Part 157

Learn how to defeat Honda Tadakatsu in Nioh 3's 'The Champion of the East' mission. Master his spear combos, Spirit Summon, and Shinka Heal to emerge victorious.

Alright, so you've reached Part 157 and it's time to face Honda Tadakatsu in the mission 'The Champion of the East'. Think of him as Tachibana's rival, and just like Tachibana, this fight feels like an extended Revenant encounter. Honda's a spear user, so he's got a bunch of those fancy spear skills you've seen before, like Piercing Rain and Windmill. These are usually High or Medium Stance moves, and he's not as great with Low Stance, so expect some strong, wide swings.

Before you dive in, take a moment to buff yourself up. Use your Talismans, Pills, and Magic. Then, if you've got a Rifle or Cannon, aim for his face! A well-placed shot can set you up for a Final Strike, giving you a great start.

The real trick to this fight comes down to two things. First, always be ready to dodge to your right. I find it's the best direction since he sometimes swings from the left. You can dodge a ton of his attacks this way, opening him up for punishment right after. This includes his regular spear thrusts and even his special moves, pretty much everything except his area attacks. Keep an eye out for his 'Spear Dash' attack; wait for the spear to glow, then dash or roll to the right. Second, and this is super important, you NEED to stop his 'Shinka Heal' move. He'll use this to give himself a REGEN effect, healing himself for a crazy amount, like 600+ health every second. You absolutely cannot let him do this!

Let's break down what you'll be facing:

• Spear Combos: Honda uses a variety of spear attacks. Many of these are familiar moves you've seen from other spear users and Revenants, so you should already have a feel for them. Just be extra careful about his finishing combo moves. Piercing Rain (multiple forward stabs) and Spearfall (an overhead smash) can deal massive damage if they hit you. He also has a couple of Low Stance moves, like Flying Monkey, where he tries to get behind you – though honestly, it doesn't work well against players who move a lot. There's also Back Slash, where he leaps backward while attacking. This usually isn't a huge problem unless you're being overly aggressive. You can actually use this moment to heal or apply buffs.
• Spirit Summon: This is probably his signature spear skill. Honda summons his Enko spirit from his spear and gains a fire effect on his weapon for a short time. The Enko will charge straight forward, so dashing away should keep you safe from it. Your main concern here is the fire effect on his weapon, making his regular attacks much more dangerous. If you get hit by the fire, rolling around can help put it out faster.
• Shinka Heal: As mentioned, this is his self-heal move. You MUST interrupt this whenever he tries to use it. If you let it go off, you'll be fighting an uphill battle trying to overcome that massive regeneration.

The arena itself has pillars you can use for cover if you need a breather to heal or use items. Just remember to manage your Ki, try to keep out of his immediate attack range by poking him with longer-range attacks when possible, and counter when you see an opening. Stick to these tactics, and you'll take him down.