Beat Tokugawa Kunimatsu Fast Nioh 3 Tactics
This guide gives a complete, step-by-step plan to defeat Tokugawa Kunimatsu in Nioh 3. It focuses on predictable tells, safe windows to punish, and a repeatable rhythm you can use regardless of your weapon choice. Read the short setup, then follow the step-by-step fight script and the troubleshooting notes. The fight has two distinct phases: a lightning-heavy first phase where ranged orbs and AOE matter, and a second phase where wind vortexes and disappearing attacks force repositioning. Use mobility, ki management, and well-timed counters to win.
Preparation before the fight
Gear and consumables matter more here than raw level. Prioritize ki recovery and mobility over raw defense. Equip a Guardian Spirit with a ranged interrupt or a defensive skill that can punish Kunimatsu’s aerial or disappearing attacks. Bring two summoning seals if available and a Living Artifact summon for emergency saves. Use talismans that boost lightning resistance and items that restore ki or grant temporary invulnerability frames. If you play Ninja style, lean into backstab bonuses and low ki cost combos; if you prefer Samurai style, accept slower movement but higher burst.
Read Kunimatsu’s tells and what they mean
Kunimatsu telegraphs most of his dangerous moves with clear animations. Learn these tells and treat them as your cue to reposition or punish.
Three air slices and a glowing circle — he’s charging the purple lightning explosion AOE; move out of the circle immediately. This is slow to charge and leaves him vulnerable to Ninjutsu while casting.
Lightning orbs forming above him — he will launch bouncing lightning projectiles; dodge laterally and close the gap after the last orb is fired.
Draw attack with both swords and a wind trail — he zips forward and leaves a delayed wind trail; avoid following directly behind; instead approach from the side after he passes.
Summon spirit actions — his spirit uses wind vortexes, slow whirlwinds, and a ground whirlpool; keep distance from the spirit’s center and bait the fast vortex to dodge and punish.
Recommended builds and loadout
You can beat Kunimatsu with many builds, but these choices make the encounter easier.
Primary stance: Ninja style for mobility and backstab damage; it reduces ki cost and lets you punish openings more often. Bold this if you rely on backstabs.
Secondary tools: ninja tools like smoke bombs and kunai to interrupt or create space; a ranged Guardian Spirit skill to punish aerial attacks.
Armor and talismans: prioritize lightning resistance and ki recovery; equip a set that balances evasion and ki regen.
Summons: bring two summoning seals and a Living Artifact; use one to pressure and one as a clutch save.
Step-by-step fight script — Phase One (opening to half health)
Start mobile and bait a move. Let Kunimatsu make the first move; his lightning explosion has a long windup and is easy to avoid. When you see the three air slices and the glowing circle, step out and prepare to punish.
Use Ninjutsu while he casts the lightning AOE. He cannot dodge during the full cast; throw a status Ninjutsu or a high-damage seal to chip his health and build pressure. If you have a Guardian Spirit ranged skill, use it to interrupt or add damage.
Close after the lightning burst. The lingering lightning effect sounds dramatic but you can often rush in as soon as the explosion finishes; don’t wait for the entire visual to fade. Get in for a quick combo and back away before he counters.
Punish orb volleys by lateral dodges. When he forms lightning orbs, dodge sideways rather than back; the orbs bounce and can track you if you retreat straight back. After the last orb, sprint in for a heavy attack or a backstab.
Respect the spirit’s wind attacks. If his spirit summons whirlwinds, move to the opposite side of the arena; the slow whirlwinds are avoidable but the fast vortex is deadly if you’re caught mid-combo. Use this time to heal or reapply buffs.
Step-by-step fight script — Phase Two (enraged and teleporting)
Recognize the transition. Kunimatsu’s second phase adds wind-based summons and disappearing attacks; tornadoes will obscure him and he may leap for a falling red AOE. When he disappears into tornadoes, prepare to reposition rather than chase blindly.
Use Guardian Spirit skills preemptively. If you have a ranged Guardian Spirit skill, use it when he leaps; it can interrupt or at least damage him while he’s airborne. If you can’t cancel the falling red attack, sprint out of the marked area to avoid the AOE.
Bait the vanish and punish the landing. When he vanishes into tornadoes, wait for the swirl to settle and then dash in from the side; his reappearance has a short recovery window you can exploit with a heavy combo or a backstab.
Keep two summoning seals ready. Use one to force an opening and the other as a clutch when you’re low on health; summons can draw his attention and create safe windows to heal.
Finish with patience. The second phase punishes greed. Take one or two solid combos, back away, and repeat. If you get greedy and try to chain too many hits, the wind vortex or a surprise leap will punish you hard.
Timing and micro-actions that win fights
Perfect dodge windows: Learn the timing of his draw attacks and lightning slashes; a perfect dodge followed by a counterattack is often safer than trying to block or tank. Use the invulnerability frames to reposition behind him for a backstab. Perfect dodge is a high-value skill here.
Ki management: Keep your ki above the threshold for a single evasive roll. If you must, pause and perform a short ki recovery stance or use a consumable. Ki depletion leads to fatal mistakes in the second phase.
Use the arena. The well area has predictable sightlines; use pillars and edges to avoid the lightning AOE and to bait his spirit away from you. When tornadoes appear, move to clear ground and wait for the dust to settle.
Minimal-bullet checklist before each attempt
Guardian Spirit with ranged interrupt equipped.
Two summoning seals ready.
Lightning resistance talisman or armor.
Smoke bomb or kunai for emergency escape.
Living Artifact summon available.
Troubleshooting common failure modes
Problem: You keep getting hit by the purple lightning AOE. Solution: Move as soon as you see the three air slices; don’t wait for the full animation. Use Ninjutsu to punish during the cast.
Problem: Tornado phase kills you while you chase. Solution: Stop chasing into tornadoes. Reposition to clear ground and use a summon to bait him out. If he leaps for the falling red attack, sprint perpendicular to the expected landing.
Problem: Lightning orbs track you when you retreat. Solution: Dodge laterally and close after the last orb; retreating straight back increases orb tracking risk.
Advanced tactics for experienced players
Backstab windows: Because Kunimatsu is a human boss, backstabs deal significant damage. Time a perfect dodge or a sidestep to get behind him and land a heavy backstab combo. Ninja style amplifies this approach.
Status stacking: Use Ninjutsu that applies poison or paralysis during his long casts; he cannot dodge while channeling the lightning explosion, making it an ideal time to stack status effects.
Guardian Spirit synergy: Pair a Guardian Spirit that has a ranged interrupt with a Living Artifact that grants a defensive buff; this combo lets you trade aggressively while retaining a safety net.
What to do if you’re underleveled
If you’re struggling because of level or gear, farm the nearby missions for soul cores and better equipment, then return. Use the Living Artifact to practice the fight’s rhythm without risking long runs. Equip a higher lightning resistance set and focus on mobility rather than heavy armor until you can consistently avoid his big attacks.
Rewards and why the fight matters
Defeating Tokugawa Kunimatsu yields unique armor sets and weapon drops that are valuable for mid-to-late game progression. The rematch is designed to test your mastery of mobility, ki management, and timing; beating him unlocks story progression and useful loot for subsequent missions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid the purple lightning explosion reliably? Move out of the glowing circle as soon as you see Kunimatsu slice the air three times. Use Ninjutsu to punish during the cast; he’s vulnerable while channeling.
Is Ninja style required to beat Kunimatsu? No. Ninja style makes the fight easier because of mobility and backstab bonuses, but a careful Samurai style or other builds with good ki management and ranged interrupts can also win.
When should I use summoning seals? Use one seal to force an opening when he’s casting or to split his attention during tornado phases; keep the second for emergencies or to secure the final kill.
What Guardian Spirit is best? A Guardian Spirit with a ranged interrupt or a skill that can hit airborne enemies is ideal; it helps cancel or punish his falling red attack and aerial moves.
Can I parry any of his attacks? Some of Kunimatsu’s sword strikes can be parried if timed perfectly, but many of his most dangerous moves are AOE or spirit-based and are better avoided with dodges and positioning. Practice the timing on his draw attacks for parry windows.
Final note: focus on timing and patience. Learn the tells, keep your ki topped up, and use mobility to turn his big, slow attacks into your openings.
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