Nioh 3 Yamagata Masakage: Prologue Boss
On this page
The prologue asks for Ki control
Yamagata Masakage is the first mandatory fight in Escape from Hitokoto Slope, the Level 1 prologue mission in the 2026 Nioh 3 base game. He is a human Odachi user. This is not a gear check: the early Samurai stances are not yet available, so the useful lesson is to watch his Ki and leave enough of your own to escape.
Lock on as the duel starts. Let his opening long combo begin, run back beyond its reach, and only return after the final swing misses. Land a short Ninja attack string, then get out before the next commitment. The aim is not a long front-facing trade. It is to drain his Ki until he is staggered, move behind him, and use the heavy opening you earned.
Read the moves before adding damage
Masakage has thrusts, a grapple, spinning attacks, and larger attacks that punish panic rolls. Keep a little space so the start of each string is visible. If you are unsure whether a swing has ended, do not add a second combo. Run in, bait the move, run out, then punish the recovery. Bosses can be hit while you are running, but a safe opening matters more than forcing a running attack.
Ninja Style’s quick movement and low Ki cost make it a comfortable starting option here. Use Ninjutsu only from a range where it does not interrupt your escape plan. Rear hits are stronger in Ninja Style, so circle behind only after Masakage has spent his Ki or fully missed a long sequence. Do not stay there while he is still turning through a combo.
| What you see | Response |
|---|---|
| A long combo begins | Back out and count the recovery rather than dodging into it |
| Your Ki is low | Stop attacking; recover before you re-enter |
| Masakage’s Ki is empty | Move behind him and take the heavy opening |
| A grapple or wide swing begins | Leave the line first, then look for the end of the action |
What clearing the fight unlocks
The immediate reward is access to the Warring States map after the prologue. That is where shrine stat reset becomes available, so you are not locked into the first points or weapon choice used in this duel. Use the freedom to correct a loadout problem, not to rebuild around a single boss attempt.
Before moving on, make sure the core lesson is clear: guarding or attacking with no Ki left can leave you unable to answer the next hit. Getting Started turns that lesson into a shrine routine. Stats and Respec explains the post-prologue reset menu. The next major boss, Jakotsu-baba, adds a Crucible and red-aura Burst Attacks, so learn Ki Pulse and Burst Break before entering.