How to Beat Nuribotoke in Nioh 3

1 week ago 3

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 has already been shown to the public through its demo and an in-person preview DualShockers attended. During the preview, the attendees had the chance to face one of the late-game bosses: Nuribotoke, a big statue that drastically changes its combat style throughout the battle.

It's strange that Nuribotoke isn't faced earlier in Nioh 3, as it's ideal as a tutorial boss (which is likely why it was chosen for the preview). This is a foe that perfectly demonstrates one of the biggest additions to Nioh 3: two combat modes designed to be faced with the game's switching styles system.

The vast majority of Nioh 3 players weren't at the initial preview, meaning they'll be facing Nuribotoke for the first time when they see his ugly mug in the final area. Luckily for them, this boss can be taken down with a little knowledge of Nioh 3's gameplay loop.

8 Best Soulslikes With Difficulty Options

These games allow Soulslike fans to adjust the difficulty setting for an easier or harder experience.

Nioh 3: Nuribotoke's Moves & Attacks

Nuribotoke has two distinct forms. The first form is slow and powerful, using a stick as a weapon to deliver precise, deadly strikes. Once you deal enough stamina damage, he will shift to the Yokai Realm and turn into a fast and slippery beast who tries to nail the player with large AoE attacks and uses his bulk to screw with the camera.

Phase One

Nuribotoke will use these moves in his first phase:

Attack

Description

Response

Grab	Nuribotoke's hands will flash with a black and yellow aura. He will then attempt a bear hug.	This move is well telegraphed, so just dash to the side or run behind him. Once his arms clasp together, run in and smack him.
Lightning Ring	Nuribotoke lifts his stick in the air like a conductor, causing lightning to appear around the arena. He then brings his hands down, causing bolts of lightning to strike in an AoE around him.	Dash backwards, run around his back, then run in and whack him.
Flame Ring	Nuribotoke whacks the ground with his stick, causing a ring of flames to emerge around him.	You can jump over the flames. Nuribotoke will be vulnerable for a few seconds after hitting the ground.
Homing Fireball Jacket	Nuribotoke summons six fireballs that spin around his body. He will then fire them at the player one by one.	These fireballs are quite slow and can easily be dodged, even while in Samurai form.
Strike Drag	Nuribotoke's limb grows long, and he strikes the ground, dragging himself across the arena.	This is an easy move to dodge, and he's left wide open after the attack.
Big Fireball	Nuribotoke summons a massive fireball above his body, ala the Spirit Bomb from Dragon Ball Z, and throws it at you.	The fireball is a homing attack, but it's extremely slow and has a long introduction animation. Just run away, and it will slam into the ground.
Crimson Sweep	Nuribotoke will swing his stick in a wide arc in front of him, then dive forward with a crimson aura.	Parry the first two hits, then use a Burst Break counter on the third.

Phase Two

Nuribotoke will use these moves in his second phase:

Attack

Description

Response

Crash	Nuribotoke slams his hand into the ground.	Ninja evade away
Bang	Nuribotoke repeatedly swings his midriff in front of his body.	Run between his legs.
Wallop	Nuribotoke repeatedly slams his body into the ground.	Run/dash towards his legs and stick behind him. He should be safe to attack at this range.

Nuribotoke will start the battle in his slower form from across the room. This will give you the chance to use a buffing item or spell.

How to Beat Nuribotoke in Nioh 3

Nuribotoke's two forms are designed to match Nioh 3's two styles. The slower form should be faced with the Samurai style, while the swift form in the Yokai Realm is meant to be battled with the Ninja style.

Many of Nuribotoke's attacks in his first phase can be parried, with easy deflect windows given his slow movement speed. However, he had a deceptively long reach, so be ready to parry at any time. The trickier part is his second phase, as it can be hard to gauge where exactly his attacks are coming from.

The slow movement speed of Nuribotoke's first form means he can be struck with arrows and Ninja Arts. Bear in mind that his long reach/drag allows Nuribotoke to cover more distance than his little legs suggest, so you can't kite him for the entire battle. Arrows/Ninja Arts are best saved for pressuring him to approach.

Once you get to the second phase, switch to Ninja style, then try to get behind Nuribotoke as much as possible. This provides a safe area to attack him and grind down his health bar. His speed and range are useless, so long as you can get behind him. The fact that you're righting in Ninja style means you'll also burn through his stamina meter with ease, meaning he'll quickly need to switch back to his weaker, slower first form.

If you have Living Artifact, save it until Nuribotoke is on his last bit of health and in his first form, then use it to destroy him. It's here where his slower attack speed is a huge detriment, as he won't be able to shave your meter down before you've turned him into rubble. This boss is faced so late in the game that you likely won't need to grind to be ready for him.