The newly released third installment in the famed ‘Nioh‘ series is full of all-new weapons and builds. But the build that has gotten the most attention is the Tonfas. With aggressive offense, the short-range weapon deals not only massive Ki damage, but it is also capable of multi-hit attacks.
Its staggering properties make it a great choice against humans and Yokai alike. While the short range means you need to be wary of enemy attacks, a ninja style is better suited for players. Combining speed, elemental damage, and status effects is a better strategy to overwhelm opponents than poke-and-run tactics.
Best Stats, Gear, And Guardian Spirit For Tonfas In ‘Nioh 3’
The Tonfas scale primarily with Constitution, Strength, and Skill. Prioritize Strength first, as it directly increases Ki damage output. Follow that with Skill and Magic to boost Ninjutsu power and open more slots for Onmyo Talismans. Finally, invest in Constitution to increase HP and survivability.
For weapons, the White Bone Spirit Tonfa is the ideal choice. It comes with the Imbue Water special effect, which stacks the Saturation status ailment quickly thanks to the Tonfa’s fast attack speed. Saturated enemies receive more Ki damage, which synergizes perfectly with the weapon’s strengths.
For armor, Light Armor with the Dodge Ki Consumption effect is essential. The Heir’s Shinobi armor pieces offer this early on. Later in the game, switching to at least four pieces of the Iga Jonin set provides Faster Movement on Ninjutsu Hit from its set bonus.
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Nekomata is the best Guardian Spirit for this build. It boosts Ninjutsu Ki Damage, Ki Recovery Speed, and Quick Attack Break. The Thunderclaw Kick Guardian Spirit Skill also works as a panic button to create distance when needed. For Soul Cores, Karasu Tengu in the Yang position adds Ki damage against Blustered enemies, while Kamaitachi in the Yin position grants the Wind Familiar Talisman.
Best Martial Arts And Skills For Tonfas
The Martial Arts equipped on Tonfas define how the weapon performs in combat. Pulverize is the go-to move for dealing heavy damage, especially against human enemies who block frequently. Storm of Strikes lets players rush forward with rapid multi-hit attacks that shred Ki bars.
Crimson Lotus Fire is a follow-up where a Strong Attack chains into a Light Attack thrust that explodes on contact, dealing Fire damage. This is key for triggering Confusion when combined with Water from the weapon. Once an enemy is both Saturated and Scorched, Confusion activates, and damage multiplies significantly.
For defensive skills, Demon Dance shortens dodge range but extends invulnerability frames. This allows players to stay close while avoiding damage. Heavenly Chain extends combo windows, and Sweeping Kick chains smoothly from basic attacks to keep pressure constant.
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Spend Ninja Points between the Tonfa skill tree and the Ninja Style tree. Equip Weakness and Exploiter Talismans to reduce enemy defenses and maximize damage. The Life Leech Talisman is also worth running, as it restores HP on hit, keeping you alive during extended close-range fights.
This build rewards aggression and confidence. Stay close, manage Ki carefully, keep debuffs active, and the Tonfas will dismantle everything in ‘Nioh 3. ‘
