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Koei Tecmo’s samurai Souls-like game Nioh is now out in the wild, and as you start sinking your teeth into it, you’re going to want to know the ins and outs of combat. Part of that means knowing how each weapon works in the game and figuring out which one is going to work best for you. Nioh has five different weapons types; sword, axe, dual swords, kusarigama, and spears. Each one functions very differently and can be useful in different situations. We’ll go over each weapon type, when you’ll want to use them, and what playstyle they’re strongest for.
The Sword, also known as the Katana, is one of the most versatile weapons in Nioh. It’s definitely a good weapon for you to start with and get a feel for the combat system. However, you may want to move onto something else after a while. Although the Sword is balanced in attack and defense, its strong attack doesn’t pack nearly the punch that other weapons do. Again, the sword is a good choice early on, especially if you want something that’s going to give you decent attack and defense in any of the three stances. There are definitely better options out there, though.
Pros – Balanced in both attack and defense
Cons – Weaker than other weapons, doesn’t have a good strong attack
Stat – Heart
The Axe is the slowest, heaviest weapon in Nioh, but as a result also packs the biggest punch. It’s a bit tricky to master, however, so you may need to take your time learning it. This is a great weapon to use if you’re looking to cause some massive damage, and they’re good at breaking enemies’ defenses and staggering, too. With enemies that block often, the Axe is a good choice as it can still damage them. However, because of the Axe’s weight and slowness, it isn’t the best weapon to use in halls and tight spaces.
It’s a valid choice for your weapon, especially later on as you fight stronger enemies. Just be aware of how heavy the Axe is, and make sure to wind up your attacks with enough time so that you don’t get hit in the middle of your swing. You may want to keep another weapon on hand, though, for when you get into tighter spaces.
Pros – Most powerful weapons type, high chances of staggering
Cons – Slow and heavy to use, not good in tight spaces and halls
Stat – Strength
The Kusarigama is a traditional Japanese weapon, comprised of a sickle attached to a chain. It’s and incredibly fast and deadly weapon, that requires some practice to get used to. It’s not the fastest weapon type, but has good speed and moderate power attached to that. The Kusarigama is especially good for crowd control, as it has both range and spread. The weapon also has combos that are easy to chain together in any of the stances, with the mid-stance being especially good for whittling down enemies’ health bars.
Kusarigama are also good for hallways if you just focus on your strong attack mapped to the triangle button. This is probably the best weapon to use if you’re looking to engage multiple enemies at once, and want something with good speed both at range and up close. Although, there are weapon choices with more damage power.
Pros – Good combos and strong attacks, good for crowd control, good speed
Cons – Low damage compared to other weapons
Stat – Dexterity
Dual Swords area easily the fastest weapons in Nioh, allowing you to rapidly fire off attacks against enemies. They certainly lack in strength, but can easily overwhelm enemies with pure speed and agility. Each stance lets you use quick attacks to set enemies off balance, and open them up to a strong attack.
However, the Dual Swords don’t have great AoE, as they’re focused on specific attacks. These weapons are usually best for players of high skill that can get right up in enemies’ faces, and stay on their toes. If you aren’t willing to constantly be on the attack, then you might want a different weapon choice.
Pros – Very fast, good combos
Cons – Lacks AoE, difficult to use
Stat – Skill, Dexterity
The Spear is the best weapon for range in Nioh, and also boasts decent damage and speed. Choosing this weapon allows you to keep enemies at range, peppering them with attacks before they can get close enough to strike you. Like the Kusarigama it’s also good for crowd control, as its sweeping attacks can hit large groups of enemies.
The Spear is also great for hallways if you focus on just using your strong attack on the triangle button, as it’ll stack up enemies and easily hit more than one. However, in tight spaces that aren’t straight, it can be a bit difficult to use. Be aware that there’s some major knockback if you do hit a Spear against a wall that could lead to you being open to attack.
Pros – Great range, good for AoE attacks and hallways
Cons – Can struggle in tight spaces
Stat – Body
Make sure to experiment with each weapon in Nioh, as they all have different uses and strengths. In the end, you may just find you like one weapon better than another, even if it isn’t ideal for a certain situation.
For more guides, tips, and help on Nioh, make sure to check out our growing wiki.
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