What type of armor is the most suitable for my weapon? Also, what armor set of that type would serve me best?

Nioh is a fast-paced, uncompromising game that can push even seasoned gamers to their limit, but, that being said, it is nothing else if not fair; there are plenty of tools that a player can use to overcome obstacles and chief among these are weapon and armor sets. This expansive arsenal gives Nioh players an incredible amount of leeway with how they build their character; however, it also means that it can be difficult to pin down what they should use and what build they should create. It’s not a problem though, for I am here to help; here is a list of the best armor sets for each weapon type in Nioh.

1. Sword 

The Sword strikes a balance between attack speed and damage output; furthermore, it also happens to be the weapon with the most skills in the game. Iai Quickdraw is a skill that can deal a ludicrous amount of damage and the Night Rain skill is great for applying status effects; the Sword is a weapon that anyone can pick up and use well, but its true strength is found in its skill set. 

The best armor types for a Sword build are Medium Armor and Heavy Armor; since the Sword is not that great at blocking, Medium Armor is preferable as it gives the player more mobility than Heavy Armor and more defense than Light Armor. The best armor set for players maining the Sword is no doubt the Crossed Sickles Set, a set of Medium Armor that increases Killing Strike damage by 15%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases damage dealt from behind by 20%, and increases close combat damage by another 7.1%. 

If the Crossed Sickles Set doesn’t meet your needs, then the second best set would be the Daiichi Daiman Daikichi set which increases the damage dealt by Night Rain by 30%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases close combat damage against blustered enemies by 27.5%, and reduces the ki consumed from strong attacks by 25%.

Best set for weapon type: The Crossed Sickles Set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/The+Crossed+Sickles

Second Best set for weapon type: Daiichi Daiman Daikichi Set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Daiichi+Daiman+Daikichi

2. Dual Sword 

The Dual Swords have an incredibly high attack speed at the cost of dealing less damage than other weapons; however, they are great at applying status debuffs and skills like Sign of the Cross, Water Sword, and Wind Storm can deal an insane amount of damage

It may seem a bit odd, but Heavy Armor is the best choice for those planning to use dual swords; this is because the weapons are great at blocking and Heavy Armor reduces the ki that blocking consumes but increases the ki consumed by dodging. If a player were to use Light Armor, then they would constantly have their guard broken because Light Armor increases the ki consumed by blocking while decreasing the ki consumed by dodging. 

In general, the best armor sets are those that build upon strengths; the Master Swordsman’s Power Set is easily the best armor for a player maining Dual Swords as the set bonus lowers the ki cost of skills by 12.2%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases the damage dealt by Sign of the Cross by 30%, increases attack and defense by 10 while using dual swords, and increases the ki recovered from ki pulsing. 

If the Master Swordsman’s Power set isn’t what you’re looking for, then the He Who Never Retreats Set is a great alternative; it prevents enemies from guard breaking you at critical health, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases close combat damage when surrounded, and increases ki recovery by 21.4%.  

Best set for weapon type: A Master Swordsman’s Power Set 

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/A+Master+Swordsman's+Power

Second Best set for weapon type: He Who Never Retreats Set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/He+Who+Never+Retreats

3. Spear

The Spear is a weapon that excels at dealing a lot of damage from a distance, though its speed is not horrible by any means; its skill set is mediocre but outclassed by other weapons, though a few skills like Piercing Rain and Twisting Spear are excellent and stand out from the rest. The spear is especially great at dealing with human opponents but its moveset admittedly falls short when dealing with Yokai.

The best armor types for the spear are Light Armor and Medium Armor; since the spear has great range and allows a player to maintain distance from opponents, Light Armor is preferable because it gives the player more mobility. The best armor for those maining the Spear is no doubt the Red Demon Set, a set of Light Armor that increases the damage of Spearfall by 20%, increases close combat damage by 9.1%, increases damage dealt to scorched opponents by 27.5%, and increases ki recovery speed by 24.4%. Of course, in order to take full advantage of this set, you need to have a weapon imbued with fire; the ki recovery speed will only be accessible if you use the spear that comes with the set. 

If the Red Demon set is not to your liking, then the Crossed Sickles set is the next best choice; it is a set of medium armor that increases killing strike damage by 15.0%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases damage from behind by 20%, and increases close combat damage by another 7.1%. 

Best set for weapon type: Li, the Red Demon Set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Ii,+the+Red+Demon

Second Best set for weapon type: The Crossed Sickles Set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/The+Crossed+Sickles

4. Axe 

In terms of striking power, the Axe is a weapon that cannot be beat; it is, however, the slowest weapon in the game. Its skill set is a bit underwhelming when compared to that of other weapons, but skills like Rage and Lumber Chop make it incredibly easy to deal insane amounts of damage. 

The best armor type for the Axe is Heavy Armor, no ifs, ands, or buts about it; the slow attack speed of the Axe means that players are likely to take at least a few hits and all of the armor sets with bonuses for the Axe are categorized as Heavy Armor. The best armor for those maining the Axe is the Kaido-maru set, a set of Heavy Armor that increases the damage from Rumbling Earth I by 30%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases the duration of Battle Focus by 30%, increases attack and defense by 10 when using an Axe, and increases the damage from Strong Attacks by 17.4%. 

If the Kaido-maru set just isn’t up your alley, then the second best choice is no doubt the Samurai from Dark Lands armor; it is a set of Heavy Armor that increases the duration of Rage by 30%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases life by 78 points, and increases attack based on how many points are invested into Stamina.

Best set for weapon type: Kaido-maru

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Kaido-maru

Second Best set for weapon type: Samurai from Dark Lands

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Samurai+from+Dark+Lands

5. Kusarigama

If you are a player looking to create a ninja build, then the Kusarigama may be up your alley; it is the primary weapon of choice for those using ninjutsu. The move set of the Kusarigama is pretty good, with blazing fast, multi-hit combos in low stance, wide, sweeping combos that offer crowd control in mid-stance, and devastating combos in high stance that are surprisingly fast. It is also worth mentioning the existence of the Reaper skill that can shred entire health bars under the right circumstances.

The best type of armor for a player maining the Kusarigama is Medium Armor because it makes the player tankier and reduces the ki consumed by blocking without dramatically increasing the amount of ki consumed by dodges and attacks. The best armor set for a Kusarigama wielder is The Crossed Sickles set, a set of Medium Armor that increases Killing Strike damage by 15%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases damage dealt from behind by 20%, and increases close combat damage by another 7.1%.

If The Crossed Sickle set doesn’t fit well with you or your character, then the next best choice is The Red of Devotion set; it is a set of Medium Armor that increases final blow damage by 16%, increases ki by 5, increases skill damage by 12.5%, and increases close combat damage by 25% when health is critically low. 

Best set for weapon type: The Crossed Sickles set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/The+Crossed+Sickles

Second Best set for weapon type: The Red of Devotion.

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/The+Red+of+Devotion

6. Odachi 

The Odachi, by itself, is one of the most threatening weapons in the entire game with OK attack speed, a relatively long reach, and high damage. It's great at breaking through an opponent's guard and, with skills like Moonlit Snow and Devastating Rush, the weapon cuts through enemies like a hot knife through butter.  Like the sword, it is a weapon that almost anyone can pick up and play well with; it can get a little repetitive after a while though.

The best type of armor for a player maining the Odachi is Medium Armor and Heavy Armor; primarily, this is because any mobility from Light Armor would be wasted due to the comparatively slow attack speed of the Odachi and Heavy Armor reduces the ki consumed by blocking. The best armor for an Odachi wielder is definitely the God of War Looks Down set, a set of Heavy Armor that reduces damage from firearms by 18.4%, increases damage based on how heavy the player’s equipment is, increases close combat damage by 6.1%, reduces received elemental damage by 25.6%, and reduces all damage received by 10%.

If the God of War Looks Down set doesn’t sound right for you, then your next best bet is the Seven Misfortunes, Eight Hardships set; it is a set of Medium Armor that increases close combat damage by 10.2%, reduces the duration of received status ailments, increases damage dealt to enemies inflicted with status ailments, reduces damage received by 18% when suffering from a status ailment, and increases close combat damage by 25% when health is critical.   

Best set for weapon type: The God of War Looks Down set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/The+God+of+War+Looks+Down

Second Best set for weapon type: Seven Misfortunes, Eight Hardships

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Seven+Misfortunes,+Eight+Hardships

7. Tonfa 

The Tonfa is a powerful weapon that rapidly drains Ki with its quick attacks; its true strength, however, is its ability to inflict status effects and open enemies up to a grapple by draining their Ki with attack chains using the Demon Dance skill. This is particularly helpful in the NG+ cycles where enemies get a lot tankier.

The best type of armor for a Tonfa wielder is Light Armor and Medium Armor; though Light armor is preferable, there are not many Light Armor sets worth using that would benefit a tonfa user. The best armor set for those maining Tonfa is The Crossed Sickles set, a set of Medium Armor that increases Killing Strike damage by 15%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, increases damage from behind by 20%, and increases close combat damage by another 7.1%. 

If the Crossed Sickles set isn’t what you’re looking for, then the next best choice of armor would have to be the Leader of the Ten Braves set; it is a set of Light Armor that increases dash endurance by 15%, increases close combat damage by 10.2%, prevents attacks in low stance and mid stance from bouncing off opponents’ guard, increases damage based on the lightness of your equipment, and boosts paralysis by 23%.  

Best set for weapon type: The Crossed Sickles Set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/The+Crossed+Sickles

Second Best set for weapon type: Leader of the Ten Braves

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Leader+of+the+Ten+Braves

8. Bow, Rifle, and Hand Cannon 

Bows, Rifles, and Hand Cannons are not really used by themselves; instead, they are primarily used to pick off annoying enemies from a distance to make progression easier for the player. The bow is easily the weakest of these in terms of damage, but it holds the most ammunition and has the highest fire rate. The rifle is more powerful than the bow in terms of damage but holds less ammunition and has a slower fire rate. The Hand Cannon is the most powerful in terms of damage but holds the least ammunition and has the slowest fire rate.

There is no best armor type for ranged weapons because armor is generally chosen to support the players’ choice of melee weaponry; however, it is possible for enemies to interrupt a player while they are aiming and ranged attacks deal a surprising amount of damage, leading heavier armor to be preferable unless there is a set bonus you are going for. The best armor for a Bow, Rifle, or Hand Cannon wielder is the Saika’s Yatagarasu set, a set of Light Armor that gives 210 life recovery from bullseyes, increases close combat by 10.2%, auto-targets enemies’ weak spot, and gives a 20% chance for firing a ranged weapon to consume no ammunition.

 If the Saika’s Yatagarasu set just isn’t your cup of tea, then the next best choice is the God of War Look Down set; it is a set of Heavy Armor that reduces received firearms damage by 18.4%, increases  damage based on the weight of equipment, increases close combat damage by 6.1%, reduces received elemental damage by 25.6%, and reduces all damage received by 10%.

Best set for weapon type: Saika’s Yatagarasu set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/Saika's+Yatagarasu 

Second Best set for weapon type: The God of War Looks Down set

Set name: https://nioh.wiki.fextralife.com/The+God+of+War+Looks+Down

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