Nioh 3: Handbook Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide
In Nioh 3, finding all Handbook locations is a great way to master the Ninja Style and refine your specialized Martial Arts. Unlike standard skill tree nodes, Handbooks act as unique blueprints that unlock advanced variants of core abilities or entirely new tactical maneuvers—such as the explosive Fire Shuriken, the damage-evading Burrow ability, or high-mobility arts like Falcon Strike.
Securing these documents is essential for any player looking to push their build beyond the basics, as they provide the variety needed to handle the shifting challenges of the Warring States, Heian, and Bakumatsu eras.
While your standard Ninja and Samurai points cover your fundamental skills, Handbooks provide the specialized "edge" required for endgame combat. Once a Handbook is obtained, the skill is permanently unlocked for your character.
- Specialized Ninjutsu: Handbooks unlock powerful tools like the Blinding Shell, Poison Mist, and the Enhanced Shrapnel Bomb, which are vital for controlling the battlefield.
- Martial Art Variants: Many Handbooks offer weapon-specific skills, such as the Tiger’s Blade for Odachi or Spinning Dragon for Dual Ninja Swords. These allow you to customize your combo flow to suit your playstyle.
- Ninja Style Mastery: For those dedicated to the Ninja Style, Handbooks like Shadowstitch and Shadowself provide the stealth and repositioning tools necessary for high-level infiltration.
Handbooks are no longer just random drops; they are rewards for your exploration and martial prowess:
- Many of the most powerful Handbooks are held by legendary Masters. Defeating figures like Fuma Kotaro or Nasu no Yoichi in specialized duels is the only way to claim their unique techniques.
- Handbooks are often found in Hidden Chests or on Amrita Corpses located at the end of treacherous Spirit Vein paths.
- Reaching high Exploration Levels in a region often reveals the location of "Unique Loot" chests on your map, many of which contain these rare manuscripts.
After finding a Handbook, you must often spend a single Ninja or Samurai point in the Skill Management menu to activate the node. Once learned, head to the Customize Martial Arts/Ninjutsu menu to equip the skill and assign it to your preferred button inputs.
To make sure you don’t miss a single game-changing ability, we have pinned every Handbook location on our Nioh 3 Interactive Maps. By cross-referencing our map coordinates with your in-game Area Info, you can find the exact location of every chest, corpse, and Master duel required to complete your library.
| Name | Map Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flying BuckWarring States - 1572 CEFlying Buck | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Flying Buck Handbook is obtained by defeating Fuma Kotaro, the Iinoya Master. |
| Paralytic GroundfireWarring States - 1572 CEParalytic Groundfire | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Paralytic Groundfire Handbook is found inside the large chest on the western side of Futumata. Look for it in the house outside the red enclosure after clearing the Dark Realm. |
| ShadowselfHeian - 1190 CEShadowself | Heian - 1190 CE | The Shadowself Handbook is obtained by opening the small chest atop the scaffolding outside the Anneibo Temple. |
| ShadowstitchHeian - 1190 CEShadowstitch | Heian - 1190 CE | The Shadowstitch Handbook is found inside a small chest in the Sagano province. The chest is in the house where you can start the In Search of Eternal Youth Myth. |
| Falcon StrikeHeian - 1190 CEFalcon Strike | Heian - 1190 CE | The Falcon Strike Handbook is obtained by defeating the Nishiichi Master, Nasu no Yoichi. |
| Changing WaysHeian - 1190 CEChanging Ways | Heian - 1190 CE | The Changing Ways Handbook is obtained by defeating the Awawa no Tsuji Master, Shinran. |
| Beyond InfinityBakumatsu - 1864 CEBeyond Infinity | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Beyond Infinity Handbook is obtained by defeating the Gion Master, Ishikawa Goemon. |
| Tri-SparkBakumatsu - 1864 CETri-Spark | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Tri-Spark Handbook is obtained by defeating Takashima Shuhan, the Kyoto Imperial Palace Master. |
| Fire ShurikenWarring States - 1572 CEFire Shuriken | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Fire Shuriken Handbook is found on the corpse hanging from the cliff on the southeastern side of Hamamatsu. |
| BurrowWarring States - 1572 CEBurrow | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Burrow Handbook can be obtained by looting the Amrita Corpse on the roof of a house you can reach via the Wall Climb access point, after you defeat Rokurokubi. While on the wall, look for a platform and then jump on the next roof. |
| Lumber ChopWarring States - 1572 CELumber Chop | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Lumber Chop Handbook is obtained by defeating the Lake Hamana Master, Taigen Sessai. |
| Pufferpuss FormEternal RiftPufferpuss Form | Eternal Rift | The Pufferpuss Form Handbook can be obtained by giving the Scampuss Furballs to the Great Scampuss in the Eternal Rift. |
| Tiger's BladeWarring States - 1572 CETiger's Blade | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Tiger's Blade Handbook is obtained by defeating Ito Ittosai, the Futamata Master found on the hill in the tea farm. |
| Punish the ProudWarring States - 1572 CEPunish the Proud | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Punish the Proud Handbook is obtained by defeating Anayama Nobutada on your way to Futamata Castle. |
| Reverse ImpactWarring States - 1572 CEReverse Impact | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Reverse Impact Handbook can be obtained by defeating Kosaka Masanobu in the red tent while crossing the Mikatagahara Crucible. |
| Rakansen CoinHeian - 1190 CERakansen Coin | Heian - 1190 CE | The Rakansen Coin Handbook is found inside the large chest in the house on the northern hill of Kamo Village. You can reach it by jumping from the roof of the southeastern house. |
| Spinning DragonHeian - 1190 CESpinning Dragon | Heian - 1190 CE | The Spinning Dragon Handbook is obtained by defeating the All-Seeing Mage in the southern temple of Kamo Village. |
| Thin AirHeian - 1190 CEThin Air | Heian - 1190 CE | The Thin Air Handbook is obtained by defeating Tomoe Gozen, the Kamo Village Master, but only after you complete the Follow the Soldier's Shadow Myth. |
| RoundaboutHeian - 1190 CERoundabout | Heian - 1190 CE | The Roundabout Handbook is obtained automatically by defeating Kajiwara Kagetoki in Rokuhara. |
| Archer's ImpactHeian - 1190 CEArcher's Impact | Heian - 1190 CE | The Archer's Impact Handbook is dropped by the Demon Slayer, the Hachijo Master, and the boss you'll need to defeat to progress the Myth named The Box's Guardian. |
| UrgencyWarring States - 1572 CEUrgency | Warring States - 1572 CE | The Urgency Handbook is obtained by defeating the Hamamatsu Master, Sugitani Zenjubo. |
| Enhanced Shrapnel BombHeian - 1190 CEEnhanced Shrapnel Bomb | Heian - 1190 CE | The Enhanced Shrapnel Bomb Handbook can be obtained by looting the corpse on the roof in Awawa no Tsuji. You can reach the corpse after crossing the Spirit Vein by the river. Note: The Spirit Vein can be unlocked only later in the game, after you reach Bakumatsu. |
| Poison MistBakumatsu - 1864 CEPoison Mist | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Poison Mist Handbook is found inside a large chest in the hidden room on the ground floor of the pleasure house in Shimabara. The room can be accessed by destroying a paper panel. |
| FleetfootBakumatsu - 1864 CEFleetfoot | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Fleetfoot Handbook is obtained by defeating Sawamura Yasusuke, the Master in Shijo province. |
| Blinding ShellBakumatsu - 1864 CEBlinding Shell | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Blinding Shell Handbook is found in the large chest inside the house on the southeastern side of Sanjo. |
| TornadoBakumatsu - 1864 CETornado | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Tornado Handbook is obtained by defeating Takahashi Deishu, the Master of Nijo Castle. |
| Caltrop BallBakumatsu - 1864 CECaltrop Ball | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Caltrop Ball Handbook can be found in Gion. Look for it on the lower roof of the ruined tower, on a corpse you can reach by dropping one level after you get to the upper roof via the Spirit Vein in the back of the tower. |
| Blade SpinBakumatsu - 1864 CEBlade Spin | Bakumatsu - 1864 CE | The Blade Spin Handbook can be obtained by defeating the Master in the Kyoto Imperial Palace area ok Bakumatsu. |
| Great Scampuss FormEternal RiftGreat Scampuss Form | Eternal Rift | The Great Scampuss Form Handbook is obtained if you keep giving Scampuss Furballs to the Great Scampuss in Eternal Rift. |
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