Nioh 3 DLC ‘Hell Rising’ Adds Hoko, Shield and Hell Mode

Hell Rising, the first downloadable expansion for Nioh 3, launches today. The DLC introduces two weapon types — the hoko, a short spear, and a shield pairing — along with new Guardian Spirits, martial arts techniques, active skills, expanded ninjutsu tools and additional Onmyo Magic spells. It is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and PC.

The hoko is intended for use with a shield to offer a balance of reach and defense. The new Guardian Spirits provide passive bonuses and active abilities that interact with character builds. New martial arts techniques and active skills expand close-combat options, while added ninjutsu items and Onmyo Magic spells increase ranged and utility options.

Hell Rising adds Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scrolls, which create repeatable, configurable battle instances. Players can choose which enemies appear in specific areas and adjust settings that increase enemy health and damage. A new Hell Difficulty raises enemy health and damage across the board for a higher challenge.

The expansion is set in a corrupted version of Edo during the Keian era, where a force called the Crucible dominates the area. The DLC continues a narrative thread involving Spirit Stones and includes redesigned enemy placements and tougher encounters in the Keian maps.

Team Ninja developed the expansion and Koei Tecmo published it. The package adds gear, mechanics and modes without changing the game’s core systems. Players who have finished the base game can apply the new weapons, Guardian Spirits and skills to refine builds and repeat objectives in the Hundred Demon Realms or attempt Hell Difficulty.