Nioh 3 – How To Beat Yamagata Masakage

At the end of Nioh 3’s prologue, you’ll face Yamagata Masakage, the mightiest of Takeda’s Crimson Army, and the first challenging boss in the game. Taking this boss down is anything but easy, so you’ll have to hone your skills and utilize every tool at your disposal to overcome the challenge. So, sharpen your swords and be ready to defy Yamagata Masakage with this simple guide.

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Nioh 3 – Yamagata Masakage Boss Overview

Boss Weapon	A massive two-handed Odachi-style Katana.
Boss Encounter	During The Battle of Hikotoko Slope mission.
Boss Rewards	Random drops, including Epic Weapons, Armors and more.

How to Defeat Yamagata Masakage

To defeat Yamagata Masakage in Nioh 3, you need to focus on three key elements: Dodge, Backstab and Burst Break. With these three elements, you can take him down to a third of his health bar and activate your Living Artifact to finish him off quickly. Here’s a rundown of everything you should keep in mind to trounce this boss.

Dodge, Specifically Dodge Left

You can dodge nearly every move that Yamagata Masakage pulls off in Nioh 3. Dodging, especially to the left, can get you out of harm’s way in mere seconds. Yamagata uses his massive naginata to swing it multiple times, charge up attacks, and perform aerial combos. All of these attacks are easily avoidable by dodging left.

This also means you need to time your dodges right. Don’t go too far when dodging, since you’ll miss your window to backstab or inflict some damage before pulling out. Click the dodge button once, since pressing it twice performs a roll. Dodge enough of his attacks to deplete his Ki, which will make him vulnerable and offer a window to attack.

Backstab or Hit & Run

Your backstabbing and hit-and-run skills will come in handy during this Nioh 3 boss. This means you either wait for a window to backstab or get in a good couple of hits and run away to avoid damage. Don’t be greedy, since Yamagata can take you down within a few hits. Deliver three or four hits at a time throughout the fight, and you’ll be depleting his health and Ki like nothing.

The Ninja style works best here to quickly deplete his Ki and land in a Grapple. However, with your paper-thin armor at this point, the small health bar can get quickly wiped out, so be careful when running around the boss in this style.

Chip away at his health and manage your Ki while you’re at it. Keep an eye on his Ki as well to look for openings to deal damage. For backstabbing, try to dodge left and get behind Yamagata to perform a backstab.

Use Burst Breaks

Before you can perform Burst Breaks on Yamagata, you need to know what it is. Burst Break is a way to disrupt an enemy’s Burst Attack. During a Burst Attack, Yamagata will be surrounded by a red aura. In that moment, if timed right, the Burst Break will switch your fighting style and interrupt Yamagata’s attack, dealing damage to his Life and Ki, and reducing his maximum Ki.

This will provide you with a window for counterattacks and potential backstabs. During these Burst Attacks, you cannot dodge or move out of the way since they have a wider range. Your best bet is to perform a successful Burst Break to deal damage. Getting the timing right will require trial and error since it is pretty tight.

Yamagata has two Burst Attacks during the entire fight. The first one takes place during his first phase, where he swings his weapon twice, then performs a slam. During the third slam, he’ll be surrounded by a red aura, which can be countered with a Burst Break. In the second phase, Yamagata will jump up in the air and perform a downward swing. When he swings down, perform a Burst Break to deal massive damage.

Look out for the red aura he’s surrounded by, which indicates that he’s performing a Burst Attack. If you can get your timing right on either of the two attacks, you’ll be able to perform Burst Breaks on every Burst Attack. Master this move early, as this single move will help you counter future bosses in Nioh 3. Keep your distance when he’s performing a Burst Attack, and as soon as you notice the red aura, perform a Burst Break.

Use Your Living Artifact to Finish Him Off

With enough timed dodges, Burst Breaks, and consistent attacks, you’ll fill up your Amrita Gauge, which will help you activate your Living Artifact. You’ll switch to your Guardian Spirit’s form, and will have a short duration to deal massive damage before reverting back to your samurai self. Near the end of the fight, this will come in handy to shave off the remainder of his health and finish him off quickly.

Use all these tips to finish the prologue and defeat Yamagata Masakage. For a prologue boss, this is indeed a pretty tough boss, but it will give you an idea of what to expect from future boss fights and will help you learn the fundamental mechanics required to take down bosses.

FAQs

Is Yamagata Masakage a compulsory boss?

Yes, Yamagata Masakage is a compulsory boss whom you’ll face at the end of Nioh 3’s prologue.

When should I attack Yamagata Masakage?

Attack only after his combo ends, when his Ki is broken or when you perform a successful Burst Break.

What rewards do I get for defeating this boss?

While the reward drops from this boss are random, you can count on obtaining plenty of epic Weapons and Armor that will help you later on in the game.

What happens after defeating Yamagata Masakage?

After defeating this boss, you’ll get access to the game’s open world.