Getting Started (First 5 Hours)

Welcome to Nioh 3. The first region can be brutal. This guide streamlines your first 5 hours to help you reach the first boss with a solid build.

1. Choose Your Style: Samurai or Ninja?

In Nioh 3, you choose a primary affinity at the start. This affects your starting stats and special "Style Action" (R1+Circle).

• Samurai Style: Focuses on direct confrontation, parries, and Ki damage.
  • Best for: Souls-like veterans who prefer blocking and spacing.
  • Special Action: Blade Deflect (Timely guard reflects projectiles and staggers enemies).
• Ninja Style: Focuses on mobility, stealth, and multi-hit combos.
  • Best for: Action game fans (DMC/Bayonetta) who like dodging and aerial combat.
  • Special Action: Mist Step (Teleports behind the enemy during an attack animation).

Tip: You can switch styles later at the Shrine, but sticking to one early helps muscle memory.

2. Stat Allocation: The "Golden 15" Rule

Don't dump all points into Attack (Strength/Skill) immediately. Weapon scaling is negligible in the early game. Instead, build a survival foundation:

1. Constitution (Body) -> 10: Increases Health. Prevents being one-shot by heavy shiki.
2. Heart -> 10: Increases Ki (Stamina). More swings, more dodges.
3. Courage -> 10: Increases Ki Recovery Speed. Crucial for Dark Realm management.
4. Magic/Dexterity -> 10: Gives you access to low-level spells (Sloth Talisman, Quick Change Scroll) which are game-changers.

3. Combat Essentials: Ki Pulse & Stances

If you ignore Ki Pulse, you will die.

• R1 after an attack: Recovers lost Ki. Blue lights gather around you -> press R1.
• Flux (Samurai Skill): Switch stance (R1 + Face Button) during a Ki Pulse for bonus Ki.

Stance Guide:

• High Stance: High damage, slow, consumes lots of Ki. Use for breaking horns/guards.
• Mid Stance: Best blocking, wide swings. Your default defensive stance.
• Low Stance: Fast dodges, low damage. Use for applying status effects or escaping.

4. First 5 Hours Walkthrough

Mission 1: The Cursed Coast

• Objective: Reach the Lighthouse.
• Key Loop: Kill the Gaki (starving ghosts) to build Amrita gauge.
• Hidden Interaction: Bow to the crying NPC near the shrine to get a "Small Spirit Stone". Do NOT attack him.
• Boss: Oni-bi Centipede. Weak to Lightning. Use Low Stance to dodge its poison spit.

Farming Route

Once you unlock the second Shrine:

1. Rest at Shrine.
2. Kill the two armored skeletons on the left path.
3. Backstab the patrolling Yoki.
4. Reset. Yields ~4,000 Amrita per run.

5. Quick Checklist Before First Boss

• Weapon Level: 5+
• Armor Weight: < 70% (Green Agility) - CRITICAL
• Elixirs: 8 (Find all 3 Kodamas in the area)
• Skill: Unlock "Kick" (Katana) or "Spear Shove" for Ki damage.