Nioh 2 Boss Guide – How to Beat Yatsu-no-Kami and Azai Nagamasa

Nioh 2’s third big boss is Yatsu-no-Kami, a giant snake that isn’t messing around. You’ll encounter it in the main mission “The Viper’s Sanctum” and should be at least level 27 to fight it. Start out attacking its body and avoid the tail swipes and poisonous daggers it fires at you. One attack that can take players by surprise is snakes that will shoot up from the ground – simply dodge or dash away from them and then attack the boss when there’s an opening.

Yatsu-no-Kami will also employ a sick lunging attack. Use Burst Counter to avoid it and attack when there’s an opening. Once the Dark Realm invades, two snakes will detach from Yatsu-no-Kami and attack. Avoid fighting them head-on – instead, back up and take down their health bars from a distance. Once the Dark Realm recedes, two more snakes will appear on the boss’s body. Repeat the same process to take them down as well.

Fire will be your best friend in this fight. Equip a Fire Amulet or the Inernal Oni-bi Soul Core to ignite your weapon and bring down Yatsu-no-Kami.

How to Beat Azai Nagamasa

Appearing in the mission “Bird in a Cage”, Azai Nagamasa seems mild-mannered enough.Until he takes on a demonic appearance and sprouts a single wing which can block any attacks. Use more High Stance attacks in this battle – one or two is enough and then back off before his wing can deflect the next.

Avoid his slices and watch out for the three whirlpools appear on the ground. They’ll shoot water out but can be avoided pretty easily. Azai will often use a jumping attack that can be blocked (dodging is trickier so avoid that). Then there’s his grab which can deal a good amount of damage so keep your Ki up and get away.

Once the Dark Realm arrives, the real battle begins. Azai will float up and fire some projectiles, sometimes following up with a dash. Burst Counter can be used to negate his dash when needed. You can move to the side with the Feral Burst Counter if you’re not confident about taking any the glowing red attacks head on though.

Azai will continue using the same combos and sometimes fire an energy slash with his sword – dodge or block these accordingly. When he’s low enough and in the Dark Realm, Azai will attempt to grab you so back off or dodge if Burst Counter isn’t working. Keep up the High Stance attacks and he should be dead.