Nioh is hard all the best way, however the bosses are the place issues actually get attention-grabbing.
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Nioh is sort of a bit extra than simply Dark Souls with samurai – it’s a convincing mix of the action-packed fight Team Ninja made its identify for with Ninja Gaiden with among the RPG construction and difficult problem that made the Souls collection nice.
If that sounds prefer it’s going to be tough, sure properly – it certain is. You could discover that you just wrestle greater than with a Dark Souls recreation, because of the demanding motion and an absence of chese methods, and Ninja Gaiden followers could in flip be at a loss as to the right way to leverage the sport’s obscure methods to greatest impact.
If you’re hit a wall, it is best to examine our Nioh guide for general combat tips and strategies – however on this web page we’ll be speaking concerning the stumbling block that’s going to drive most Nioh gamers to screaming frustration – the bosses.
Nioh’s bosses are huge, epic encounters, and also you’re certain to die to some occasions earlier than studying their patterns and combating model – finally turning that again in opposition to them.
Some of the bosses in Nioh are deliberate problem gates. You must discover ways to actually play Nioh, understanding the way it differs each from Dark Souls and extra basic motion video games, with the intention to proceed. For instance, many gamers get via the primary two bosses with a little bit of effort, however run smack into Hino-enma, AKA Learn To Block 101. These classes will actually enable you within the broader recreation; you’ll have a significantly better time in regular encounters when you grasp Nioh’s many foibles.
To enable you work out what these classes are, we’ve put collectively a information to the bosses within the recreation. Under every entry we go into somewhat element on every boss, speaking about their transfer units, their strengths and weaknesses, methods you would possibly have the ability to catch them out or cheese them, and even a number of tips about advisable weapons and stances for every battle.
We don’t cowl each boss within the recreation right here, but when you can also make it that far, you’ll be well-prepared to sort out every little thing Nioh throws at you. We imagine in you.
Needless to say, there’ll be spoilers of boss names and techniques on this web page.
Derrick the Executioner – Tower of London (Mission Level 1)
This first boss battle is basically about so simple as they arrive, because it’s the battle that tops off the beginning space. It’s actually designed to check your information from all through the prologue degree, which is mainly a prolonged disguised tutorial for what the remainder of the sport might be.
The excellent news is that Derrick is huge and lumbering, that means all of his strikes have fairly apparent tells and wind-ups as you method him. The primary technique right here is to make Derrick whiff: dodge his heavy assaults, and when he swings and spectacularly misses that’s your cue to get in there and lay on some hits to do some harm. At this level within the recreation you’ll have so much much less weapon alternative, so permit us to make a base suggestion: use the battle axe. It’ll smash him.
Eventually he’ll switch right into a second part (due to course he does), you’ll need to grasp again a bit. He’ll cost at you want an enormous ol’ fool, and as soon as once more you may sidestep him and get in on him whereas he’s open from his ill-considered sprint in the direction of you to assault. Keep this up and he’ll go down rapidly sufficient.
Onryoki – Isle of Demons (Mission Level 5)
After outdated Derrick, second boss Onryoki would possibly properly be considered as the primary ‘true’ boss of the sport. He’s an infinite demon that swings chain balls round – and even if you happen to’re blocking, you actually need to ideally keep away from being hit by them. If you’re not blocking it’s going to essentially, actually damage. As such, this can be a take a look at of dodging as a lot as it’s of offence, and it may be a humbling take a look at certainly.
Your primary technique for this battle ought to be to stroll in somewhat nearer and anticipate him to swing the balls about wildly. Eventually he’ll slam his balls into the bottom, baited (hur hur) – simply don’t get hit (nice recommendation, I do know) and be careful for the second ball, which he generally makes use of to comb the realm. Once he’s stopped swinging, sprint in and lay on some ache and as he recovers dodge again. This is the rhythm for the battle: let him swing his weapon about wildly, and when he tires and comes to a degree the place he’s pressured to cease, sprint in and hit him as a lot as you may whereas remaining secure.
Elements of this boss would possibly frustrate, however one will get the impression that the builders intend this as a deliberate skill-check in your capacity to dodge. Die a number of occasions if you happen to should – what’s essential is to be taught the tells in Onryoki’s animation to have an thought of when he’s going to assault. Dodge rigorously. We discovered the low stance was greatest for this battle because of its dodge velocity and stamina/ki financial savings.
If issues go actually badly flawed you would possibly discover some therapeutic objects within the packing containers within the room, so smash them or goad him into doing so. Eventually you’ll get the possibility to interrupt the chains to detach his balls – do this. This is mainly part two now: as a substitute of swinging them, he’ll choose up the balls and throw them at you. Dodge if this occurs, but additionally attempt to preserve him from them, however watch out for his stubby however very highly effective assaults at close-range. Pretty quickly he’ll drop.
Hino-enma – Deep within the Shadows (Mission Level 12)
Hino-enma is discovered within the third chapter of Nioh’s major story in a mission titled Deep within the Shadows and is the third boss you’re more likely to face. This boss is discovered inside a cave, and in a cutscene this yokai will swing down from the rafters. She has wings, and, sure – she will be able to fly. That makes issues somewhat extra difficult, although I truly discovered her fairly a bit simpler than Onryoki.
She mainly has two forms of assaults – projectile assaults that intention to hit you with both spikes or a blast of wind, or a touch to you that body-slams you. For a lot of the battle she’ll be at a distance and so these might be your main worries, but when she will get in shut she has a number of completely different close-quarters assaults too. Generally talking, you need to preserve her at vary at first after which attempt to lock her down when you shut the space. Spears are nice for this battle because of their enhanced attain over different choices.
The final secret is to keep away from her projectile assaults. These issues are lethal and may lead you from full power to dying in a matter of seconds – however they’re additionally properly choreographed, with Hino-enma’s animation making properly clear what she’s as much as earlier than she does it. Dodge and block.
The greatest wager is to attend for considered one of her dashing physique slam assaults. Avoid it, utilizing low stance to have the quickest out there dodge. Switch stances as soon as she’s shut by and strafe round her, aiming to launch an assault every time your strafing and dodging causes her to whiff. Only get as shut as it’s worthwhile to in your weapon to make contact – get too shut and she or he’ll be much more more likely to catch you. Eventually, she’ll be downed.
Nue – The Spirit Stone Slumbers (Mission Level 19)
Nue is Nioh’s fourth boss and is a gigantic yokai that may be a mangled mixture of a number of forms of animal. It can fly and spit lightning and poison at you – it’s a lethal one. As with Hino-enma for this encounter we advocate a spear in an effort to snipe harm off Nue right here and there with out getting caught up in its assaults by being too shut. Use low stance so that you’ve got the utmost capacity to maneuver and dodge at velocity.
The key right here is to attend for Nue to make use of its lightning or poison assaults; when it does, dodge about to the facet and get in to assault. The lightning and poison assaults lock Nue down for a while, supplying you with loads of time to get in, let rip some combos, then retreat earlier than the beast is ready to elevate its defences as soon as extra
Once Nue takes sufficient harm that its Ki is depleted, then is an efficient time to deploy your Guardian Spirit and actually go to city. Go nuts, and if you happen to’re aggressive sufficient this beast gained’t even have the time to get better from its depleted Ki state.
A second non-boss/non-compulsory Nue seems within the mission ‘The Demon of Mount Hiei’, if you wish to attempt your luck a second time.
Tachibana Muneshige – The Spirit Stone Slumbers (Mission Level 19)
Tachibana Muneshige is the second boss in The Spirit Stone Slumbers major mission and is the sixth boss in Nioh’s major story development. He’s additionally only a dude, one thing we haven’t seen since lumbering outdated Derrick. Tachibana can be encountered as a part of the facet mission ‘An Invitation from the Warrior of the West’, and far of what we write right here applies to that (admittedly tougher) encounter with him.
Given that this can be a one-on-one duel, it’s unsurprisingly about defence as a lot as offense. Try to dodge quite than block, and whenever you handle to dodge and power him to whiff considered one of his assaults, get in and counter onerous. While in earlier boss fights we’ve advisable low stance for velocity, right here we’d advocate medium – it permits you to dodge however medium stance’s heavy assaults are a super damage-dealer for this encounter. The spear or sword each appeared to work nice in equal measure for this encounter, although provided that he’s not the quickest to get better the spear permits for somewhat extra distance for security’s sake.
Once he’s out of ki, you’ll need to knock him over and carry out a floor assault on him (Triangle) to essentially deal huge harm. Ultimately this isn’t too difficult a battle, and the dodge-and-weave dance that you find yourself doing is harking back to Derrick.
Great Centipede – The Silver Mine Writhes (Mission Level 27)
Seventh on Nioh’s record of lethal major story bosses is the Great Centipede, and this boss is… just about precisely what you’d anticipate based mostly on its identify. That goes for the way gross it’s too, for higher or worse…
The first part of this boss is fairly easy – get in shut and assault its legs. That’s the weak level. For this I used low stance with a sword, primarily getting in shut and slicing and dicing like a mad-man. If it dashes at you with its pincers, don’t fear an excessive amount of about dodging – simply block as a substitute after which kite round to assault the legs. The Great Centipede additionally rears up; if it does, be able to dodge to the facet because it slams again right down to the bottom.
The key trick for this battle is to attempt to at all times stay behind this boss; block an incoming pincer or slam assault, then dodge round to the rear of the centipede and go to city on its legs. It’ll flip to face you and rear up for considered one of its assaults – when it does, block, then once more dodge again round behind it. Follow this primary rhythm for all the battle and although whereas difficult the Great Centipede gained’t actually get an opportunity to deploy its nastiest, dirtiest methods and can quickly sufficient fall.
Umi-bozu – The Ocean Roars Again (Mission Level 38)
An Umi-bozu is a yokai that lives within the water, sinking ships out in calm seas. They’re gigantic, and gross, and sort of tough to see – which helps it to stalk the oceans. William has to slay one to proceed along with his quest, so let’s get to that…
First factor’s first: all through The Ocean Roars Again mission you’re going to search out bonfires. There are three in whole, and also you need to just remember to set every of the bonfires burning. If you haven’t performed that within the mission, backtrack and achieve this. Lightning the bonfires will imply that you just gained’t must battle a bunch of grunt enemies similtaneously Umi-bozu, which might be one thing of a life saver contemplating this boss actually requires you to concentrate on him.
If you could have entry to talismans or Fire Magic, these ought to be your go-to assaults. A hearth talisman paired with a weapon in low stance for fast assaults can result in a quick whittling of his well being bar. The guidelines of earlier fights nonetheless apply usually: hit Umi-bozu when it’s susceptible after which again off and put together to dodge and weave if vital. This boss is highly effective but additionally isn’t all that threatening as long as you watch rigorously with the intention to predict its actions.
At round a 3rd well being remaining Umi-bozu will switch to its second ‘form’. This second part of the boss battle places it into the center of the sector, the place it’ll spam out highly effective assaults. These assaults are tougher to dodge, so you might need to contemplate switching stances and blocking extra usually as a substitute. Dodge when you may. Keep choosing away, and finally it’ll be shocked by the harm dealt. When that occurs, pop your dwelling weapon and go in for the kill.
Joro-Gumo – Spider Nest Castle (Mission Level 47)
Well… I hope you don’t undergo from arachnophobia. Joro-Gumo is a huge spider-like boss that has a little bit of a female look that basically does nothing to distract from the truth that, yeah, she’s an enormous spider. As a end result you may anticipate spider-legs, speediness, and a variety of legs that can be utilized to lash out at you. This one is a little bit of a ache.
Joro-Gumo has a number of assaults it’s worthwhile to be careful for. First off, there’s a physique slam the place she’ll swing her bulbous rear round and attempt to slam you with it. The main technique to keep away from this one is to at all times preserve your distance whenever you’re not attacking and be able to dodge backwards, away from her. Previous distance-based boss recommendation stands right here – the spear is fairly nice for this because of its lengthy attain, plus firearms and bows.
When Joro-Gumo arches her again, you could be certain she’s prepared to begin making an attempt to ensnare you in webs. This assault has some wind-up, so use this as a chance to dodge away and attempt to get behind her. This assault is a must-avoid usually anyway, because it’s fairly nasty, however the truth it winds up for some time means you need to use it to get behind her, the place there’s a glowing weak level. If you’re a distance away, and as a rule firstly of the battle, she’ll additionally carry out a lunge assault – so watch out for that.
Joro-Gumo truly doesn’t have a lot well being, however when her well being drops she turns into extraordinarily aggressive. Try to not let this throw you off – as a substitute, double down on the identical technique of dodging and ready in your likelihood to get behind her with occasional sniping rifle or bow pictures from the entrance. When you handle to get behind, let rip along with your guardian spirit and attempt to take her out swiftly.
Yuki-onna – Falling Snow (Mission Level 55)
Yuki-onna appears like hassle. Something about these ice bosses… I don’t like ’em, and this literal ice queen is sort of lethal. Honestly, this boss battle performs out not dissimilar to Joro-Gumo above, besides Yuki-onna is sort of a bit extra lethal and aggressive. She’s on the extra fragile facet health-wise, however that didn’t truly assist me an excessive amount of – I died fairly a bit on this one.
Once once more making an attempt to maintain a few of your distance is vital, although it’s a bit tougher with Yuki-onna. She’s a smaller goal and she or he additionally wields a lance of her personal, so even if you happen to use the spear to select on her from a mid-range distance you’re nonetheless in dancer of being hit. With that stated, preserve your distance and use your ranged choices: begin first along with your rifle, then your bow, and solely change to your spear or sword if issues get determined ammunition-wise.
An opportunity will come to get in shut – which is when Yuki-onna performs her ice-based projectile strikes or stomps the ground, creating a hoop of ice round her. You have to be cautious to not be too shut when she does this, however instantly afterwards get in shut! She stays frozen in place after these strikes in a type of cool-down (none of those puns are intentional, promise) and that’s your likelihood to get in shut and do some harm.
As with the earlier boss in her powered-up second part as soon as she hits half-health you actually ought to be scared. The first half of the battle ought to be a mixture of projectiles and that dash-in, slice, escape circulation, however for the second half I’d advocate you keep away and end her off along with your ranged weapons – she’s simply too lethal up shut and private.
White Tiger – The Demon of Mount Hiei (Mission Level 62)
Something concerning the White Tiger offers me flashes of some completely different Dark Souls bosses, or certainly the Chimera in Dragon’s Dogma. As with numerous these four-legged creature bosses the principle technique to keep out of harms means is to remain comparatively near them, however retaining to the facet or instantly behind them in order that they will barely see them and so their forward-facing assaults whiff totally.
If you get into this type of place across the White Tiger the one assault you actually have to be massively cautious of is an enormous full flip the White Tiger can do to show and face the wrong way. His wings can even lash out on the perimeters, although these are usually fairly telegraphed and so you could have time to dam or dodge them. Other assaults all come from the entrance, together with a number of projectile-based assaults. If you’re behind these gained’t be an enormous fear.
Earlier on this degree there was an opportunity to battle a non-story Nue, a boss enemy from earlier within the recreation. There’s a similarity between the 2. Use low stance to stay nimble and attempt to at all times stay on the perimeters or behind the White Tiger. Once the White Tiger reaches round half well being it is best to take into consideration popping your dwelling weapon – like most bosses it powers up and will get somewhat extra intense, however if you happen to catch it with the dwelling weapon good and early you gained’t must concern your self with its powered-up type. Compared to the final two bosses I discovered this one to be a little bit of a doddle.
Giant Toad – The Iga Escape (Mission Level 70)
Listen. The Giant Toad doesn’t mess about. Just have a look at that identify: he’s an enormous toad. His identify is large toad. What of it? He additionally smokes a pipe, so, y’know… Giant Toad smoking a pipe might be the good boss on this information. He’s huge. He hits onerous.
Because he hits onerous, he’s a sluggish, lumbering sort however his assaults are completely terrible to eat, even if you happen to’re blocking. So… the tip right here is don’t get hit. Obvious, I do know, however the Giant Toad’s assaults are literally simpler to dodge than most of the bosses within the recreation because of his sluggish velocity and the way telegraphed his strikes are. We’d advise you follow low stance for max motion, however use no matter weapon you fancy – right here it doesn’t make a lot of a distinction.
the Giant Toad has a lunging forwards assault and a bounce within the air that slams again down, so be careful for each of those. Dodge these assaults, get behind him and preserve hitting. Once you might be behind him, he’s very more likely to do the jump-then-slam transfer, which is good – dodge again, let him slam down, then dart again in for extra hits.
I used to be capable of preserve this up for just about the entire battle, although given his sluggish velocity I think about ranged weapons are additionally a really viable choice. Don’t neglect to pop your dwelling weapon when his well being will get low to burst down the ultimate part of his life.
Ogress – Memories of Death-Lilies (Mission Level 78)
This Yokai that takes the type of a girl who died whereas filled with hate. The first scene introducing her feels somewhat tragic, however because the Ogress rapidly activates you sympathy in a short time turns right into a quite urgent must kill or be killed.
Like the Giant Toad battle above, the Ogress is usually fairly sluggish because of her dimension, although she has a few faster-moving strikes that you have to be conscious of so that you’re not caught out by them. She doesn’t appear like the leaping sort, however attempt to not be stunned when she jumps into the air, hovers for a second after which smashes again down. Let that be a phrase of warning, too: whenever you do get in to assault, don’t keep there too lengthy else that jump-and-smash would possibly catch you out. Weave out and in, deploying among the techniques we’ve been utilizing because the very first bosses.
When dodging, dodge to the left to keep away from her assaults, after which get in shut, land a number of hits and dodge away. Whatever weapon you choose, Low is the stance to go for right here with Light Attacks. Braver gamers would possibly push for mid stance; excessive is a foul thought.
At across the one-third well being mark, the Ogress could have had sufficient. She will get mad, and which means numerous long-ranged leaping assaults which might be each onerous to keep away from and onerous to foretell. She’ll observe your dodges, so dodge too early and also you’ll eat the assault. Expect to be hit right here, so be able to potion up. When you may land successful, instantly use the dwelling weapon and end her off fast, as that extra aggravated second part of the boss is more likely to kill you.
We’re performed holding your hand. If you’ve made it via to the Ogress in Nioh and aren’t prepared to face by yourself toes, properly – it’s time to get on the market and git gud.
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