Onimusha: Way of the Sword - Best Oni and regular skills

Picking the best skills in Onimusha: Way of the Sword looks like a daunting task after a cursory glance at Musashi's skill trees. There's an awful lot of them, both regular and Oni, and it's worth trying all of them just to see which ones you like. Refunding Power Stones, Oni Stones, and Souls is fast and free, so there's no penalty for respeccing if you don't like what you end up with.

There are a few skills, however, that just make Way of the Sword a bit easier and more convenient. Even if you don't end up sticking with them permanently, they should at least be close to the top of your "skills to try" list.

In this guide, we break down some of the best skills in Onimusha: Way of the Sword and explain why they're worth your time.

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Best regular skills in Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Whatever skill you choose, just know that if you use it regularly, it's always worth investing Souls in that skill's upgraded tiers. It'll either do more damage or just plain work better. | Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Capcom

Below, we've outlined specific skills that are always worth investing in, but make sure to cast your eye over the tree at some of the others as well, as they may fit with your preferred playstyle. Flat-Out Sprint, for example, lets Musashi run faster in Kyoto, which is handy if you feel like he's moving through mud most of the time. Item Effect Duration and Charm Capacity skills make items last longer and let you equip more charms, respectively — useful if you use a lot of items and charms, but maybe not so much for everyone else.

Blazing State

Blazing State is essential. It activates when you successfully parry enough times, and while the state lasts, you deal more damage. The only instance you wouldn't want Blazing State is if you're attempting an Issen-only run.

Blazing State Range

The range upgrade increases how far your one and two-handed attacks reach when Blazing State is active. Definitely get this one to amplify the damage you'll do to surrounding mobs of Genma.

Reflex Combo

Reflex Combo isn't an essential skill, but it is a very useful one. Normally when you perform a Reflex Dodge, you just, well...dodge. This combo, meanwhile, lets you include a one-handed attack after dodging once you fill up the reflex meter. Most bosses after Byakue, and even stronger, standard Genma, use at least one or two moves that require you to Reflex Dodge. The Reflex Combo and its various power-ups help you keep up the damage output while you're on the defense.

Absorb Souls While Attacking

This one does what it says on the label. It lets you absorb Souls without having to pause what you're doing, which means you can still press the attack without having to worry about a boss stealing your Souls and entering a frenzied state.

Oni Bow: Ultimate Charged Attack and Charge Time

The bow's Ultimate Charged Attack skill prevents enemy stamina from replenishing, which makes it easier to break them and land Break Issen strikes or critical hits. The Charge Time upgrade is absolutely mandatory as well. The charged attack's standard form takes far too long to power up, and you're vulnerable while it charges.

Issen and Chain Issen

Recommending this one comes with a big caveat: It's hard. Issen is lethal when you pull it off, and potentially lethal to Musashi when you miss. You're foregoing the option to dodge, deflect, or parry for a chance to instantly kill standard enemies or do serious damage to elites and bosses. Chain Issen and its upgrades let you execute successive Issen strikes. Definitely give this a try at some point, but if it just isn't working for you, feel free to refund the Power Stones and spend them on something else. Refer to our guide on how to Issen for more tips.

Items: Quick Use

The only bad thing about this skill is that it takes so long to unlock. Quick Use only becomes available in the regular skill tree's seventh tier, but it's very much worth the wait. It reduces the time between inputting the "use an item" command and Musashi actually using it, which can be a literal lifesaver in some fights.

Best Oni skills in Onimusha: Way of the Sword

As with regular skills, if you find yourself using an Oni Armament frequently, you should just upgrade its associated skill. It certainly won't hurt to upgrade your Oni Strength or Oni Awakening abilities, though! | Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Capcom

Recommending Oni skills is a little trickier, since your preferred Oni Armament probably isn't the same as mine or the next player's. You can make any of the armaments work in the right situation - for example, I rarely use the Two Celestials and rely on items for health restoration instead. But, if you use their upgraded version combined with Absorb Souls While Attacking, you can deal quite a lot of damage while restoring your health without having to pause. Other useful Oni skills that I've relied on include the following:

Oni Vision: Treasures

This one makes your gauntlet glow when collectible stuff is nearby. It's more useful in East Kyoto than the more linear stages, though even in those, it can be easy to overlook hidden objects in the heat of the moment. Its upgrade highlights Hozuki locations and other treasures, too.

Oni Strength: Slice and Chop

These two separate upgrades let you use Oni Strength in conjunction with one-handed and two-handed attacks, making them much more powerful. They also generate blue souls, so you're dealing hefty amounts of damage and powering up your armaments. Wins all around.

Oni Awakening: Duration

This one's essential once you get Musashi's awakened form, as it lets him stay in it longer. And you'll certainly make good use of Oni Awakening when you hit the final boss of this game...

That's it for our guide to the best skills in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. For more help on everything that Way of the Sword has to offer, check out our combat guide on how to parry and deflect, as well as our guides on how to solve the mask puzzle in the Underground Laboratory and how to find the three Stout Pillars.