Besides the Guardian Spirits, players want to the best Nioh 3 weapons to wield. One of the biggest strengths of developers Team Ninja’s Soulslike game is its deep and flexible combat system. At the heart of that system are weapons. Lots of them. Just like earlier entries, Nioh 3 weapons offer variety, depth, and meaningful build choices. In total, the game features 14 distinct weapon types. Each one comes with unique movesets, dual combat styles, and multiple skills to unlock.
However, with so many options available, choosing the best weapons Nioh 3 has to offer can feel overwhelming. Here’s a complete list of all weapon types, how to unlock the late-game ones, and a clear tier list to help you decide what to use.
All Nioh 3Weapon Types
There are 14 weapons in total. Seven belong to the Samurai style. The other seven are exclusive to Ninja. Some weapons may look familiar across both styles. Still, their stat scaling and performance differ greatly. Here’s the full list of Nioh 3 weapons, including their primary scaling stats.
Weapon List and Scaling
| Weapon | Style | Scaling |
|---|---|---|
| Swords | Samurai | Heart, Strength, Intelligence |
| Dual Swords | Samurai | Heart, Strength, Magic |
| Spears | Samurai | Constitution, Heart, Skill |
| Odachi | Samurai | Stamina, Strength, Magic |
| Axes | Samurai | Constitution, Stamina, Strength |
| Switchglaives | Samurai | Skill, Intelligence, Magic |
| Cestuses | Samurai | Heart, Stamina, Strength |
| Ninja Swords | Ninja | Strength, Skill, Intelligence |
| Dual Ninja Swords | Ninja | Heart, Intelligence, Magic |
| Kusarigama | Ninja | Constitution, Skill, Magic |
| Hatchets | Ninja | Stamina, Skill, Intelligence |
| Tonfa | Ninja | Constitution, Strength, Skill |
| Talons | Ninja | Heart, Stamina, Intelligence |
| Splitstaves | Ninja | Strength, Intelligence, Magic |
Although every weapon scales with specific stats, that’s not the end of the story. Later on, you can unlock the Remodel feature. This lets you adjust stat scaling and use almost any weapon with any build.
That said, not all weapons support Remodel early on. Lock rare drops immediately. Otherwise, you may dismantle something valuable by mistake.
How to Unlock Every Weapon in Nioh 3
At the start of the game, your arsenal is limited. Starting weapons include a Samurai Sword, Spear, Axe, and Odachi. While Ninja get the Ninja Sword, Dual Ninja Swords, Kusarigama, Tonfa, and Hatchets.
That still leaves four weapons locked.
Mid and Late-Game Unlocks
The first unlockable weapons are:
- Switchglaive (Samurai)
- Talons (Ninja)
You can obtain them randomly or after defeating the first Crucible boss.
The final two weapons unlock after defeating Baba Nobuharu. Some players report early access through crafting or random drops if they obtain the correct Smithing Texts. Still, Baba Nobuharu guarantees both weapons if luck doesn’t go your way.
Weapon Tier List – Best Weapons in Nioh 3
Every player wants to know the Nioh 3 best weapon. While comfort and playstyle always matter most, a tier list helps narrow things down, especially early on.
Here’s our ranking based on damage output, ease of use, and overall versatility.
Nioh 3 Weapon Tier List
| Rank | Weapon |
|---|---|
| S | Switchglaive, Sword, Dual Ninja Swords, Talons |
| A | Spear, Tonfa, Odachi |
| B | Ninja Swords, Cestuses, Axe, Kusarigama |
| C | Dual Swords, Splitstaff, Hatchets |
S-Tier Weapons
The Switchglaive sits at the top. It’s the most versatile weapon in the game. Great range. Excellent damage. Simple combos. It easily earns the title of best weapons Nioh 3 players can use. The Sword starts slow. However, once you unlock key skills, it becomes one of the strongest Samurai options available.
For Ninja builds, Dual Ninja Swords and Talons shine. They pair perfectly with elemental damage and status-heavy setups.
A-Tier Weapons
These weapons are strong but slightly flawed. The Spear offers reach and control, but its damage falls behind S-tier options. The Tonfa can be devastating. However, its complex moveset raises the skill ceiling. The Odachi hits incredibly hard. Its only weakness is speed.
B-Tier Weapons
These are usable, but only if you enjoy their playstyle. Ninja Swords lack the depth of Samurai swords. Cestuses feel overshadowed by Talons. The Axe is powerful but painfully slow. The Kusarigama looks stylish but struggles with damage and positioning.
C-Tier Weapons
These are the weakest overall. Samurai Dual Swords deal low damage and feel sluggish. Splitstaves offer good range but have a dull moveset. Hatchets only come alive after unlocking Mythic skills, and by then, most builds are already set.
That is all you need to know about the best Nioh 3 weapons. For more Nioh 3 content, stay posted to RetroNoob.
