Nioh 2’s build system is both a joy and a trap. It’s the kind of game where you can spend hours fine-tuning your stats, soul cores, and weapon affinities only to realise your “perfect” setup can’t handle a single Tengu. The beauty of Nioh 2 lies in experimentation, but some builds simply shine brighter. Below are the best, most effective builds for every weapon, tailored for both newcomers and hardened samurai who’ve seen the loading screen too many times.
Katana Build – The Versatile Duelist
Stat Focus: Heart and Skill
Guardian Spirit: Ame-no-Mitori or Makami
Primary Weapon: Katana
Secondary Weapon: Bow or Dual Swords
The katana is the all-rounder’s best friend. It offers balance between offence and defence, allowing you to adapt mid-fight without losing rhythm. Use light armour for stamina management and mid-stance for consistent Ki control. Combine the Sword of Discernment and Iai Quickdraw for deadly burst strikes.
Tips:
- Stack Heart for Ki recovery and scaling.
- Pair with light armour sets like Master Swordsman’s Attire for agility.
- Soul Core synergy: Enenra or Kasha for added melee damage.
Dual Swords Build – The Precision Blades
Stat Focus: Skill and Dexterity
Guardian Spirit: Kagewani or Nekomata
Primary Weapon: Dual Swords
Secondary Weapon: Tonfa or Kusarigama
Dual Swords reward aggression and timing. The build thrives on sustained pressure, dodging through enemy attacks while chipping them down with fast combos. The Sign of the Cross skill remains lethal when Ki is optimised.
Tips:
- Dexterity buffs ninjutsu, making shuriken and kunai excellent supplements.
- Mid-stance excels in boss fights.
- Use Flying Kato set for additional ninjutsu bonuses.
Spear Build – The Unmoving Wall
Stat Focus: Constitution and Strength
Guardian Spirit: Atlas Bear or Yumehami
Primary Weapon: Spear
Secondary Weapon: Axe
The spear rewards patience. It’s perfect for players who prefer spacing, countering, and poking rather than button-mashing. Use Twisting Spear and Pole Kick to keep enemies at bay while whittling down Ki.
Tips:
- Constitution boosts both HP and spear scaling.
- Heavy armour sets like Red Demon make you harder to stagger.
- Pair with Earth-aligned Soul Cores for better stagger damage.
Axe Build – The Relentless Crusher
Stat Focus: Strength and Stamina
Guardian Spirit: Yatagarasu or Masaru
Primary Weapon: Axe
Secondary Weapon: Spear or Odachi
This one’s for players who want to turn yokai into paste. The axe hits slowly but with the force of a freight train. Use Heaven and Earth for maximum impact, and manage your Ki carefully to avoid being caught mid-swing.
Tips:
- Invest in Stamina to wear heavy armour without penalties.
- Pair with the Kingo’s Armour set for balance between power and Ki.
- Soul Core synergy: Gozuki for raw attack boosts.
Odachi Build – The Samurai Executioner
Stat Focus: Strength and Heart
Guardian Spirit: Tate Eboshi or Atlas Bear
Primary Weapon: Odachi
Secondary Weapon: Axe or Spear
The Odachi is brutal and elegant. It demands precision and rewards timing. Its wide swings make crowd control manageable, and Moonlit Snow remains one of the most satisfying skills in the game.
Tips:
- Mix heavy and medium armour for balance.
- Ki Pulse immediately after strong attacks to maintain tempo.
- Pair with lightning talismans for faster stagger.
Kusarigama Build – The Trickster
Stat Focus: Dexterity and Skill
Guardian Spirit: Nekomata or Usura-Hicho
Primary Weapon: Kusarigama
Secondary Weapon: Dual Swords
Kusarigama players live for chaos. This weapon suits those who like to mix ranged control, status effects, and mobility. Chain enemies, apply poison, and dart away before retaliation.
Tips:
- Dexterity is essential for ninjutsu scaling.
- Light armour maximises dodging and Ki recovery.
- Soul Core synergy: Onyudo for poison and paralysis effects.
Switchglaive Build – The Mystic Reaper
Stat Focus: Magic and Skill
Guardian Spirit: Shin-Roku or Usura-Hicho
Primary Weapon: Switchglaive
Secondary Weapon: Katana or Dual Swords
The Switchglaive feels like it was made for Nioh 2’s more magical crowd. It’s the ultimate blend of range, style, and unpredictability. Focus on elemental talismans and Yokai skills for flexible combat.
Tips:
- Magic scaling boosts both weapon damage and Onmyo power.
- Mid-stance handles most situations safely.
- Pair with Onmyo Austerity set for high magic bonuses.
Tonfa Build – The Ki Breaker
Stat Focus: Courage and Strength
Guardian Spirit: Itokuri or Ame-no-Mitori
Primary Weapon: Tonfa
Secondary Weapon: Axe or Spear
Tonfa builds are all about pressure. Once you get in close, bosses barely have time to breathe. Use Heavenly Chain for relentless combos and finish with Demon Dance for flair.
Tips:
- Courage boosts Ki recovery, perfect for aggressive play.
- Use lighter armour for faster dodges.
- Soul Core synergy: Enki or Ippon-Datara for Ki pressure.
Hatchets Build – The Wild Hunter
Stat Focus: Skill and Courage
Guardian Spirit: Tengen Kujaku or Ame-no-Mitori
Primary Weapon: Hatchets
Secondary Weapon: Dual Swords
Hatchets blend melee and ranged in a way that feels oddly modern. They excel at throwing, evasion, and sustained mid-range pressure. The Reaper stance turns you into a buzzsaw with legs.
Tips:
- Skill scaling boosts both damage and Ki efficiency.
- Courage helps maintain Ki during rapid throws.
- Use Master Archer set bonuses for hybrid playstyles.
Fists Build – The Close-Range Annihilator
Stat Focus: Strength and Courage
Guardian Spirit: Ame-no-Mitori or Makami
Primary Weapon: Fists
Secondary Weapon: Tonfa
The Fists are brutal up close, perfect for players who don’t believe in personal space. With proper timing, they can parry, stun, and juggle almost anything.
Tips:
- Strength improves damage, Courage enhances recovery.
- Heavy Ki Pulse reliance, so time your combos well.
- Soul Core synergy: Daidara Bocchi for raw melee amplification.
Splitstaff Build – The Arcane Spear
Stat Focus: Magic and Courage
Guardian Spirit: Shin-Roku or Yumehami
Primary Weapon: Splitstaff
Secondary Weapon: Switchglaive
The Splitstaff is a versatile hybrid that can sweep crowds or deliver pinpoint strikes. It’s an elegant weapon for players who enjoy adapting mid-battle.
Tips:
- Focus on elemental buffs via Onmyo magic.
- Long combos excel in Yokai Realm zones.
- Pair with Onmyo Warrior set for full synergy.
My Seven Swords Takeaway
Every weapon in Nioh 2 can dominate if built correctly. The trick is finding a balance between stats, soul cores, and playstyle. Whether you like to crush enemies with an axe or dance around them with a kusarigama, remember: Ki management wins fights, not brute strength. And if all else fails, slap on the heaviest armour you own and pray the Tengu misses.
Watch this build guide:
