If you have spent more than ten minutes in Nioh 3, you already know one thing. There are no bad weapons. There are only bad decisions, questionable builds, and that one boss who refuses to respect your stamina bar.
Still, some weapons clearly rise above the rest. Whether you are chasing speed, raw damage, technical depth, or just want to bully Yokai with style, this tier list breaks down what truly stands out in the current meta.
Below is a balanced ranking based on damage potential, versatility, skill ceiling, build synergy, and general reliability in both early and late game.
S Tier, Meta Defining Monsters
These weapons dominate most encounters. They scale well, offer flexible playstyles, and reward skill without demanding perfection.
Switchglaive
The Switchglaive remains absurdly versatile. Fast stance dancing, strong magic scaling, and smooth transitions between forms make it a nightmare for enemies.
Strengths
- Excellent reach and crowd control
- Synergises with Onmyo builds
- Fluid combos across stances
Weaknesses
- Requires mechanical awareness
- Can feel stamina heavy early on
If you enjoy aggressive magic builds and looking stylish while doing it, this is your weapon.
Fists
Fists are chaos in physical form. Hyper aggressive, combo heavy, and brutally rewarding when mastered.
Strengths
- High burst damage
- Incredible pressure on human enemies
- Amazing Ki damage
Weaknesses
- Demands precise timing
- Less forgiving against heavy Yokai
In skilled hands, Fists delete health bars. In unskilled hands, they delete yours.
Odachi
The Odachi is for players who like their hits to feel personal. Massive damage, excellent range, and strong break potential.
Strengths
- High single hit damage
- Strong guard breaking
- Reliable in boss fights
Weaknesses
- Slower animations
- Punishes greedy play
It lacks the flashy speed of lighter weapons, but when it connects, you feel it.
A Tier, Powerful and Reliable
These weapons perform extremely well but may require more specific builds or playstyles to shine.
Katana
The classic choice. Balanced, adaptable, and deceptively technical.
Strengths
- Great parry options
- Flexible stance transitions
- Strong single target damage
Weaknesses
- Less raw power than heavier options
- Skill dependent
The Katana rewards discipline. If you enjoy precise counters and clean fundamentals, it never disappoints.
Dual Swords
Speed, mobility, and relentless pressure define this weapon.
Strengths
- Fast combo chains
- Strong Ki damage
- Good mobility
Weaknesses
- Lower per hit damage
- Can struggle against large enemies
Dual Swords are excellent for aggressive players who prefer movement over brute force.
Spear
The Spear controls space beautifully.
Strengths
- Excellent reach
- Strong defensive options
- Good crowd control
Weaknesses
- Can feel repetitive
- Moderate damage ceiling
It is safe, reliable, and rarely a bad pick.
B Tier, Situational but Fun
These weapons are viable, but they need proper builds or specific scenarios to truly shine.
Axe
Raw strength. Massive damage. Questionable stamina management.
Strengths
- Devastating heavy hits
- Great against large Yokai
Weaknesses
- Slow recovery
- Ki hungry
The Axe rewards patience. It punishes panic.
Kusarigama
Stylish, tricky, and slightly chaotic.
Strengths
- Unique mid range control
- Strong status application
Weaknesses
- Technical learning curve
- Less forgiving under pressure
If you enjoy complexity and don’t mind a steep learning curve, it can be deeply satisfying.
C Tier, Niche Picks
Not bad. Just overshadowed.
Tonfa
Tonfa focus heavily on Ki damage and pressure.
Strengths
- Excellent guard breaking
- Strong close range pressure
Weaknesses
- Limited range
- Requires aggressive play
They can shine in the right hands, but compared to S and A tier picks, they demand more effort for similar output.
What Actually Matters More Than Tier Lists
Here is the uncomfortable truth. Player skill and build synergy matter more than weapon ranking.
In Nioh 3, your stance management, Ki recovery timing, and gear optimisation define success. A B tier weapon in a well built setup will outperform an S tier weapon used carelessly.
This is not a game where you can sleepwalk through encounters. Every weapon has depth. Every weapon can win.
Seven Swords Takeaway
If you want pure meta dominance, start with Switchglaive or Fists. If you prefer balance and flexibility, Katana remains a safe and satisfying choice. If you just want to hit things with a sword the size of a canoe, Odachi will make you smile.
Personally, I respect any player who commits to mastering a weapon instead of chasing whatever social media calls broken this week. That is where the real satisfaction in Nioh lives. Not in tier lists, but in execution.
Still, it is fun to rank them.
And let’s be honest. We all Googled this before picking our first weapon.
