Beat Hanzo Every Time and Get the Iga Jonin Armor Today
This guide gives a complete, actionable walkthrough to defeat Hattori Hanzo reliably and to obtain the Iga Jonin armor set and its smithing texts as quickly as possible in Nioh 3. You’ll get a clear boss breakdown, recommended stats and gear, step‑by‑step fight tactics, farming routes for the smithing text and set pieces, and a compact FAQ that answers the questions players ask most. The strategies below assume you want a fast, repeatable route to the Iga Jonin pieces and a reliable method to beat Hanzo whether you’re playing solo or co‑op.
Where you meet Hattori Hanzo and why he matters
Hattori Hanzo appears as a pivotal encounter in the The Demon's Regimen questline and later reappears in other ninja‑themed missions and the Eternal Rift. He’s not just a lore figure; he’s a direct source for the Iga Jonin drops and smithing texts, and defeating him is the fastest guaranteed way to obtain the set pieces and the Demon Fang Kusarigama weapon tied to the set. If you want the Iga Jonin bonuses—especially the Ninjutsu Damage and Ninja Tool Arts boosts—Hanzo is the fight you need to master.
Why the Iga Jonin set is worth farming
The Iga Jonin set is a light armor collection built for mobility and tool‑based ninja play. Its set bonuses scale with pieces equipped and are tailored to players who rely on ninjutsu and ninja tools: reduced dodge Ki consumption, increased ninjutsu damage, faster movement after ninjutsu hits, and significant boosts to ninja tool arts and gauge charge. For any build that leans on throwing tools, shrapnel bombs, or tool arts, the Iga Jonin set is among the best light armor options in Nioh 3.
Recommended player build and stats before the fight
To face Hanzo with the best odds, prepare a build that emphasizes mobility, Ki management, and tool damage. You don’t need maxed stats, but aim for the following baseline:
Core stats
Constitution: Enough to equip the set pieces you want (Iga Jonin pieces typically require moderate Constitution).
Skill: Prioritize Skill for weapon scaling if you plan to use the Demon Fang Kusarigama or other melee options.
Magic: Invest minimally unless you plan to hybridize with onmyo or onmyo‑style ninjutsu.
Stamina and Ki recovery: Any gear or talismans that reduce Ki consumption or increase Ki recovery are valuable.
Key equipment and consumables
Primary weapon: If you want to use the set weapon, bring a Kusarigama or a fast spear to match Hanzo’s reach. Otherwise, a fast weapon with good deflection/parry windows works.
Ninja tools: Kunai, shrapnel bombs, and smoke bombs. The set rewards tool usage, so bring multiple stacks.
Onmyo/Ninjutsu: If you use ninjutsu, bring spells that stagger or debuff.
Accessories: Items that boost ninjutsu damage or reduce Ki cost for dodges.
These choices let you exploit the Iga Jonin strengths and keep you agile during Hanzo’s spear and projectile phases.
How to trigger the boss fight and the fastest route to the smithing text
To force the Hanzo boss encounter, progress through The Demon's Regimen questline and speak with the NPC Hanzo when prompted; this will lead to the boss path north of the Hamamatsu Post — Terrace Shrine. Completing the encounter in that quest is the most direct way to obtain the Iga Jonin apparel smithing text and related drops. If you’re farming, replay the mission or use the Eternal Rift runs where Hanzo appears to increase drop chances.
Pre‑fight checklist
Before you load into the mission, do the following:
Equip light armor or the pieces you already have to test the set bonuses.
Stock up on Kunai and Shrapnel Bombs; these are central to the set’s synergy.
Set your quick items to smoke bombs and healing elixirs.
Adjust camera and lock settings so you can track Hanzo’s spear spins and jumps.
Warm up on smaller enemies in the area to get your timing for parries and dodges.
This short checklist reduces avoidable deaths and speeds up farming loops.
Hanzo’s attack patterns and tells
Understanding Hanzo’s tells is the single biggest improvement you can make to your win rate. He uses a spear and mixes long reach thrusts with spinning combos, jump thrusts, and occasional projectile or tool attacks in later encounters. Key patterns to watch for:
Spinning overhead combo: Hanzo lifts and spins his spear above his head before slashing down twice. When you see the spin, prepare to dodge sideways or parry the first hit and counter after the recovery.
Jumping spinning spear thrust: He spins while jumping and then thrusts forward. The jump is the tell; dodge toward his legs or to the side as he lands to avoid the thrust.
Spear placed to the side then wide swing: He sets the spear aside and swings widely, following with an upward impale. Back away or deflect the first swing and dodge the follow‑up.
Projectile and kunai phases: In later encounters Hanzo throws projectiles or kunai; use guard or smoke bombs to close distance safely.
Recognizing these tells lets you choose the correct defensive option—dodge, parry, or block—and opens windows for high damage counters.
Defensive options and when to use them
Dodge: Use dodge for the jump thrust and the wide swing. Light armor and dodge‑cost reduction make this the safest option for many players.
Parry/Deflect: If you’re confident with timing, parry the first hit of a combo to create a long counter window. Hanzo’s spear combos have clear startup animations that make parry timing consistent.
Block: Use block only when you can’t dodge or parry; spear hits can chip Ki quickly. If you block, be ready to step back and heal.
Smoke bombs and closing tools: When Hanzo throws projectiles or kunai, smoke bombs let you close the gap without taking damage and reset his aggression.
Mix these options rather than relying on one; Hanzo’s moves punish predictable play.
Offensive strategy and optimal windows
Hanzo’s recovery after big combos is where you deal the most damage. After his spinning overhead or jump thrust, he has a noticeable recovery animation—this is your window. Use fast weapon combos, heavy ninjutsu bursts, or a well‑timed weapon art to punish him. If you’re using the Iga Jonin set or tools, land a shrapnel bomb or tool art immediately after his recovery to capitalize on the set’s tool damage bonuses.
Phase changes and adapting mid‑fight
Hanzo’s aggression increases as his health drops. Expect more projectiles and faster combos in the second phase. When he starts using kunai or bombs, switch to a more defensive rhythm: use smoke bombs to close, bait a big attack, then punish. If he begins to feint or mix in quick kicks, prioritize dodging and countering rather than parrying—those quick moves have tight windows.
Co‑op tips and how to split roles
If you bring help, coordinate roles:
Host or main DPS: Focus on baiting big combos and dealing burst damage during recovery.
Support: Use smoke bombs, healing items, and tool arts to control space and keep the boss staggered.
Crowd control: If adds spawn, one player should handle them to keep Hanzo’s focus on the main target.
Communication is key: call out when you’re going to parry or use a major tool art so you don’t overlap and waste windows.
Farming the Iga Jonin smithing text and set pieces efficiently
There are multiple reliable sources for Iga Jonin pieces: corpses in Lake Sanaru, enemy drops in Futamata, and boss drops from Hattori Hanzo and other named enemies. The fastest route to guarantee the smithing text is to replay The Demon's Regimen where Hanzo appears; if you need multiple pieces, combine mission runs with targeted farming in Lake Sanaru and Futamata to increase drop variety. Use luck‑boosting consumables and equipment that increase drop rates if you want to speed up the process.
Forging and optimizing the Iga Jonin set
Once you have the smithing text, forge the pieces and prioritize these fixed special effects and random rolls:
Fixed effects: Each piece has the “Head of the Iga Ninja” fixed effect; focus on rolling high ninjutsu or tool damage bonuses on the torso and weapon.
Stat priorities: Aim for ninjutsu damage, tool arts damage, and Ki reduction on dodge. If you plan to use the Demon Fang Kusarigama, roll for weapon damage and skill scaling.
Weight management: Keep total equip weight low to maintain fast dodges and the set’s mobility benefits.
A well‑rolled full set will transform a tool‑centric build into a high‑damage, low‑cost playstyle.
Example kill walkthrough with timestamps and actions
This concise run shows a typical successful solo kill:
0:00–0:20: Close distance using smoke bomb; bait the first overhead spin.
0:20–0:35: Parry the first spin and land a 3‑hit combo; back off as Hanzo recovers.
0:35–0:50: Hanzo jumps and thrusts; dodge toward his legs and land a shrapnel bomb during recovery.
0:50–1:10: Repeat bait/parry cycle; use a healing elixir if Ki is low.
1:10–1:40: Hanzo enters projectile phase; use smoke bombs to close and punish with Demon Fang Kusarigama heavy art.
1:40–2:00: Finish with a burst of ninjutsu and tool arts while he’s staggered.
This rhythm—bait, parry/dodge, punish—keeps the fight controlled and repeatable.
Troubleshooting common problems
I keep getting hit by the jump thrust
Watch the jump arc; dodge toward his legs or sideways at the apex. Use smoke bombs to avoid the projectile phase.
I can’t parry consistently
Practice on smaller spear enemies to learn timing. If parry fails, switch to dodge until you’re comfortable.
Drops aren’t appearing
Increase luck or drop rate modifiers, and mix mission runs with open‑world corpse checks in Lake Sanaru and Futamata. Bosses have higher chance for smithing texts.
Quick farming loop for the impatient player
Load The Demon's Regimen and clear to Hanzo.
Defeat Hanzo using the bait/parry/punish rhythm.
If no smithing text drops, exit and repeat.
After several runs, switch to Lake Sanaru corpse checks and Futamata enemy farming to fill missing pieces.
Use luck consumables and equip items that boost drop rates.
This loop balances time spent per run with the probability of getting the smithing text quickly.
Final tips and mindset for success
Patience beats aggression: Hanzo punishes reckless attacks. Wait for clear openings.
Adapt mid‑fight: If he changes rhythm, change yours.
Use the set’s strengths: If you’re wearing Iga Jonin pieces, lean into tool arts and ninjutsu—those bonuses are the set’s core.
FAQ
How do I trigger Hattori Hanzo’s boss fight? Progress through The Demon's Regimen questline and speak with Hanzo at the designated shrine area; this will lead to the boss encounter north of the Hamamatsu Post — Terrace Shrine.
Does Hattori Hanzo always drop the Iga Jonin smithing text? No single run guarantees the smithing text, but defeating Hanzo in the Demon's Regimen and replaying the mission is the fastest reliable method to obtain the Iga Jonin apparel smithing text. Combine boss runs with corpse and enemy farming in Lake Sanaru and Futamata to increase your chances.
What are the best tools to bring against Hanzo? Bring Kunai, Shrapnel Bombs, and Smoke Bombs. Shrapnel bombs and tool arts synergize with the Iga Jonin bonuses, while smoke bombs help close distance during projectile phases.
Should I parry or dodge Hanzo’s spear combos? Both are viable. Parry the first hit of his overhead combos if you’re confident with timing; dodge for jump thrusts and wide swings. Mix tactics to avoid predictability.
Where else can I find Iga Jonin pieces? Pieces can drop from corpses in Lake Sanaru, enemies in Futamata, and several named bosses besides Hanzo. Use these locations to supplement boss farming.
This guide gives you the full path from preparation to farming loops and optimization so you can defeat Hattori Hanzo consistently and forge the Iga Jonin set with minimal wasted runs. Apply the bait/parry/punish rhythm, lean into the set’s tool bonuses, and use the farming loop to stack your chances—soon you’ll be wearing the Iga Jonin headband and wielding the Demon Fang Kusarigama with confidence.
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