Nioh 3’s first DLC, Hell Rising, just got announced for an August 19 release. Learn more about the new story, weapons, and features here.
Nioh 3 "Hell Rising"DLC Releases August 19, 2026
New Weapons, Difficulty Mode, and More
Nioh 3 will receive its first paid DLC, Hell Rising, on August 19, as announced by publisher Koei Tecmo and developer Team Ninja on July 28. The DLC is included with the game's Season Pass, which also covers the second planned expansion, Bloody Insurrection.
According to the game’s official website, Hell Rising takes place after the main story. Takechiyo is led into the future by a yokai that appears in his dreams and arrives in Edo during the Keian era. He finds that the Crucible consumed the city after the shogunate collapsed in the wake of his future self's death.
The story introduces several new faces to the game, including the one-eyed swordsman Yagyu Jubei and a Spanish envoy named Rodrigo. They join Takechiyo as he searches for the truth behind Edo’s collapse and confronts an enemy "with a strong resentment towards the shogunate."
The new campaign brings another region to explore, but much of the expansion focuses on giving players more ways to approach combat after finishing the main story.
Hell Rising adds two weapon types: the Hoko & Shield and Ninja Hoko & Shield. Both pair a short spear with a shield, which allows players to switch between offense and defense without changing weapons. The shield can block attacks, interrupt enemies, and even be thrown as part of certain techniques.
The DLC expands character progression as well. The expansion adds new Guardian Spirits, equipment, Soul Cores, combat abilities, and other options, then builds on that with Enlightened One's Journey, a new difficulty unlocked after clearing Shogun's Journey. The mode raises progression limits through stronger gear, higher level caps, and expanded Soul Matching.
Meanwhile, the expansion adds Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scrolls, which let players create custom battles by changing enemy combinations, stages, and special rules before taking on the challenge. Clearing a scroll unlocks it as equipment, and repeated victories can add new special effects. Rare scrolls can appear with different combinations. The feature is available in both solo play and multiplayer.
Season Pass owners will receive Hell Rising automatically when it launches on August 19 and will also receive the Chijiko Netsuke Charm bonus item. Team Ninja has not announced an exact release date for Bloody Insurrection, though the studio confirmed it will release sometime in February 2027.
To stay updated on Nioh 3 Hell Rising’s release date and time, check out our article below:
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