Onimusha: Way of the Sword Weapons Tier List
Complete weapons tier list and upgrade guide for Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Stats, locations, and weapon arts for Raizan, Enryu, Senpu & more.
The Bishamonten Sword is the top S+ Tier weapon in the game, while Raizan (Thunder Katana) is the best S-Tier blade for campaign progression and boss counters.
Quick Answer: What Is the Best Weapon in the Game?
Direct Answer: The undisputed best weapon in Onimusha: Way of the Sword is the Bishamonten Sword (毘沙门宝剑) (S+ Tier), obtained by conquering Floor 20 of the Dark Realm. It deals the highest base slash damage and cleaves standard Genma in a single strike. For the main campaign progression, Raizan - Thunder Katana (雷斩刀) (S Tier) is the most versatile blade due to its rapid lightning weapon art, superior boss parry stuns, and high single-target burst damage.
Definitive Weapons Tier List Matrix
Every weapon in Onimusha: Way of the Sword is tied to an elemental dragon deity and features unique combo strings, poise damage multipliers, and magical weapon arts:
| Tier | Weapon Name | Element | Unlock Location | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S+ Tier | Bishamonten Sword (毘沙门宝剑) | Sacred Void | Dark Realm Floor 20 | Endgame, Carnage Rematches, Speedruns |
| S Tier | Raizan - Thunder Katana (雷斩刀) | Lightning / Thunder | Chapter 2 (Gion District) | Boss duels, single-target counters, Issen builds |
| A Tier | Senpu - Gale Dual Blades (疾风刀) | Wind / Vortex | Chapter 3 (Kiyomizu Temple) | Crowd control, aerial juggles, rapid soul farming |
| A Tier | Enryu - Flame Greatsword (炎龙剑) | Fire / Conflagration | Chapter 4 (Kamo Aqueducts) | Heavy armored demons, barrier burning, poise break |
| B Tier | Starting Katana (Musashi’s Blade) | Physical Steel | Chapter 1 (Prologue) | Early tutorial; replaced once Raizan is obtained |
Detailed Weapon Profiles & Weapon Arts
1. Bishamonten Sword (毘沙门宝剑) - S+ Tier
- Element: Sacred Void / Purifying Light
- Weapon Art: Tenma-metsuryu (Heavenly Demon Obliteration) - Releases an expanding dome of sacred energy that instantly purges all nearby lesser demons and strips boss posture bars by 60%.
- Base Attack Rating: 450 (Maxed)
- Passive Trait: Standard sword swings kill basic Genma soldiers in 1 hit without triggering combat stances. Slashes emit sacred blade light that pierces physical shields.
- Acquisition Method: Must survive and conquer all 20 floors of the Dark Realm (幻魔空间). The chest appears on Floor 20 alongside the Bishamonten Ocarina.
2. Raizan - Thunder Katana (雷斩刀) - S Tier
- Element: Lightning / Thunder
- Weapon Art: Raikou-zan (Thunder God Slash) - A rapid 4-hit overhead strike infused with electrical discharge. Each strike electrocutes the target, preventing retaliation.
- Base Attack Rating: 120 (Lv 1) -> 220 (Lv 2) -> 340 (Lv 3)
- Passive Trait: Electrical arcs jump to nearby enemies standing in water or rain. Extends boss stagger windows following a successful Deflection Issen by +0.5 seconds.
- Acquisition Method: Given by tactician Takamura in Chapter 2 upon extinguishing the demonic barrier in Gion District.
3. Senpu - Gale Dual Blades (疾风刀) - A Tier
- Element: Wind / Vortex
- Weapon Art: Tsumuji-gaze (Whirlwind Dance) - Musashi spins continuously, creating a localized hurricane that sucks in smaller demons and launches them into the air for aerial follow-up slashes.
- Base Attack Rating: 95 (Lv 1) -> 180 (Lv 2) -> 290 (Lv 3)
- Passive Trait: Hit count increases soul drop frequency. Landing a 15-hit combo guarantees a high-yield Yellow Soul (HP heal) or Purple Soul drop.
- Acquisition Method: Found in the sub-altar puzzle chest beneath the main Kiyomizu wooden balcony in Chapter 3.
4. Enryu - Flame Greatsword (炎龙剑) - A Tier
- Element: Fire / Conflagration
- Weapon Art: Guren-ha (Crimson Lotus Wave) - Slams the blade into the ground, sending forward a wave of molten magma that ignites shields and melts wooden barricades.
- Base Attack Rating: 140 (Lv 1) -> 250 (Lv 2) -> 370 (Lv 3)
- Passive Trait: Deals double poise damage against shielded and heavy armored Genma. Burns webs left by Lady Jorogumo instantly.
- Acquisition Method: Discovered in the flooded crypt shrine of Kamo Waterways after lowering the central canal sluice gate in Chapter 4.
Weapon Upgrade Progression & Soul Costs
Blades are upgraded at any Kishin Statue by channeling gathered Red Souls:
| Upgrade Level | Raizan Soul Cost | Enryu Soul Cost | Senpu Soul Cost | Key Enhancement Unlocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 -> 2 | 15,000 Red Souls | 18,000 Red Souls | 14,000 Red Souls | +45% Damage, unlocks 2nd stage of Weapon Art |
| Level 2 -> 3 | 35,000 Red Souls | 40,000 Red Souls | 32,000 Red Souls | +55% Damage, unlocks Max Weapon Art & elemental aura |
| Talisman Mastery | 10,000 Red Souls | 10,000 Red Souls | 10,000 Red Souls | Reduces Weapon Art MP consumption by 25% |
Best Weapon by Boss Matchup
- Fast Samurai Duels (Sasaki Ganryu, Cursed Jinbei): Equip Raizan. Its startup frames match rapid sword clashes and punish split-second openings.
- Beast & Airborne Bosses (Nue, Basan Drake): Equip Senpu. The vertical reach of whirlwind arts connects with hovering aerial hitboxes.
- Armored & Golem Bosses (Benkei, Ash Golem Enma-Shin): Equip Enryu. The high poise break cracks armor plates, setting up cinematic Break Issen opportunities.
- Final Sovereign & Carnage Rematches: Equip Bishamonten Sword once unlocked for overwhelming DPS and guaranteed S-Rank speed benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do you find the Bishamonten Sword?
The Bishamonten Sword is the final reward for conquering Floor 20 of the Dark Realm (幻魔空间).
Q: What element is best against flying bosses?
Senpu (Gale Dual Blades) is best against aerial beasts like Nue and Basan due to its vertical whirlwind weapon arts.
Q: How many Red Souls are needed to max out a weapon?
Upgrading a blade from Level 1 to Level 3 requires between 46,000 and 58,000 Red Souls at a Kishin Shrine.