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Nioh 3 Weapon Tier List — Best Samurai and Ninja Weapons Ranked
2026-02-24
Nioh 3 expands the series’ combat depth more than ever before, giving players access to two distinct fighting styles, Samurai and Ninja, each with their own weapon types, Martial Arts, and playstyles. With 14 total weapons to choose from, deciding which weapon to invest in can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a Nioh 3 beginner or a veteran, choosing the right weapon early can make a huge difference in your overall progression, whether you prefer heavy samurai weapons with powerful strikes or fast ninja weapons focused on mobility and combos.
Table of Contents
This Nioh 3 weapon tier list ranks all Samurai and Ninja weapon types based on damage potential, versatility, and overall effectiveness, helping you choose the best options for a strong Nioh 3 build. Since the game encourages experimenting with builds and mastering different Martial Arts, many players also like practicing combat or farming gear outside their main setup. Tools like OSLink make this easier by letting you remotely play Nioh 3 from your phone while the game runs on your PC, allowing you to test weapons, practice combos, or grind progression without being tied to your desk.
Nioh 3 S Tier Weapons — Best Samurai and Ninja Weapons
These weapons provide the highest overall performance in Nioh 3 thanks to their strong damage output, consistency, and adaptability across different combat situations. Whether you prefer Samurai or Ninja fighting styles, these are the most recommended weapons for powerful builds.
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Weapon |
Details |
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Switchglaive
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Samurai weapon — High versatility, stance-based combat, top-tier adaptability |
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The Switchglaive is widely considered the best Samurai weapon because it can transform between multiple forms depending on stance, allowing it to handle close combat, range control, and crowd fights efficiently. When paired with recommended Martial Arts, it creates extremely smooth combo chains and strong Ki pressure, making it one of the most reliable weapon builds for both bosses and regular enemies. |
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Spear
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Samurai weapon — Long reach, safe damage, consistent performance |
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The Spear stands out due to its excellent range and safe engagement distance, which reduces risk while maintaining solid damage output. Its straightforward combos are easy to learn but scale well with player skill, making it a highly recommended Samurai weapon for beginners and advanced players alike. The weapon’s ability to control spacing makes difficult encounters much easier. |
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Tonfa
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Ninja weapon — Extreme Ki damage, stun potential, aggressive playstyle |
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Tonfa excels at breaking enemy Ki quickly, which allows players to stun-lock opponents and control fights. Instead of focusing purely on raw damage, it dominates through pressure and stamina destruction. With the right Martial Arts and Ninja weapon build, Tonfa becomes one of the strongest tools for boss fights because enemies spend more time vulnerable than attacking. |
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Talons
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Ninja weapon — Fast aerial combos, high DPS, mobility focused |
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Talons represent peak Ninja combat performance with extremely fast attacks and aerial mobility options that allow players to stay aggressive while avoiding danger. Their sustained damage output is among the highest in the game, especially when players master positioning and combo timing. For players looking for the best Ninja weapon for pure offensive power, Talons are an excellent choice. |
Nioh 3 A Tier Weapons — Strong and Reliable Choices
These weapons perform extremely well in most situations and can become top-tier with the right weapon build and player skill. They are excellent options for players who want powerful Samurai or Ninja weapons without the higher complexity of S Tier choices.
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Weapon |
Details |
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Sword (Katana)
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Samurai weapon — Balanced versatility, beginner friendly, strong Martial Arts scaling |
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The Sword may look simple at first, but it becomes incredibly powerful when combined with the right Martial Arts. Its balanced moveset works well in nearly every combat situation, offering good mobility, defense, and damage. Because of its adaptability and ease of learning, it is often recommended as one of the best Samurai weapons for players who want consistency without sacrificing depth. |
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Odachi
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Samurai weapon — Heavy damage, long reach, hybrid power playstyle |
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Odachi combines the reach of a spear with the raw damage of heavier weapons, making it excellent for both crowd control and single-target encounters. While it consumes more Ki than lighter weapons, proper timing and Ki Pulse management reward players with devastating attacks. It is a highly recommended Samurai weapon for players who prefer powerful, deliberate strikes and strong battlefield presence. |
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Cestus
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Samurai weapon — Close-range combo specialist, high skill ceiling, Ki pressure |
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Cestus focuses on relentless close-quarters combat and combo chaining mechanics that reward precise timing and aggressive play. With proper mastery, it can deal massive sustained damage while breaking enemy Ki quickly. Its high skill ceiling makes it extremely rewarding for advanced players looking for a fast, technical Samurai weapon build. |
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Dual Ninja Swords
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Ninja weapon — Fast hit-and-run combat, mobility focused DPS |
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Dual Ninja Swords excel at aggressive movement and continuous pressure, allowing players to dash in, deal damage, and reposition quickly. Their forward-momentum attacks create a fluid combat rhythm that fits perfectly with the Ninja fighting style. They are a great choice for players who want a strong Ninja weapon with high mobility and consistent damage output. |
Pre-set Keymaps for Easy Play
Nioh 3 B Tier Weapons — Balanced but Situational
These weapons offer solid performance and can be effective throughout the game, but they may require more effort, specific builds, or favorable situations to match the power of higher-tier options. They are still recommended Samurai and Ninja weapons for players who enjoy their unique playstyles.
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Weapon |
Details |
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Ninja Sword
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Ninja weapon — Versatile moveset, balanced damage, adaptable playstyle |
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The Ninja Sword is one of the most flexible weapons in the game, capable of fitting into many different Ninja builds. It offers smooth combos, mobility options, and reliable damage, making it beginner friendly while still rewarding skilled players. However, it lacks the extreme specialization of higher-tier Ninja weapons, which keeps it slightly below the top ranks. |
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Dual Swords (Samurai)
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Samurai weapon — Fast attacks, mobility focused, high Ki consumption |
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Dual Swords allow Samurai players to fight with speed and agility similar to Ninja combat, delivering rapid strikes and strong Ki pressure. The weapon performs very well in aggressive playstyles, but heavy Ki consumption and reliance on proper positioning can make it less consistent compared to higher-tier Samurai weapons. |
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Axe
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Samurai weapon — Massive raw damage, simple mechanics, slow speed |
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The Axe delivers extremely heavy hits with minimal mechanical complexity, making it one of the easiest Samurai weapons to use early in the game. However, its slow attack speed and high Ki cost create vulnerability during combat, especially against fast bosses. While powerful, it lacks the versatility and consistency needed to reach higher tiers. |
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Kusarigama
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Ninja weapon — Battlefield control, range manipulation, Ki damage utility |
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Kusarigama excels at controlling enemy positioning with its chain mechanics, allowing players to pull targets and manage spacing effectively. It also performs well at breaking enemy Ki. Despite these strengths, its damage output can feel average compared to other Ninja weapons, and it requires more setup to reach maximum effectiveness, placing it in the B Tier overall. |
Nioh 3 C Tier Weapons — Niche or High Effort Options
These weapons have unique mechanics and can perform well in certain situations, but they often struggle with consistency, damage efficiency, or resource management compared to other Samurai and Ninja weapons. Players who enjoy their playstyle can still succeed, but they are generally less recommended for optimal progression.
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Weapon |
Details |
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Split Staff
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Ninja weapon — Long reach, combo potential, very high Ki consumption |
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The Split Staff offers impressive range and flashy combo chains that are excellent for crowd control and stylish combat. However, its biggest drawback is extremely heavy Ki consumption, which can leave players vulnerable if attacks are overcommitted. Because it relies heavily on precise Ki management and timing, it becomes less consistent in difficult boss encounters compared to higher-tier Ninja weapons. |
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Hatchets
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Ninja weapon — Ranged throws, flexible positioning, lower boss DPS |
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Hatchets provide a unique playstyle with the ability to attack from a distance by throwing weapons, giving players more safety and mobility options. While this flexibility is useful, the overall damage output, especially against bosses, tends to fall behind other Ninja weapons even with upgrades and Martial Arts. This makes Hatchets more situational and places them in the C Tier despite their creative mechanics. |
Nioh 3 Best Samurai and Ninja Weapons Recommendation
Choosing the best weapon in Nioh 3 depends on your playstyle and how comfortable you are with mechanics like Ki management, stance switching, and combo timing. Both Samurai and Ninja weapon types have strong options, but following weapons consistently perform better across most situations.
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Category |
Weapon |
Best For |
Why It’s Strong |
Recommended Martial Arts |
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Samurai |
Switchglaive
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Best Overall Samurai Weapon |
Highly versatile with stance transitions, adapts to many combat situations, strong for most players |
Path of Three Flux-based stance transition skills High stance combo finishers |
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Samurai |
Spear
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Best Safe and Consistent Weapon |
Excellent reach, reliable damage, beginner-friendly, safer spacing control |
Twisting Spear upgrades Ki Pulse mobility skills High stance thrust attacks |
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Samurai |
Odachi
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Best Heavy Damage Samurai Weapon |
Powerful strikes, strong range, aggressive high-damage playstyle |
Ground Sweeper Heavy combo extensions Ki Pulse recovery skills |
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Ninja |
Talons
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Best Offensive Ninja Weapon |
Extremely fast attacks, aerial mobility, high sustained DPS, aggressive gameplay |
Aerial combo extensions Dodge-attack follow-ups Multi-hit combo finishers |
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Ninja |
Tonfa
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Best Ki Damage and Control Weapon |
Breaks enemy Ki quickly, allows stun-locking, strong fight control |
Counter / deflect skills Rapid strike chains Ki damage enhancement skills |
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Ninja |
Dual Ninja Swords
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Best Mobility Ninja Weapon |
Fast movement, hit-and-run combat, strong positioning control |
Forward thrust combos Dash attack skills Combo chain extensions |
Conclusion
Nioh 3’s weapon system gives players incredible freedom, and while top-tier options like Switchglaive, Talons, Tonfa, and Spear offer the most consistent performance, the best Samurai or Ninja weapon ultimately comes down to your playstyle and how well you master its Martial Arts and mechanics. The key is experimenting with different weapon types until you find one that feels natural and effective for you, since every weapon can become powerful with the right build and skill investment. Many players like testing setups, practicing combos, or farming gear outside their main play sessions, and tools like OSLink make this easier by letting you play Nioh 3 remotely from your phone while your PC runs the game, giving you more flexibility to improve and progress wherever you are.
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