Nioh 3 Blacksmith Guide Forge Upgrade

Hidden behind early missions and subtle story cues, the blacksmith in Nioh 3 holds the key to mastering gear and reshaping souls. Here’s how players can gain her services, manage resources wisely, and forge their path through AELGAMES’ latest challenge.

How to unlock soul matching and extraction in Nioh 3

To gain access to soul matching and extraction, talk to the fox-masked blacksmith as soon as she appears at your base and accept her side quest “A Fierce Flame.” Follow the mission marker to the Warring States area, track down Kagutsuchi’s Magatama, and clear the short excursion tied to the quest. Once you return the Magatama to her and finish the final conversation, the greyed-out Soul Match and Soul Extraction entries in the blacksmith menu become active, letting you upgrade favorite weapons and convert surplus gear into soul ores for future upgrades.

When you first visit the blacksmith, the “Soul Match” and “Soul Extraction” options will be greyed out. This is because you need to engage in dialogue with her to start her myth (side quest), called “A Fierce Flame.”

Everything you need to complete this myth is signposted in-game, so simply follow the objectives, which includes visiting Lake Sanaru in the Warring States period, then eventually you’ll find a Scampuss that will take you to loot Kagutsuchi’s Magatama. Bring this back to the blacksmith and the ability to soul match and extract will be available.

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Soul matching allows you to raise the level or value of any given weapon or armor, but to do so, you’ll need yellow, azure, or viridian soul cores. These are obtained by using the “Soul Extraction” to disassemble your unwanted gear, but instead of crafting materials, you’ll receive soul cores. When the option is unlocked, “Soul Extraction” is by far the best way to dispose of your unused equipment because you can enhance the stats of the equipment you do use by a considerable margin.

How to defeat Jakotsu-baba boss in Hamamatsu Incident

Jakotsu-baba is all about learning her snake patterns, punishing safely after each string, and respecting her red (burst) and grab attacks.

Recommended preparation

Aim for at least level 15-20, putting points into health, Ki (stamina), and your main damage stat.
Bring plenty of Elixirs and antidotes/elemental resistance for fire and ice if you have them.
Unlock basic ninja skills like Kunai/elemental shuriken and an evade/Cicada Shell-type ninjutsu if possible; they help a lot with chip damage and repositioning.
If you can, use a Yoki-type soul core for a Power Talisman-style attack buff and a strong summon like Mezuki.
Summon an acolyte/ally; they can draw aggro and drain her Ki, making the fight much safer.

Phase 1: snake head zoning

Stay at mid-range so her two extending snake heads are easier to dodge; roll sideways rather than straight back, then punish when the heads retract.
Watch for the triple staff slam combo when you’re close; dodge the first slam to the side and don’t rush in until you see the third impact finish.
She frequently whips and jabs with the snakes; either dodge through to her side/back and get 1-3 hits, or block if you’re in a Samurai stance focused on deflection.
Use ranged tools (kunai, shuriken, bows) when she’s idle or recovering from a long snake lunge to keep chipping without risking trades.

Dangerous attacks to learn

Red “burst” snake slam/jab (fire or ice): she glows red just before a big snake slam or thrust; time your Burst Break (stance-switch counter) just as it’s about to hit, which deals big Ki damage and opens her up.
Long grab: her main head pulls back, glowing with yellow embers and smoke, then shoots forward on a chain; wait until her hands hit the ground, then dodge sideways (two rolls to the right/top-right is very consistent).
Fire breath spin: if you’re already close, hug her and circle around the body to avoid the head’s arc; if you’re further away when it starts, sprint straight out of range instead of trying to roll through the fire.
Jump/staff slams: big circular shockwaves; dodge out just before impact and only step in after you see the wave fade, in case it’s part of a combo.

Phase 2 and Dark Realm

Around half HP, she shifts into a more aggressive pattern and may darken the arena (Dark Realm), increasing pressure.
Save your ultimate/guardian spirit burst for this phase; trigger it as the Dark Realm appears to burn through her health while her Ki is still manageable.
Focus on breaking her Ki: parry or Burst Break red attacks, punish exhaustively when her Ki is low, and

Best weapons and builds for Jakotsu-baba fight

For Jakotsu-baba, the most effective setups lean into high mobility and fast punish windows rather than slow, heavy swings.

Overall best weapon choices

Kusarigama (top pick): Fast strings, great range on the chain, and strong synergy with ninjutsu for a very safe, mobile playstyle.
Light katana / ninja sword: Quick attacks, easy access to dodge-cancel tech and stance skills that let you get in, hit once or twice, and get out.
Odachi (for big-hit fans): High damage and Ki damage, very strong when you already know her patterns and are comfortable with slower swings.

If you are struggling to read her attacks, start with kusarigama or a light sword; once you’re comfortable, you can swap to Odachi for shorter fights.

Recommended ninja kusarigama build

Main stats:
- Dexterity: Boosts ninjutsu damage and capacity, the core of this build.
- Stamina/Vigor (HP): Enough to survive a couple of mistakes while learning the fight.
- Strength or Skill: Match the scaling on your kusarigama to raise weapon damage.
Key perks and passives:
- Elixir-type damage/defense buff right after healing.
- Dodge Ki-cost reduction and Ki-on-perfect-dodge for sustained mobility.
- Any bonuses vs yokai or vs poisoned/element-affected enemies are great if you inflict status.
Core ninjutsu tools:
- Shuriken / elemental shuriken, kunai, and similar ranged tools to chip her safely.
- A jump-stagger ninjutsu (jump, projectile, then hold Triangle after Circle) that can interrupt her if timed before her swing.
- Evasion/”mist” style skills that give extra safety when dodge-canceling out of her long strings.

Playstyle: stay just outside her snake range, pepper her with tools, then use kusarigama’s reach to punish after whiffs; rely on jump-stagger and Burst Counter for big Ki damage instead of extended melee combos.

Samurai / strength Odachi build

Main stats:
- Strength: Primary damage scaling for Odachi.
- Toughness/HP: Enough armor to survive hits while staying under ~70% equip load to keep a good dodge.
Weapon and skills:
- Odachi heavy attacks and Ki-focused moves that chunk her Ki bar when she overextends.
- Deflect / guard-counter passives from the samurai tree to punish blocked hits.

Playstyle: rely on blocking or spacing her snake strings, then using a single heavy or short heavy combo to punish; prioritize Ki breaks and use your yokai/guardian ultimate when she’s at low HP to finish quickly.

Hybrid “safe” setup tips

Always carry some ranged option (bow or kunai) to finish her when she’s low without rushing into grabs.
Use a Yoki-type soul core for a Power-Talisman-like attack buff and a strong summon (e.g., Mezuki) in the other slot for burst damage.
Focus your build on mobility and Ki economy first, then damage; surviving longer lets you actually learn her patterns and makes any weapon choice more viable.