Nioh 3’s Hell Rising DLC will arrive on August 19 with new weapons and a brutal endgame challenge
The first of two planned DLC packs will add a new stage set in 1651 Edo, new enemies, bosses, and replayable custom battles.
Nioh 3 will receive its first DLC on August 19, when Hell Rising sends protagonist and appointed shogun Takechiyo into a ruined version of Edo’s future. The expansion is the first of two planned DLC packs and will launch for PS5.
The expansion’s story begins with an unknown yokai leading Takechiyo through time after appearing in his dreams. His destination is Edo in the year 1651, where the castle town has become a wasteland battered by the Crucible. Yokai, human rebels, and alchemists from foreign lands now fight across the shattered settlement.
That time-traveling detour comes with fresh equipment. Hell Rising will add the hoko and shield, along with ninja versions of both weapons. The short spear and shield can be used together for attacks and defense, while the shield can also be thrown at enemies for a more tactical option.
The DLC will also introduce new enemies and bosses, including the one-eyed swordsman Yagyu Jubei. According to Push Square, Hell Rising will additionally include Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scrolls. These create customizable battles with effects that impose extra challenges. Completing the encounters unlocks the scrolls as equipment, and the battles can be tackled alone or in online multiplayer.
A new challenge awaits after Shogun’s Journey
Players who want an even harsher test will have another reason to work through the existing endgame. The Enlightened One’s Journey will be tougher than Shogun’s Journey, and it will only unlock after Shogun’s Journey is completed.
The higher difficulty will also offer more room for character progression. Its rewards and systems include stronger equipment, extra Soul Cores, higher level caps, and increased +value caps through Soul Matching. In other words, the game is preparing another mountain for players who looked at its current endgame and thought, “That could use more pain.”
Hell Rising will be included with the Season Pass, while Koei Tecmo plans to sell the DLC separately at a later date.
Nioh 3 launched in February 2026, and Team NINJA is now expanding its samurai-and-ninja action RPG with a new setting, new combat tools, and a challenge aimed squarely at its most dedicated players.
Hell Rising’s time-twisted Edo, new enemies, replayable custom battles, and new difficulty will give Nioh 3 players plenty to tackle on August 19. Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Nioh 3: Hell Rising
Developed by Team NINJA
