Nioh 3 elevates the action RPG genre, offering a meticulously crafted gameplay experience from Team Ninja. This installment introduces a vast open world coupled with the innovative ability to transition between Ninja and Samurai forms. Players will find themselves navigating a rich tapestry of mechanics that demand mastery of multiple systems for effective gameplay.
For those eager to dive into battle, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the controls for Nioh 3—whether you’re wielding a controller or employing a keyboard and mouse. Use this quick reference to enhance your gameplay.
Nioh 3 Controller Controls
Below is the default configuration for Nioh 3 on both Xbox and PlayStation controllers:
| Action | Xbox Controls | PlayStation Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Open Map | View | Touchpad |
| Main Menu | Menu | Options |
| Movement | Left Stick | Left Stick |
| Camera Rotation | Right Stick | Right Stick |
| Lock-on | RS | R3 |
| Jump | A | X |
| Dodge | B | Circle |
| Quick Attack | X | Square |
| Strong Attack | AND | Triangle |
| Guard | LB | L1 |
| Aim Ranged Weapon | LT | L2 |
| Shoot (Ranged Weapon) | LT + RT | L2 + R2 |
| Zoom (Ranged Weapon) | LT + RS | L2 + R3 |
| Switch Ammo | LT + Y / X | L2 + Triangle / Square |
| Style Shift | RT | R2 |
| Interact / Restore Stance | RB | R1 |
| Change to High Stance | RB + Y | R1 + Triangle |
| Change to Mid Stance | RB + X | R1 + Square |
| Change to Low Stance | RB + A | R1 + X |
| Sheathe / Draw Weapon | RB + B | R1 + Circle |
| Ninjutsu | RB + Y / X / A | R1 + Triangle / Square / X |
| Switch Item Shortcuts | RB + D-pad Left | R1 + D-pad Left |
| Item Shortcut 1 | D-pad Up | D-pad Up |
| Item Shortcut 2 | D-pad Left | D-pad Left |
| Item Shortcut 3 | D-pad Right | D-pad Right |
| Item Shortcut 4 | D-pad Down | D-pad Down |
| Switch Melee Weapon | RB + D-pad Down | R1 + D-pad Down |
| Living Artifact | Y + B | Triangle + Circle |
| Guardian Spirit Skill | LB + Y / X | L1 + Triangle / Square |
| Spirit Vein | Hold RB | Hold R1 |
| Gesture Menu | RB + Menu | R1 + Options |
| Crouch | LS | L3 |
Nioh 3 Keyboard and Mouse Controls
Those who prefer a keyboard and mouse setup can utilize the following configuration:
| Action | Input |
|---|---|
| Movement | W / S / A / D |
| Dash | Q |
| Slide (While Running) | Q |
| Walk / Run | B |
| Crouch | C |
| Jump | Ctrl |
| Quick Attack | Left Mouse Button |
| Strong Attack | Right Mouse Button |
| Dodge | Space |
| Guard | F |
| Interact | AND |
| Switch Melee Weapon | Tab |
| Aim Ranged Weapon | All |
| Style Shift | R |
| Burst Break | – |
| Restore Stance | Shift |
| Change to High Stance | Shift + Mouse Scroll Up |
| Change to Mid Stance | Shift + Left Mouse Button |
| Change to Low Stance | Shift + Mouse Scroll Down |
| Sheathe / Draw Your Weapon | Shift + Right Mouse Button |
| Ninjutsu 1 | Shift + Mouse Scroll Up |
| Ninjutsu 2 | Shift + Left Mouse Button |
| Ninjutsu 3 | Shift + Mouse Scroll Down |
| Combination Input Martial Art 1 | F + Left Mouse Button |
| Combination Input Martial Art 2 | F + Right Mouse Button |
| Guardian Spirit Skill 1 | F + Right Mouse Button |
| Guardian Spirit Skill 2 | F + Left Mouse Button |
| Living Artifact | T |
| Lock-on | Middle Mouse Button |
| Move Camera | Mouse Movement |
| Item Shortcuts 1 – 4 | 1 – 4 |
| Switch Item Shortcuts (Left) | WITH |
| Switch Item Shortcuts (Right) | X |
| Open Main Menu | Esc |
| Open Map | M |
| Gesture Menu | G |
| Photo Mode | P |
| Shoot (Ranged Weapon) | Left Mouse Button |
| Zoom | Mouse Scroll |
| Switch Ammo (Forward) | Mouse Scroll Down |
| Switch Ammo (Back) | Mouse Scroll Up |
| Switch Lock-on Target (Left) | Mouse Scroll Up |
| Switch Lock-on Target (Right) | Mouse Scroll Down |
Customizing Controls in Nioh 3
Indeed, players have the flexibility to completely customize their controls in Nioh 3, whether using keyboard and mouse or a controller. This feature enhances accessibility and allows players to tailor the gameplay experience to their unique preferences.

As challenging as Nioh 3 may be, the developers have prioritized customization, ensuring that nearly every aspect of the gaming experience, including controls, UI elements, and combat mechanics, can be tailored to suit individual play styles.
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