Nioh 3 Stance Guide - High, Mid, Low Explained!

Mastering stances in Nioh 3 is crucial for dominating the battlefield. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, understanding the high, mid, and low stances can give you a distinct advantage in combat. This Nioh 3 stance guide will break down the benefits and strategies for each stance, so you can choose the one that suits your playstyle.

Why Stances Matter in Nioh 3

Stances are integral to combat in Nioh 3. They not only affect your attack speed, range, and power but also determine how you respond to enemy threats. Choosing the right stance can mean the difference between surviving an intense fight and getting overwhelmed. This guide will dive deep into how each stance impacts your gameplay and offer tips on when to switch between them.

In Nioh 3, high, mid, and low stances offer unique advantages. Understanding how to switch between these stances effectively can greatly enhance your chances of success. Let’s explore these stances in detail, so you can become a combat master!

High Stance: The Powerhouse

The High Stance is all about aggressive offense. It provides a boost to your attack power and offers some of the game’s strongest moves. However, it comes at a cost—your mobility is reduced, and you’ll be more vulnerable to incoming attacks.

Benefits of High Stance:

• Increased Damage: High Stance delivers powerful attacks, allowing you to deal massive damage to enemies.
• Strong Ki Breaks: This stance excels at breaking the Ki (stamina) of enemies, making it effective against bosses and tougher foes.
• Wide Attack Range: Your attacks in this stance have more reach, allowing you to strike multiple enemies at once.

When to Use High Stance:

• Against Strong Enemies: High Stance is perfect when facing tough enemies that require heavy hits to stagger.
• Ki Management: If you need to break an enemy’s Ki to create openings, High Stance’s damage output will help.

Downsides:

• Slow Movement: The slow movement speed can leave you vulnerable to faster enemies. Be mindful of positioning to avoid getting caught.
• Heavy on Stamina: The powerful attacks drain your stamina quickly, so use it wisely.

Mid Stance: The Balanced Approach

For those who like a middle ground between offense and defense, Mid Stance is your best bet. It offers a balance of speed, power, and defense, making it the most versatile stance in the game.

Benefits of Mid Stance:

• Balanced Offense and Defense: Mid Stance gives a solid mix of damage and defense, allowing you to adapt to various combat situations.
• Faster Attacks: Compared to High Stance, Mid Stance offers quicker attacks, making it easier to chain combos and counter enemies.
• Defensive Guard: It provides a decent defensive guard, giving you an advantage when blocking attacks.

When to Use Mid Stance:

• Versatile Combat: When you’re unsure which stance to choose, Mid Stance is great for both aggressive and defensive play.
• Speed and Precision: Ideal for situations where you need to react quickly to enemy moves without sacrificing too much damage output.

Downsides:

• Not as Strong as High Stance: While it’s balanced, Mid Stance lacks the raw power of the High Stance, so it may not be ideal against bosses that require heavy damage.

Low Stance: Speed and Agility

If you prioritize speed and evasion, Low Stance is for you. This stance offers the fastest movement and the ability to dodge and counter quickly. While the damage output isn’t as high as the other stances, Low Stance makes up for it with speed and agility.

Benefits of Low Stance:

• Fast Movement: The greatest advantage of Low Stance is speed. You can quickly dodge attacks and reposition, making it ideal for agile playstyles.
• Faster Ki Recovery: It’s easier to manage your Ki in this stance, as you can recover quickly between attacks.
• Excellent for Evasion: The increased agility allows you to dodge and evade attacks more effectively.

When to Use Low Stance:

• Against Quick Enemies: When facing fast enemies or multiple opponents, Low Stance will help you stay nimble and avoid incoming attacks.
• When Mobility Is Key: If you prefer a hit-and-run strategy or need to outmaneuver tougher foes, Low Stance is perfect.

Downsides:

• Low Damage: You’ll sacrifice power in Low Stance, meaning your attacks will be less effective against strong enemies.
• Limited Ki Break Potential: The lower damage output makes it less useful for breaking the Ki of enemies.

Combining Stances for Effective Combat

While each stance has its strengths, the true power of stances lies in combining them effectively during combat. Switching between stances can give you the upper hand, allowing you to adapt to the flow of battle.

Tips for Stance Switching:

• Start with High Stance: Open combat with High Stance to deliver powerful strikes and break enemy Ki.
• Switch to Mid Stance: When you need to mix offense and defense, transition to Mid Stance for a more balanced approach.
• Use Low Stance for Evasion: In tight situations, Low Stance allows for fast dodges and quick repositioning, keeping you out of harm’s way.

Being able to fluidly switch between these stances is a core skill for advanced players. It allows you to exploit enemy weaknesses and adjust your strategy on the fly.

Conclusion

Mastering the stances in Nioh 3 is key to becoming a formidable warrior. By understanding the differences between High, Mid, and Low Stance, and knowing when to use each, you’ll be able to handle any combat scenario. Whether you’re looking for heavy power, balanced versatility, or quick evasion, stances provide the tools you need to succeed.

Don’t forget to experiment with different stances in various scenarios to find your ideal playstyle. The more you practice, the better you'll become at transitioning seamlessly between them!

For further tips on mastering your combat style, check out our Samurai Style guide and learn how to refine your battle techniques.