Matchmaking in Nioh 3 provides information on how Multiplayer works in the game, including various topics related to Online Cooperative Gameplay. Players can join the games of their friends, and online players in 2 ways: Expedition is the Open Field exploration where you and another player explore the same area together, while the Summon Visitor mode allows other players or a friend to join your world. There is no crossplay between platforms in Nioh 3.
Matchmaking Guide for Nioh 3
To start playing with other players, you first need to unlock the Co-Op and Expedition mode by praying at the Prospect Hill Shrine in Tenryu River. This allows you to access matchmaking options in Nioh 3. You can choose from Summon A Visitor, Become a Visitor, or Expeditions. Summon a Visitor is a mode where you invite other players into your current session. This requires an Ochoko Cup, which is an item that you acquire from looting corpses or chests. Become a Visitor is when you get invited to another player's session, and does not require you to spend any item, since the player sending an invite will be the one to use the Ochoko Cup. Lastly, Expedition is the mode where a maximum of 3 players can form a party to take on Missions together. During Expeditions, you will have 2 options: Story Mode and Mission modes. Story Mode allows you to explore the current area with a party, while Mission mode allows a party to clear Missions and Sub Missions that are available to all players.
Summon a Visitor
This mode allows the host player to summon another player into their current game session. To do this, the host must offer an Ochoko Cup at a Shrine. It's important to note that visitors can only be summoned while you are actively inside a mission, not from the world map or hub area.
Become a Visitor
Become a Visitor: This is the counterpart to summoning. By selecting this option, you make yourself available to be summoned into another player's world. This allows you to "answer the summons of another player and assist them as a visitor," helping them overcome challenges in their mission.
Expeditions
Expeditions: This is a co-op mode that allows forming a party of up to 3 to take missions together. This mode is designed for a shared experience where players can opt to play in Story Mode or Mission Mode.
- Story Mode - Allows open field exploration with the current party.
- Mission Mode - Allows a party to clear Missions and Sub Missions that are available to all players.
Online Play in Nioh 3
When playing online, players may also encounter an enemy called Bloodedge Demon. This is a monstrous Revenant yokai whose power was formed by the malice held by all Revenants in the area. When defeated, the Bloodedge Demon can drop rare items, including equipment from the graves of the fallen players. The Bloodedge Demon can appear in several locations.
Aside from the Bloodedge Demon, other online features include Bloody and Benevolent Graves. Bloody Graves are tombstones of the players who died during a mission. When you choose to summon this grave, you will fight an AI-controlled revenant with that player's original equipment. You can get Glory and its Items when you defeat it. On the other hand, a Benevolent Grave allows you to summon an ally with an Ochoko Cup.
