Nioh 3 Guide | How to Use Guardian Spirits

Here’s a guide on how to use guardian spirits in Nioh 3.

Game Guide by Ragib Rawnak on Feb 06, 2026

In Nioh 3, Guardian Spirits are friends that follow you. You find them as you move through the game. They give you perks and help keep you safe.

When you die, your spirit stays at your grave to hold your Amrita. You must walk back to that spot to get your points back. Different spirits have different powers, so you will want to collect many of them in Nioh 3.

Nioh 3, Guide, How to Use Guardian Spirits

Changing Spirits at the Shrine

You can swap your spirits when you rest at a Shrine. Open the menu there to pick the one you want. Some of their powers might be greyed out at first. To fix this, look for Crucible Spikes on your world map.

These look like red icons. If you finish these tasks, your spirits like Shen Roku or Inco will unlock their full strength. This helps you get more bonuses while you fight.

Spirit Skills and Force

Each spirit has a unique attack. To use it, hold L1 and press Square. This move uses something called Spirit Force in Nioh 3.

Nioh 3, Guide, How to Use Guardian Spirits

You can see a number on your screen that shows how much you have. You get this energy back by hitting monsters. As long as you have enough energy in the small circle on your bar, you can use these skills whenever you want.

Turning into a Living Artifact

When your main meter glows, you can change your form. This is the Living Artifact. Press Triangle and Circle at the same time to turn it on.

You will do a lot of damage while this is active. If the fight ends and you want to save your energy, press R1 and Circle to turn it off. You can also use Spirit Stones from your bag to fill the meter if you are in a hurry.

Nioh 3, Guide, How to Use Guardian Spirits

Making Your Spirit Stronger

You can make your transformation last a long time. Go to the Titles screen and find Prestige Tactics. You can pick upgrades that help your Living Artifact stay active in Nioh 3.

Your clothes matter too. Look for armor that mentions spirit buffs. Samurai and Ninja players get different spirits to choose from. Pick the one that matches your gear and how you play.

Also, check our Nioh 3 Review and other guides below: