While blocking and dodging attacks are considered the main ways of avoiding damage in Nioh 3, players can also attempt to parry incoming blows and set up devastating counterattacks. Parrying in this game works similarly to how other titles in the genre do; perfectly blocking an attack results in a parry, but Nioh 3 gives players more options than just that. Besides, parrying isn't immediately available to players, so if you don't want to miss the opportunity to use this skill, here's what you need to do.

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Hands-On with Nioh 3: Dual Playstyles, Tough Bosses, and Tense Moments

After 3 hours with Nioh 3, it's already locked itself into my personal list of most anticipated games for 2026 thanks to its strong action gameplay.

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Unlocking the Parry Skill in Nioh 3

Nioh 3 Samurai Parry Skill
Nioh 3 Deflect Skill
Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: Koei Tocmo

The traditional style of parrying via perfectly-timed blocks is done by unlocking the Deflect skill under the Samurai skill tree. To unlock it, you need 1 Samurai's Locks, which you can typically get by chasing and petting a Scampuss. The Deflect skill is to the right of the Samurai tree, and you can only use it while using Samurai Style.

Deflecting an incoming attack greatly reduces the enemy's Ki (Stamina). Once they run out of Ki, they'll get staggered, opening them up to a finishing blow. Successfully parrying an attack will also recover your own Ki and negate the damage of the attack you received.

Can You Parry as a Ninja in Nioh 3?

Nioh 3 Impenetrability Parry Skill
Nioh 3 Tonfa Parry Skill
Image via TheBestWarGames; Source: Koei Tocmo

Yes, but not in the same way as Samurai does. If you want to parry while in Ninja Style, unlock the following skills:

  • Evade (Ninja Tree): The direct counterpart of Deflect; dodge at the perfect time to restore Ki.
  • Impenetrability (Tonfa Tree): Allows perfect blocking while using Tonfas.
  • Opportunist (Talons Tree): Block an enemy attack and follow up with a counter-punch.
  • Haze (Ninja Swords): Redirects the enemy's attack.
  • Spinning Gale (Dual Blades): Blocks an attack then kicks the enemy away.
  • Tile Shaker (Hatchets): Block and redirect your enemy.
  • Masterful Guard (Kusarigama): Perfectly blocks attacks and knocks enemies off-balance.

Some of these skills act like the regular Samurai Deflect, while others either reposition enemies or set you up for stronger counter-attacks.

Burst Break

Burst Break is a contextual kind of parry that only works against unblockable attacks. When an enemy glows red, you can counter their next attack with Burst Break by pressing R2/RT/R. This will completely negate the incoming attack and shave a huge chunk off the enemy's Ki, oftentimes sending them stumbling back or knocking the wind out of them outright.

Pressing the Burst Break key will also switch your current Style. If you don't want this to get in the way of your gameplay, you can go to the Controls menu and turn the Style Shift & Burst Break Separation option on.

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

DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

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