enemies with high break damage, leaving them vulnerable to finishers. Whichever path you choose, remember that swapping styles is instant—don't limit yourself to just one half of your arsenal.
