Part 99

Learn how to counter Giant Toad's tricky Ninja Tool attacks like Paralysis Bombs and Exploding Kunai, and understand its other moves in Nioh.

Alright, let's break down how to handle this big guy, Giant Toad. He's got some annoying tricks up his sleeve, especially with his Ninja Tool attacks. You'll want to know what's coming so you don't get caught off guard.

Giant Toad's Attacks:

• Paralysis Bombs: You'll start seeing this around the 50-60% health mark. He'll lob a bunch of bombs that give off purple smoke. If you get hit, you'll be paralyzed, which is never good. Just stay out of the blast zones or back away quickly.
• Exploding Kunai: This one's a real pain. He throws about 6-7 kunai that arc out. Most will hit the ground, but they'll hiss and explode after a moment, dealing fire damage. If they hit you directly, guarding until they blow is your best bet to avoid damage, though it'll slow you down.
• Kayaku-Dama: Another Ninja Tool attack where he throws bombs into an area. These work like the Paralysis Bombs but just explode, dealing minor fire damage and potentially setting you on fire. If you catch fire, roll around to put it out faster.
• Pipe Smack: This is a weird one and you won't see it often. It happens when he's throwing ninja items and you're close, and he's not doing the Spear Drop. He'll pull out his pipe and smack you, moving forward a bit. It's a frontal attack, so guarding or dodging to the sides works.
• Yokai Realm Smoke: More of a nuisance than a real threat. He'll puff his pipe and exhale a greyish blob that creates a Yokai Realm patch on the ground. It's unlikely to be in the middle of the action, so don't worry too much about it.

After the fight, just grab the loot. Hanzo's Master will have something to say, and maybe you'll do this again sometime!

Mission: The Unrepentant Thief (SM030)
July 1600, Graveyard of Ships

Prologue: Lord Ieyasu's prized incense burner, the Chidori-no-Koro, has been stolen! This isn't the first time; the thief Ishikawa Goemon was caught for it before. Rumors say it's Goemon's ghost this time, but that's silly – ghosts don't steal. Lord Sengoku Hidehisa, who nabbed Goemon last time, will be helping you out. Your mission is to head to the crime scene and catch the living culprit, bringing back the incense burner.

It's pretty cool that we get an ally for this side mission! Let's get going.

Objective: Capture the criminals with Sengoku Hidehisa.

First things first, hit up the SHRINE nearby and then keep moving. You can go left to take out some guards if you like, but going right will lead you to a Samurai and a [_CORPSE_]. The path splits here. Head left towards the area we might have missed earlier. You'll find a guard and two patrolling bandits. Take them all out, then enter the left cave, the one with water, to find another bandit. It's a dead end back there, but you'll find [_CORPSE x2_].

Head back out and go through the wooden doorway. You'll face a Skeleton Warrior. Proceed RIGHT first. The small alcove on the left has a [_CHEST_], and the larger room ahead contains two Flan enemies on the ceiling, plus a [_BIG CHEST_]. Be careful, that big chest might be a MIMIC!

Now, backtrack and go right towards the ruined ship. Grab the [_CORPSE_] on the left and deal with the Flan enemy that drops down (or just run past it, kill the Spirit, then the Flan – you'll get a fire buff if you do that). Continue past the plank and pick up the [_CORPSE_] to your right. Then, enter the boat...