Nioh 2, the prequel to 2017's Souls-like action-RPG from Team Ninja, is out now on PC and PlayStation 4. Just like its predecessor, Nioh 2 is a quasi-historical game, set at the height of Japan's warring states period. Players take on the role of a mercenary who is part human, part Yokai, a type of Japanese Ghost/Demon.
Throughout the course of the game, players visit many strange places and fight some terrifying enemies inspired both by Japanese mythology and actual events. One of the most dangerous of these foes is Nioh 2's Enenra, a Yokai of smoke and darkness, which is encountered at the end of the burning blacksmith town level.
Extinguishing the Flames
The Enenra is a hulking demon of smoke, lit from within by a blazing flame. As such, the creature has a particular weakness to water, which can be exploited to help defeat it. Players who've invested in Onmyo magic over the course of the game can imbue their weapons with water talismans for extra damage, but these can also be bought from the Kodama Bazaar.
For players without talismans, a small amount of water damage can still be done by tricking the Enenra into breaking the pillars in each corner of the room. This is most easily done during the Yokai's common Punch/Kick combo, which can be dodged simply by walking out of the way or side-stepping around it. After the combo is complete, even players with a slow weapon like a Switchglaive will be able to get some easy attacks in.
Dealing Damage
Like a lot of Souls-like bosses, the Enenra has a basic attack routine consisting of two punches, two kicks, or a combination. These can be quite easily dodged and then counter-attacked for some good hits, but remember to step back when the Enenra drops its shoulder to lean back for a kick. When it disappears and reappears up close, dodge roll backward, then rush back in after its two-strike combo to retaliate.
Occasionally the Enenra will summon tornadoes, but these can easily be dodged by backing off and then squeezing through the gaps between them. Also retreat from the bombs that it occasionally spawns, as well as the two-handed ground slam, as neither are good opportunities to get damage in. By far the best chance players will get to do some real damage is by using a Burst Counter while the Enenra is about to turn into a tornado. This will stun it, allowing players to get in a good combo before it recovers.
Nioh 2 is out now for PC and PlayStation 4.
