Nioh 3 Guide | How to Defeat Mezuki Boss

Here’s a guide on how to defeat the Mezuki Boss in Nioh 3.

Game Guide by Ragib Rawnak on Feb 10, 2026

Nioh 3 can be a real headache. You have to juggle scary Yokai, a system that punishes you for dying, and a ton of different ways to build your character. The bosses are the real walls you'll hit, whether they are part of the story or just hanging out in the world.

Mezuki is a giant horse-headed monster you can find early on. He looks mean, but he is actually one of the easier bosses to take down if you know what to do.

You can spot Mezuki in the Tokaido area. It is south of your arrival point in the 1572 CE Warring States. The area recommends that you be at least level eight. It is a good idea to hit some camps or finish side jobs to get stronger before you go.

Head for the tall tower on the hill by the Ikeda Ferry Shrine. He stays near the base of that tower. If you feel nervous, look for a blue grave nearby to call in a friendly helper.

Nioh 3, Guide, How to Defeat Mezuki Boss

Combat Strategy

For a guy that big, Mezuki is pretty slow. He uses a Giant Club, so he can reach you from far away, but he takes a long time to recover after he swings.

That is your chance to strike. You can play as a Ninja or a Samurai. Using a High Stance axe as a Samurai works great because it crushes him during those long pauses in Nioh 3.

When the fight starts, keep your distance. Get a feel for his timing. He usually swings his club sideways three times in a row. He also has a Burst Break move where he turns red and runs at you while slamming his club.

For the side swings, just roll behind him. He is too clunky to turn around and hit you. For the big red attack, wait for him to move and then swap forms to knock him off balance. Whatever you do, don't stand right behind him. He has a quick kick that will catch you off guard.

Stick to his ribs instead. If he stomps the ground, he usually does it twice and then stops. That is another great time to get some hits in.

Nioh 3, Guide, How to Defeat Mezuki Boss

Surviving The Dark Realm

Once Mezuki loses half his health, he drags you into The Dark Realm. The screen loses its color, and the air gets heavy in Nioh 3.

He hits harder here, but your Guardian Spirit builds up faster, too. If you have your Living Artifact ready, use it immediately. You don't want to hang out in this place for long when you are still a low level.

In this phase, he gets some new tricks. He might try to grab you or swing his club to send waves across the floor. These waves are fast, so stay sharp in Nioh 3.

He also has a very simple Burst Break where he just puts his head down and charges. It is a straight line, so it is easy to predict. Just stand in his path and change forms right before he hits you.

This stuns him and lets you go to town on his health bar. Don't be greedy, time your counters, and the horseman will go down.

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