• Target Boss: Baba Nobuharu (Level 39 mandatory encounter).
  • Location: Futamata Castle (Far North).
  • Primary Weakness: Lightning damage / Electrified status.
  • Optimal Playstyle: Constant swapping between Ninja (mobility) and Samurai (high-burst damage) stances.
  • Key Utility: Bloodedge Demon Soul Core (Yang) and Sudama Soul Core (Yin).

The Futamata Castle Wall: Beating Baba Nobuharu

If you thought Jakotsu-baba was a hurdle, Baba Nobuharu is the reality check of Nioh 3. This is a mandatory level 39 encounter at the end of the Futamata Castle reclamation quest. We’ve found that the difficulty curve spikes significantly here, so don't even think about walking into this arena under-leveled. Our take? Spend some time in the newly unlocked regions to farm gear before committing to this fight.

The director of Nioh 3 recently noted that Lies of P served as a major inspiration for these boss encounters, and it shows. The precision required for Burst Breaks and the complexity of elemental applications demand a much tighter grasp of the game's core mechanics than previous entries.

Preparation and Elemental Meta

Going in with a standard physical build is a recipe for disaster. Nobuharu is a water-damage powerhouse, meaning you need to stack water resistance and counter with a lightning-focused loadout. Lightning doesn't just do damage here; it’s essential for staggering his Ki bar.

Recommended Loadout

  • Guardian Spirits: Equipping Shin-Roku or Nekomata is non-negotiable for lightning application. Nekomata’s Thunderclaw Kick is particularly effective as a repositioning tool that still applies pressure.
  • Soul Cores: Slot the Bloodedge Demon in your Yang position for massive lightning bursts. Use the Sudama core in the Yin position to access a reliable lightning bolt spell.
  • Ninjutsu: Uncanny Bolt is your bread and butter for ranged elemental buildup. If you have the capacity, Pinwheel Shurikens offer great raw damage even without the elemental proc.
  • Essential Skills: Make sure you’ve grabbed Supreme Parry and Enduring Destruction from the Hamamatsu Castle Town area. These provide crucial healing and damage buffs following a successful Burst Break.

Combat Strategy: Stance Swapping is Key

To win this fight, you have to move away from camping in a single style. We recommend using the Ninja style to maintain distance and bait out attacks, then swapping to Samurai style to capitalize on openings with high Arts Proficiency combos. Use Flux stances to keep your Ki high while switching.

Decoding Nobuharu’s Moveset

  • The Mirage: This is his most frustrating mechanic. When steam vents from his arm, he’s about to feint. If you parry the first thing you see, you’re going to get punished. Wait for the fake attack to dissipate before timing your actual parry.
  • Burst Break (Red Glow): He’ll charge a heavy two-hit combo. If you time your style shift correctly, you can interrupt the first hit, leaving him wide open for a Samurai-style Flux combo.
  • The Grab (Yellow/Grey Embers): He uses his claw arm for this. Do not try to parry it—dodge to the side. This is your best window to get behind him for backstab damage in Ninja style.
  • Wave and Water Slice: He drags his axe to trigger a water blast or fires three blue blades. Side-stepping is usually enough, but be wary of the axe drag following up with a spinning attack.

Rewards and Progression

Downing Nobuharu isn't just a pride point; it’s a massive loot drop. Players will walk away with the Demon of Mino’s Charma Samurai Lock for skill progression, and a significant amount of Amrita. Once the dust settles, Hattori Hanzo will appear to move the narrative forward.

Our final pro-tip: Don't sleep on the Frost Moon skill on the Samurai tree. When combined with the lightning stagger from Nekomata’s Living Artifact mode, you can effectively lock Nobuharu down for massive chunks of the fight.