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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Beat Tokugawa Kunimatsu by managing your Ki, waiting out his attack strings, and taking brief openings rather than forcing long combos. In the phase-two attacks described by GamesHedge, leave the path of his wind dash before its delayed blast and keep moving sideways when he vanishes to avoid the lightning follow-up. Ninja Style is a useful option, not a requirement.
Where the fight happens and how prepared to be
PowerPyx lists Tokugawa Kunimatsu as boss 14 in the main mission “Light of Hope,” at mission level 97. GamesHedge also places him in “Light of Hope” and recommends being around level 100 with solid gear. These are guide recommendations, not a hard level gate or a guarantee that a particular level will make the fight easy. [PowerPyx] [GamesHedge]
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Use a patient attack-and-reset rhythm
Learn the strings before looking for damage
On an early attempt, prioritize recognizing how long Kunimatsu’s sequences last and when he pauses. The Nioh 3 Official Web Manual advises guarding and observing unfamiliar enemies; it says, “When an enemy finishes their attack, they will be open to a counterattack.” Treat the end of a sequence—not a momentary lull during it—as your cue to act. [Nioh 3 Official Web Manual]
Keep enough Ki to defend or escape
Attacking and guarding both consume Ki. The manual warns that at zero Ki you cannot attack or guard, leaving you highly vulnerable if hit. Avoid spending the entire gauge on offense or holding guard through every part of a string. If your Ki is low, create distance and pause to recover; Samurai Style can also restore Ki with Ki Pulse after attacks. [Nioh 3 Official Web Manual]
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Take a short punish, then disengage
GamesHedge recommends backward dodges against Kunimatsu’s sword range, then counterattacking after he misses or completes a combo. Some long combos and magic attacks leave brief pauses. Use those moments for a small, safe punish and reset rather than extending into a long combo before he is clearly finished. [GamesHedge]
Handle the phase-two wind dash and vanish
Move off the wind trail
GamesHedge describes a wind-infused forward dash that leaves a delayed explosive line. Do not rush back along the dash path as soon as Kunimatsu passes: move well clear of that line and wait for the delayed blast to finish before approaching. [GamesHedge]
Run sideways when he disappears
If Kunimatsu vanishes, keep moving sideways until the aerial lightning strike lands. Staying in motion across the arena is the response GamesHedge recommends for this follow-up. [GamesHedge]
Choose a style that fits your defense
The encounter guides favor Ninja Style with Dual Ninja Swords (PowerPyx) or Dual Swords (GamesHedge), but the official manual describes meaningful trade-offs rather than a mandatory setup. [PowerPyx] [GamesHedge]
| Style | What it supports | Best fit if you prefer |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja | Effective dodging and ranged Ninjutsu | Evasion and using ranged tools selectively |
| Samurai | Less Ki lost while guarding and Ki Pulse recovery after attacks | Guarding more often and recovering Ki through attack timing |
PowerPyx recommends Ninja Style and Dual Ninja Swords for this encounter, but that is a guide’s recommendation, not evidence that other setups cannot work. Community discussion mentions parry skills and practicing deflects or evasion; treat that as player advice, not an official requirement. [PowerPyx] [Reddit discussion]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use Ninjutsu and summons only when there is room
PowerPyx suggests Ninjutsu and summons as ways to pressure Kunimatsu’s Ki. GamesHedge cautions that poorly timed Ninjutsu or magic can be punished, especially in phase two. Cast when he is committed to a long attack and you are safely out of range; do not trade a safe opening for a cast while he can immediately reach you. [PowerPyx] [GamesHedge]
What to focus on if you keep losing
- You run out of Ki: Shorten your punish and stop guarding continuously through full strings. Make space to recover before re-engaging.
- You get hit while attacking: Wait for the completed sequence or a clearly finished long attack, then take a brief opening.
- The delayed wind blast catches you: Leave the dash’s line entirely and wait for the explosion rather than following Kunimatsu immediately.
- The vanish attack lands: Start moving sideways as soon as he disappears and continue until the lightning strike resolves.
- Your ranged cast gets punished: Save Ninjutsu or magic for a long committed attack when you have safe distance.
The cited encounter guides do not state a patch number, so their specific attack descriptions may be version-sensitive. They do not establish a guaranteed cheese strategy, a definitive elemental weakness, or a universally optimal build.
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