As with previous games in Team Ninja’s tough-as-nails Soulslike franchise, Nioh 3 comes packing a lot of information to keep up with. One thing you’ll definitely want to get a firm grasp on right away is how its various status effects work. While you can apply debuffs to enemies, they can apply them to you as well, potentially turning the tide of a fight before you can blink. We’ve got a list of all debuffs in Nioh 3 below, so that you can know how each of them will affect you in battle and get a plan together for dealing with them.
All debuffs in Nioh 3
Here are all of the debuffs you’ll have to deal with in Nioh 3.
Scorched
When you’re Scorched, your health will be reduced with each tick until the debuff wears off. Luckily, you can dodge rapidly multiple times in a row to rid yourself of this elemental debuff pretty quickly.
Saturated
When you’re Saturated, all enemy attacks will deal more damage to you until it’s gone. It’s a good idea to maintain your distance (or block) until it’s worn off.
Electrified
When you’re Electrified, you’ll attack and use items more slowly until the debuff wears off. Considering how slow you are while waiting for this debuff to dissipate, it’s a good idea to just block or use some type of cover. There’s almost no way you’ll be able to attack and dodge your way out of this one.
Some usable amulets or Onmyo magic improve your resistance to certain elemental status effects.
Blustered
When you’re Blustered, you’ll use more Ki and take more Ki damage while afflicted. With this in mind, it’s a good idea not to unleash too many combos or block too many hits until you’ve recovered. Play things passively instead.
Poisoned
When you’re Poisoned, your health will be reduced with each tick until the debuff is over. If you have an Antidote in a quick-use slot, now would be a good time to use it!
Paralyzed
When you’re Paralyzed, you’ll be unable to move until an enemy attacks you. If you have an Antiparalytic Needle in a quick-use slot, it’s a good idea to use it quickly to remove the effect.
Chilled
When you’re Chilled, you’ll have reduced Ki recovery speed, meaning you’ll want to play a bit more passively. Moreover, if you’re hit with a Water-based attack while Chilled, you’ll become Frozen, which will make you unable to move at all.
Frozen
When you’re Frozen, you’ll be unable to move until you’re attacked. This sucks. Don’t get Frozen.
Life Leech
Life Leech causes the attacker to steal health from the victim. It’s a bad idea to get hit by this, obviously, but it can be a fantastic option for you to apply to your own weapons to improve survivability.
Stench
Stench causes your medicine to only heal for half its usual amount until the debuff wears off. Additionally, using any medicine will cause you to vomit, leaving you open to enemy attacks. It’s probably best to avoid situations where you’ll take significant damage so that you don’t have to heal and, uh, lose your lunch.
Blindness
Blindness will cause you to be unable to grapple your opponents. While this is certainly not as detrimental as plenty of other debuffs, grapples can dish out a lot of damage, so it’s not preferable to have this sitting on you too long.
Sloth
Sloth makes you move extremely slowly as long as the debuff is active, meaning you’ll be very exposed to enemy attacks. If you’ve been afflicted with this, it’s best to block. As with being Electrified, you’re not dodging your way out of anything.
Sacred Ash is a good go-to item for removing a variety of debuffs.
Overencumbered
Overencumbered is applied when your maximum equipment weight has been exceeded, causing your Ki consumption to dramatically increase. Monitor your weight capacity well to avoid this.
Decreased Damage Dealt
Decreased Damage Dealt will cause you to deal less damage to enemies. You’ll still do a bit, though, so you can continue to whack away until it’s dealt with if needed.
Increased Damage Taken
Increased Damage Taken will cause you to take more damage from enemy attacks until it expires. It goes without saying that your goal here is to be careful not to get hit!
Reduced Movement
Reduced Movement will slow down your running and dashing speed. This can be frustrating to encounter when exploring, but it shouldn’t have a dramatic effect on you in battle.
Impaired Movement
Impaired Movement has the same effects as Reduced Movement–slower running and dashing speed–but it also adds a reduced jump height. Again, this sucks to encounter in a level, but it won’t be a major issue in a battle.
Entwined
Entwined has the same effects as Reduced Movement and Impaired Movement–slower running/dashing speed and reduced jump height–but also adds increased Ki consumption, which certainly isn’t a good time in a battle. Avoid using any high-Ki abilities until it’s dealt with.
Ki Recovery Down
Ki Recovery Down decreases your Ki recovery speed, and it also reduces how much Ki you receive from a Ki Pulse. This is not a fun experience in the middle of a battle, as you’ll be at a considerable disadvantage, so avoid attacking or blocking when possible.
Foulblooded
Foulblooded causes your maximum life to deplete. You’ll need to beat down some enemies to regain your maximum health and keep yourself alive.
Arcane Hex
Arcane Hex functions like a Doom spell from many other games, cursing you to 1HP after a certain amount of time elapses. You’ll have to defeat the enemy who cursed you to break the spell.
Life Corrosion
Life Corrosion reduces your maximum health each time you take damage from any enemy within Crucibles and Lesser Crucibles. Since it can add up quickly, it doesn’t take long before you can find yourself in real trouble of being one-shot by even low-damage foes. Since it’s exclusive to Crucibles and Lesser Crucibles, Life Corrosion works differently from other debuffs. Dealing damage and defeating enemies will decrease your total Life Corrosion. Additionally, you can also invest in Jizo Blessings that will allow Elixirs and Guardian Spirit Skills to decrease Life Corrosion on use, or use the Healing Pill item designed specifically for assisting with this effect.
Nioh 3 is available now on PS5 and PC.
