Make Use of that Guardian Spirit
The other portion of the choices you make before starting Nioh revolves around your Guardian Spirit. There are three at the beginning, and each one will govern your Living Weapon, adding temporary invulnerability, elemental damage, and a specific buff to your abilities. The three available at the start are:
- Kato: A wolf, and guardian spirit of the fire elemental. Strengthens the attacking power of those in its protection.
- Isonade: A shark, and guardian spirit of the water elemental. Amplifies the ability of those in its protection to sense enemies.
- Daiba-Washi: A hawk, and guardian spirit of the wind elemental. Increases the evasive abilities of those in its protection.
You may feel the urge to save these Living Weapons, and while you shouldn’t waste them on single enemies unless your back is against the wall, you shouldn’t use them only at bosses either. They actually don’t take very long to charge, and they can make certain crowded areas much more manageable. Find yourself in a tight space with five enemies? Pop your Living Weapon clear them out easily and you won’t have to worry about resetting the area with a shrine or using your Medicine. There’s nothing wrong with making life easier on yourself.
