Status effects can play a big part in Nioh 3's gameplay. They can make the game's otherwise difficult combat much easier by increasing your damage output or influencing the enemy's actions. However, status effects can also work against you, and if you don't know what they are or how to deal with them, you'll be respawning back at your last-visited Shrine more often than usual. This guide covers all the status effects in Nioh 3, including what they do, how to counter them, and how to make use of them.

Nioh 3 Character Creator Codes
Nioh 3: How to Get & Use Character Creator Codes

Nioh 3 features an expansive character creator where players can either design their own character or use a Character Creator Code to import designs.

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All Nioh 3 Status Effects & Debuffs

Nioh 3 Poison Accumulation on weapon
Nioh 3 Poison Accumulation on weapon
Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: Koei Tecmo

Nioh 3 Status Effects

Status Effect

Description

Scorched

Applied by Fire damage. Affected targets take Fire damage over time. Scorched and Scorch buildup can be removed by dodge spamming.

Electrified

Applied by Lightning damage. Targets have their movement and attack speeds reduced.

Saturated

Applied by Water damage. Saturated characters receive more Physical Damage.

Muddied

Applied by Earth damage. Targets receive double Ki damage.

Blustered

Applied by Wind damage. Targets deal reduced damage and their blocking ability is diminished.

Confused

Applied when targets receive 2 elemental status effects. Confused yokai are staggered with every hit, and Confused humans are slowed and recover Ki more slowly.

Poison

Deals strong damage over time.

Stench

Players are stunned when they use Ninjutsu, consumables, or items. Enemies have reduced medicine effectiveness and significantly weaker guarding ability. Can be removed by dousing yourself with water.

Paralysis

Paralyzed targets become unable to move.

How to Apply Status Effects in Nioh 3

Nioh 3 Status Buildup Meters
Nioh 3 Status Buildup Meters
Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: Koei Tecmo

Status effects and debuffs are applied when a target receives elemental damage or are hit by weapons, items, or abilities that explicitly inflict specified effects. Hits with an elemental attack will build up a meter that, when filled, will inflict their respective status ailment.

For example, if you have a weapon with a Fire Infusion, all of your hits will deal additional Fire damage and build up the Scorched ailment. The more elemental damage you deal, the faster you'll inflict a status effect.

The best way to inflict status effects is to combine elemental weapons with elemental Ninjutsu/Martial Arts and summoned Yokai abilities. Certain weapons or equipment sets in Nioh 3 will increase the damage you deal against targets affected by specific ailments, making this a completely viable playstyle.

You can reduce, prevent, or cleanse the buildup of status effects by using items and talismans, while some effects like Scorched and Stench can be removed by interacting with the environment.

Nioh 3 Tag Page Cover Art
Nioh 3
Action
RPG
Soulslike
Systems
PlayStation-1 PC-1
Released
February 6, 2026

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Koei Tecmo
Publisher(s)
Koei Tecmo
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Prequel(s)
Nioh, Nioh 2
Franchise
Nioh
Number of Players
1-3 players (online)
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
PC Release Date
February 6, 2026
PS5 Release Date
February 6, 2026
Genre(s)
Action, RPG, Soulslike
Platform(s)
PlayStation 5, PC
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty