Soul Cores feel like Nioh 2 giving you little pockets of chaos to fling at yokai whenever the patience runs out. They never stop being fun, but some are just plain stronger, cleaner or more reliable than the rest. After countless boss resets and one too many runs where I pretended I totally meant to fall off a cliff, these are the Soul Cores that consistently rise above the rest.
Gozuki Soul Core
Gozuki is the comfort pick. Straightforward, heavy and satisfying. It is the Soul Core you grab when you want raw boss staggering without having to send your thumbs into a gymnastics routine. The charge runs long, hits like a brick and keeps proving it deserves its reputation.
Kasha Soul Core
Kasha spins across the arena like it is late for something important. It melts human enemies and shreds yokai posture with almost rude efficiency. If you like a bit of chaos in your build, Kasha feels like strapping fireworks to your Ki bar and hoping for the best. Works wonders with fire builds too.
Yatsu no Kami Soul Core
The poison serpent volley is wild in boss fights. If the target is large or slow, the projectiles stack damage fast enough to make you blink. It is the perfect core for players who enjoy watching a health bar tick away while circling like a smug cat.
Nuppeppo Soul Core
A stat steroid disguised as a gluttonous blob. Nuppeppo gives you boosts that make everything feel sharper and safer. More damage, more toughness, more room to make questionable decisions. This Soul Core is basically encouragement in yokai form.
Giant Toad Soul Core
The jump splash has a strangely high success rate at clipping enemies who thought they were safe. It is also one of the few defensive slash offensive hybrids that genuinely saves your life. If you enjoy unpredictable yokai athleticism, this one never disappoints.
Enki Soul Core
The spear throw is quick, clean and way too good for an early game core. It snipes bosses, interrupts attacks and lets you channel your inner feudal javelin champion. Even late game, Enki holds its ground because consistency is an underrated flex.
Ippon-Datara Soul Core
Getting punted by a one-legged blacksmith probably hurt your feelings the first time. Now you can do it back. The charge attack is fast, brutal and ideal for breaking Ki at awkward moments. It feels like slamming your whole build into a single kick.
Otakemaru Soul Core
This turns your Soul Core slot into a miniature final boss. Ridiculous tracking, elemental damage and posture pressure all rolled into one. It costs a chunk of Anima, but the trade is worth it every time. It is your personal panic button with flair.
Lady Osakabe Soul Core
The beam sweeps across arenas with a strangely hypnotic rhythm. It is map control disguised as a stylish light show. When you need to delete smaller enemies or bully a staggered boss, Osakabe does the job with quiet menace.
Feral Tatarimokke Soul Core
The dive bomb looks dramatic and hits far harder than it should. Perfect for anyone running Feral guardian spirits and leaning into mobility. Also ideal for players who enjoy aerial disrespect as a playstyle.
Tengu Soul Core
The wind blast forces space, interrupts frequently and feels amazing in tight arenas. It is a tactical core that rewards players who enjoy timing and positioning more than fireworks. Underrated but absurdly practical.
Honourable Mentions
Some cores are not top tier, but they are iconic, fun or weird in a way that deserves appreciation.
Karasu Tengu
Fast and stylish but inconsistent.
Gaki
The equivalent of throwing a gremlin at your problems. Surprisingly decent early game.
Waira
A rolling cannonball of chaos, but sometimes more comedy than impact.
How to Pick the Right Soul Core for Your Build
Since we all like to pretend our builds are carefully curated and not the result of random loot luck, here is the real breakdown.
For raw damage
Gozuki, Ippon-Datara, Otakemaru
For Ki pressure
Kasha, Enki, Tengu
For elemental setups
Yatsu no Kami, Kasha, Osakabe
For survivability buffs
Nuppeppo, Giant Toad
For fast-paced Feral styles
Tatarimokke, Enki, Karasu Tengu
Think of Soul Cores as your personal seasoning blend. You keep adjusting them until the combat tastes right.
Seven Swords Takeaway
Nioh 2 quietly encourages you to be unhinged with your build choices. These Soul Cores give you the best mix of reliability, aggression and plain fun. Try them all, swap them often and do not let anyone tell you that using Gozuki for the hundredth time is boring. It works, and that is the point.
