'Nioh 2' Guide: Best Weapons For Beginners

Even by normal “Souls”-like standards, “Nioh 2” can be brutally difficult. There are plenty of mechanics that players have to fight against to keep them from getting obliterated in just one hit. There are quite a number of options to help players fight back, but the game’s wide selection of weaponry stands as the primary means of self-defense against every threat.

Each weapon in “Nioh 2” has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Some specialize in certain styles of combat while others are more versatile than the rest. Beginners will want to stick with the latter, especially those who haven’t played the previous “Nioh,” since this game plays very differently from the rest of the titles in the genre.

The player’s choice of weapon will dictate which stats they level up and how they approach each combat situation. The latter cannot be overlooked as each weapon in the game not only has its own moveset, but also has unique active skills that further set them apart from the rest of the arsenal.

“Nioh 2” is more combo heavy than any other game in its genre, which is why mastery over one or two weapons is required for players to deal the most amount of damage to enemies, especially in the late game.

With that out of the way, the best beginner weapons in “Nioh 2” are the Spear and the Sword by virtue of versatility.

Spear weapons have long reach and they have decent options against groups and single targets. Players can combo their attacks into hard-hitting moves without compromising safety as much as the other weapons, as most enemies will be out of range when the attacks end. This weapon is simple to use, but it also offers plenty of avenues for complex play once players get used to the game’s combat system.

On the other hand, the sword is a more difficult weapon to use. It has a shorter range than the spear and most of its strongest attacks demand perfect positioning and timing. However, the sword’s basic attacks are fast and hit decently well, keeping players mobile without sacrificing DPS. While this weapon type is harder to use, it’s also great for teaching new players the value of proper positioning and attacking during moments of opportunity.

Of course, players are free to use whichever weapon they want, but these two should prove to be excellent starter weapon types for those who are new to “Nioh.”