Nioh: Which Guardian Spirit Should You Choose?

Kato

Early on in Nioh, after you slay the executioner, players will be prompted to pick their weapons and Guardian Spirit. This being will accompany you throughout the duration of Nioh, offering base increases to a single stat along with giving William a powerful ability that will last for around 10 seconds. This move is briefly showcased in your last fight, however, the potency is notably turned down. All of these Guardian Spirit (aka Living Weapon) skills will make William invincible for around 5 to 6 seconds once activated.

Kato is a Guardian Spirit you can pick from the start of Nioh, and it takes the form of a flaming white wolf. The base increase is +1 to your Strength skill (which is perfect if you picked the battle axe as a starting weapon) and will significantly increase your damage output (20%). This means that you can cut foes down quickly if you’re in a pinch and need an extra boost to your damage. Against bosses, it’s a fantastic way to exploit either a stunned foe or to finish them off when your health is low. If you want to have a big power boost, then make sure to nab Kato.

Isonade

Isonade is the second Guardian Spirit in Nioh and this one is in the shape of a giant, embroidered shark. It increased your Spirit base state by +1, which will allow you to unlock more of this spirit’s potential quicker. This may seem less important than increasing your health and damage earlier on, so having it as a base upgrade is handy. When you activate your Living Weapon ability, Isonade will give you a small 5% boost to your damage, along with a boost to your health and recovery abilities.

This power is best used when you are about to die and need a way to get back into the fight quickly. Consider Isonade more of a panic button than one you’d use to just finish off a tough boss or engage a group of enemies with. It’s powerful healing abilities allows you to easily turn the tide of a battle, so if you want a “second wind” then make sure to grab this Guardian Spirit in Nioh.

Daiba-Washi

The final of the three base Guardian Spirits in Nioh is Daiba-Washi, a large green bird that grants a +1 to your Skill. This stat is focused around unlocking more powerful and useful moves from technical-based weapons like the Dual Swords. In terms of the Living Weapon power, Daiba-Washi grants users no damage increase, however, your speed and stamina will kick into overdrive. This allows users to move across the battlefield quickly, striking down all the enemies that they see before them in the blink of an eye.

Daiba-Washi is for the Nioh player who prefers to focus more on hit and run tactics over sheer brute force. Now, these are not the only Guardian Spirits you can acquire in Nioh, however, the starting three are all fantastic options for players. Just make sure to tailor the right Guardian Spirit to your playstyle if you want to succeed in Nioh.

For more guides, tips, and walkthroughs make sure to visit our ever-expanding Nioh wiki.