Nioh 3 – Mezuki Boss Guide

As you continue exploring the open areas and uncovering side quests and hidden challenges in Nioh 3, you will encounter one of the very familiar bosses that you fought in all Nioh games, which is Mezuki.

In this guide, we’ll go over all his attack patterns, how to avoid them effectively, and how to ultimately defeat Mezuki.

Note

This is part of our Nioh 3 – Guides And Walkthrough Hub, so if you want more content, guides or walkthrough about the game be sure to check it out.

Where To Find Mezuki

Mezuki can be found in the south area called Tokaido. Southwest of this area, you will be able to spot a tower from a distance. Approach it and you will find the horse-head Yokai roaming around, ready to fight you.

Mezuki is a large Yokai boss that wields a huge cleaver-like weapon capable of smashing through anything in his path.

This boss fight also features a Dark Realm that empowers all Yokai in the area. While it strengthens Mezuki, it also boosts your Spirit Force gain and Guardian Spirit skills.

Keep this in mind because it will happen a few times during the boss fight depending on how much time it takes you to kill him.

Mezuki Attacks

Mezuki often opens with a wide cleaver swing. He lifts the weapon overhead, spins it, and then swings in a broad arc in front of him. This is easy to dodge if you step back as soon as you see him spin the cleaver.

Next, he might throw a black flame swipe with his hand. He stands still and slashes short-range flames, but do not worry, you can avoid this by keeping a little distance or running away from it.

After these basic attacks, he steps up the pressure with the triple cleaver smash. Mezuki pulls back and slams the cleaver down three times in quick succession while stepping forward.

If you sidestep each hit, you will not need to back up, and you can even look for a moment to counterattack when he pauses.

He can also use a cleaver upper slash. Mezuki spins the weapon like before and swings upward.

This move usually comes after one of his standard slashes, so it feels natural in the sequence. Watch the twirl as a signal to move back. You can still try to move sideways, but it does not always work.

Ranged Attacks

The next set of attacks introduces ranged pressure, especially when you are constantly backing up and keeping distance from him.

Mezuki can perform a double ranged slash, where he pauses mid-range and swings twice to send forward shockwaves. Move to the side to avoid the linear waves.

But do not let your guard down because he may follow with two black flame skulls from his mouth that slowly chase you. Once you pick a direction and keep moving, they disappear safely.

Once he senses you getting comfortable, he mixes in bigger threats. The cleaver smash AOE is a charged slam that releases a shockwave all around him. Step back as soon as the cleaver starts glowing, or the wave will hit hard.

Foot attacks come after this pressure. Mezuki lifts a foot and stomps with force. Avoid the stomp by watching the lift and stepping away. If you dodge it, you can safely move in for combos.

The left hand sweep is another mid-tier attack. He swings it wide, and the damage is strong if it lands. You can guard or dodge, but keeping some space is usually safer.

Finally, the most dangerous attacks happen when Mezuki goes all-in. The Burst Attack is telegraphed with a red aura, followed by a fast charge.

Perfect timing with Burst Break will leave him open, otherwise you can still dodge or create distance.

Mezuki Fight Strategy

Just like all boss fights in any soulslike game, including Nioh, this fight is about patience and timing.

Mezuki is slow in his attacks, so paying attention to his movement and patterns is key. You want to always keep a good distance and predict which attack he will use next.

His cleaver swings, black flame swipe, and triple smash are easier to read if you are not right on top of him. Step back or sideways to avoid his most obvious strikes.

When he charges the cleaver with energy, do not stay near him. Run away as soon as you see the glow, then return when it finishes. This attack gives a brief opening to land a few strong hits.

If you approach Mezuki from the front or side, this is safer than trying to hit him from behind. His bucking attack can catch you off guard, and if you try to block it, it will break your guard and leave you vulnerable.

After a big combo like the triple cleaver smash or cleaver swing, Mezuki takes a second to recharge. This is the perfect moment to use your strongest attacks or Living Artifact.

When he starts the Burst Attack, watch the red aura closely. You can stop the lunge completely with a well-timed Burst Break, but given he is among the first few bosses you will encounter, you will probably miss, so just keep distance.

His ranged attacks, fire and shockwave attacks, as said before, just plan your escape route around them and keep running, but do not overuse your Ki for it.

Patience is yet again the biggest key to winning. Mezuki’s attacks can chip a large amount of your health and leave you low on Elixirs.

So going in for a few hits and then backing off, waiting for his next attack and opening before engaging again, is your winning strategy.

If you feel like you are underleveled for this boss fight, you can farm some enemies around and get Amrita to level up your character to get stronger.

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