
A potential drawback of playing Nioh 3 is that understanding Japanese folklore can be helpful, as some story elements aren’t fully explained in the game. For example, the challenging boss Ibaraki Doji references events that players never actually witness, leaving some of his dialogue confusing.
In Japanese folklore, Ibaraki Doji was a fearsome demon known for her strength. She lost an arm in a battle with the hero Watanabe no Tsuna. Because of this, she often mentions her missing limb, which has been replaced by a powerful, magical claw with incredibly sharp talons.
She’s received an anime-style makeover, transforming her into a conventionally attractive character with a revealing outfit and suggestive fighting style. On top of that, she’s a very difficult opponent, so you’ll need some strategies to defeat her.
Nioh 3: Ibaraki Doji’s Moves & Attacks

Image Via Team Ninja
Ibaraki Doji wields a huge, curved sword that can strike from a great distance. She constantly covers both her blade and crystal arm with lightning magic, making her attacks much more powerful.
| Attack | Description | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Lunge | Ibaraki Doji pulls her sword back, then lunges forward with her blade. | Parry or block. |
| Lightning Blades | Ibaraki Doji lifts her sword above her head, then fires off several lightning blades in an arc. | These can be blocked/parried, but Ninja dodge is safer. |
| Lightning Wave | Ibaraki Doji swings her sword and fires off a massive AoE wave of lightning. | This back be blocked/parried. |
| Lightning Arms | Ibaraki Doji conjures several replicas of her crystal arm and tries to slap the player. | Ninja dodge away from them. |
| Lightning Slap | Ibaraki Doji performs two sword swipes, leaps back, then conjures arms that crash forward into the player. | Parry the sword swipes, then dash forward towards her to avoid the hands. |
| Crimson Pokes | Ibaraki Doji flashes crimson, then summons four arms that strike the player at once. | Use Burse Break Counter (R2) when the hands connect with the player. |
| Big Lightning Hand | Ibaraki Doji clutches her crystal arm. She summons a giant replica arm, shrouded by lightning bolts, then slams it into the ground. A few seconds later, it creates an AoE lightning blast. | Run away until the hand hits the ground. Then dash in towards Ibaraki Doji for some free hits. |
| Kiss The Foot | Ibaraki Doji’s crystal hand glows black and yellow. She then swings her arm out, sending an energy whip forward to grab the player. | This is Ibaraki Doji’s most dangerous move. Just dodge to the side when she’s about to swing her arm. |
Ibaraki Doji mainly attacks with lightning, so gear, items, or spells that lower lightning damage will be very helpful during the battle.
How to Beat Ibaraki Doji in Nioh 3

Image Via Team Ninja
Okay, so as a fan, let me tell you, Ibaraki Doji looks amazing. She really has it all – she’s super fast and strong, can hit enemies from a distance, does area-of-effect damage, and even has lightning attacks! Plus, she’s got those awesome abs, and her special throw is so quick, it can interrupt whatever you’re already doing – like right in the middle of your own attack combo. She’s a powerhouse!
After you get used to how she fights, you’ll notice some of her attacks leave her open for a while. While her grab can be frustrating, she’s defenseless immediately afterward. Her Big Lightning Hand and Lightning Slap attacks also have the same weakness – she’s stuck moving for a long time, giving you a chance to attack or heal.
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Ibaraki Doji frequently attacks with her sword, which means you can block those attacks to recover stamina – provided you’ve unlocked the necessary upgrades. Her hands are the most challenging part of the fight; they move unpredictably and quickly, so dodging is your best strategy. Once you learn her attack patterns, you’ll be able to defeat her and progress in Nioh 3.
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2026-02-06 11:20