- What to know
- Nioh 3 Counteroffensive Evade details
- Location to unlock Counteroffensive Evade in Nioh 3
- How to unlock it after finding the text
- What Counteroffensive Evade does in combat
- Why it fits Ninja builds perfectly
- Practical combat scenarios
- Why this unlock is easy to miss
- Counteroffensive Evade in Nioh 3
What to know
- Counteroffensive Evade is a Ninja secret skill, not a standard martial art.
- It is unlocked by finding a Secret Skill Text near Driftwood Fortress in the Heian region.
- The text is obtained from a dead body above a shabby shed.
- When triggered correctly, a successful evade automatically follows up with a counterattack.
In Nioh 3, many advanced combat abilities are not unlocked through simple skill point investment. Instead, they require exploration and discovery. Counteroffensive Evade falls into this category. It enhances your Ninja build by rewarding precise timing—turning defense into immediate offense.
If you favor mobility-heavy combat and reactive play, this skill significantly increases your pressure potential.
Nioh 3 Counteroffensive Evade details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Skill Name | Counteroffensive Evade |
| Skill Type | Ninja Secret Skill |
| Region | Heian |
| Starting Point | Driftwood Fortress |
| Unlock Method | Secret Skill Text from dead body |
| Activation | Timed evade triggers counterattack |
| Best For | Dodge-focused Ninja builds |
Location to unlock Counteroffensive Evade in Nioh 3
The unlock begins in the Heian region, specifically at Driftwood Fortress. From the fortress area, you must travel outward and explore the surrounding terrain rather than staying on the main path.
As you move away from the fortress, look for a small, shabby shed structure. It appears worn and partially isolated compared to larger buildings nearby. Inside the shed, you will find a dead body.
Interact with the body to collect the Secret Skill Text for Counteroffensive Evade. This item permanently unlocks the skill once used at a Shrine.
Unlike standard Ninja skills that cost points immediately, this one requires the text first. Without collecting it, the skill will not appear in your Ninja skill tree.
How to unlock it after finding the text
Once you obtain the Secret Skill Text:
Travel to any Shrine in the region.
Use the Shrine interface to pray and apply the Secret Skill Text.
After using it, Counteroffensive Evade becomes permanently available in your Ninja Skill tree.
At that point, you can equip it as part of your Ninja skill loadout.
This system mirrors how other secret or advanced abilities function in Nioh 3—exploration unlocks access, then skill integration completes the process.
What Counteroffensive Evade does in combat
Counteroffensive Evade modifies your dodge mechanics. Normally, an evade simply repositions you away from danger. With this skill active, a properly timed dodge automatically triggers a counterattack animation toward the enemy you just avoided.
The mechanic functions as follows:
When an enemy attack is about to land, you perform an evade.
If your timing is precise, the game registers it as a successful counter window.
Your character immediately transitions into a quick retaliatory strike.
This turns dodging from a purely defensive maneuver into an offensive setup tool.
Combat mechanics breakdown
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Trigger Condition | Correctly timed evade |
| Result | Automatic counterattack |
| Damage Type | Weapon-based |
| Ki Cost | Minimal beyond normal dodge |
| Risk | Mistimed dodge = no counter |
The key factor is timing. If you dodge too early or too late, the counterattack will not activate. Precision is rewarded.
Why it fits Ninja builds perfectly
Ninja builds in Nioh 3 emphasize agility, spacing, and rapid repositioning. Counteroffensive Evade complements this philosophy by encouraging constant movement.
Rather than blocking heavy hits or trading blows, you avoid damage entirely and punish immediately. It also pairs well with skills that restore Ki or Arts gauge upon successful evasion, making sustained mobility more viable.
In aggressive encounters—especially against human enemies—this creates a fluid combat loop where dodging becomes your primary attack trigger.
Practical combat scenarios
Counteroffensive Evade performs best against enemies with predictable attack patterns. Human Masters and weapon-based foes often telegraph strikes clearly, allowing you to time your dodge precisely.
Against Yokai with wide AOE attacks, positioning becomes more important, but the counter still provides quick chip damage while maintaining safety.
The skill is less effective if you rely on constant blocking, since it requires proactive evasion to function.
Why this unlock is easy to miss
The shabby shed near Driftwood Fortress is not part of the main mission path. Players who move directly between objectives may overlook it entirely. Because the skill text is tied to a dead body rather than a chest or boss, it can be easy to pass by without interacting.
Exploration beyond primary routes is essential for unlocking secret Ninja skills like this one.
Counteroffensive Evade in Nioh 3
To unlock Counteroffensive Evade in Nioh 3, travel from Driftwood Fortress in the Heian region, locate the shabby shed, and search the dead body inside to obtain the Secret Skill Text. Use it at a Shrine to permanently unlock the skill in your Ninja tree.
Once equipped, the skill transforms your dodge into a retaliatory tool, rewarding precise timing with automatic counterattacks. For players who prefer agile, reactive combat, Counteroffensive Evade adds a layer of offensive depth to every evasive movement.
