How to Beat Kusanagi in Nioh 3

1 week ago 4

Published Feb 6, 2026, 3:01 AM EST

Scott Baird is a contributor with over a decade's experience writing about video games, along with board games and tabletop RPGs. Scott has previously worked for Dexerto, Cracked, Dorkly, and Gamepur.

Nioh 3 is full of human opponents who fight with swords, axes, bows, and rifles. A handful of them are elite opponents who use the same fighting style as the player, utilizing the skillful deflections of the Samurai or the oily speed of the Ninja.

Some opponents in Nioh 3 possess the power of Guardian Spirits. These are mighty mythological beasts with the ability to grant supernatural abilities to their favored mortals. The protagonist of Nioh 3 is one such person who slowly gathers different Guardian Spirits throughout the story, creating an arsenal of elemental ghosts that can aid them in battle.

The player must also fight Guardian Spirits in Nioh 3, including Kusanagi, a griffon-like beast who has been corrupted by evil. Kusanagi exits thanks to the Red-Clothed Maiden, a powerful priestess who fights alongside it in battle.

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Nioh 3: Kusanagi & Red-Clothed Maiden's Moves & Attacks

The Kusanagi fight in Nioh 3 is unusual in that you technically fight two opponents at once, but can only permanently defeat one.

Attack

Description

Response

Flame/Ice Stomp	Kusanagi slams the ground, sending blasts of flame or ice ahead.	A well-timed parry can stop it, but dodging is more effective, as it has a thin AoE.
Flame Tornado	Kusanagi jumps into the air, then flies forward, conjuring a tornado of flame that follows him along the ground.	This attack can be parried, but dodging as soon as Kusanagi moves is more effective.
Flame/Ice Darts	Kusanagi jumps into the air, then fires several blue or red magic darts at the player.	These can be parried or dodged.
Crimson Dive	Kusanagi flies into the air, surrounded by a crimson aura, circles, then dives.	You need to keep a close eye on Kusanagi. When it dives, use a Burst Break Counter (R2) just as it connects with the player to stun him.
Claw Combo	Kusanagi performs two claw strikes, pauses, then performs a third claw strike.	These can be blocked or parried.
Tail Stomp	Kusanagi spins around, pauses, and then stomps his tail on the ground, creating an AoE damaging effect.	While this move can be blocked, the fact that Kusanagi is locked into the animation means you can run to his front and get free hits.

Here are the Red-Clothed Maiden's actions, not all of which are strictly attacks:

Attack

Description

Response

Vanish	The Red-Clothed Maiden waves her staff and teleports away.	-
Magic Pillars	The Red-Clothed Maiden creates 4-5 magic pillars around her body, followed by flame pillars.	These can be dodged, but their AoE is so thin you can just run between them and whack her.
Fire Pillars	The Red-Clothed Maiden creates a line of fiery magic pillars that track the player.	These can be parried, but dodging is also effective, as they have a thin AoE.
Spell Beam	The Red-Clothed Maiden fires a magic ray at the player.	Dodge it, then run in for hits, as she drops her shield to use it.
Fire Bomb	The Red-Clothed Maiden slowly conjures a massive fireball above her head. When it explodes, it hits the entire arena.	Can be blocked or dodged. Just make sure you're at full health when she casts it.

When the Red-Clothed Maiden attacks, she has to drop her shield, making her vulnerable to counters.

How to Beat Kusanagi & Red-Clothed Maiden in Nioh 3

The gimmick of the fight is that the Red-Clothed Maiden keeps protecting herself with her invincible shield. She needs to drop it to attack, allowing the player to harm her. If her health bar is depleted, she'll be temporarily removed from the fight, allowing you to focus on Kusanagi.

While the Red-Clothed Maiden can be a pain, you don't need to deal with her. Focus on Kusanagi as much as possible! Defeating the Guardian Spirit is the only requirement for winning this fight, so focus on beating it as swiftly as possible. The main issue is that she primarily uses ranged attacks, making her a danger from all over the battlefield.

The best solution for the Red-Clothed Maiden is always keeping her in sight so that you can respond to her moves. If you have a chance, run in and whack her when the shield goes down. Just bear in mind that she'll only be temporarily removed from the fight. That's why focusing on Kusanagi is essential.

Once you've defeated Kusanagi, the Red-Clothed Maiden will be released from her corruption, and you'll find out her true identity.