What to know
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Unlock High and Low Stances early in the Samurai skill tree using Samurai Locks from missions and exploration.
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Switch stances by holding R1 and pressing Triangle for High, Square for Mid, or Circle for Low on PS5.
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Each stance alters attacks, Ki use, and defense: Low for evasion, Mid for balance, High for power.
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Practice fluid switching mid-combo to adapt to enemies and maximize damage.
Stance switching defines Samurai combat in Nioh 3, letting you adapt movesets on the fly for any fight. You start with Mid Stance, but unlocking the full trio transforms your playstyle.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Default Stance | Mid (balanced offense/defense, available immediately in Samurai mode) |
| Unlock Requirement | Samurai Locks for High/Low in skill tree; find in chests, missions, or by petting Chijiko |
| Controls (PS5) | Hold R1 + Triangle (High), Square (Mid), Circle (Low) |
| Controls (Xbox) | Hold RB + Y (High), X (Mid), B (Low) |
| Key Benefit | Stance-exclusive skills; switch anytime for versatility |
How to unlock High and Low Stances
Head to a shrine and open the menu to access skill trees during early missions like The Hamamatsu Incident.
Step 1: Collect Locks
Explore for chests near shrines or pet Chijiko creatures; complete sub-missions for more points.
Step 2: Open skill menu
From main menu, select Acquire Martial Arts/Ninjutsu.
Then choose the arts whose stance you want to change. For example, Samurai.
Step 3: Spend points
High Stance is above the Samurai icon, Low below, and Mid Stance in the middle; unlock them ASAP for full access.
How to switch stances in combat
Stance icons appear bottom-right; hold the interact/restore stance button (R1 on PS5) and tap the prompt.
Step 1: Enter Samurai mode
Equip a Samurai weapon; stances only work here, not Ninja.
Step 2: Hold R1 (PS5) or RB (Xbox)
This preps the switch; timing it post-Ki Pulse keeps momentum.
Step 3: Press face button
Triangle/Y for High, Square/X for Mid, Circle/B for Low; practice mid-combo for fluidity.
Step 4: Adjust settings if needed
In controls, tweak burst counter hold time to avoid accidental switches.
Controls for changing stances
Use these defaults while in Samurai Style; stance changes also trigger Ki Pulse for stamina recovery.
PlayStation and Xbox Controllers
| Stance | PlayStation | Xbox |
|---|---|---|
| High | R1 + Triangle | RB + Y |
| Mid | R1 + Square | RB + X |
| Low | R1 + X | RB + A |
PC Keyboard and Mouse
| Stance | Input |
|---|---|
| High | Shift + Mouse Scroll Up |
| Mid | Shift + Left Mouse Button |
| Low | Shift + Mouse Scroll Down |
Key locations
Grab your first Samurai Lock near the initial shrine in The Hamamatsu Incident, then unlock at any shrine.
| Stance | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best Weapons |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Massive damage, powerful combos | High Ki drain, slow dodge/block | Axes, odachi, switchglaives |
| Mid | Balanced attacks, good blocking | Average all-around | Most weapons |
| Low | Fast attacks/evasion, low Ki use | Lower damage | Swords, cestus |
No direct rewards table applies, as stances unlock via skill points rather than quest completion.
Advanced stance tactics
Start fights in Low to approach safely, shift to High for Ki breaks on openings, and fall back to Mid for sustained pressure. Pair with Flux skills for Ki recovery during switches to stay aggressive. Against tall foes, High overheads excel; use Low for quick status builds.
Mastering stance changes in Nioh 3 unlocks fluid, adaptive combat that turns tough encounters into triumphs. Practice in early areas to build muscle memory and experiment with weapon synergies.
