Nioh 3 Guide: How to Claim Pre-Order Bonuses and Demo Rewards

Pre-ordering Nioh 3 gets you some seriously impressive gear right from the start. The Hellfire and Hellfrost armor sets aren't just cosmetic either. They come with legitimate set bonuses that'll give you an edge during those brutal early encounters. Here's exactly how to claim everything you've earned.

What Pre-Order Bonuses Can You Get?

The thing is, Nioh 3 actually offers several different bonus tiers depending on when and where you purchased the game. Digital pre-orders get different items than physical copies, and early purchasers get access to exclusive sets that won't be available later.

Digital Pre-Order Exclusives

You'll receive the complete Hellfire Equipment Set if you pre-ordered the digital version. This includes both Warrior armor pieces and Ninja attire, plus the Scampuss Furball Netsuke Charm accessory. The Hellfire set features a distinctive red and black color scheme that looks absolutely fire in cutscenes.

Here's what's included:

• Hellfire Warrior Helmet, Cuirass, Gauntlets, Waistguard, Greaves, and Faceguard
• Hellfire Ninja Garment, Gauntlets, Waistguard, and Greaves
• Smithing Texts for both armor types
• Scampuss Furball Netsuke Charm

Early Purchase Rewards

Anyone who buys the game before February 20, 2026, 11:59 PM UTC gets the Hellfrost Equipment Set. This applies to both digital and physical purchases, making it the most accessible bonus tier. The Hellfrost set mirrors the Hellfire design but with an icy blue aesthetic.

The Early Purchase Bonus includes:

• Complete Hellfrost Warrior and Ninja armor sets
• Youngblood Armor (Samurai) - William's armor from the original Nioh
• Lone Wolf's Armor (Ninja) - Hiddy's armor from Nioh 2
• All corresponding Smithing Texts

Hellfrost armor interface

Digital Deluxe Edition Bonuses

Upgrading to the Digital Deluxe Edition ($109.99) nets you the Infernal Weapon Set covering all 14 weapon types in the game. You'll also get the Kodama and Chijiko Netsuke Charm accessories, plus the Season Pass for future DLC content.

How to Redeem Your Pre-Order Bonuses

What most players miss is that the bonuses don't automatically appear in your inventory. You need to manually claim them at a Shrine after reaching a specific point in the game.

Step-by-Step Redemption Process

1. Complete the tutorial section and defeat Tokugawa Kunimatsu (the first boss)
2. Progress through the "Leave the area" objective after choosing your stat upgrade
3. Move forward until you reach the first Shrine after the cutscene
4. Press on the Shrine and select Pray
5. Navigate to Preparations
6. Select Boons
7. Claim all available pre-order items from the list

You can claim these bonuses at any Shrine in the game, not just the first one. If you miss the initial opportunity, just visit any subsequent Shrine and follow the same steps.

Boons menu at Shrine

Claiming Your Demo Completion Reward

Here's something cool: beating the Nioh 3 demo before February 15, 2026 unlocks the exclusive Twin-Snake Helmet in the full game. This is the same reward from the Alpha demo, so if you already earned it there, you're set.

The helmet automatically transfers to your full game save as long as you're playing on the same platform and account. No linking required. Your demo save data actually carries over too, so any progress you made isn't wasted.

If you're looking to optimize your early game loadout, check out our Ultimate Nioh 3 Weapon Tier List: Best Weapons to Use to see which weapons synergize best with these armor sets.

Physical Edition Exclusive Items

Physical copies come with unique bonuses depending on which edition you purchase. The SteelBook Launch Edition includes the Lucky Tanuki and Kusanagi Netsuke Charms, while the premium Treasure Box Edition packs in an artbook, soundtrack CD, desk pad, and a physical Scampuss Furball keychain.

Treasure Box Edition Contents

• Base game disc
• Official artbook
• Selection soundtrack CD
• Original desk pad
• Scampuss Furball Netsuke Charm keychain (physical collectible)

The physical bonuses don't require any special redemption process beyond installing the game normally. The digital items will appear in your Boons menu at Shrines just like the other pre-order rewards.

Youngblood armor set

Making the Most of Your Bonus Gear

The pre-order armor sets are actually viable for several hours into the game. Their set bonuses provide legitimate advantages that scale reasonably well, especially if you upgrade them using the included Smithing Texts.

The Hellfire and Hellfrost sets both offer:

• Increased Ki recovery speed
• Bonus damage against specific enemy types
• Enhanced defense values for early-game content

Pro tip: Don't immediately dismantle these sets when you find higher-level gear. Instead, use them as reference pieces at the Blacksmith to craft upgraded versions with better base stats. The Smithing Texts make this possible throughout your entire playthrough.

For more strategies on maximizing your combat effectiveness, our Nioh 3 Combat Guide: Mastering Ki and Style Switching breaks down advanced techniques that pair perfectly with these armor bonuses.

Are Pre-Order Bonuses Worth It?

The early game advantage is real, but these bonuses won't carry you through the entire campaign. What makes them valuable is the head start they provide and the cosmetic variety they offer. The Smithing Texts are the real long-term benefit, letting you maintain these looks while scaling stats appropriately.

If you're on the fence about which edition to buy, consider this: the Standard Edition with Early Purchase Bonus gives you plenty of content. The Deluxe Edition is worth it if you plan to engage with the DLC anyway, since the Season Pass alone costs $40 separately.

You'll want to explore thoroughly regardless of your gear, so check out our guide on How to Unlock the Door in Tenryu River to make sure you're not missing any hidden areas or collectibles while showing off that exclusive armor.