How to Beat Kajiwara Kagetoki in Nioh 3
Kajiwara Kagetoki is a late-game main boss encountered in the Heian era at Rokuhara.
Overview
Kajiwara Kagetoki is a late-game main boss encountered in the Heian era at Rokuhara. A master swordsman who fights with calculated precision and devastating counterattacks. His three-phase fight escalates from disciplined swordsmanship to yokai-enhanced fury. Patience and parry mastery are essential — rushing him is punished severely.
Recommended Setup
Recommended Level
85+
Element to Use
Purity (Primary)
Bring Purity Talismans and Quick-Change Scrolls. Consider using the Purity Odachi build for this fight.
Boss Moves
indicates a dangerous attack that should be prioritized for dodging.
| Move | Type | Tell | Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iai Slash | melee | Sheathes sword briefly, steps back | Dodge sideways at the draw — do not block, guard break damage is high |
| Counter Stance | melee | Assumes defensive posture with sword raised | Do not attack — wait for stance to end, then punish |
| Rush Combo | melee | Dashes forward with three rapid slashes | Block first two, dodge sideways on third |
| Dark Realm Slash Wave | ranged | Sword glows purple, horizontal swing | Dodge through the wave or sprint perpendicular |
| Yokai Burst | aoe | Red aura surrounds body, upward slash | Burst Break Counter for massive Ki damage |
Strategy by Phase
In Phase 1, Kajiwara Kagetoki uses basic attacks. Learn these patterns before the fight intensifies.
Phase 1 Moves
| Move | Type | Tell | Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iai Slash | melee | Sheathes sword briefly, steps back | Dodge sideways at the draw — do not block, guard break damage is high |
| Counter Stance | melee | Assumes defensive posture with sword raised | Do not attack — wait for stance to end, then punish |
| Rush Combo | melee | Dashes forward with three rapid slashes | Block first two, dodge sideways on third |
Tips for Beating Kajiwara Kagetoki
- His Counter Stance punishes aggressive play — never attack when his sword is raised defensively
- Iai Slash has extremely high guard break — always dodge, never block
- In Phase 2, Dark Realm activates and his attack speed increases significantly
- Use Purity talismans to dispel Dark Realm pools quickly
- Phase 3 adds yokai enhancements — save Living Artifact for this phase
- Parrying his Rush Combo's final hit creates the best punish window
Drops & Rewards
| Item | Type | Rarity | Drop Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kagetoki's Tachi | weapon | rare | ~25% |
| Heian Commander Armor (piece) | armor | rare | Guaranteed |
| Samurai's Locks | material | common | - |
Recommended Builds for this Boss
Other Boss Guides
Data Sources
Last Updated: Feb 25, 2026Game Version: v1.04