- What to know
- Nioh 3 Handbook: Falcon Strike location
- Location to find Handbook: Falcon Strike in Nioh 3
- Nasu no Yoichi duel rewards
- How the unlock works after obtaining the handbook
- What Falcon Strike does in combat
- When to use Falcon Strike effectively
- Why Falcon Strike is worth unlocking
- Handbook: Falcon Strike uses in Nioh 3
What to know
- Handbook: Falcon Strike is obtained in Nishiichi near the Driftwood Fortress Shrine.
- It drops from the Nasu no Yoichi Master duel along a Spirit Vein path.
- The skill has Ninja Sword and Splitstaff versions.
- Splitstaff requires Darting Cloud and 2 Ninja Points to unlock fully.
In Nioh 3, Handbooks unlock specialized martial arts that expand weapon styles beyond their base movesets. Handbook: Falcon Strike is one such item, tied to a Master encounter in the Nishiichi region. Once obtained, it allows you to learn Falcon Strike—a mobile aerial martial art suited for Ninja-focused builds.
If you’re building around speed, positioning, and aerial pressure, Falcon Strike adds flexibility that few other skills provide.
Nioh 3 Handbook: Falcon Strike location
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Item Name | Handbook: Falcon Strike |
| Region | Nishiichi |
| Landmark | Near Driftwood Fortress Shrine |
| Drop Source | Nasu no Yoichi Master duel |
| Path Type | Spirit Vein (southwest route) |
| Combat Style | Ninja |
| Weapon Variants | Ninja Sword, Splitstaff |
Location to find Handbook: Falcon Strike in Nioh 3
The Handbook is located in Nishiichi, specifically near the Driftwood Fortress Shrine. To reach it, you must follow a Spirit Vein path southwest of the main area. Spirit Veins in Nioh 3 often function as hidden side routes that contain rare equipment, martial art handbooks, or Master encounters.
As you move toward the southwest Spirit Vein route, look for a traverse point near the water shore. This traversal area leads toward the Master encounter.
At the end of this path, you will face Nasu no Yoichi in a Master duel. Defeating him rewards you with Handbook: Falcon Strike.
Nasu no Yoichi duel rewards
| Item Name | Type | Level | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan-Piercing Bow | Ranged Weapon | 114 | Purple (Epic) |
| Blessed Sleeve Ha | Armor (Arms) | 114 | Purple (Epic) |
| Kintaro’s Greaves | Armor (Legs) | 115 | Purple (Epic) |
| Moonprayer Waistguard | Armor (Waist) | 113 | Blue (Rare) |
| Yamato Uchigatana | Sword | 114 | Blue (Rare) |
| Samurai General’s Helmet | Armor (Head) | 112 | Blue (Rare) |
| Veteran’s Cuirass | Armor (Chest) | 112 | Purple (Epic) |
| Veteran’s Gauntlets | Armor (Arms) | 115 | Purple (Epic) |
| Elixir | Consumable | — | Storehouse Item |
How the unlock works after obtaining the handbook
Once you acquire the Handbook, Falcon Strike becomes available within the appropriate Ninja skill tree. However, the exact unlock process depends on the weapon type you intend to use.
Ninja Sword version
For the Ninja Sword variant, the unlock is tied to defeating the specific Master enemy—Nasu no Yoichi. Once the handbook is obtained, the skill becomes available for learning within the Ninja martial arts section. No additional prerequisite art is required beyond standard Ninja progression.
Splitstaff version
The Splitstaff version requires additional preparation. You must first learn Darting Cloud, another Ninja-style martial art. Once Darting Cloud is unlocked, Falcon Strike becomes available in the Ninja skill tree for 2 Ninja Points.
This progression ensures you are already familiar with aerial or mobility-focused mechanics before gaining access to Falcon Strike’s extended version.
Skill progression requirements
| Requirement | Ninja Sword | Splitstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Handbook Obtained | Yes | Yes |
| Defeat Nasu no Yoichi | Required | Required |
| Prerequisite Skill | None specific | Darting Cloud |
| Points Required | Standard Ninja cost | 2 Ninja Points |
| Combat Style | Ninja | Ninja |
What Falcon Strike does in combat
Falcon Strike is built around aerial mobility and repositioning. The move differs slightly depending on weapon type but maintains a similar design philosophy: aggressive entry combined with disengagement.
With the Ninja Sword, Falcon Strike executes a mid-air roundhouse kick. If it connects, your character launches backward, creating space immediately after impact. This makes it ideal for hit-and-run tactics, especially against human enemies who pressure aggressively.
With the Splitstaff, Falcon Strike launches you forward into a spinning aerial strike. Holding the input charges the attack, extending the staff’s reach and finishing with greater range. When used in Ninja Style with Splitstaff, the move grants a +1 attack bonus, reinforcing its offensive utility.
Combat characteristics comparison
| Feature | Ninja Sword | Splitstaff |
|---|---|---|
| Movement Direction | Backward disengage | Forward launch |
| Charge Option | No | Yes |
| Range Scaling | Fixed | Extended when charged |
| Bonus Effect | Repositioning | +1 attack in Ninja Style |
| Best Use Case | Spacing and escape | Gap-closing and mobility |
When to use Falcon Strike effectively
Falcon Strike thrives in fast-paced encounters. It works particularly well against:
- Human Masters
- Agile Yokai
- Multi-enemy skirmishes
With Ninja Sword, it allows you to deal damage and instantly create space. This is valuable in duels where stamina pressure matters.
With Splitstaff, the extended charge option allows you to close gaps quickly and maintain offensive tempo. Because the move can be charged, it adapts to both short-range engagement and extended reach situations.
Its mobility aspect makes it especially effective for players who prefer fluid combat over static exchanges.
Why Falcon Strike is worth unlocking
Many martial arts in Nioh 3 emphasize raw damage or heavy commitment. Falcon Strike, by contrast, emphasizes movement and control. In Ninja builds, maintaining positional advantage is often more important than landing a single heavy blow.
By unlocking Falcon Strike, you gain:
- Aerial flexibility
- Offensive repositioning
- Improved combo flow
- Tactical disengagement options
These advantages scale well into later regions where enemy aggression increases.
Handbook: Falcon Strike uses in Nioh 3
To unlock Handbook: Falcon Strike in Nioh 3, travel to Nishiichi near the Driftwood Fortress Shrine, follow the southwest Spirit Vein path, and defeat Nasu no Yoichi in a Master duel. Once acquired, the skill becomes available in the Ninja tree, with the Splitstaff version requiring Darting Cloud and 2 Ninja Points.
Whether you use the Ninja Sword’s evasive roundhouse or the Splitstaff’s forward aerial launch, Falcon Strike adds dynamic movement to your Ninja arsenal. For players who value speed and positioning, it is one of the most versatile martial arts available in Nishiichi.
