- What to know
- Nioh 3 Morning Moon Impact skill details
- Location to unlock Morning Moon Impact in Nioh 3
- How to unlock Morning Moon Impact step-by-step
- What Morning Moon Impact does in combat
- Combat properties at a glance
- Relationship to Morning Moon (base skill)
- When to use Morning Moon Impact
- Why this unlock is easy to miss
What to know
- Morning Moon Impact is a Samurai Sword martial art.
- It is unlocked by interacting with a Chijiko near the Katsura River bridge in Heian.
- You must shoot the Chijiko near the cliff, then pet it to unlock the skill.
- The skill delivers a jumping shockwave slash with high Ki cost and long recovery.
In Nioh 3, advanced martial arts are often tied to exploration rather than just skill tree progression. Morning Moon Impact is one of those hidden unlocks. While it belongs to the Samurai Sword path, you don’t obtain it simply by spending points. Instead, you must locate and interact with a Chijiko creature in the Heian region.
This guide explains exactly where to find it, what to do, and how the skill fits into your Samurai build.
Nioh 3 Morning Moon Impact skill details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Skill Name | Morning Moon Impact |
| Weapon Type | Sword |
| Combat Style | Samurai |
| Region | Heian |
| Exact Location | Near Katsura River bridge |
| Unlock Method | Shoot and pet a Chijiko |
| Skill Type | Advanced / Follow-up Martial Art |
| Effect | Jumping slash that releases a shockwave |
Location to unlock Morning Moon Impact in Nioh 3
The unlock location is in the Heian region, specifically near the Katsura River bridge in the Sagano area. You’ll need to explore along the bridge and nearby cliffs.
Look for a Chijiko positioned near a lower cliff edge on the downside of the bridge area. It does not immediately approach you.
How to unlock Morning Moon Impact step-by-step
Step 1
Travel to the Heian region and make your way to the Katsura River bridge area.
Step 2
Search along the lower cliffside beneath or near the bridge. You will spot a Chijiko creature positioned slightly below your level.
Use a ranged weapon to shoot the Chijiko. This does not kill it—it causes it to react.
Step 3
After being shot, the Chijiko will move up toward your position.
Step 4
Interact with it and pet the Chijiko.
Once you pet it, the game immediately unlocks Morning Moon Impact for your Samurai Sword martial arts.
No Samurai Points are required for the unlock itself—this is exploration-triggered.
What Morning Moon Impact does in combat
Morning Moon Impact is an advanced version of the base Morning Moon martial art. It functions as a follow-up attack that launches you into a leaping slash, sending out a shockwave upon impact.
In practical terms, the skill:
- Covers significant forward distance
- Deals strong Ki damage
- Hits multiple enemies in front of you
- Leaves you with noticeable recovery time
It is designed as a high-commitment finisher rather than a safe poke. The shockwave makes it particularly useful against grouped enemies or when punishing staggered opponents.
Combat properties at a glance
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Activation | Follow-up to a quick attack |
| Mobility | Forward leap |
| Range | Medium to long due to shockwave |
| Ki Cost | High |
| Recovery | Long |
| Best Use Case | Punishing staggered enemies |
Because of the high Ki cost, using this skill without proper Ki management can leave you vulnerable. Pairing it with Ki Pulse timing improves its reliability in extended fights.
Relationship to Morning Moon (base skill)
Although this version is unlocked via Chijiko interaction, it functions as an advanced extension of the Morning Moon concept. The base Morning Moon skill must already be part of your Samurai sword progression for you to integrate Impact effectively into your rotation.
If you are progressing through the Samurai Sword arts naturally, you’ll likely already have the base art unlocked via Samurai Points earned from combat.
When to use Morning Moon Impact
Morning Moon Impact shines in specific scenarios:
- After breaking an enemy’s Ki
- When enemies are clustered
- As a punish after a missed enemy attack
- During boss stagger windows
It is less effective when spammed recklessly due to its recovery frames. Treat it as a decisive strike rather than a filler move.
Why this unlock is easy to miss
To unlock Morning Moon Impact in Nioh 3, head to the Katsura River bridge in the Heian region, locate the Chijiko near the lower cliff, shoot it to draw it closer, and then pet it to receive the skill. Once unlocked, it becomes a powerful Sword martial art that delivers a leaping shockwave strike ideal for punishing staggered enemies.
Unlike most martial arts that appear clearly in the Samurai skill tree, Morning Moon Impact is tied to environmental interaction. If you rush through Sagano or ignore the cliffside near Katsura River bridge, you may never encounter the Chijiko required to unlock it.
Exploration in Heian often rewards hidden martial arts, and this is one of the better examples of that design.
If you’re building a Samurai Sword-focused character, this skill adds a strong finishing option to your kit. Just remember: high damage comes with high Ki cost—use it with precision.
