Bloody Hell, Nioh 3's First Boss Is Kicking Your Arse – Here's How to Kick Back!
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
Nioh 3’s prologue boss, Yamagata Masakage, is a tough nut to crack for many, but Jeff explains why this Soulslike 'tutorial' is a valuable lesson and offers wizard-worthy strategies to conquer him and enjoy the rest of the game.
Right, so you’ve just dipped your toes into the glorious, brutal waters of Nioh 3, Team Ninja’s latest open-world-ish Soulslike, and you’re probably thinking, "Blimey, this is a bit much, isn't it?" You're not alone, mate. This game, much like a mischievous imp from another dimension, seems determined to teach you humility right out of the gate. And usually, that lesson comes in the form of a certain fiery samurai, Yamagata Masakage.
Now, if you’ve been spending time in the demo, you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about. This chap is essentially the game's big, glowering bouncer, standing at the end of the prologue, ready to give you a proper thrashing. And fair dinkum, he will. A lot. You might even find yourself contemplating whether Nioh 3 is actually for you, considering how many times his katana has become intimately acquainted with your face. But hold your horses, because giving up now would be like accidentally teleporting yourself into a wall and then deciding all of reality is too hard to navigate. You’d be missing out on what I genuinely reckon is a top-notch action RPG.
Many players breeze past Masakage like he's just another grunt, bless 'em. But I've seen enough digital tea leaves (and heard enough frustrated whispers across the gaming networks) to know that plenty of newcomers are having a right old struggle. And honestly, that's exactly what games like Nioh 3 *want* you to experience. It's not just a boss fight; it's a brutal, spectacular initiation ritual designed to make you understand the fundamental truths of Soulslike combat. It’s a masterclass in "getting good," whether you like it or not.
So, if you’re finding your digital self repeatedly reacquainted with the dirt, fear not! I’ve been tinkering with this challenge, poking at its edges like a curious wizard trying to find a glitch in the fabric of space-time, and I’ve got some insights. Think of these as your arcane scrolls for bypassing this particular pain in the posterior.
**1. The Amrita Alchemy: Level Up, Mate!**
It sounds obvious, right? "Just get stronger!" But in a Soulslike, it’s not just about bigger numbers. If Yamagata is absolutely rinsing you, take a tactical retreat. Don't be afraid to go bash some lesser enemies around the last shrine before the fight. Those precious Amrita shards aren't just XP; they're knowledge. Every time you fight those smaller Yokai, you're not just earning points for Constitution (more health, thank the gods) or Strength (hitting harder, always a bonus), you're also refining your muscle memory, understanding the dodge timings, blocking rhythms, and general flow of Nioh's combat. You'll snag better armour drops, too, which is basically the digital equivalent of finding a really good lucky charm. There’s a beefy Yokai right near that shrine, actually. Go give it a good pasting a few times. Think of it as practice, not just grinding. Every slain foe is a lesson absorbed, a fragment of wisdom added to your combat grimoire.
**2. Call in the Cavalry (or Your Mates from Another Dimension)**
This is where Nioh 3 shows its slightly softer, more tactical side. Scattered around are these lovely little blue pools of light. They’re not just pretty; they’re your lifeline! These are places where you can spend Ochoko cups – think of them as magical tokens – to summon AI-controlled Acolytes. Now, some purists might scoff, but I say, if the game gives you a tool, use the bloody thing! Having an extra warrior on your side turns the Yamagata Masakage fight from a nightmare into something more akin to a leisurely stroll through a haunted garden. They draw aggro, they chip away at his health, and most importantly, they give you breathing room. It’s like having a trusty familiar fighting by your side, only this one actually hits things rather than just looking cute.
**3. Reading the Runes of Ruin: Learn His Dance**
Nioh 3, like its Soulslike brethren, demands observation. Yamagata Masakage might seem like a chaotic whirlwind of steel, but trust me, he's just following a script. He’s got a finite number of attack patterns and animations, and once you learn them, you’ve basically cracked his code. It’s like reading ancient runes – unintelligible at first, but with patience, the meaning reveals itself. Watch for tells: the slight lean, the brief pause, the way his weapon gleams just before a strike. You should be able to block most of his regular flurries without getting instantly staggered, giving you precious seconds to recover your stamina and create space. If you've been dabbling in the game's Ninja stance, playing keep-away becomes almost ridiculously easy. The art of survival here isn't about brute force; it's about anticipation and dodging the digital equivalent of a fire-breathing dragon.
**4. The Perfect Parry Spell: Master the Burst Counter**
Right, this is the big one. If you’re getting smacked around like a wayward goblin in a tornado, stop focusing on reducing his health bar chunk by chunk. Instead, dedicate yourself to mastering the Burst Counter. This isn’t just a fancy move; it’s a core mechanic that turns the tables. When Masakage winds up for his nastier attacks, he'll glow with a furious red aura. That’s your cue, mate! Just as that red glow flashes right before the hit, you need to hit the right trigger to perform a stance-shift parry. Nail that timing, and you’ve successfully pulled off a Burst Counter. It’s incredibly satisfying, like perfectly deflecting a magical projectile back at the caster. This stuns him, opening him up for a quick three-hit combo before you wisely back off again. Honestly, you can almost cheese the entire fight just by blocking and perfectly executing these Burst Counters, provided you’re keeping a hawk eye on your stamina. It's the ultimate "what happens if I..." experiment, and in this case, the answer is "you win."
**5. The Art of Delegation: Let Your Acolyte Do the Heavy Lifting**
Remember those summoned allies? Well, here’s a rather cheeky tactic. While Yamagata Masakage is fixated on you (which he will be, because you’re busy blocking his attacks and generally being a nuisance), your AI-controlled Acolyte is free to go to town on his back. This is basically Soulslike easy mode, no two ways about it! Just keep his attention, soak up the blows with your trusty block button, and let your digital mate tear into him from behind. It’s like a classic wizard-and-warrior combo, only you’re the wizard drawing fire while your hulking companion unleashes havoc. Sometimes, the simplest strategies are the most elegant.
**6. Unleash the Spirit Bomb: Save Your Living Artifact**
As you’re fighting (and surviving!), your Amrita Gauge will slowly fill up. When it’s full, don’t hold back! You can press Y + B (or Triangle + Circle on a PlayStation controller) to initiate a powerful transformation. This calls forth your equipped Guardian Spirit, unleashing a short but devastating barrage of attacks. Think of it as your ultimate 'destroy everything' spell. Yamagata Masakage doesn’t need to be brought down to zero health; the fight ends when you get him below roughly a third of his life. So, save this potent ability for that final push. Just be warned, once you hit that threshold, his red-glow attack animations can get a bit tricky, adding some extra, deceptive delays. It's his final desperate attempt to trip you up, like a collapsing dungeon corridor trying to catch you one last time.
So, there you have it. Yamagata Masakage isn’t an insurmountable wall; he’s a gauntlet, a pop quiz, a fiery digital gatekeeper. With a bit of strategic thinking, some patient observation, and a willingness to embrace the tools the game gives you (even the helpful AI ones!), you'll send him packing. You'll then be free to dive into the wider, richer world of Nioh 3, exploring its nooks and crannies before you face the *next* big skill check: Jakotsu-baba. But by then, you’ll have a whole arsenal of perfected spells and tactics, ready for whatever digital chaos Team Ninja throws your way. Stick with it, mate, it’s worth the journey.
Tags: Nioh 3, Soulslike, Boss Guide, Team Ninja, Action RPG
Original article: kotaku