Nioh 3: Crucible Wraith Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide

There are 50 Crucible Wraiths in Nioh 3 — powered-up elite variants of every Yokai type scattered across all six maps.

Every locations is marked with exact approach directions and any access requirements on the Nioh 3 interactive maps, covering everything from Warring States to the Final Battle of Edo.

What Are Crucible Wraiths in Nioh 3?

Crucible Wraiths are enhanced versions of standard Yokai enemies, recognizable by their more aggressive attack patterns and higher health pools. They patrol specific spots across the open-world eras, inside Crucibles, and within mission maps.

Unlike standard enemies, each Wraith is a fixed, named encounter — they always appear in the same location and do not respawn as random enemies.

Not Required for Trophies — But Valuable Anyway

Crucible Wraiths are not required for any trophy or achievement. You can earn the Platinum without defeating a single one.

That said, skipping them locks you out of a significant portion of your build's potential — every Wraith you defeat makes a new Summoning Seal available.

Two Rewards Per Wraith: Soul Cores and Summoning Seals

Each Crucible Wraith drops a Soul Core of that enemy type and makes that enemy's Summoning Seal available for use via the Shrine menu.

Soul Cores feed directly into Soul Fusion, upgrading your Guardian Spirit's active abilities. Summoning Seals let you call that Yokai into battle as an ally — and the more powerful Seals are locked until the corresponding Wraith is defeated.

Defeating every Wraith across all 50 locations fully unlocks the complete Summoning Seal and Talisman catalogue. Each Wraith you defeat also contributes to your regional Exploration Level, with Level 4 revealing remaining Wraith locations as skull icons on your map.

Guardian Spirit-Gated Wraiths: Plan These for Later

Two Warring States Wraiths cannot be reached until after significant story progression in Heian:

Raiju (Tenryu River, Warring States) — found on the southeastern plateau accessed via the Tenryu River Spirit Vein, which requires the Kurama Tengu Guardian Spirit. Kurama Tengu is only obtained after defeating the Great Tengu boss in Heian. Plan to return to Warring States after progressing into Heian.

Bakegani (eastern closed area, Warring States) — found behind the area that only unlocks after obtaining the Kongojishi Guardian Spirit, which drops from Takeda Shingen, the final boss of Warring States' main story.

A third notable access case: the Nure-onna Wraith in Maisaka requires draining the flooded village water by pulling two levers before the cave tunnel becomes accessible. Both levers are pinned on the Warring States interactive map.

All 50 Crucible Wraith Locations by Era

Warring States (17 Crucible Wraiths): the densest era — from the Yoki in Hamamatsu's tunnel to the Raiju and Bakegani late-access entries.
Heian (8 Crucible Wraiths): including the Tsurara-ona behind the hidden bamboo path in Sagano and the Karasu Tengu ambush on the central plateau.
Antiquity (3 Crucible Wraiths): including the Sentry in the Spirit Tree, accessed via an elevator activated by the fifth Spirit Stone Box.
Bakumatsu (19 Crucible Wraiths): the second-densest era, spanning Shimabara through Kiyomizu and the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Final Battle of Edo (2 Crucible Wraiths): Thunderstorm Oni-bi in western Edo and Galestorm Oni-bi on a lower roof reached through a floor hole.

All 50Crucible Wraith locations are included on the Warring States area map, Heian interactive map, Antiquity map guide, Bakumatsu area map, and Final Battle of Edo interactive map, with approach routes and Guardian Spirit requirements.

Name	Map Location	Details
Konaki-Jiji Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEKonaki-Jiji Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	Konaki-Jiji Crucible Wraith is found on the roof; you'll be able to drop on after ascending the Spirit Vein behind the locked gate (main path) in Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Shunobon Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEShunobon Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found at the end of the drained river in eastern Iinoya. This redheaded Yokai starts spawning early in the game, so most likely you won't encounter any difficulties in dealing with him.
Skeleton Warrior WraithWarring States - 1572 CESkeleton Warrior Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	The Skeleton Warrior Wraith in Futamata can be found in the back of Futamata Castle's exterior wall. Look for it behind a pallisade.
Infernal Oni-bi Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEInfernal Oni-bi Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found on the roof of a burning house, past the second Bodhisattva Statue. After reaching the second Bodhisattva Statue, move north, then all the way to the west, where you'll encounter a mounted Yokai. Once you deal with the soldier, remain on the lower section of the Crucible and follow the path south.
Aberrant Soldier Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEAberrant Soldier Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found on a stone pillar on the northern side of the Crucible, past the second Bodhisattva Statue and before the burned bridge leading to the third Bodhisattva Statue.
Skeleton Warrior WraithWarring States - 1572 CESkeleton Warrior Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found on top of the stairs in the Mikatagahara Enemy Base. You'll need to deal with the large warrior to clear the base.
Jailer Oni (Cold Hells) Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CEJailer Oni (Cold Hells) Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	Found in the corner of the yard behind the large wooden building, you'll get to visit to melt the ice crystals and reach the third Bodhisattva Statue.
Yamabiko Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEYamabiko Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	The Yamabiko Crucible Wraith can be found on the roof of the bridge in the back of the Ryotan Temple. Make sure you deal with the rabbit-like screaming Yokai.
Yagyo Soldier Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEYagyo Soldier Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	The Yagyo Soldier Crucible Wraith is found in the backyard of the Saigagake Castle. Defeat him to obtain his Soul Core.
One-eyed Omni Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CEOne-eyed Omni Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	The One-eyed Omni is the Rokuhara Crucible Wraith found in a small clearing north east of Gion Grove Shrine.
Kyokotsu Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CEKyokotsu Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	The Kyokotsu Crucible Wraith is found at the edge of the plateau, halfway up the Yasaka Shrine behind the large pagoda.
Kappa Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CEKappa Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	The Kappa Crucible Wraith is found on the roof of the building in the southwestern Hachijo.
Thorned Gaki Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CEThorned Gaki Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	The Thorned Gaki Crucible Wraith is found in the small backyard of the Rajomon Temple. Make sure you deal with the wraith to obtain its Soul Core.
Karasu Tengu Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CEKarasu Tengu Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	The Karasu Tengu is the Sagano Crucible Wraith. The eagle-like Yokai will ambush you on the central plateau of the Sagano Province.
Nozuchi Crucible WraithAntiquity - 247 CENozuchi Crucible Wraith	Antiquity - 247 CE	The Nozuchi Crucible Wraith is found at the bottom of the ditch past the ruins and before the second shrine in Antiquity.
Flying Bolt Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEFlying Bolt Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Flying Bolt Crucible Wraith must be found in Shimabara. Look for it inside the red enclosure that you can access via the alley leading to the large pagoda on the northern side of the district.
Enki Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEEnki Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Enki Crucible Wraith must be defeated in Shichijo. You will find the large ape-like Yokai hanging from a tree in the northern courtyard of the Nishi Honganji Temple.
Wheelmonk Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEWheelmonk Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Wheelmonk Crucible Wraith can be found in the Shichijo Abyss patrolling the rooftops of the ruined village. Make sure you defeat it to obtain its Soul Core.
Ubume Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEUbume Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Ubume Crucible Wraith is found on the southeastern side of Sanjo. The Ubume patrols the courtyard leading to Shijo. If you want to stun the yokai female, target the baby she is holding.
Koroka Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEKoroka Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Koroka Crucible Wraith can be found in the southern Kiyomizu. You'll be able to fight it on your way to the cemetery.
Sunakake-baba Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CESunakake-baba Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Sunakake-baba Crucible Wraith is found in Kiyomizu, on the eastern lower plateau. You'll find it guarding the Hot Spring.
Mermaid Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEMermaid Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Mermaid Crucible Wraith is found in Shirakawa, in a small pond on the western side of the province. Make sure you deal with this fast yokai to increase your exploration level.
Yoki Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEYoki Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found in the tunnel under the house in Hamamatsu. Use the ladder inside the house to get into the tunnel.
Jailer Oni Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEJailer Oni Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Guarding the porch of the first house you'll cross after fighting Rokurokubi.
Nure-onna Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CENure-onna Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found in the cave accessed via the tunnel in the flooded area of Maisaka village. Note: To drain the water, you must pull the two levers in the village (marked on our interactive map).
Dweller Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEDweller Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found in the large area of the flooded cavern within the Haunting Caves. After reaching the crab-like Yokai and the Nure-onna in the central area, cross the wooden bridge and jump on the three floating platforms.
Lesser Umi-bozu Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CELesser Umi-bozu Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found halfway up the large cave past the Haunting Caves - Rimstone Pool Shrine. Look for it in the side-cave, on the left side while facing north.
Yamainu Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEYamainu Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found inside the large house on the northern side of Maiaska Post. You'll have to defeat the Wraith as part of the Abundant Evil Myth.
Biwa Boku-boku Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEBiwa Boku-boku Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	The Biwa Boku-boku Crucible Wraith is found in Iinoya, on top of a hill. Look for a monk playing a very sad song.
Magatsu Warrior Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEMagatsu Warrior Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	The Magatsu Warrior Crucible Wraith patrols the area under the Saigagake castle. You can reach him by climbing the front gate ladder.
Bakegani Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CEBakegani Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Found on the eastern side of the closed area, you can reach only after unlocking Kongojishi by defeating Takeda Shingen, the final boss in Warring States.
Raiju Crucible WraithWarring States - 1572 CERaiju Crucible Wraith	Warring States - 1572 CE	Raiju is the Tenryu River Crucible Wraith that requires a bit of story progression. Raiju is found on the southeastern plateau, which you can explore after climbing the Tenruy River Spirit Vein. Raiju can be reached only after you unlock Kurama Tengu, the Guardian Spirit obtained by defeating the Great Tengu in Heian.
Maelstrom Oni-bi Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CEMaelstrom Oni-bi Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	Found on the upper plateau after climbing the Kamo Village Spirit Vein. He is hiding behind the One-eyed Oni.
Tsurara-ona Crucible WraithHeian - 1190 CETsurara-ona Crucible Wraith	Heian - 1190 CE	Tsurara-ona is the Sagano Crucible Wraith you'll need to defeat in the clearing past the hidden bamboo path while exploring the Matsuo-taisha Shrine.
Red Kappa Crucible WraithAntiquity - 247 CERed Kappa Crucible Wraith	Antiquity - 247 CE	The Red Kappa Crucible Wraith is found in Antiquity in the water pond on the main path in the forest.
Sentry Crucible WraithAntiquity - 247 CESentry Crucible Wraith	Antiquity - 247 CE	The Sentry Crucible Wraith is hidden in the Spirit Tree. It is found on the roof of the room where you find the fourth Spirit Stone Box and the Nurikabe. To get to the Crucible Wraith, you must activate the elevator using the fifth Spirit Stone Box. Once activated, step on the elevator and, while it's moving, jump on the root leading to the roof of the building where the Crucible Wraith awaits.
Karakasa Umbrella Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEKarakasa Umbrella Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Karakasa Crucible Wraith is found in Shimabara. You'll find it at the end of a back alley north of the Geisha House Shrine.
Jailer Oni (Needle) Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEJailer Oni (Needle) Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Jailer Oni (Needle) Crucible Wraith is found inside the Honnoji Temple Crucible. After you activate the first Spirit Vein and reach the lower area, look for this yokai at the bottom of the large hole in the clearing.
Gaki Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEGaki Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Gaki Crucible Wraith is found in the Central Kyoto area of the Shijo Province. You'll spot it on the stairs of the temple.
Mikoshi Nyudo Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEMikoshi Nyudo Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Mikoshi Nyudo Crucible Wraith is found behind a burned house on the northern side of the Nijo Castle area. Make sure you deal with the yokai on your way to the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Ippon-Datara Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEIppon-Datara Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Ippon-Datara Crucible Wraith can be found in the Nijo Castle area. Look for it in a fenced area on the upper wall of the central village. To reach the Crucible Wraith, walk on the northern wall along the fence around the Master's building.
Yasha Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEYasha Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Yasha Crucible Wraith is found in eastern Gion. You'll get to fight the female yokai in the clearing on the upper side of the mountain.
Crucible Wasp WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CECrucible Wasp Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Crucible Wasp is one of the Crucible Wraiths in Kiyomizu. You'll find it on top of a stone pillar on the northwestern side of the region. Use the nearby Spirit Vein to reach the top.
Itsumade Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEItsumade Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	Itsumade is the Crucible Wraith in Nijo Castle. You'll find the crow-like yokai on the upper plateau, which you can reach via the Spirit Vein at the edge of the cliff in Mibu.
Yamanba Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEYamanba Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Yamanba Crucible Wraith spawns in Kiyomizu in a back alley on the northern side. If you can't spot it during your initial exploration, consider looking for it after completing Kiyomizu Defiled Sub Mission.
Nuppeppo Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CENuppeppo Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Nuppeppo Crucible Wraith is found in a back alley in southwestern Shirakawa. Make sure you deal with the large blob-like yokai to get a superior Soul Core.
Waira Crucible WraithBakumatsu - 1864 CEWaira Crucible Wraith	Bakumatsu - 1864 CE	The Waira Crucible Wraith can be found in the Kyoto Imperial Palace area of Bakumatsu. You can easily surprise the large yokai with an attack from above. Make sure you reach the southern courtyard where the Waira is found by crossing the northern suspended bridge.
Thunderstorm Oni-bi Crucible WraithFinal Battle of Edo - 1622 CEThunderstorm Oni-bi Crucible Wraith	Final Battle of Edo - 1622 CE	Found in the small clearing on the western side of Edo. Make sure you deal with the yellow flying skull.
Galestorm Oni-bi Crucible WraithFinal Battle of Edo - 1622 CEGalestorm Oni-bi Crucible Wraith	Final Battle of Edo - 1622 CE	Galestorm Oni-bi Crucible Wraith is found in Edo Castle, on the lower roof, which you can reach by dropping from above (floor hole).

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