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  "description": "Everything you need to find and defeat this horse-headed yokai on your first playthrough.",
  "path": "/mezuki-boss-fight-in-nioh-3-location-weaknesses-and-every-attack-countered/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-24T04:29:08.000Z",
  "site": "https://allthings.how",
  "tags": [
    "@Esoterickk"
  ],
  "textContent": "Mezuki is an optional boss in Nioh 3 and one of the earliest serious combat tests you'll face. A towering yokai with the corrupted head of a horse and the armored body of a samurai, Mezuki swings a massive cleaver with devastating force — but its attacks are heavily telegraphed and punishable once you learn the patterns. The fight has a single phase, no surprise transformations, and generous recovery windows after most moves.\n\n**Quick answer:** Reach level 25 or higher, equip Fire Talismans or a fire-imbued weapon, bring Quick-Change Scrolls, and focus on dodging the Overhead Slam to punish its long recovery. Mezuki is weak to Fire and Lightning and resists Water.\\\n\nImage credit: __Koei Tecmo Games Ltd. Co. (via YouTube/@Esoterickk)__\n\n* * *\n\n### Where to find Mezuki\n\nMezuki waits in the Tokaido region, southeast of the Tokaido Shrine. You'll spot it just outside a damaged house. Because the encounter is optional, you can skip it entirely and return later at a higher level if you're struggling. The mission is set during the Warring States period (1572 CE), and the surrounding area — sometimes referred to as The Village of Cursed Blossoms — funnels you into a compact arena with a few environmental objects that can interrupt certain charge attacks.\n\n* * *\n\n### Recommended level and gear\n\nA character level of roughly 25 or above keeps the fight manageable. Mezuki takes significantly more damage from **Fire** and **Lightning** elements, so slotting Fire Talismans or applying a fire buff to your weapon before the encounter is the single biggest advantage you can give yourself. Quick-Change Scrolls act as a safety net against one-shot grabs. A Lightning Sword build also works well here if you've been investing in that path early.\n\nMezuki resists **Water** , so avoid water-element weapons for this fight. It also resists the Paralyzed status effect, meaning paralysis-focused builds won't gain much traction.\n\nMezuki takes significantly more damage from Fire and Lightning elements | Image credit: __Koei Tecmo Games Ltd. Co. (via YouTube/@Esoterickk)__\n\n* * *\n\n### Mezuki's full attack list and how to counter each one\n\nAttack| Tell| Counter\n---|---|---\nCleaver Swing| Twirls the cleaver overhead| Back away as soon as the spin starts; wide arc but short reach\nBlack Flame Swipe| Stands still, hand glows with black flames| Keep medium distance — the range is very short\nTriple Cleaver Smash| Draws cleaver back, steps forward| Sidestep each slam rather than dodging backward\nCleaver Smash AOE| Weapon charges with dark energy| Run away the moment the glow appears; shockwave hits all directions\nCleaver Upper Slash| Spinning cleaver motion| Dodge sideways or backward on seeing the spin\nDouble Ranged Slash| Brief charge, stops at mid-range| Move laterally — shockwaves travel in a straight line\nDouble Slash| Quick two-hit combo| Circle sideways or block\nDouble Skull Ranged Attack| Charges energy in mouth| Run in one direction until the tracking skulls fade\nStomp| Lifts foot visibly| Dodge away immediately; punish during recovery\nLeft Hand Sweep| Winds up left arm| Dodge rather than block — high damage if it connects\nCharge (Burst Attack)| Red aura envelops body| Time your Burst Break to cancel it and stagger Mezuki\nBucking Kick| Triggered when you attack from behind| Avoid staying behind Mezuki; fight from the front or sides\nImage credit: __Koei Tecmo Games Ltd. Co. (via YouTube/@Esoterickk)__\n\n* * *\n\n### Fight strategy for Mezuki's single phase\n\nThe core loop is straightforward: stay at medium range, bait an attack, dodge it, and punish the recovery. The **Overhead Slam** (listed above as Cleaver Swing and its variants) is your best opening because Mezuki pauses noticeably after slamming the cleaver down. Dodge forward and through the strike, then land two or three hits before retreating.\n\nFire-buffed weapons shorten the fight considerably. If you've applied a Fire Talisman, even a few clean hits during each recovery window will stack fire damage and eat through Mezuki's health bar faster than raw physical damage alone.\n\nThe **Burst Attack** is the single most important move to learn. When Mezuki's body flashes with a red aura, and it charges toward you, activate your Burst Break with precise timing. A successful counter breaks Mezuki's stance entirely, giving you a long window to unload your strongest combos. Missing the counter, on the other hand, usually results in heavy damage, so practice the timing early in the fight rather than panicking later.\n\nAvoid positioning yourself directly behind Mezuki. The **Bucking Kick** comes out fast, deals heavy damage, and can break your guard stance — leaving you open to a follow-up. Stick to Mezuki's front or flanks instead.\n\nWhen Mezuki spits out the two black flame skulls, don't try to dodge through them. Simply run in a single direction, and they'll eventually dissipate. Use this window to reposition or heal if needed.\n\n****Tip:**** Ki Pulse timing is critical in this fight. Mezuki's attacks deal relatively low Ki damage when blocked, so blocking is viable in emergencies, but consistently nailing your Ki Pulses after your own attacks ensures you always have stamina to dodge the next swing.\n\nImage credit: __Koei Tecmo Games Ltd. Co. (via YouTube/@Esoterickk)__\n\n* * *\n\n### Using Living Artifact and Soul Core abilities\n\nYour Living Artifact and Soul Core abilities deal substantial burst damage and can be saved for moments when Mezuki is staggered after a failed Burst Attack. Dumping these abilities during that vulnerability window is the fastest way to chunk large portions of its health bar. If you're building Anima quickly — especially during any Yokai Realm segments — don't hesitate to spend it aggressively.\n\n* * *\n\n### Mezuki boss rewards and drops\n\nDrop| Type| Notes\n---|---|---\nMezuki Soul Core| Soul Core (rare)| Approximately 20% drop rate\nHorse Yokai Horn| Material (common)| Consistent drop\nCrimson General Set| Armor set| Possible reward\nRogue Set| Armor set| Possible reward\nHeir Set| Armor set| Possible reward\nLarge Spirit Stone| Consumable| Random drop\nMino Uchigatana| Weapon| Random drop\nTanegashima Matchlock| Ranged weapon| Random drop\n\nThe Mezuki Soul Core is the standout reward. If it doesn't drop on your first kill, the fight is quick enough to repeat once you've internalized the patterns.\n\nThe Mezuki Soul Core is the standout reward | Image credit: __Koei Tecmo Games Ltd. Co. (via YouTube/@Esoterickk)__\n\n* * *\n\nMezuki is ultimately a patience check disguised as a boss fight. Its swings look intimidating, but nearly every attack has a clear visual tell and a generous dodge window. Buff your weapon with fire, stay disciplined about punishing recovery frames, nail the Burst Break on the red-aura charge, and you'll bring this horse-headed demon down without much trouble.",
  "title": "Mezuki Boss Fight in Nioh 3 — Location, Weaknesses, and Every Attack Countered",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-24T04:29:08.000Z"
}