Nioh 3 features 14 weapon types, evenly divided between samurai and ninja. You can deliver swift blows with fists, eviscerate enemies with a sickle, or slice and dice with a katana. The addition of two playstyles in Nioh 3 has radically changed the gameplay. Weapon access is now limited to the samurai and ninja forms. For example, the forked staff is only available to ninjas, while the longsword, the odachi, is only usable by samurai.
Given the abundance of combos in the game, most beginners are better off choosing two or three weapons to specialize in. Knowing where to start is half the battle. This guide provides a ranking of all the weapons in Nioh 3. But remember, if your favorite weapon is at the bottom of the list, it doesn’t mean it’s bad—you can hone your skills with it and outshine any enemy!
1. This is the director’s third nomination.
Nioh 3’s Best Weapons (Tier List)
Samurai weapon rankings. This includes iconic weapons from Nioh 1 and 2, as well as the new Cestus. Using them in combat requires managing your Ki balance, employing various stances, and learning how to parry.
Tier-S: Swords, Glaives.
● Tier-A: Two swords, Odachi.
● Tier B: Axes, Spears.
● Tier-C: Brass knuckles (cestus).
Ninja weapon rating. These are faster than their samurai counterparts and are designed to complement shinobi ninjutsu tactics or use projectiles. Nioh veterans will find that many older weapons are now exclusive to the ninja style and have a different feel.
● Tier-S: Compound Staffs, Tonfas.
● Tier-A: Twin Ninja Swords, Claws (Gloves with Claws).
● Tier B: Ninja Sword. Hatchets.
● Tier-C: Kusarigama (sickle on a chain)
Description of all samurai weapons in Nioh 3
Samurai sword
Strengths: The most versatile and balanced weapon with decent damage and straightforward use. An ideal choice for beginners. Weaknesses: No weaknesses in any specific area.
Two swords
Strengths: Low Ki consumption. Quick combos provide high stun potential. Weaknesses: Low damage compared to other samurai weapon options.
Spear
Strengths: Excellent attack range and one of the best weapons for crowd control in dense enemy environments. Can unleash a flurry of elemental attacks and is helpful for blocking. Weaknesses: Low burst damage and limited horizontal mobility make it a poor choice for close-quarters combat.
Brass knuckles
Strengths: Extremely effective in close combat and synergize well with the Three Stances skill. Excellent for disrupting enemy Ki and defending with powerful attacks. Weaknesses: Short range makes them difficult to use.
Axe
Strengths: Deals massive damage and easily stuns large enemies. Easy to master. Weaknesses: Limited combo options and a very slow attack animation make you vulnerable to attack.
Odachi
Strengths: High Ki efficiency in terms of damage per hit and a versatile moveset across various stances. Can shave huge chunks of health off bosses. Weaknesses: Slow. Knowing your opponent’s movements is essential for perfect range control.
Glaive
Strengths: High damage, efficient use of Ki, incredible versatility across stances. Enormous combo potential and offensive impact when seamlessly switching forms. Weaknesses: The most difficult weapon in the game, as it transforms from a Glaive to a Guillotine and Scythe. We recommend it only for experienced players who have mastered Nioh’s stance switching system.
A description of all ninja weapons in Nioh 3
Ninja sword
Strengths: Fast, dynamic combos, efficient use of Ki. Balanced speed and power ensure consistent damage. Helpful for learning early boss attack patterns. Weaknesses: Lower damage compared to other options.
Composite staves
Strengths: An extremely versatile moveset, allowing for quick adaptation to both single-target attacks and crowd control. Since this weapon relies on magic, we recommend pairing it with Talismans and Onmyo Magic. Weaknesses: Requires dexterity to wield effectively in combat.
Hatchets
Strengths: Deals damage at both ranged and melee range. Superior range compared to claws and tonfas. Moderate stun and damage. Weaknesses: Doesn’t excel in any area and is inferior to the aforementioned weapon types.
Claws (gloves with claws)
Strengths: The fastest weapon in the game. Access to numerous combo options and lightning-fast attacks make the Claws an excellent debuff tool. Weaknesses: Short range and weak stun.
Tonfa
Strengths: The best option for a ninja in terms of damage output and stun potential. It has the highest Ki damage of all ninja weapons, consumes very little Ki, and easily interrupts attacks from smaller enemies. Recommended for an aggressive, close-range playstyle that emphasizes getting behind enemies. Weaknesses: Short range.
Ninja Dual Swords
Strengths: Versatile moveset and low Ki consumption make it easy to apply pressure. Excellent mobility paired with vicious, rapid-fire combos. Weaknesses: Lack of crowd control options. Overall, a weaker version of the Tonfa.
Kusarigama (sickle on a chain)
Strengths: The longest range of any ninja weapon. Its most effective use is grabbing an opponent to expose them to a combo, like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. Weaknesses: Complex combos and mediocre damage require more effort to achieve the same or lesser results than other options.
Ranged Weapons in Nioh 3
The effectiveness of ranged weapons depends only on the Heart, Mastery, and Intelligence stats, as this type of weapon does not have its own skill trees.
Luke
Bows require arrows to use—the weapon can be used in both ninja and samurai styles. Archery requires either an arrow or a fire arrow.
Arquebuses
Rifles require ammunition to use, and their damage per hit does not decrease at long range.
Guns
Shotguns require specialized ammunition that deals high damage over a wide area and often adds bonus fire damage, making them ideal for clearing out groups of enemies from a distance.
The Best Samurai Starting Weapons in Nioh 3
It’s best to choose a sword (katana) as your first weapon —it’s the most versatile option for beginners and those just learning the basics of Nioh 3’s combat system.
● Of all the starting options, the sword has the shortest range. You’ll have to stay a little closer to your target until you learn to accurately judge the optimal distance.
However, the sword compensates for its short range with fast attacks that do not consume much stamina, and some of the skills that you unlock later will allow you to effectively neutralize enemies for a long time with the proper level of Ki.
If you need a weapon with a longer range, get an odachi. It has a very long reach and does more damage than an axe or spear.
● The Odachi is best used with heavy armor , as many of its attacks are very slow. However, the weapon deals impressive damage in a wide arc.
● However, due to the pace of combat, the ōdachi is primarily recommended for experienced players. Beginners may struggle to keep up with enemies if they don’t master this slow weapon.
The Best Starting Ninja Weapons in Nioh 3
Shortly after choosing your starting weapon for the samurai, the game will prompt you to select a similar option for the ninja. Due to the class’s unique features, it’s best to choose something that complements the ninja’s agility and nimble movements.
We recommend starting with the kusarigama , one of the fastest and most user-friendly weapons in the game.
● It has impressive attack range, but becomes even more powerful after unlocking Scorpion’s skills from Mortal Kombat. The hook also allows you to pull enemies towards you or grab them in the air for combos.
● When used effectively, the kusarigama is excellent at draining an opponent’s stamina (Ki), stunning them, rendering them unable to attack, and leaving them vulnerable to a lethal blow at the end of your combo. This type of gameplay is a lot of fun.
A more boring, but technically superior option for ninjas is dual swords.
● Series veterans know how devastating dual swords can be, but this version offers the fastest attacks in the game.
● Dual swords have greater potential for top-tier combos than other options at the start. However, using them initially requires patience until you unlock more advanced skills.
Later in Nioh 3, you’ll unlock the ability to equip a second weapon for each style. You can now theoretically wield four weapons: two for the samurai and two for the ninja.
● Selecting a secondary weapon is more important here than in previous games. While it used to be considered wise to equip a secondary weapon solely for its stats and bonuses, it’s now less important.
● Having a second weapon will still be useful even if you don’t intend to use it. But Nioh 3 will encourage you to play with a spare weapon to add variety to your gameplay.
The Best Samurai Secondary Weapons in Nioh 3
As samurai progress through the game, they will gain access to axes, glaives, and knuckles. Depending on your choice at the start of the game, your secondary weapon should complement it. Consider this a chance to expand on functionality your primary weapon doesn’t cover.
We recommend choosing the Glaive as your backup weapon:
● The Glaive is an incredibly versatile weapon with two forms for close- and long-range combat. You can combine attacks from both forms to deal powerful damage at a modest Ki cost.
● It has enough depth to become a primary weapon option if you take the time to learn its intricacies and invest in the skill tree.
The Best Ninja Secondary Weapons in Nioh 3
Additional options for ninjas include tonfas, claws, and composite staffs. The goal remains the same: to add versatility to your gear.
The kusarigama provides the necessary range and speed right out of the box, so we’ll opt for an option that adds a bit of spice. Our choice is tonfa sticks, which can transform into a pair of pistols.
● Tonfas are a joy to use due to their powerful damage output in combat. They’re slower than kusarigama, but you’ll love the way they slam and knock enemies down. Their attack trajectory makes them great for penetrating yokai’s weak points, dealing significant Ki damage and preventing them from attacking.
● At a distance, they can even shoot at enemies like pistols. Of course, this won’t turn them into full-fledged firearms, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by your combo attacks.
