The Shinsengumi Scheme myth (side quest) in Nioh 3 sends you deep into Bakumatsu-era Kyoto to investigate suspicious Shinsengumi activities—culminating in two challenging boss battles against elite warriors. This early Shimabara district quest rewards exploration skills and combat mastery. Here’s your step-by-step guide to completing this investigation.
Table of Contents
Nioh 3 Quick Reference
| Quest Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Quest Type | Myth #29 (Side Quest) |
| Region | Bakumatsu – Shimabara Pleasure District |
| Prerequisite | Complete “A New Era” main quest |
| Final Boss | Saito Hajime (Shinsengumi Vice-Commander) |
| Mid-Boss | Hattori Takeo (Shinsengumi Member) |
| Rewards | Experience, gear drops, quest completion bonuses |
How to Unlock Shinsengumi Scheme
Step 1: Complete the first Bakumatsu main mission titled “A New Era”, defeating Takasugi Shinsaku at the end. This unlocks the Shimabara Pleasure District region.
Step 2: From the boss arena, proceed forward until you reach the Shimabara Pleasure District – Main Gate shrine. Rest here and prepare for the investigation.
Step 3: Head south from the shrine until you spot a man’s soul standing before a red lamp. Interact with him to trigger the Shinsengumi Scheme quest dialogue and officially begin the mission.
Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough
Phase 1: Navigate to Shichijo Ruins
From the quest giver’s location, continue south through the pathway, clearing out standard enemies along the route. At the pathway’s end, take the right turn—this is crucial as going left leads to dead ends.
After eliminating enemies in this area, head east using the rooftops. Nioh 3’s parkour system allows vertical traversal, so look for ledges and jump points to navigate between buildings. Your destination is the Shichijo Avenue Ruins shrine in the Shichijo region—rest here to set your respawn point before the first boss fight.
Phase 2: Boss Fight – Shinsengumi Member Hattori Takeo
Continue northeast from Shichijo shrine to trigger the encounter with Hattori Takeo. This Shinsengumi fighter utilizes quick katana strikes and defensive counters typical of elite samurai.
Combat Tips:
- Living Artifact: If available, activate your Living Artifact transformation for massive damage boosts and elemental attacks
- Guardian Spirit Skills: Use both elemental abilities from your equipped Guardian Spirit to apply status effects
- Soul Cores: Deploy Yokai Soul Core attacks during his recovery windows
- Stance Switching: High Stance for Ki damage, Low Stance for mobility against his rapid combos
This battle should be easier than earlier story bosses if you’ve been leveling consistently and upgrading equipment through the Shimabara exploration.
Phase 3: Spirit Vein Descent & Final Boss
After defeating Hattori Takeo, head east briefly, then turn right to locate a Spirit Vein—glowing ethereal rifts that enable vertical traversal. Interact with it to descend to the lower area where the final confrontation awaits.
Boss Fight – Saito Hajime: Saito Hajime serves as the Shinsengumi’s vice-commander and fights with devastating iaijutsu (quick-draw) techniques. He’s significantly tougher than Hattori Takeo, punishing passive play.
Victory Strategy:
- Watch for his telltale sword-sheathing animation signaling instant-kill iaijutsu strikes
- Roll diagonally rather than backwards to avoid his horizontal slashes
- Punish his recovery frames after big attacks with your highest DPS combos
- Manage Ki carefully—running out of stamina against Saito means death
Quest Completion
After Saito Hajime falls, collect the gear drops and Soul Core (if applicable). Find the original quest giver nearby—he’ll have relocated to this area post-battle. Speak with him to officially complete the Shinsengumi Scheme, receiving experience points, Amrita, and potential rare equipment.
Why This Quest Matters
Shinsengumi Scheme counts toward the “Answering to the People” trophy/achievement requiring completion of all 39 Myth side quests in Nioh 3. Additionally, early side quests like this provide crucial experience and loot upgrades that make main story progression significantly easier.
The quest also introduces players to Spirit Vein traversal mechanics essential for accessing hidden areas throughout Nioh 3’s open-world regions. Mastering rooftop navigation here pays dividends in later exploration-heavy regions.
For more Nioh 3 guides including boss strategies, build optimization, and collectible locations, visit technosports.co.in. The game is available now on PS5 and PC via Steam.
FAQs
Where do I start the Shinsengumi Scheme quest in Nioh 3?
After completing “A New Era” main mission, go to Shimabara Pleasure District – Main Gate shrine, then head south to find a man’s soul near a red lamp to start the quest.
How do I beat Saito Hajime in Shinsengumi Scheme?
Watch for his sword-sheathing animation signaling deadly iaijutsu attacks, dodge diagonally instead of backwards, manage Ki carefully, and punish his recovery frames with high-damage combos after big attacks.
