Nioh 3: Elite Enemy Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide

In Nioh 3, mastering the open world requires identifying and dealing with Elite Enemies. Unlike standard mobs or the red-aura Crucible Wraiths, Elite Enemies serve as the powerful enemies of the open field. These are the most formidable Yokai types—such as the massive Enki variants or the dual-wielding Yoki elites—that stand as the final line of defense between you and the game's rewards.


Finding and defeating these enemies is a cornerstone of character progression, providing a direct boost to your combat efficiency and resource pool. Elite Enemies are strategically placed to challenge your mastery of Style Shifting and Burst Breaks. Engaging them is vital for several reasons:


  • Most Valuable Chests (containing rare Crafting Guides and Ethereal gear in NG+) are locked behind an Elite Enemy.
  • Elite Enemies have significantly higher drop rates for Soul Cores and the rare materials required for high-level Soul Fusion. If you are looking to min-max your Guardian Spirit's abilities, these are your primary targets.
  • Several Myths (side-missions) specifically require the defeat of a unique Elite Enemy to progress the narrative or unlock the final reward.


Because Elite Enemies don't respawn like standard mobs once a territory is secured, tracking them down is essential for clearing the map. To help you navigate these dangerous encounters, we have documented some of the Elite Enemy locations on our Nioh 3 Interactive Maps.


By using our map, you can see exactly where these powerful Yokai are stationed, allowing you to prepare your Living Artifact or adjust your Onmyo Talismans before you step into their territories.

Name Details
Jailer Oni (Cold Hells)Heian - 1190 CE

Found in front of the shortcut gate.

Mikoshi NyudoHeian - 1190 CE

A Mikoshi Nyudo guards the path leading to the Heian Crucible.

EnkiHeian - 1190 CE

Heads up! The Enki hanging from the balcony is waiting for you.

YamainuHeian - 1190 CE

The Yamainu patrolls the southern path leading to Sagano.

Gaki ChiefHeian - 1190 CE

The Gaki Chief guards the bridge leading to Rokuhara. You must defeat him to enter the province.

Jailer Oni (Cold Hells)Heian - 1190 CE

Found on the hill overlooking the Funaokayama farm.

YamainuHeian - 1190 CE

Patrols the lower clearing in the forest.

EnkiHeian - 1190 CE

Spawns on the upper path the moment you jump from the northern roof.

Karasu TenguHeian - 1190 CE

Karasu Tengu is a bird-like Yokai. While not necessarily an elite enemy, as it will become common later in the game, it was marked at this location because this is the first one you will encounter.

Flying BoltHeian - 1190 CE

Found inside the house with the chest. You must deal with her to free the enemy base.

YamainuHeian - 1190 CE

The Yamainu patrolls the lower path. You can surprise the Yokai with a drop attack.

Mikoshi NyudoHeian - 1190 CE

A Mikoshi Nyudo guards the path leading to the Matsuo-taisha Shrine.

Sunakake-babaHeian - 1190 CE

A Sunakake-baba Yokai will wait for you in the center of the Awawa no Tsuji Enemy Base. You have to deal with her to clear the village.

YamainuHeian - 1190 CE

Found in the canyon going around the mountain wall.

YamainuWarring States - 1572 CE

The wolf-like Yokai patrols the street leading to the bridge.

YamainuWarring States - 1572 CE

You can find the wolf-like Yokai patrolling the plateau.

RokurokubiWarring States - 1572 CE

Rokurokubi is the large Yokai patrolling the path in the rice fields. While optional, it is recommended to defeat Rokurokubi to obtain the associated Soul Core.

Ippon-DataraHeian - 1190 CE

An Ippon-Datara  Yokai will wait in the courtyard behind the locked gate.

NuppeppoBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A strong Nuppeppo is waiting for you in the street. Stay sharp!

RokurokubiWarring States - 1572 CE

Rokurokubi is the large Yokai patrolling the courtyard of the Hamatsu Castle Estate. This time, Rokurokubi must be defeated to exit the Crucible.

YamainuWarring States - 1572 CE

Yamainu is an Elite Yokai that looks like a wolf and patrols the path outside the village. It is recommended to defeat it to obtain its Soul Cores (random drop).

Karasu TenguHeian - 1190 CE

Karasu Tengu is a bird-like Yokai. While not necessarily an elite enemy, as it will become common later in the game, you should be aware that it exists in the courtyard of the shrine.

RaijuHeian - 1190 CE

A Raiju is waiting for you inside the building. Make sure you are ready to face this Yokai.

Yagyo Soldier x2Heian - 1190 CE

Two Yagyo Soldiers are guarding the upper courtyard.

Ippon-DataraHeian - 1190 CE

An Ippon-Datara is guarding the area under the bridge and the Sagano Kodama.

YamainuHeian - 1190 CE

Patrols the area between the houses.

YamanuAntiquity - 247 CE

Found at the bottom of the lower ravine. The large wolf-like Yokai is guarding two Amrita Corpses.

Ippon-DataraBakumatsu - 1864 CE

An Ippon-Datara is guarding the Crucible Spike. Stay sharp! 💪

Magatsu WarriorBakumatsu - 1864 CE

After exiting the first broken temple building, stay sharp because a Magatsu Warrior is guarding the entrance to the tunnel you'll need to enter.

ItsumadeBakumatsu - 1864 CE

Itsumade is a crow-like yokai you'll get to fight when you reach the upper area of the Crucible. The first one guards the courtyard of the temple building, where you get to activate the second Bodhisattva Statue.

Ippon-DataraBakumatsu - 1864 CE

Guards the courtyard in the middle of the moving traps past the second Bodhisattva Statue.

Magatsu WarriorBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Magatsu Warrior patrols the broken bridge you'll cross on your way to Gion.

YamanuBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Yamanu is guarding the alley leading to the Shijo Master. Stay sharp!

RaijuBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Raiju is guarding the Nijo Castle Crucible Spike. Thread carefully!

Gaki ChiefBakumatsu - 1864 CE

The Gaki Chief spawns during the third phase of the Nijo Castle Lesser Crucible challenge. Stay alert!

Mikoshi NyudoBakumatsu - 1864 CE

The Mikoshi Nyudo spawns during the fourth phase of the Nijo Castle Lesser Crucible challenge. Stay alert!

Mikoshi NyudoBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Mikoshi Nyudo is guarding the lower Nijo Castle courtyard. Stay sharp!

WairaBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Waira will wait for you in the bamboo forest. Make sure you are ready for this yokai.

ItsumadeBakumatsu - 1864 CE

Itsumade spawns during the third wave of the Nijo Castle Lesser Crucible Challenge. Make sure you are ready for the crow-like yokai you probably remember from Honnoji Temple.

RaijuBakumatsu - 1864 CE

The third wave of the Lesser Crucible challenge in Gion includes a Raiju. Make sure you are prepared for this powerful yokai.

ItsumadeBakumatsu - 1864 CE

An Itsumade patrols the clearing in front of the Crucible Spike. Stay sharp!

YamainuBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Yamainu can be found in the small garden by the road. Be careful!

ItsumadeBakumatsu - 1864 CE

An Itsumade is guarding the courtyard. Get ready!

Sunakake-babaBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Sunakake-baba will wait for you on the street. While not a difficult enemy, it is worth knowing that the old yokai is here.

Mikoshi NyudoBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Mikoshi Nyudo is guarding the courtyard of the Yasaka Shrine. Stay sharp!

Mikoshi NyudoFinal Battle of Edo - 1622 CE

A Mikoshi Nyudo is waiting for you in the courtyard. Stay sharp!

RaijuFinal Battle of Edo - 1622 CE

After you exit the house on the hill, get ready to deal with a Raiju.

Magatsu WarriorFinal Battle of Edo - 1622 CE

A Magatsu Warrior will wait for you in front of the gate.

YamainuWarring States - 1572 CE

Yamainu is an Elite Yokai that looks like a wolf. You'll have to defeat it to obtain the Dirty Key.

Gaki ChiefWarring States - 1572 CE

Gaki Chief spawns in the clearing during Insatiable Hunger Myth. Although it is rather large, the Chief is fairly easy because it is very slow. You must defeat the Gaki Chief to complete the Insatiable Hunger Myth.

YokiWarring States - 1572 CE

Yoki is an Eltie Yokai you'll have to defeat while playing A Drop of Hope Myth.

Gaki ChiefWarring States - 1572 CE

Spawns in the center of the small village on the northern side of the Lake Sanaru area.

GakiWarring States - 1572 CE

The large Gaki is sleeping in the Maisaka Post courtyard. You have to defeat him to complete the Maisaka Post Enemy Base.

YamainuWarring States - 1572 CE

Yamainu is an Elite Yokai that looks like a wolf. You will encounter it on the western path in Lake Sanaru.

YamainuWarring States - 1572 CE

Yamainu is an Elite Yokai that looks like a wolf. You will encounter it in the inner courtyard of the Horie Castle.

Mikoshi NyudoHeian - 1190 CE

Found in front of the shrine. You probably remember this Yokai from the Warring States period. In Heian, you will have to defeat a similar one named Mikoshi Nyudo.

Sunakake-babaHeian - 1190 CE

A Sunakake-baba is guarding the clearing past the southwestern Spirit Vein.

One-eyed OniHeian - 1190 CE

A One-eyed Oni waits for you on the top floor of the pagoda after using the Spirit Vein.

YamainuHeian - 1190 CE

Found on the hill in the center of the farm.


Note: Spawns only while playing the Shadows on the Capital Myth.

One-eyed Oni & Ippon-DataraHeian - 1190 CE

Found in the center of the courtyard. The little One-eyed Oni will turn into an Ippon-Datara if you don't deal with it quickly.


Note: Spawn only while playing the Shadows on the Capital Myth.

GozukiHeian - 1190 CE

Besides being a boss, Gozuki is also an Elite Enemy you'll have to defeat to clear the Rokuhara Dark Realm. Gozuki patrols the central area of the southern village, which you can explore only after defeating Takasugi Shinsaku in Bakumatsu.

Ippon-DataraBakumatsu - 1864 CE

Found on a lower ledge after activating the second Spirit Vein, and before entering the nearby building.

Mikoshi NyudoBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Mikoshi Nyudo can be spotted guarding the lower area under the bridge leading to Gion.

Karasu TenguBakumatsu - 1864 CE

A Karasu Tengu will wait for you in the courtyard when you chase the Scampuss.


Location Revised By: Slaimu

RaijuWarring States - 1572 CE

While playing the Old Medicine, New Problems Myth, you'll have to fight various yokai in the clearing alongside Tokugawa Ieyasu. The last wave includes a Raiju. Stay sharp!

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