What to know
- Bear’s Bane Fire is an Axe Transformed Martial Art in the Samurai style.
- It is unlocked after defeating Onryoki at the Katsura River bridge in Heian.
- You must obtain the Onryoki Soul Core to make the skill available.
- The skill delivers a fire-ignited slam with shockwave and flame jet AOE damage.
In Nioh 3, weapon arts are often tied to boss encounters and Soul Core progression. Bear’s Bane Fire is one such unlock, connected directly to defeating Onryoki near the Katsura River bridge in the Heian region.
If you are running an Axe-focused Samurai build, this is one of the strongest mid-game transformed arts available, combining elemental pressure with heavy burst damage.
Nioh 3 Bear’s Bane Fire details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Skill Name | Bear’s Bane Fire |
| Weapon Type | Axe |
| Combat Style | Samurai |
| Region Unlock | Heian (Katsura River bridge) |
| Boss Requirement | Defeat Onryoki |
| Soul Core acquired | Onryoki Soul Core |
| Martial Art Type | Transformed Art |
| Skill Cost | 2 Samurai Points |
| Prerequisite Skill | Bear’s Bane |
Nioh 3 Bear’s Bane Fire skill unlock location
The unlock takes place in the Heian region, specifically at the Katsura River bridge in Sagano. As you approach the bridge area, you will encounter Onryoki, a returning Yokai boss known for heavy strikes and high durability.
How to unlock Bear’s Bane Fire skill
Unlike basic Samurai arts that unlock purely through skill tree investment, Bear’s Bane Fire requires both combat progression and skill prerequisites.
First, you must defeat Onryoki at the Katsura River bridge. Upon victory, you collect the Onryoki Soul Core. This unlocks access to associated transformed martial arts tied to Axe progression.
Next, you must already have Bear’s Bane, the base Axe martial art. Bear’s Bane typically becomes available after progressing through the Samurai skill tree and unlocking High Stance. Once Bear’s Bane is learned, Bear’s Bane Fire becomes selectable in the Samurai martial arts menu.
Finally, you spend 2 Samurai Points to learn Bear’s Bane Fire once it appears in the tree.
Without defeating Onryoki, the transformed version will not appear in your skill options.
What Bear’s Bane Fire does in combat
Bear’s Bane Fire is a transformed martial art, meaning it modifies the base Bear’s Bane into an enhanced elemental version.
When activated:
- Your Axe becomes ignited with fire.
- You perform a heavy downward slam into the ground.
- Upon impact, a shockwave erupts outward, followed by a jet of flame.
- Multiple nearby enemies take damage from both physical and fire components.
The attack carries a high Ki cost and noticeable recovery frames, making it a high-commitment move. However, the damage output and area control make it extremely rewarding when used correctly.
Skill progression structure
| Requirement | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Weapon Type | Must be using Axe |
| Combat Style | Samurai |
| Base Skill | Bear’s Bane unlocked |
| Boss Defeated | Onryoki at Katsura River bridge |
| Soul Core Obtained | Onryoki Soul Core |
| Samurai Points Needed | 2 |
Martial art combat profile
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Damage Type | Physical + Fire |
| Range | Medium AOE |
| Ki Cost | High |
| Recovery | Long |
| Elemental Effect | Builds Fire status |
| Best Use Case | After a stagger or as a finisher |
Because it deals elemental fire damage, it contributes toward burn buildup, which can interrupt enemy rhythm and apply ongoing pressure.
Best situations to use Bear’s Bane Fire
Bear’s Bane Fire performs best in controlled situations. If you attempt to use it while surrounded by fast enemies without stagger advantage, you risk being punished during recovery.
It excels when:
- An enemy’s Ki has been broken
- Multiple enemies are clustered together
- You are finishing a heavy combo chain
- A boss is temporarily stunned
The shockwave component makes it effective for crowd control, particularly in Sagano, where enemy packs can group near bridges and open spaces.
Onryoki Soul Core’s importance
The Onryoki Soul Core does more than enable the martial art unlock. Soul Cores in Nioh 3 often carry thematic synergy with associated skills. While Bear’s Bane Fire does not directly consume the Soul Core, defeating Onryoki serves as the progression gate tied to unlocking the transformed art.
This design reinforces the connection between boss encounters and advanced weapon arts.
Combat synergy and Ki management for Bear’s Bane Fire
To unlock Bear’s Bane Fire in Nioh 3, travel to the Katsura River bridge in the Heian region, defeat Onryoki, collect the Onryoki Soul Core, and ensure you have already learned Bear’s Bane in the Samurai Axe tree. After spending 2 Samurai Points, the transformed fire version becomes available.
Because Bear’s Bane Fire consumes significant Ki, pairing it with strong Ki management is essential. Using it after a well-timed Ki Pulse ensures you do not exhaust yourself mid-animation. Axe users benefit most when alternating between sustained pressure and explosive finishers like this one.
Against armored Yokai or high-health elites, the combined physical and fire damage helps break defensive patterns more efficiently than standard Axe swings.
For Axe-focused Samurai builds, this skill offers powerful area control, strong burst potential, and elemental pressure that scales well into mid-game encounters. Used carefully, it becomes one of the most satisfying finishers in the Heian region.
