In Nioh 2, the Guardian Spirits are special companions that give their host not only safety but also powerful bonuses. The powers of each spirit are different and can either increase your fighting skills, raise your shield, or make resources easier to obtain. Moreover, some Spirits can be linked to Soul Cores, which opens up Yokai Skills. These are special abilities that allow you to use powerful combos or support moves in battle. This guide will show you the locations and how to unlock all of them.
All Guardian Spirits Locations
In Nioh 2, Guardian Spirits are unique allies that can be used with your character to give your character extra protection and unique bonuses. Their ability can be attached with the Soul Cores for using their real strength, as it opens up Yokai Skills special powers that you can use against your enemies.
When your Amrita Gauge is full, you can use the Yokai Shift by pressing △ + O on PlayStation or B + Y on Xbox/Steam. By doing this, you will become a yokai, and your regular Health and Ki gauges will be replaced with the Yokai Shift Gauge.
During the Yokai Shift, any loss of health or Ki is not inflicted on them, but rather it is the Yokai Shift Gauge that is drained instead. Additionally, the gauge gradually runs out by itself, and once it is empty, you will be switched back to your human form automatically.
Makami Spirit Location
Makami is among the three mystical spirits that you can select during the very first phase of the game. Choosing Makami at the character creation stage means that he will be available immediately.
If you do not select Makami in the beginning, then it is still possible for you to get it later on by finishing either The Shrine of Oaths or The Point of No Return side quest. Which mission Makami assigns to you is determined by the first guardian spirit you chose. Upon completion of both of these side quests, you will ultimately get access to all three starting guardian spirits, including Makami.
Ame-no-Mitori Spirit Location
Ame-no-Mitori is one of the three protective spirits that players can choose when starting the game. Selecting it from the start gives you early access to it.
If you decide not to select it at the beginning, you can unlock Ame-no-Mitori afterwards by finishing either The Shrine of Oaths or The Point of No Return. After you finish both side quests, all three starting guardians will be available to you.
Kagewani Spirit Location
Kagewani is the third guardian spirit available for selection at the beginning of the game. If you choose to pick it, then it will be unlocked right away. However, if you choose not to pick Kagewani at the start, it will still be possible to unlock it later. Just finish The Shrine of Oaths or The Point of No Return, based on the guardian of your choice at the start. After finishing both side quests, all three starting guardians, including Kagewani, will be available for selection.
Okuri-Inu Spirit Location
The Okuri-Inu, which is the guardian spirit, can be obtained by finishing the side quest “A Hot-Blooded Howl”. It looks like a loyal dog and permits the user to fill their Amrita Gauge faster, which can be used for powerful abilities during the battle.
Masaru Spirit Location
The main mission, “Village of Cursed Blossoms (Awakening)”, unlocks Masaru. It is useful since he gives automatic Grave recovery, thus you will not need to trouble yourself with the soul retrieval process after you die.
Shirohami Spirit Location
You will unlock Shirohami after completing the mission “The Viper’s Sanctum (Awakening)”. The spirit of Shirohami will be a viper guardian that increases the Soul Core drop rate for you so it will be easier for you to collect yokai skills.
Hyobishin Spirit Location
Hyobishin is unlocked when you start the “Pervading Waters (Dawn).” It is a black tiger, which is a good option when it comes to defence, as it not only increases your Guard power but also increases your Anima flow so letting you block more hits and cast more yokai skills.
Nekomata Spirit Location
Once you progress and enter the Twilight phase of the game, the Nekomata will be available. Nekomata, the feline protector of the spirits, will give you access to the Feral Yokai powers and is the perfect choice for those who like to play fast and aggressively.
Yaonami-Hime Spirit Location
The heavenly Yaonami-Hime can be unlocked after you complete the main quest “A Way Out”. This heavenly creature looks like a mermaid and grants the skill Life Drain on all your water attacks, thus enabling you to absorb the enemy’s energy while inflicting damage.
Rokugezo Spirit Location
Unlocking Rokugezo can be done through the mission “The Hidden Monsters of Okehazama (Dawn).” The elephant gives you a toughness advantage that lets you hold the enemy’s hits much better and receive less damage.
Usura-Hicho Spirit Location
Usura-Hicho is unlocked after completing the side mission “The Viper and the Butterfly”. The guardian spirit, which is a butterfly, increases Life Recovery, making it easier for you to regain your health during fights.
Shin-Roku Spirit Location
Upon completion of the quest “Horns on Head, Dragonfly in Hand,” Shin-Roku can be unlocked. The power of Shin-Roku, as a deer, provides Life Drain on Strong Attacks, which allows the user to receive a slight health restoration for every hard hit that deal damage.
Yaonami-Hime Spirit Location
Unlocking Yaonami-Hime requires completion of the primary quest line “A Way Out.” The character is represented as a mermaid having the power of Life Drain; thus, Water-based attacks will recover health while dealing damage.
Hiyokucho Spirit Location
After completing the quest “Bird in a Cage”, it will release Hiyokucho. This is a guardian spirit with two heads. With this bird, your Ki will be increased; consequently, you will be able to perform more attacks, dodges and skills without draining your stamina too quickly.
Tengen Kujaku Spirit Location
Tengen Kujaku can be found in Region 3 after finishing the sub-mission “The Demon King’s Blade.” This guardian spirit in the shape of a peacock provides Anima Bonus and makes it easier to charge and use your yokai skills frequently as they become less draining.
Nine-Tails Spirit Location
The Nine Tails is a spirit that can only be utilised once you have completed ‘The Frenzied Blaze’ mission of the Dawn chapter. When you call upon the fox-like flame god, the Fire damage of the player is increased, and hence, it is a good choice for fire-oriented builds and elemental damage.
Atlas Bear Spirit Location
The Atlas Bear is unlocked by completing the “The Warrior” side quest in the Dawn chapter. This spirit protector of the bear gives a damage boost and is suitable if you like to deal more damage in combat.
Genbu Spirit Location
In the Dawn chapter, the guardian spirit known as Genbu can be obtained after finishing the mission “The Sun Sets on Mount Tenno.” The tortoise-like spirit boosts your defence, thus allowing you to stay alive longer.
Gyokuto Spirit Location
To get Gyokuto, it is necessary to complete the quest “Dawn of Hope.” The character of Gyokuto is that of a rabbit god, and he consumes Ki at a reduced rate, so you will be able to execute every move – attack, dodge, and block – with incredible ease and without getting your stamina drained rapidly.
Saoirse Spirit Location
The guardian spirit of water, Saoirse, is available for you to unlock once you complete the quest called “The Blue-Eyed Samurai.” This spirit increases your defence.
Yumehami Spirit Location
Once you complete the mission “Cherry Blossom Viewing in Daigo,” Yumehami gets unlocked. With the help of this spirit you will get an Anima bonus, which means you will be able to charge the yokai abilities faster during the fight.
Isanagami Spirit Location
Isanagami can be obtained as soon as you start the mission “The Golden Castle.” The huge whale guardian spirit raises the drop rate of the Tea Utensils, which is very useful if you want to gather and use tea-related items.
Hakutaku Spirit Location
By finishing the quest “The High-Spirited Demon,” you will have access to the guardian spirit Hakutaku. This spirit will take on the appearance of a goat and will not only enhance the damage caused by Yokai Abilities but also make your yokai skills considerably more powerful in combat.
Inosasao Spirit Location
Inosasao becomes available after completing the mission “Ruin Draws Near” in the Twilight chapter. This animal-shaped deity, of a boar, decreases the impact of the enemy’s strikes on you, thus keeping you alive for a longer duration in a difficult fight.
Yatagarasu Spirit Location
By finishing the side quest “The Third Word”, you get Yatagarasu as a reward. The crow protector spirit enhances the limit of untouched ammo, thus allowing the player using ranged weapons to conserve arrows or bullets better and longer.
Itokuri Spirit Location
Itokuri can be unlocked after completing the “Master of the Three Evils” mission. This spirit, resembling a spider, will also grant a much higher item drop rate, hence improving the gathering of valuable loot.
Mizuchi Spirit Location
Completing the online mission “A Strong Bond” will earn you a Mizuchi as a reward. This dragon guardian spirit can give you an Anima Bonus with Water-based attacks, so you will be able to charge yokai abilities quicker by dealing water damage.
Kurama Tengu Spirit Location
You are able to get Kurama Tengu by completing the quest “A Song to Calm the Storm.” This tengu of Mount Kurama has the capability to improve Ki recovery, which means the player can regain stamina at a faster rate during fights.
Ho Spirit Location
Ho can be obtained by finishing the “Eternal Rivals” mission from The Tengu’s Disciple DLC. He is a male bird guardian spirit who increases High Attack damage, thus he is a good choice for heavy, high-stance attack builds.
Blue Dragon Spirit Location
Blue Dragon is unlocked when the quest “Prisoners of the Stones” in The Tengu’s Disciple DLC is completed. The Blue Dragon which is a spirit protects you from the elemental damage and that is why you will be able to survive the fights with such enemies that are mainly using elemental attacks.
Kuzunoha the Fox Spirit Location
You can obtain Kuzunoha the Fox by speaking with Seimei after completing the main mission “The Blighted Gate.” This guardian spirit appears as a white fox and serves as the chief messenger of the fox deity Inari, making it a powerful companion.
Janomecho Spirit Location
You can unlock Janomecho by completing the mission “A Storm in the Underworld” from the Darkness in the Capital DLC. Janomecho is a humanoid guardian spirit with butterfly wings and antennae, closely linked to death and the soul. Its true name is said to bring death to anyone who speaks it, which is why it’s known as Janomecho.
Ho-oh Spirit Location
Ho-oh is unlocked automatically once you obtain both Ho and Oh. This powerful guardian spirit reduces the damage you take from Yokai, making it an excellent choice for tougher yokai-heavy encounters.
Oh Spirit Location
You will receive Oh automatically from Minamoto no Yorimitsu after completing the mission “Palace of the Damned.” Oh is a female bird-like guardian spirit that helps with life recovery, making it useful for staying healthy during long fights.
Amabie Spirit Location
You can unlock Amabie by completing the main mission “In Search of the Elixir,” which requires The First Samurai DLC. Amabie is a playful, jumping fish-like guardian spirit that improves your healing.
Suzaku Spirit Location
Suzaku is unlocked by finishing the side mission “Undying Light,” also part of The First Samurai DLC. This phoenix guardian spirit deals Burn damage, making it a great choice for fire-based builds.
Sohaya Spirit Location
You can obtain Sohaya by completing the main mission “Dawn of the Demon,” which also requires The First Samurai DLC. Sohaya is a white, dragon-like guardian spirit that can attack enemies from a distance, helping you deal damage safely from afar.
Baku Spirit Location
You can unlock Baku by completing the main mission “A Distant Dream,” which requires The First Samurai DLC. Baku is a boar-like guardian spirit that corrupts enemies, making them more vulnerable and easier to deal with in combat.
