Quick Attributes
- First recommended skill upgrade — Tier 1 passive
- Effect: Max HP +15%
- Cost: 200 Souls — no prerequisite
- Branch: Survival
- A must-have for new players building a foundation
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Passive |
| Branch | Survival |
| Tier | 1 |
| Cost | 200 Souls |
| Prerequisite | None |
| Effect | Max HP +15% |
Overview
Health Pool I is the entry-point skill on the Survival branch of Onimusha: Way of the Sword's skill tree. It's a Tier 1 passive, meaning it has no prerequisite — you can grab it as one of your very first upgrades. The effect is simple: maximum HP increases by 15%.
A 15% HP increase doesn't sound dramatic on its own, but in a reactive combat game where one missed parry can mean a chunk of your health bar, that 15% is the difference between a recoverable mistake and a death. It's the broadest-impact defensive upgrade in the early game, and it's the recommended first node for any new player who hasn't yet decided on a build direction.
The skill's identity as a Tier 1 Survival passive that grants +15% Max HP, and its 200-Soul cost with no prerequisite, are drawn from official previews and the demo. Exact values will be confirmed at launch.
How to Unlock
Health Pool I is the cheapest skill in the early game — it costs only 200 Souls and has no prerequisite. You can pick it up immediately after your first encounter.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Soul Cost | 200 Souls |
| Prerequisite | None |
Effects
Health Pool I applies a flat multiplier to your maximum HP pool. The effect is permanent — once unlocked, the bonus persists for the rest of the run.
| Effect | Value | Mechanical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum HP | +15% | Increases the total HP pool by 15% — more room for error before death |
The 15% HP bonus has three concrete benefits:
- More parry attempts. A failed parry still costs some HP. A larger HP pool means more attempts to learn the timing before death.
- More Break Issen trades. Break Issens often involve trading HP for damage windows. A larger pool makes those trades survivable.
- More Phase 2 endurance. Late-game boss phase transitions often spike incoming damage. The 15% buffer helps absorb those spikes.
Build Synergies
Health Pool I has no build dependencies — it's a generic survivability buff that fits any build. It also acts as the prerequisite for Parry Window+, the next-tier defensive node.
| Synergy | Interaction |
|---|---|
| Parry Window+ (Tier 2) | Health Pool I is the prerequisite for the next-tier defensive node |
| Issen Mastery | Issen-focused builds benefit from the larger HP pool because Issens trade damage for parry timing |
| Boss fights (all) | Every boss fight benefits from a larger HP pool, none are excluded |
Recommended Build Path
For any new player, Health Pool I is the recommended first skill. The recommended unlock order leading from it is:
| Step | Node | Cost | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health Pool I (Tier 1, Survival) | 200 Souls | Survivability baseline — the foundation node |
| 2 | Parry Window+ (Tier 2, Defense) | 500 Souls | Widens parry timing — pairs with the HP buffer for safer defensive play |
| 3 | Issen Mastery (Tier 2, Katana) | 500 Souls | Boosts Issen damage and window — the natural follow-up to a defensive foundation |
The skill tree's gating system requires Health Pool I as the prerequisite for several Tier 2 nodes. Buying it first doesn't just give you a survivability boost — it unlocks access to the rest of the defensive and counter-attack builds. It's the cheapest investment with the broadest downstream impact.