Part 133

Master the Nue boss fight in Nioh! Learn its lightning attacks, pounce, and claw strikes. Discover strategies to exploit its belly weak point for victory.

Boss Encounter: Nue

Alright, get ready for a real fight! We're up against the Nue, a legendary creature that's basically a Japanese chimera. You'll see it's a mix of different animal parts, but think tiger – especially with its affinity for lightning, which is going to be a major part of this battle. It moves like a tiger, but keep an eye on that snake-like tail; it can attack on its own!

This fight is all about patience and dodging. You need to learn Nue's attacks and know exactly when to get your hits in. Let's break down what it does and how you can counter:

• Lightning Strike: You'll see this a lot. Nue stands still and roars, then unleashes FOUR lightning strikes that target where you *were*. These hit hard and can paralyze you, so you absolutely need to stay moving. Since they target your past position, it's pretty predictable. The good news? While it's doing this, Nue is stationary, giving you a chance for some quick damage if you can maneuver right.
• Claw Strikes: If you get close to its front, Nue will lash out with its claws, one after the other, or sometimes just a single strike. These hurt, but you can back away. If you're feeling brave and have good health, you can try dodging to the right when it uses its right claw – this opens it up for a few hits on its body. Just don't get greedy!
• Pounce: Another melee move where Nue leaps forward at you. It's pretty easy to dodge by moving away, but it might catch you off guard. If it hits, it'll chew on you for a bit, dealing multiple moderate hits before spitting you out. You should survive if you have enough health, but it's not a super common move.
• Body Twirl: This is more of a defensive move, like it's trying to get you away from it.
• Charge Attacks: Nue has two charge attacks. One has lightning following in its wake. The other is where it charges and then... flops. This flop is your golden opportunity! Nue exposes its belly, which is its main weak point. You can do MAJOR damage here. If it doesn't flop, you can still get in a quick hit or two by quickly running to its sides, but you'll need to retreat fast afterward.

Strategy:

• Focus on dodging Nue's lightning and pounce attacks.
• When Nue flops after a charge, rush in and attack its exposed belly for significant damage.
• If Nue doesn't flop, you can try quick hits on its sides after dodging its charges, but be ready to retreat immediately.
• Use the trees in the courtyard as barriers if you need to block its charges or create distance.
• Don't forget about your Living Weapons and consider summoning a visitor if you're really struggling.
• Keep an eye on your health and use healing items as needed. Patience is key!