What to know
- Raijin Lightning is unlocked in Iinoya, Warring States.
- You must fast travel to Omomiji Junction to begin the unlock process.
- Interact with Chijiko by shooting and then petting to trigger the unlock.
- It becomes available as a Transformed Art focused on Lightning damage and Shock buildup.
In Nioh 3, Transformed Arts function as enhanced skill variants that modify combat flow and elemental output. Raijin Lightning is one of the most aggressive Lightning-based options currently available, designed to amplify forward pressure while rapidly building Shock status.
Unlike traditional dojo trial unlocks, this skill is obtained through a hidden field interaction in a specific region.
Location to unlock Raijin Lightning in Nioh 3
The Raijin Lightning skill is unlocked in the Iinoya region during the Warring States arc. More specifically, the trigger begins at Omomiji Junction, which serves as the nearest fast travel point.
| Location Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Iinoya, Warring States |
| Fast Travel Point | Omomiji Junction |
| Unlock NPC | Chijiko |
| Skill Type | Transformed Art |
| Element | Lightning |
The area is accessible after progressing through the Warring States storyline content. Once unlocked, Omomiji Junction allows direct return access if you need to revisit the area.
How to unlock Raijin Lightning in Nioh 3
Unlocking this Transformed Art requires a specific interaction sequence involving Chijiko. The process is unusual and not immediately obvious unless you know the trigger steps.
Step 1
Fast travel to Omomiji Junction in Iinoya.
Step 2
Locate Chijiko within the area. Chijiko appears as an interactable NPC-type creature in the environment.
Step 3
Shoot Chijiko. This does not eliminate the character but triggers a reactive animation state.
Step 4
Approach and Pet Chijiko once prompted.
After completing this sequence, you will receive the unlock notification for Transformed Art: Raijin Lightning.
The interaction must occur in that order. Simply petting without the prior action does not trigger the unlock.
| Unlock Action | Required? |
|---|---|
| Fast Travel to Omomiji Junction | Yes |
| Locate Chijiko | Yes |
| Shoot Chijiko | Yes |
| Pet Chijiko | Yes |
| Complete Combat Trial | No |
This makes Raijin Lightning one of the more hidden field-based skill unlocks rather than a dojo challenge.
What Raijin Lightning does in Nioh 3
Raijin Lightning enhances your weapon with electrified energy and launches a forward-driving strike sequence. The skill delivers:
- Lightning elemental damage
- Rapid multi-hit pressure
- Shock status buildup
- Forward mobility for gap closing
The Shock status effect slows enemy movement and reduces their attack speed when fully applied, creating strong control potential in aggressive builds.
| Skill Attribute | Effect |
|---|---|
| Element | Lightning |
| Status Applied | Shock |
| Combat Role | Gap closer + Ki pressure |
| Build Type | Aggressive melee |
Because the skill moves you forward during activation, it functions both as offense and positioning tool.
Combat applications and strengths
Raijin Lightning excels in mid-range engagements where closing distance quickly is critical. It is particularly effective after:
- Enemy Ki breaks
- Burst Counters
- Stagger windows
The multi-hit nature contributes consistent Ki damage, allowing you to pressure enemies toward exhaustion.
| Enemy Type | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Large Yokai | High |
| Lightning-Weak Enemies | Very High |
| Fast Human Opponents | Moderate |
| High Resistance Bosses | Situational |
Against Lightning-weak enemies, Shock triggers quickly, creating sustained slowdown and increased combo safety.
Build synergy and optimization
Players focusing on elemental builds benefit most from Raijin Lightning. Synergies commonly include:
- Lightning Damage Boost gear modifiers
- Shock accumulation bonuses
- Lightning-aligned Guardian Spirits
- Ki damage amplification sets
When paired with Shock-enhancing gear, Raijin Lightning transitions from a mobility tool to a control engine.
| Build Component | Recommended Focus |
|---|---|
| Armor | Lightning bonus affixes |
| Accessories | Shock buildup increase |
| Guardian Spirit | Lightning synergy |
| Playstyle | High pressure melee |
Because Shock reduces enemy attack speed, this skill indirectly increases survivability in aggressive playstyles.
Comparison with other Lightning skills
Compared to standard Lightning-infused attacks, Raijin Lightning offers greater forward mobility and faster Shock application due to its multi-hit design.
| Skill Type | Mobility | Shock Speed | Ki Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Lightning Infusion | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Raijin Lightning | High | Fast | High |
This makes it particularly valuable in build setups designed around continuous aggression.
Why the unlock method is a good way to get transformed arts
Unlike many skills in Nioh 3 that require dojo trials or skill tree investments, Raijin Lightning’s unlock condition is tied to environmental interaction. The shoot-and-pet mechanic involving Chijiko adds a hidden discovery element to the Warring States region.
Once unlocked, the skill provides strong Lightning damage, rapid Shock buildup, and forward-driving mobility ideal for aggressive melee builds. With proper elemental synergy, it becomes one of the most reliable Lightning-based pressure tools currently available.
If your build revolves around elemental control and Ki dominance, Raijin Lightning is absolutely worth unlocking.
