Character Builds for Nioh are character and equipment recommendations that focus your character on solo and cooperative play against regular AI enemies and yokai. Builds listed in this page are created and categorized by players, therefore you should not assume they are all optimized.
For help on creating your own build, see the character building tutorial page. You will need to have a good understanding of all of the game's Stats and how they are impacted by your Weapons and Armor. Brushing up on your Skills and the Combat Stances you want to focus on are further build considerations.
How to create and add your build
- Create a wiki page with your build name and add the info/links. To create a page, click the New Page + link at the bottom of the page and select "Build" template. Alternatively, you can type the name of your build on the URL portion of the page and press enter to be prompted to create it. We recommend using descriptive names such as "Katana Heart Build by XX".
- Edit this page by ADDING A ROW to the table below with a link to the page you created and an overview.
Builds
Name | Creator | Weapon Preference/Stance Preference | Description |
Onmyo Swordsman | Fex | Swords / Mid Stance / Onmyo Magic | Early Game Spirit and Heart based build for easier early game. Buffs, Debuffs and Elemental Damage! |
Adamantine Axe | Anon | Axes / Mid Stance | An axe focused build that also works in Onmyo Magic and Ninjutsu |
Ninja Warrior | Anon | Kusarigama | An all around build that focuses on Ninja type gameplay |
Katana Master | Anon | Swords | A basic setup for maximizing the katanas. |
Tank | Anon | Axes / Hand Cannons | Power through anything and fire hard. |
Axe of the East | Anon | Axes / Mid Stance | A basic setup for maximizing the axe. |
Spirit master | Anon | Katana/ Dual Katana | Griever As the build name says, just Katanas. A powerfull all inclusive build with focus on Skill and Heart. |
Onmyo Magic/Melee Hybrid | MercwithMouth82 | Onmyo Magic/Spear/Axe/Sword | Basic Omnyo Magic/Melee build till you find Omnyo Magic scaling weapons |
Powerful Swordsman | Anon | Swords | Slice your way through most anything on any difficulty like butter. |
Sword/Axe Hybrid | Demaulicus | Sword/Axe/Onmyo Magic Build | Guide to using Sword and Axe in Nioh. Hybrid build that is effective. Onmyo Magic is for Sloth only. |
BloodSoul26 | Spear / All stances | The ultimate Tank build that can also be completed in the first region of the game. |
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PeterScarlet | Dual/Single Swords/ All Stances, Onmyo Magic | Onmyo Mage that destroys everyone with guardian spirit and just having fun. Can be started in First region of the game. |
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Demi | Kusarigama/Bows/Ninjutsu | ||
Angaquesse | Spear/Sword All stances | Versatile early/midgame sword and spear build that combines 4piece bonuses from both Warrior of the West and The Raging Bull sets. | |
Ravagexe | Who needs them? | Fisto-Sama is a drunkard from Western lands, who now enjoys punching Japanese ghosts in his free time. Help him wonder around Japan like a clueless idiot, reducing Japan's booze supply, helping ninjas and punching poor British alchemists hard in the face. | |
Living Weapon Build 1.0 | GIZMO2606 |
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Dfirevan | Kusarigama/sword or what feels best. |
A build that deals magic damage and stager enemys way to hard. Not for the weak, as it migh be a hard road to take. comes in handy when facing bosses that are big. weakness, small nible creatures... |
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Ninja of Iga | Siegfried Chulainn | Oninamida Muramasa | A ninja build that utilizes the bonus from the Iga set but allows you to have more freedom with your secondary weapon and do massive damage. |
Gogandantess | Naewulf | High Stance / Ishida Masamune | Powerful 2 elements onmyo / confusion / sword build. |
TANK (DLC) | HUEBR | Two hands wepons | Use the Sacred Treasure of the Dragon God set complete and up the energy. |
Rakuyo's Sword Build | Rakuyo | Sword Guide | Speed oriented sword build, comes with basic tips and equipment advice. |
Rakuyo's Dual Swords Build | Rakuyo | Dual Swords Guide | Basic Dual Swords build, comes with basic tips and equipment advice. |
Rakuyo's Spear Build | Rakuyo | Spear Guide | Fluidity oriented spear build, comes with basic tips and equipment advice. |
Rakuyo's Axe Build | Rakuyo | Axe Guide | Powerful axe build, comes with basic tips and equipment advice. |
Rakuyo's Kusarigama Build | Rakuyo | Kusarigama Guide | High end kusarigama build, comes with tips and equipment advice. |
Rakuyo's Odachi Build | Rakuyo | Odachi Guide | Powerful odachi build, comes with basic tips and equipment advice. |
Rakuyo's Tonfa Build | Rakuyo | Tonfa Guide | Powerful Ki dominator Tonfa build, comes with basic tips and equipment advice. |
Rakuyo's Ninjutsu Guide | Rakuyo | Ninjutsu Guide | Guide on how to get the best out of the Ninjutsu Skill Tree. |
Onmyo Magic Guide | Rakuyo | Onmyo Magic Guide | Guide on how to get the best out of the Onmyo Magic Skill Tree. |
- Anonymous
Seriously this is not dark souls, there is no build to talk about. Even weapon stats in this game is randomly generated in bulk. Wake up! Not every soul-wannabe games are identical to dark souls.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
So i made a account! I have a few builds im working on that might either help some people or just be fun to use but are their any guidelines? or templates for posting here?
I finished:
-my Honda tank skill drain build(as seen below from earlier https://www.twitch.tv/videos/122129538)
-Im working on a living weapon tank build using the Justice ministry set.
-I have my Onmyouji Tank build finished with steps for new players since it can be made early in the game.
I do have pictures of the sets and builds if images or stats need to be updated for the wiki i can help with that. I really wanna get all this done before Toukiden 2 comes out because that will take up a ton of my time.
If help/info on this would be very appreciated.
Thanks
- Anonymous
I have a build i would like to submit, how do i do it? I was working it for 2 hours.
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/122129538
- Anonymous
Aw come on people, we need more builds in here! Please do share them with us!
Dont let this turn into yet another DS3 fiasco, no one wants to lose time trying to find some build over small scale reddits.
- Anonymous
I play Spear and Katana. What ist the best Way to keep my Points?
- Anonymous
Axe TT
Grapple: Grapples an enemy who is out of Ki, then follows up with the equipped weapon. Novice 1 Active
The Adamantine: Only available when the weapon is sheathed. Increases defense power by sacrificing speed. Adept 1 Active Hold R1+O
Battle Focus: Increases Ki used when dodging in exchange for decreasing Ki used when attacking. Can only used when your sword is sheathed Adept 3 Active Hold R1+Circle
Fortitude: I Life + 100 Veteran 4 Passive Battle Focus
Mid Stance: gives best guard
Ki Pulse: Man Mid stance skill. Activates when you recover full Ki from a Ki Pulse. Raises the damage caused by your next attack. Novice 1 Active
Roar: Mid stance only. A frontal charge in full guard. Adept 2 Active Hold X while guarding Ki Pulse: Man
Cornered Boar: I When your health drops to 30% or lower, received damage is reduced by 20% Adept 6 Passive
Spirit Wind: Mid stance only. Slams the enemy while parrying their attack. Veteran 3 Active Square while Guarding
Living Water: Man Mid stance only. Enables you to use Ki Pulses even when dodging
Second Weapon most be long range weapon: Spear or Kusarigama.
Onmyo Magic TT
Talisman Kekkai I Lets you ready 2 kekkai talismans. Creates a compact barrier that purges Yokai Realm pollution and enhances Ki recovery speed. 5 Novice 2 Jutsu
Oasis Talisman: I Allows you to prepare 2 Oasis Talismans. Using them causes allies in range to gradually recover health (life). 6 Adept 3 Jutsu
Devigorate Talisman: I Allows you to prepare 3 Devigorate Talismans. Using them reduces enemy attack power. 5 Novice 1 Jutsu
Talisman: Sloth I Lets you ready 2 sloth talismans. Greaty reduces the movement speed of your enemy. 5 Adept 1 Jutsu
Resistance Talisman: I Allows you to prepare 5 Resistance Talismans. Using them raises your resistance to poison and paralysis. 3 Novice 1 Jutsu
Steel Talisman: I Allows you to prepare 3 Steel Talismans. Using them raises your defense. 3 Adept 1 Jutsu
Protection Talisman: I Allows you to prepare 2 Protection Talismans. Using them neutralizes a set amount of received damage. 5 Adept 3 Jutsu
Rejuvenation Talisman: I Allows you to prepare 2 Rejuvenation Talismans. Using them gradually recovers your health (life). 5 Veteran 3 Jutsu
Pure Mind: I VS. Yokai Realm +100 Novice 2 Passive
Evil Ward: I Reduces damage from yokai by 6%. Adept 2 Passive
Incantation Mastery: I Increases Onmyo magic capacity by 1. Adept 2 Passive
Amplification: Extends the duration of effects from skills and items. 7 Mystic Art Cleared Mission "???"
Awakening: Enables you to instantly cast any Onmyo Magic you use on yourself. Also increases the casting speed of Onmyo Magic you use on others. 7 Mystic Art Cleared Mission "???"
Ninja TT
Dashing: I Reduces Ki consumed by a dash by 6%. Novice 2 Passive
Dodging: I Reduces Ki used in an evasive roll by 6%. Adept 2 Passive
Cloudrunner: I Increases running speed by 5%. Veteran 2 Passive
Medicine Man: I Increases elixir that can be carried by 1. Adept 2 Passive
Gear
Heavy armour (set will come later)
Genbu
kato.png
Guardian Spirit Protection
Spirit Protection 30% ? req
Dash Speed Reduction 30% ? req
No Guard Break ?? 15 req
Change to Defense (Magic) B+ 17 req
Received Elemental Attack Damage 7.5% 20 req
Onmyo Magic Power +75 22 req
Living Weapon
ATK Enhance 5%
Water 42
Useable Time 17.6s
Might 3000
Action B+
Recovery B
Tenacity C-
Amrita Gauge Rate D-
Fuse-ushi
kato.png
Guardian Spirit Protection
Spirit Protection +20% 0 req
Life +100 0 req
Guard Ki Usage -12% ? req
vs. Poison +20 ? req
Close Combat Attack (Critical) +15% ? req
Life Recovery From Amrita Absorption +30 ? req
Living Weapon
ATK Enhance 15%
Earth 30
Usable Time 20.4s
Might 1870
Action B+
Recovery B
Tenacity C-
Amrita Gauge Rate D
Isonade
kato.png
Guardian Spirit Protection
Spirit Protection +20% N/A
Sense Enemies on Radar - N/A
Life +80 6 req
Close Combat Health Recovery 40 9 req
Human Close Combat Damage +9% 10 req
Strong Attack Ki Usage -10% 11 req
Living Weapon
ATK Enhance 5%
Water 30
Usable Time
21.6 secs
Might 1400
Action A
Recovery C+
Tenacity C
Amrita Gauge Rate D
- Anonymous
Based on what I've played maxing the Iai Quickdraw and using low stance immediately after works really well. I keep my weight low and put points into Heart and Magic for elemental damage, using Low stance after Quickdraw causes you to slash through the enemy and then repeatedly stagger from behind.
- Anonymous
From the Alpha, builds will be centered around a weapon type, not a specific weapon or skill. So far, there are no significant damage abilities with Ninjitsu, leaving all character setups to be based on using weapon types well, or using a specific weapon (e.g. Raiken, Evil Crusher). Scaling is represented as much with weapons as with guardians, so perhaps builds should be classified by Guardian Spirit, and Primary weapon.
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