
Nioh 3 Ninja Sword Guide忍刀
A swift one-handed katana combining quick slashes with agile kicks. Features stealth Assassination attacks when undetected. New to Nioh 3.
Overview
The Ninja Sword is a brand-new weapon type exclusive to Nioh 3's Ninja combat style, combining lightning-fast katana slashes with agile kicks for a fluid, dynamic fighting experience. What makes this blade unique among all Nioh 3 weapons is its stealth Assassination ability — when approaching unaware enemies, it performs an instant-kill backstab that eliminates targets silently. In open combat, the Ninja Sword chains rapid slashes with integrated kicks, creating a rhythm-based combat flow that rewards aggressive play. It scales primarily with Strength, offering solid damage alongside Ninja-style mobility. Using Mist (霞) evasion with this weapon allows you to phase through attacks and immediately counter with fast slashes, making it exceptionally effective for players who prefer a reactive, counter-based fighting style.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- • Stealth Assassination gives the Ninja Sword free instant kills on unaware enemies
- • Fluid combo flow — Ninja Sword attacks chain naturally with kicks for constant pressure
- • Mist evasion synergizes perfectly with the Ninja Sword's fast counter-attacks
- • New to Nioh 3 — the Ninja Sword offers a fresh stealth-action playstyle
Weaknesses
- • Moderate damage per hit — the Ninja Sword relies on combo volume for DPS
- • No stance system — Ninja Sword users lack the versatility of stance-switching
- • Stealth Assassination only works once combat begins if enemies are alerted
- • Shorter reach than many Samurai weapons puts Ninja Sword users at range disadvantage
Key Characteristics
- •Quick successive slashes with integrated kick attacks
- •Stealth Assassination ability for instant kills on unaware enemies
- •Easy combo chaining with natural flow between attacks
- •New weapon type introduced in Nioh 3 exclusively for Ninja style
Moveset Guide
Ninja Sword Assassination kills any unaware enemy instantly — use stealth approaches to thin enemy groups before committing to open combat
The kick attacks integrate into slash combos naturally — don't try to separate them, let the weapon flow between cuts and kicks
Mist (霞) into a counter-slash is the core combat loop — dodge through attacks with Mist, then punish with rapid strikes
Aerial attacks are excellent for extending combos — use Mist upward to launch into air combos, then continue with ground follow-ups
Evade (識破) timing with this blade allows a powerful counter-slash — practice the timing to unlock the highest burst damage option
Combat Techniques
• Use Mist (霞) as your primary defensive tool — this blade benefits from aggressive Mist usage to maintain close-range pressure while avoiding damage
• Ninja Sword aerial combos deal significant damage — launch enemies with Mist upward then chain air slashes before landing with a finisher
• Evade (識破) windows are generous with this weapon — activate it just before enemy attacks connect to counter with a devastating riposte
• Combine attacks with Ninjutsu skills like Shuriken and Kunai for ranged-to-melee transition combos