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The journey through the treacherous terrains of Nioh 3 brings us to a chilling showdown in the far north. After successfully navigating the encounter with Jakotsu-baba, your next trial awaits at Futamata Castle. This mandatory boss fight against Baba Nobuharu represents a significant spike in difficulty. While you won’t have to contend with the dreaded Crucible health decay here, Nobuharu’s sheer power and elemental prowess make him a formidable gatekeeper for any digital warrior.
At Digital Tech Explorer, we believe in bridging the gap between complex game mechanics and mastery. I initially found myself struggling against his relentless water-based assaults, but by refining my loadout and mastering stance-swapping, I turned the tide. Here is how you can do the same.
How to Beat Baba Nobuharu in Nioh 3
To reclaim Futamata Castle, you must confront Nobuharu at the end of the quest line. Be warned: there is a noticeable level jump after your previous major encounter. Baba Nobuharu is level 39, so we recommend exploring the newly unlocked regions to gather high-quality gear and experience before stepping into his arena.
Battle Preparation: Elemental Advantages
Victory in Nioh 3 is often decided before the first blow is even struck. To survive Nobuharu’s onslaught, focus on lightning damage and water defense.
| Strategy Element | Recommended Setup |
|---|---|
| Elemental Weakness | Lightning (Electric) |
| Boss Damage Type | Water |
| Guardian Spirits | Shin-Roku or Nekomata (for Thunderclaw Kick) |
| Essential Soul Cores | Bloodedge Demon (Yang) & Sudama (Yin) |
| Recommended Level | 39+ |
- Gear Up: Equip armor with high water resistance to mitigate the boss’s primary damage source.
- Lightning Infusion: Use Lightning Amulets or Ninjutsu like Uncanny Bolt to build up elemental status. The shock effect will slow his movements, giving you much-needed breathing room.
- Core Skills: Ensure you have the Supreme Parry and Enduring Destruction skills. These provide crucial healing and damage buffs following successful Burst Breaks. These can be acquired back in Hamamatsu Castle Town.
Mastering the Combat Flow
In this fight, versatility is your greatest weapon. Swapping between the Samurai and Ninja styles is highly effective. The Ninja style offers the mobility needed to dodge his wide-reaching axe swings and throw Uncanny Bolts, while the Samurai style allows you to unleash devastating combos during his recovery windows.
Position yourself as a Ninja to bait his attacks, then shift to Samurai for high-damage Arts Proficiency combos once you land a Burst Break or a parry.
Baba Nobuharu’s Attack Patterns and Counters
- Mirage: Nobuharu’s most deceptive move involves venting steam from his arm to create illusions. Don’t react to the first visual cue; wait for the real attack that follows the mirage. Once you recognize the timing, this becomes a prime opportunity for a parry.
- Burst Break: When the boss glows red and charges a heavy two-hit combo, time your style shift perfectly to trigger a Burst Break. This interrupts his flow and leaves him wide open for long Samurai combos using Flux stances.
- The Grab: Watch for yellow embers and grey smoke from his claw. This indicates an unblockable grab. Always dodge to the side, then immediately transition to his rear for a quick counter-attack.
- Wave & Water Slice: If he drags his axe, prepare for a wide water blast. Dodge backward or clear the radius laterally. His blue-glowing claw indicates a “Water Slice” projectile; simply sidestep to avoid the three incoming blades.
The Path Forward
Utilizing the Bloodedge Demon Soul Core allows you to summon a beast that deals massive lightning bursts, while the Sudama Soul Core provides a reliable lightning bolt spell for ranged pressure. Combining these with Nekomata’s Living Artifact mode will quickly deplete Nobuharu’s Ki bar, staggering him for the finish.
Upon his defeat, you will be rewarded with the Demon of Mino’s Charm, a Samurai Lock, and a significant haul of Amrita and loot. With Baba Nobuharu fallen, Hattori Hanzo will arrive to guide you toward the next chapter of your digital odyssey.
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