Nioh 3 has received update 1.05, and it may be the most important patch the game has received since launch. The update adds new content, balance changes, bug fixes, and a major new feature called Stone of Penance. For many players, that last addition is the real headline because it directly answers one of the biggest complaints about Nioh 3: the game was not as punishing as earlier entries in the series.
Team Ninja’s official patch notes say Stone of Penance becomes available from the opening mission Escape from Hitokoto Slope onward in the Shogun’s Journey difficulty level. Players can use the feature at Shrines by exchanging an accessory for a Stone of Penance. While the stone is active, enemies become stronger, but players get a slightly better chance of receiving high-rarity equipment.
Stone of Penance gives Nioh 3 players a tougher post-game challenge without forcing everyone into it
The smart part of Stone of Penance is that it is optional. Players who are happy with the normal difficulty do not need to use it. But players who want Nioh 3 to feel closer to the older games now have a direct way to raise the pressure.
The system also adds a risk-and-reward loop. Players carry the Stone of Penance while fighting stronger enemies. Defeating enemies raises the stone’s Penitence level. Once that level is full, players can offer the stone for rewards and get back the accessory they gave up. That accessory may also return with improved traits.
| New update 1.05 content | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Stone of Penance | Optional harder enemies with better high-rarity loot chances |
| New Battle Scroll missions | Five extra missions for players who finished the main game |
| Gameplay Records category | A new place to track Stone of Penance progress |
| New mission rewards | Extra skills tied to some of the new missions |
| My Takechiyo presets | Character creation presets from campaign winners |
The official notes do not say exactly how much stronger enemies become. However, Reddit user EternalFlareUltra tested Stone of Penance +5 against the Demon of Pride boss and said the update may have solved the game’s difficulty complaints. Their testing suggests the mode can make enemies far more dangerous, especially bosses with stronger late-fight phases.
Update 1.05 also adds five Battle Scroll missions in “1622 CE - Final Battle of Edo.” Two of them, Within Time Everlasting and Rampant Temptation, unlock after completing the main game. The remaining three, Supernatural Shrieks, Gathering of the Greats, and Demonic Duels, unlock after clearing some of the new missions.
This patch should be good news for players who felt Nioh 3 was too forgiving at launch. It does not simply make the whole game harder for everyone. Instead, it gives experienced players a way to push their builds, test their reactions, and chase better gear.
The update may also be a sign of where Team Ninja wants to take Nioh 3 next. The series has always been known for deep combat, tough bosses, and demanding endgame systems. Stone of Penance brings some of that identity back, while the new missions give post-game players more reasons to return.
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