Team Ninja has returned with a massive new title, Nioh 3. This game takes the challenging formula of “Soulslike” games and expands it into a more open-world structure. For fans of action RPGs, the combat is incredibly satisfying and the world is rich with detail.
Currently, players can try a large portion of the early game for free through a downloadable demo. This is a great way to see if the game is right for you. However, there is a major hurdle right at the end of the tutorial section. His name is Yamagata Masakage.
This prologue boss is tough. He is fast, aggressive, and hits very hard. There is a good chance he will defeat you multiple times. For new players, this can be very discouraging. You might feel like the game is too difficult or simply not for you.
But quitting now would be a mistake. Nioh 3 is a fantastic experience, and this fight is just a lesson in learning the game’s systems. If you are stuck on this boss, you are not alone. Many new players struggle here. To help you get past this initial wall and enjoy the rest of the game, here is a simple, step-by-step guide on how to take him down.
Level Up Your Character
If Yamagata Masakage is defeating you in just one or two hits, your character might be too weak. The solution is simple: grind for a bit.
Go back to the area before the boss arena. Fight the regular enemies there repeatedly. Defeating them gives you “Amrita,” which is the experience points used to level up. Aim to reach level six or seven before trying the boss again.
When you level up, focus on putting points into “Constitution” and “Strength.” These stats will give you more health and allow you to take more punishment.
Also, look for the “Yokai” enemy. This monster is located right behind you at the last shrine before the boss fight. Kill this creature a few times. It has a high chance of dropping better armor and weapons. Better gear will make a huge difference in your survival.
Call for Help
Nioh 3 gives you a tool to make fights easier, but it can be easy to miss. Look for the small blue pools of light on the ground. These are graves of other players, but they are helpful ones.
You can interact with these blue graves to summon an “Acolyte.” This is an AI-controlled ally who will fight alongside you. To do this, you need to spend “Ochoko cups.” You can find these items by defeating enemies (specifically the red graves of hostile revenants).
Bringing an ally into the fight changes the dynamic completely. The boss will have to split his attention between two targets, giving you breathing room to heal or attack.
Learn to Block and Dodge
This is a Soulslike game. You cannot just run in and mash buttons. You have to be patient.
Yamagata Masakage has a specific set of moves. Spend one attempt just watching him. Learn his patterns. Most of his attacks can be blocked. Hold your guard up. Do not try to attack him while he is swinging at you.
Wait for him to finish his combo. Once he stops, that is your moment to strike or back away to recover your stamina. If you are struggling with movement, switch your character to the “Ninja stance.” This stance is faster and makes it much easier to dodge away from danger.
The Most Important Move: The Burst Counter
If you learn only one thing, make it the “Burst Counter.” This mechanic is the key to winning the fight easily.
Throughout the battle, watch for a specific visual cue. Yamagata Masakage will flash with a bright red glowing aura. This signals he is about to use a devastating special attack.
Do not run away when you see the red light. Instead, wait for the attack to almost hit you, and then press your Burst Counter buttons (Right Trigger + the stance shift button).
If you time it right, you will parry his attack instantly. This deals massive stamina damage to him and leaves him stunned.
Here is a simple strategy:
- Keep your distance and block normal attacks.
- Wait for the red flash.
- Use the Burst Counter.
- Hit him with a three-hit combo while he is stunned.
- Back away and repeat.
Let the AI Do the Heavy Lifting
If you summoned an Acolyte, use them as a shield.
When the boss is focused on attacking you, just hold the block button. Let him waste his energy on your shield. While he is trying to hit you, your AI ally will likely be hitting him from behind.
This is essentially “easy mode.” Your job is just to stay alive and keep the boss’s attention (aggro) while your partner deals the damage. If the boss turns to hit your ally, run in and get a few hits to draw his attention back to you.
Use Your Living Artifact
You have a secret weapon called the “Living Artifact” or Guardian Spirit. As you fight and collect Amrita, a gauge on your screen fills up.
When this gauge is full, you can press two buttons together (usually Triangle + Circle or Y + B) to transform. This makes you temporarily invincible and allows you to deal massive damage.
Save this for the end of the fight. You do not need to kill Yamagata Masakage completely. You only need to reduce his health to about one-third. Once his health gets low, pop your transformation and attack him relentlessly.
Be careful in the second half of the fight, as he changes his timing. His red-flash attacks might have a slight delay. Watch carefully before you counter.
Conclusion
Once you get his health low enough, the battle will end, and he will flee. You will have survived the hardest lesson in the tutorial.
From this point on, Nioh 3 opens up significantly. You will have more freedom to explore and build your character. You won’t face another major “skill check” boss until much later when you meet Jakotsu-baba. By then, you will have better weapons, more skills, and the confidence to win. So, don’t let the first boss keep you down. Use these tips, get back in there, and enjoy the game.
