Which Clan?

[6 Eared Macaque]

Sanada all the Way (888) 6 Coins Clan

[Spirit]

Lot of different options...Toyotomi is probably among the better for most people, especially with extraction talisman synergy. The first two playthroughs that would be OP. Uesugi is also very good if you are going to being focusing on Yokai intensive levels. Honda is important in later NG++++ and such for surviving one-shots. It just depends on what build folks are going for. I'll be using Akechi for its Onmyo power boost since magic will be my main focus.

[6 Eared Macaque]

Sanada because surrounded bonus and dmg boost on cross spears which I am Crimson Red + Susanoo. Great Holy Spear and Sanada's Chimoji Spear. I can survive any tough situation and still able to fight my way out without getting winded.
I am worthy the title "Sanada's Ten Braves"

[Spirit]

Originally posted by RX7:

Sanada because surrounded bonus and dmg boost on cross spears which I am Crimson Red + Susanoo. Great Holy Spear and Sanada's Chimoji Spear. I can survive any tough situation and still able to fight my way out without getting winded.
I am worthy the title "Sanada's Ten Braves"

I did notice the AAA- stat boosts when surrounded...in some cases that would indeed turn the tide of battle. Not sure I'd want to be binded down to one weapon, but you seem comfortable with that so it is indeed a good synergy. Spear's speed and reach tend to be very strategically functional for a lot of engagements in Nioh 2. I heard you supposedly no longer hit the walls and get that brief stun in tight corridors in Nioh 2 (one of its weaknesses from Nioh 1): no idea if that is true or not, though. If it is, that is a nice indirect buff to longer reaching weapons, though.

[Neon Reaper Mk. VII]

Honda for the win.

[Mr.Hmm]

No idea, i havent seen much Nioh 2 gameplay but my plan is to focus on Onmyo stats.

[Monte]

I have no ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ idea what any of this means, I am trying to go in as blind as possible.
Any suggestions on this topic for a generically useful one? I have played Soulslikes, including the first Nioh, so I am not utterly incompetent but I know the combat is a fair bit different to most games in the genre and any non-spoiler pointers would be great, such as anything you wish you knew, etc.
Another question: Is respeccing freely available, or is it tied to a rare resource, limited number of items, late game, NG+ cycles, etc?
I enjoy trying out builds, so not being locked into one is a big plus for me even if I have to take time and resources to get gear for different builds
Also will I have to hunt for ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Kodama all the time in this game? It got so tiresome towards the end of the first one whenever I got to a new area..

[Spirit]

Originally posted by Monte:

I have no ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ idea what any of this means, I am trying to go in as blind as possible.
Any suggestions on this topic for a generically useful one? I have played Soulslikes, including the first Nioh, so I am not utterly incompetent but I know the combat is a fair bit different to most games in the genre and any non-spoiler pointers would be great, such as anything you wish you knew, etc.
Another question: Is respeccing freely available, or is it tied to a rare resource, limited number of items, late game, NG+ cycles, etc?
I enjoy trying out builds, so not being locked into one is a big plus for me even if I have to take time and resources to get gear for different builds
Also will I have to hunt for ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Kodama all the time in this game? It got so tiresome towards the end of the first one whenever I got to a new area..

Toyotomi is the best for most people in most situations. Especially for the first few playthroughs,. Basically it gives you more healing options.

You can respec infinitely...it isn't tied to particularly rare resources, and the game even gives you quite a few free 'skill reset books' just through your basic playthrough. Later on, if you know what you are doing it only takes perhaps 10 minutes tops to get enough of the resource required to get the item needed to respec.

Once you have a given kodama, you have that kodama forever for all playthroughs. I admit it is a bit of a hassle to find them until you get the radar sensor skills that let you see them on your map, though. That said, there is a spell you can get at the very beginning of the game that gives you just that. Which is one I will be investing in first...

[Sekera]

Originally posted by Monte:

I have no ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ idea what any of this means, I am trying to go in as blind as possible.
Any suggestions on this topic for a generically useful one? I have played Soulslikes, including the first Nioh, so I am not utterly incompetent but I know the combat is a fair bit different to most games in the genre and any non-spoiler pointers would be great, such as anything you wish you knew, etc.
Another question: Is respeccing freely available, or is it tied to a rare resource, limited number of items, late game, NG+ cycles, etc?
I enjoy trying out builds, so not being locked into one is a big plus for me even if I have to take time and resources to get gear for different builds
Also will I have to hunt for ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Kodama all the time in this game? It got so tiresome towards the end of the first one whenever I got to a new area..

When it comes to clans, at a certain point in the game you will unlock the HIdden Teahouse, at which point the game will explain what the clans are about. Basically, you choose a clan you represent, and it gives you certain bonuses. A lot of people (me included) like to choose the Honda clan, as it gives you a certain bonus (receive 50% less damage from an attack when your HP is full) - effectively preventing a lot of possible one-shots. But you can change your clan at any time, so don't worry about it too much.

You need an item (book of reincarnation) to respec your character. They become more common later on. Also, after you complete the base game for the first time, you unlock the "builds" function. It allows you to save your complete character build (including stats, skills, gear) and then you can switch between your saved builds whenever (not in the middle of a mission though I think).

Hunting Kodamas is recommended, unless you wanna run out of elixirs on your first playthrough. There is a possible bonus on accesories (Kodama sensor) that can make this process a lot easier. You can also listen for their sounds while on a mission, and find most of them that way. Or just say "screw this" and look up a Kodama guide somewhere.

Since you played the first Nioh game you should know how the combat works already. Nioh 2 added a few new mechanics (burst counter, using yokai skills), and changed Living Weapon to Yokai Shift (way less onga-bonga powerful).

[Spirit]

Oh, I should mention, the only 3 points you can never respec are the very first three you get for picking your guardian spirit, and first two weapons at the beginning. If you have no idea what you are doing, I'd advise getting the Lightning Bird guardian spirit, Spear, and Tonfas. Of all the innumerable build potentials that exist, you will most likely *never* want to do without the stats you get from those in particular. Heart, Body, and Courage, respectively.

[Garou]

i will choose toyota or mitsubishi

[Crabble]

I like Kikkawa the most. At least in Nioh 1 the ability to get rid off ailments was pretty nifty.

[Spirit]

Originally posted by Vänum:

i will choose toyota or mitsubishi

Lol...ironically Honda (yes, a real clan) is still one of the best clans, even after the nerf.

[きょすけ]

Originally posted by Sekera:

But you can change your clan at any time, so don't worry about it too much.

Can you finally do this offline too, or it is still tied to online? I remember that in the first game you had to be online and it took a bit of time iirc?

[General Plastro]

Honda, i like the bonus and Honda Tadakatsu is such a cool character (and real life warrior) as well :D

[Spirit]

Originally posted by きょすけ:

Originally posted by Sekera:

But you can change your clan at any time, so don't worry about it too much.

Can you finally do this offline too, or it is still tied to online? I remember that in the first game you had to be online and it took a bit of time iirc?

I believe you can choose your clan the first time offline, but cannot change it again until online. At least, that was how it was in the first Nioh. Probably the same in the second.