Character Building tips for Nioh. Share tips and suggestions on how to create a good build for the game. This page will help you create your own Build.
There are 3 types of main build archetypes in Nioh, and they generally follow the light/medium/heavy parameters set forth by Armor. Players can select to be agile and responsive, concentrate on blocking and parrying, or play slowly with a heavy build. Magic can be used sporadically for buffs or can be the focus of the build for deadly combinations.
The table below displays the bonuses from stats to weapon categories - All weapons have secondary stat scaling, that changes depending on what you roll on your weapon. Table sources via annonymous google doc.
| Main passive | Minor Passive | Swords | Dual Swords | Spears | Axes | Kusarigama | Bows | Rifles | Hand Cannons | Light Armor | Medium Armor | Heavy Armor | |
| Body | HP | - | B+ | D+ | D+ | C+ | yes | yes | |||||
| Heart | Ki | - | B+ | C+ | B+ | ||||||||
| Stamina | Equip load | HP | C+ | B+ | yes | ||||||||
| Strength | Heavy armor bonuses | Equip Load, Ki pulse | C | D+ | C | B+ | yes | yes | |||||
| Skill | Light armor bonuses | Ki pulse, ninjutsu power | C | B+ | C | C+ | C+ | B+ | C+ | yes | |||
| Dexterity | Ninjutsu power, skill points, slots | B+ | D+ | D+ | D+ | ||||||||
| Magic | Magic power, skill points, slots | ||||||||||||
| Spirit | Guardian Bonuses |
Choosing Stats:
Core Stats
Core Stats in Nioh are basic Stats that affect the player's Life, Ki, what Weapons and Armor they can equip, etc. For more in depth information on each stat please see the appropriate page.
Body
Raises Life and resistance to Poison and Paralysis.
Raises the damage of Weapons, see Scaling Table.
Needed to unlock the passives on Medium Armor.
Needed to unlock the passives on Light Armor.
Unlocks Samurai Skill Points.
Heart
Raises maximum Ki.
Raises the damage of Swords and Bows.
Unlocks Samurai Skill Points.
Stamina
Raises Life and maximum equipment load
Raises the damage of Cannons.
Needed to unlock the passives on Heavy Armor.
Unlocks Samurai Skill Points.
Strength
Needed to unlock the passives on both Heavy Armor and Medium Armor.
Raises the damage of Weapons, see Scaling Table.
Improves Ki Pulse.
Unlocks Samurai Skill Points.
Slightly improves maxium equipment load.
Skill
Needed to unlock the passives on Light Armor.
Raises the damage of Weapons, see Scaling Table.
Improves Ki Pulse.
Unlocks Samurai Skill Points.
Slightly improves Ninjutsu Power.
Dexterity
Determines the power and capacity of your Ninjutsu.
Raises the damage of Weapons, see Scaling Table.
Allows you to learn more Ninjutsu Skills.
Allows you to carry more Ninjutsu Skills.
Magic
Determines the power and capacity of Onmyo Magic.
Raises resistance against Yokai stamina debuffs.
Allows you to learn more Onmyo Magic.
Allows you to carry more Onmyo Magic.
Spirit
Affects the power of your Guardian Spirit.
Unlocks Guardian Spirit passive abilities.
Slightly raises Onmyo Magic Power. Slightly raises resistance against Yokai stamina debuffs.
Determines the rate at which the Amrita Gauge fills (which is required to use Living Weapon)
Level
How much your skills and abilities have advanced.
Amrita
How much Amrita you currently possess.
Life
Your life remaining. When it reaches 0, you die.
Ki
Your Ki energy remaining. Attacks and evasions consume Ki, but it regenerates over time.
Equipment Weight
Total weight of your equipment. Affects Agility.
Agility
How agile your movement is. Changes based on the weight of your equipment.
Gold
How much gold you currently carry.
Choosing your Gear
Build around your Ki management expertise and your reaction time. Light, agile for fast swings. Medium stance and gear for blocking, and Heavy armor High Stance for slow but deadly attacks
Explaining & Categorizing your build
Once your build is ready, you will want to categorize it for its purpose and explain how to use it effectively, such as outlining the best situations and scenarios where it is useful, as well as those where it may be weak or easily countered.
