Part 121

Take on Hattori Hanzo in this Nioh 3 walkthrough! Learn his moves, strategies, and rewards for the 'The Way of the Ninja: Veteran' mission. Master the ninja path!

Alright, so you've been training hard and it seems you've really honed your ninja skills. The next step in your journey is to prove your mastery by facing your mentor directly in 'The Way of the Ninja: Veteran'. This mission is a direct challenge from Hattori Hanzo himself, and he's not holding back. He claims it'll be tougher than your last encounter, so let's get ready!

Objective: Fight with Hattori Hanzo

This is a boss fight, so we'll break it down like we did before.

BOSS ENCOUNTER: HATTORI HANZO (ROUND 2)

This rematch with Hanzo feels familiar, but he's definitely brought some new tricks. Instead of poison, he's packing paralysis items like Paralysis Shurikens and Hemlock Broth. You'll also have access to Blinding Shells, Horoku-Dama, and Power Pills, along with your trusty Elixirs.

To kick things off, I recommend using your Hemlock Broth, popping a Power Pill, and then hitting Hanzo with a bomb to get the advantage right away. From there, it's a battle of attrition, much like your last fight, but he's got more health this time around. Keep an eye out for his new attacks, especially his Paralysis Bomb, a different Makibishi attack, and exploding kunai.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Aggressive but Ki-wasting: Hanzo is very aggressive, but he drains his Ki quickly. Exploit this!
• Jumping Attack: Once his health gets lower, he'll start using a jumping attack. Be ready to dodge it.
• Light Armor: He wears light armor, which allows him to flip out of danger after combos, so you might need to chase him down.

Phases:

1. Opening Salvo: Start with Hemlock Broth, a Power Pill, and a bomb to gain an early advantage.
2. Mid-Fight: Hanzo will use a variety of projectile attacks and combos. Stay mobile and look for openings.
3. Late-Fight: Be prepared for his enhanced moves, including the Paralysis Bomb and exploding kunai, as his health gets lower.

Strategy:

• Dodge and Counter: Hanzo relies heavily on his fast sword combos. Dodge to the side to avoid them and counter-attack while he's recovering.
• Close the Distance: He uses a lot of projectiles. Your best bet is to close the distance while staying mobile, ready to dodge left or right.
• Attack While He Runs: A new tactic for this fight: try attacking Hanzo as he charges towards you. This can catch him off guard and deal easy damage.
• Item Usage: Don't be afraid to use your own stock of items, especially the Paralysis Shurikens and Hemlock Broth, to control the fight.
• Projectile Management: The bombs, especially, can be devastating. Focus on avoiding them by staying mobile.
• Chase Him Down: If Hanzo flips away after a combo, be ready to chase him to keep the pressure on.

Overall, this fight is manageable if you focus on dodging his attacks and exploiting his Ki depletion. Use your items, stay aggressive but smart, and you'll overcome Hattori Hanzo and continue your path to becoming a true ninja master.

• Gesture: Shuriken Stars
• Shinobi Box x1
• Kayaku-dama x3

You'll also unlock the 'Veteran' moves in the skill tree, which is a great addition to your arsenal.