Chapter 7 (A Strength in Refuge) returns to the Oni Refuge, the otherworldly dimension from the demo. Find strength and additional Soul Core abilities. Estimated 2 hours.
1. Chapter Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Chapter | 7 — "A Strength in Refuge" |
| Estimated Time | 2 – 2.5 hours |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Setting | Oni Refuge — otherworldly dimension (gravity-defying, floating islands) |
| Story Summary | After sealing the rift in Kyoto, Musashi finds refuge in the otherworldly Oni Refuge dimension. He discovers additional Soul Core abilities and confronts the illusionist Dokyo, who has disguised himself as the Greater Nue. |
| Key Unlocks | Soul Core Power 2, 3 Oni Armaments, Dokyo's Mask (cosmetic) |
| Recommended Level | 16 – 18 |
Chapter 7 sends Musashi back into the Oni Refuge — the same otherworldly dimension shown in the demo. Per the PlayStation Blog preview, the Refuge features gravity-defying areas and floating islands. The chapter's primary reward is Soul Core Power 2, but the real setpiece is the Dokyo fight, where the illusionist takes the form of the Greater Nue.
2. Main Objectives
- Enter the Oni Refuge via rift portal — find the special glowing red rift and step through.
- Discover new Soul Core abilities — find the hidden Oni shrine in the Refuge.
- Confront Dokyo illusionist (Greater Nue form) — the chapter's main boss fight.
- Fight enhanced Genma Brute variants — Refuge Genma are tougher than their Kyoto counterparts.
- Find hidden Oni treasures — 3 Oni Armaments locked behind gravity puzzles.
3. Walkthrough
Section 1 — Rift Portal Entry
After the Kiyomizu-zaka climax, a special rift opens near the Oni Clan dojo. It's larger and glows red, unlike the standard rifts you've seen so far.
- Find the special rift: located south of the dojo, marked by a red glow visible from a distance.
- Enter the Oni Refuge by stepping into the rift portal. A cutscene transitions you to the otherworldly dimension.
- Gravity-defying areas: the Refuge features floating islands, inverted platforms, and walls you can run along. This is the only chapter with these mechanics.
The Oni Refuge's gravity puzzles look intimidating, but they're simple once you get the rhythm: jump, hold L3 to flip gravity, land on the new platform, repeat. The puzzles become a skill check for the 3 hidden Oni Armaments.
Section 2 — Greater Nue Fight (Dokyo's Fixation Trophy)
The chapter's boss is Dokyo in disguise — the illusionist has taken the form of a Greater Nue to hide his true nature. This is the first of three Dokyo fights in the game.
- Disguise: Dokyo as Greater Nue uses electric attacks and a tail shield.
- Phase 1: standard Nue moveset — bite combos, tail swipe, electric charge.
- Phase 2 (reveal): at ~50% HP, Dokyo drops the Nue disguise and reveals his illusionist form. New moves: clone summoning, paralysis field.
- Trophy: "Dokyo's Fixation" unlocks on final blow.
Dokyo's Fixation
Defeat Dokyo in his first form (Greater Nue disguise) in the Oni Refuge. Triggers automatically on the final blow.
Section 3 — Soul Core Training
After the Dokyo fight, the Oni shrine unlocks. This is where you unlock Soul Core Power 2.
- Find the hidden Oni shrine: behind the Dokyo arena, accessed via a gravity flip.
- Practice new Soul Core abilities: the shrine has 3 training dummies for the new Soul Core moves.
- Soul Core Power 2 unlock: increases Soul Core damage by 30% and adds a new charged variant.
- The shrine also acts as a fast-travel point for the rest of the game.
Section 4 — Treasure Hunt
Three Oni Armaments are hidden across the Refuge's gravity-defying areas. Each requires a different gravity puzzle to access.
- Oni Armament #1: floating island above the Dokyo arena (gravity flip + jump).
- Oni Armament #2: inverted chamber south of the shrine (gravity flip + run along ceiling).
- Oni Armament #3: behind an invisible wall in the upper Refuge (Soul Core reveals the wall).
- Each Oni Armament upgrades one of Musashi's existing weapons (Katana, Tonfa, or Kusarigama).
4. Boss Fight — Greater Nue (Dokyo Disguise)
Greater Nue (Dokyo Disguise)
Dokyo is an illusionist who has taken the form of the Greater Nue. The fight has two phases: Phase 1 looks like a normal Nue fight, but Phase 2 reveals Dokyo's true illusionist moveset. The "Dokyo's Fixation" trophy unlocks here.
Quick tips:
- 11 attack patterns total. Phase 1 (Nue form): bite, tail swipe, electric charge, pounce. Phase 2 (Dokyo reveal): clones, paralysis field, illusion dash.
- The tail shield blocks frontal attacks in Phase 1 — attack from the side.
- Phase 2 clones attack with the same moveset. Defeat the real Dokyo first (he's the one with the red aura).
- Issen the electric charge in Phase 1 — it's the cleanest Issen window.
- Soul Core Power 2 unlocks during this fight if you trigger the Oni Vision mid-battle (cuts the boss's HP bar in half).
Recommended build: Soul Core Power 1 (already unlocked), Health Pool III, Bamboo Charm from Chapter 6.
Rewards: 3000 yellow souls, Dokyo's Mask (cosmetic), Greater Nue soul, Soul Core Power 2 unlock token.
→ View the full Dokyo boss guide (all 3 forms) · → Greater Nue attack patterns
5. Key Items & Collectibles
| Item | Location | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Core Power 2 upgrade | Oni shrine (behind Dokyo arena) | +30% Soul Core damage + new charged variant |
| Oni Armament #1 | Floating island above Dokyo arena | Upgrades Katana |
| Oni Armament #2 | Inverted chamber south of shrine | Upgrades Tonfa |
| Oni Armament #3 | Behind invisible wall (Soul Core reveals it) | Upgrades Kusarigama |
| Oni Note fragment | Oni shrine altar | Lore collectible — counts toward 23 Genma Notes (Retrogems) |
| Dokyo's Mask (cosmetic) | Boss reward | Display mask — not equipable |
| Greater Nue soul | Boss reward | Soul Core enhancement material |
6. Missables
- Hidden Oni Armament behind invisible wall — requires Soul Core to reveal. If you skip the Soul Core Power 2 shrine practice, you can't reveal the wall.
- Greater Nue soul reward — must defeat Dokyo in time. If the fight drags past ~5 minutes, Dokyo escapes and you lose the soul reward (but still get the trophy).
- Oni Note fragment at shrine — easy to skip if you rush past the altar after the boss.
7. Soul Farming Opportunities
| Location | Enemies | Souls / Clear | Respawns? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oni Refuge (full clear) | Enhanced Genma Brutes | ~1200 yellow | Yes (chapter select) |
| Greater Nue (Dokyo) | 1 boss | +3000 yellow on first clear | Yes (chapter select) |
8. Chapter Checklist
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