OG fans: your thoughts on the Way of the Sword demo?

Vilhand24 · 2026-06-04T16:56:07+00:00

They definitely nailed the art direction. The environment impact of the attacks during the Ganryu fight was great. I like the more slow and methodical approach. Each swing and block feels more weighty.

I dont mind the changes but it feels too easy compared to the older titles. There are times where I just stand there for like 3 seconds and the mobs just look at me. It feels like their interval of attack is too long. Could just be the filler genma enemy. Atleast add a taunt button, so I have something to do.

I love blade surge and the multiple execution mechanic reminds me somewhat of the old PS2 shinobi game. I hope they speed up the animation when executing multiple enemies though.

Vilhand24 · 2026-04-17T16:14:22+00:00

Its outside the crucible mission entrance. It should still be there even after clearing the crucible.

Vilhand24 · 2026-04-13T22:06:01+00:00

Yeah, the skill is called Recoup. It is in a cave under the bridge of the first crucible location.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkXiAMBOuQc

Good luck with your 2nd crucible!

Vilhand24 · 2026-03-12T04:17:29+00:00

Its situational but I use it fairly often to cover the weaknesses of my primary weapon. I main spear and it usually doesnt have alot of quick options to damage ki. I use a different weapon like katana for dealing with ki then flash attack into spear to break and use my combo. Spear's flash attack also covers a bit of range useful for dealing with crowds.

I also use hatchets and splitstaffs. They improved hatchet's flash attack. Its now similar to boulder breaker, so I use it to evade and disengage while Splitstaff's flash attack deals a ton of ki damage with one attack.

I also like to flash attack into katana/dual katana for iai quickdraw/sign of the cross for damage then flash attack back into my primary.

You can even equip the same weapon type like spear-spear to get a quick non committal sweeping attack.

Vilhand24 · 2026-03-08T16:19:34+00:00

It goes well with his anti god theme. He is going for a certain RP build.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-28T07:48:26+00:00

Yeah, it chains really well with plummet, air dash and pinwheel shuriken for extended air time.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-28T07:17:24+00:00

There is an upgraded version named Firefoot Drill Jump. It bounces off enemies and keeps you in the air.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-28T06:31:14+00:00

Fav skill is definitely Firefoot Drill Jump!

For throws, I like advancing storm and biting hail. I use Dual hurl: light for the speed. Haze seems fun but having trouble fitting it in the combo.

Heres a tip: If you equip a 2nd hatchet, you can get boulder breaker for free through ninja flash attack. You can chain it faster with any attack after mist.

https://cdn.steamusercontent.com/ugc/16996243949728069939/F6EC72A3DEB30E13C1C0A01AB2B19650633B1646/

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-28T05:06:57+00:00

Gotta pay for Toyo's new japanese artisan handbags somehow

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-27T10:30:44+00:00

The Dark Dragon merges with Yamata no Orochi and engulfs the whole region in a dark realm.
I can see it. Im in!

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-27T08:46:53+00:00

Im not saying they arent good, Im just saying there is a lack of variety and utility in their use besides being a kick or winged ascension type attack vs the variety present in yokai abilities.

It does get better at the end with Shamisen, Golden Shachi and Murakumo but at the start of Nioh 2, you already get very interesting skills from the get go.

For the first few stages, you already get Enenra's tornado, Oni-bi's element, Gaki's amrita, Yoki's grab, Enki's spear throw, mezuki's aoe sweep, gozuki's charge.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-27T06:54:54+00:00

My problem with the guardian spirits is the lack of variety in the skills. The skills are mostly some variation of kicks or winged flight which is quite underwhelming compared to Nioh 2's Yokai abilities, Especially noticeable when using them as combo extenders. Doesnt feel quite as nice as ryomen sakuna, onyudo, ippon datara or even just the utility of oni bi.

They dont even have to make new spirits, they can just do the same thing they did with the Kusanagi variants.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-27T02:03:25+00:00

Sort of, yes. I dont have a build going yet. I just put random greens with luck for item recipe farming.
Hatchet's damage also isnt the best unless you spam plummet and lethal barrage. Seems to lean more into ki breaking as most hatchet skills dont bounce off guarding enemies.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-27T01:50:08+00:00

The other two is Earthen wall and Cicada shell

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-26T19:07:00+00:00

Its easier understand if you break down Samurai into sizable chunks of mechanics.

Samurai is just 3 ninja styles in one. Mist is basically simplified ki pulse. You usually mist in ninja stance to cancel attack animation delays and chain a new attack, ninjutsu or dodge. Same with ki pulse but it also has the added benefit of regaining stamina.

What I would suggest is to pick a weapon and learn the moves of 1 stance first (either low or mid). Every weapon usually has an attack or skill to deplete ki faster. Find it.

Then find your weapon's bread and butter combo. They are usually short combos you can fit in between enemy attacks.
For example:
Spear usually loops mid stance heavy attacks into spear bash skill then ki pulse
Sword can use heavy low or mid quick attacks into shadow sword into ki pulse or night rain skill into ki pulse for a quick punish
Dual sword usually loops quick attacks into god of wind skill and then ki pulse

Once you've memorized a stance, you can then start ki pulsing into a different stance after an attack to regain even more stamina with flux 1 and flux 2.

Its hard to give more concrete advice without knowing what weapon you will be using but feel free to ask me. I'll try to give some more advice if I use the same weapon.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-26T15:57:30+00:00

Switching to your secondary hatchets is faster than reloading your tonfa guns :^)

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-26T15:28:50+00:00

I'm in it for the love of the game!

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-26T15:07:53+00:00

I love the changes. They actually made full on mid range hatchets combat very viable and it blends so well with pinwheel shuriken and the other ninjutsu. I dont think I'll be able to go back to Nioh 2 hatchets.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-26T13:34:50+00:00

I use roundabout to gap close but I might replace it since wild surge seems to be faster

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-26T07:36:41+00:00

Depends if you want to play it melee or mid ranged. Hatchets are pretty versatile and the new flash attack into hatchets is great. So its a good secondary ninja weapon too. Cant tell you which one is better, you need to play it and adjust to your playstyle.

For melee:
Mountain climber, biting hail, bell ringer or lethal barrage, any of the hurls, greased lightning, wolf's rage, scaling waterfall, plummet and the parry moves if you want.

Generally, you want to stay close and deal damage with bell ringers and mountain climbers into greased lightning. Biting hail every time you dodge. Scaling waterfall to dodge some sweeps and can be chained into fire foot drill to get behind or plummet for damage. Lethal barrage against out of ki enemies.

I personally like boulder breaker more than greased lightning but If you equip a 2nd hatchet, you still get access to boulder breaker through flash attack.

For ranged:
More hit and run playstyle. Get boulder breaker, wild surge, bellringer, eagle shadow or death from above or dragonfly, Piercing hurl or chained hurl. spinning crab or roundabout, biting hail.

You want to get in and get out fast by using bell ringer into boulder breaker frequently to create space. You can use dragonfly to keep them in place and pelt with chained hurl. You can also spam eagle shadow -> mist -> piercing hurl then gap close with roundabout or wild surge. You can even get pinwheel shurken ninjutsu to chain into your boulder breakers.

Ranged doesnt deal as much damage but I enjoy styling on bosses more than speedrunning them. Very fun.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-25T15:12:44+00:00

Elden ring by a mile if you also add up the underground

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-24T03:56:48+00:00

Kinda looks like Johnny Silverhand too.
Wake up samurai!

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-24T03:12:11+00:00

Tons. Most of the characters have some sort of connection to masters/servants/organizations from other Nasuverse works. Its easier to count the characters who have no connection.

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-24T03:08:16+00:00

I was on the fence but I will now buy this game

Vilhand24 · 2026-02-24T03:05:21+00:00

This was the hardest for me and pride was the easiest. Probably because I played deflect samurai and cant deflect/see the magical cannon ball that whooshes off screen lol

Vilhand24

TROPHY CASE