Ninjutsu is one of the most powerful tools players can use in Nioh 3, and it should never be treated as optional. When a boss is winding up for a huge attack or enemies are overwhelming the screen, Ninjutsu provides damage, control, and survival tools that can completely change the flow of a fight.
Ninjutsu sits under the Ninja style, which focuses on speed, pressure, and utility. While Samurai excels at raw damage, Ninja builds shine by hitting often, disrupting enemies, and creating openings that would otherwise be risky or impossible.
Why Ninjutsu Matters
Ninjutsu gives players tools that do not rely on perfect dodging or memorizing long attack patterns. Instead of waiting for openings, players can create them. Paralysis, fire, lightning, traps, and evasive skills all help control the pace of combat.
This makes Ninjutsu especially strong against bosses, where a single mistake can be costly. A well-timed Ninjutsu skill can prevent damage, interrupt attacks, or create a safe opening for counterattacks.
Nioh 3 Guide: Best Ninjutsu You Need to Get
Best Ninjutsu Skill
Burrow is the most important Ninjutsu ability in Nioh 3 and should be equipped as soon as it becomes available.
Once unlocked, Burrow changes how fights play out. It lets the player disappear underground for a short time, avoiding damage entirely. This is extremely useful against grab attacks, wide-area boss moves, and fast combo strings that are difficult to dodge consistently.
Burrow also allows the player to emerge behind enemies, creating easy damage opportunities. While it is less useful during general exploration, it shines in boss fights. Since bosses are where most players spend the most time, Burrow is an easy top pick.
Recommended Ninjutsu Setup
Players have three Ninjutsu slots available, and the most reliable setup for most situations focuses on survival and control rather than raw damage.
Burrow
Burrow stays locked in as the core skill. In this setup, it is less of a panic button and more of a repositioning tool. It allows players to disengage briefly, reset spacing, and re-enter fights from a better angle.
Storm Kunai
Storm Kunai replaces paralysis-focused tools in this loadout. Used at close range, it applies consistent damage and pressure, especially against large enemies. It fits naturally between weapon combos and helps maintain offensive momentum without overcommitting.
This makes Storm Kunai a strong choice for players who prefer staying aggressive rather than waiting for status effects to trigger.
Enhanced Shrapnel Bomb
Enhanced Shrapnel Bomb fills the burst and area control role. It is best used as an opener or against slow enemies that leave themselves exposed. The fire application is useful against enemies that resist physical damage, and the large explosion helps control space during crowded encounters.
Other Useful Ninjutsu
Several other Ninjutsu options are worth using depending on playstyle and encounter type.
Thundering Calamity
Thundering Calamity works well in controlled encounters, dealing solid lightning damage in a straight line and hitting multiple enemies when positioned correctly.
Caltrop Ball
Caltrop Ball is a crowd-control option that slows enemies and helps manage groups, even though its damage is minimal.
Paralytic Groundfire
Paralytic Groundfire can be effective against larger enemies, but it requires careful placement since enemies must step into it.
Standard Kunai and Shuriken
Standard Kunai and Shuriken remain useful throughout the game. They are fast, easy to use, and perfect for keeping pressure while Ki recovers.
Ninjutsu is not a fallback system in Nioh 3. It is one of the most reliable ways to control fights, maintain pressure, and survive difficult encounters. Burrow anchors the Ninja playstyle, while tools like Storm Kunai and Enhanced Shrapnel Bomb let players stay aggressive without overcommitting.
Keeping Ninjutsu focused on positioning, pressure, and adaptability makes boss fights smoother and gives players more control over how encounters play out. Used correctly, Ninjutsu is not just support. It is a core part of winning fights in Nioh 3.
For more Nioh 3, make sure to check our guides below:
Combat Guide: Mastering Ki and Style Switching