[Nioh 2] Observation on timely guard ki consumption
6I happen to have an interest in timely guard recently, hence decided to debunk some myths surrounding it. Specifically about whether timely guard uses less ki than regular guard.
Just for fun, I also threw in the question of whether mid stance is better in guarding compared to other stances.
00:00 - Loadout (for context)
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It's a barebone setup that grants a bonus for timely guard (faster movement) for audio and visual cues as to whether I succeeded the execution. Only active skills based on timely guard are attuned.
Weapons wise, they're pretty much level 1 weapons with no bonuses to timely guard and not part of any set. Hence not necessary to bloat the run time including them.
00:57 - Basic test
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Showcased some sample weapons facing off a projectile. The ki damage is recorded and compared. There does not seem to be any difference between timely or regular guard in any stance.
02:02 - Timely guard exception
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With a katana and Backwave attuned, timely guard will cost less ki but only when guarding against certain attacks. Other weapons do not exhibit this behaviour, including those with similar skill.
03:16 - Stance based guard exception
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Switchglaive is the only weapon where the stances actually affect guard ki consumption, also only against certain attacks. Mid stance is the best for guarding and high stance is the worst, although not by much.
04:08 - Exception oddities
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Strangely enough, Daidara Bochi's gaze into the abyss triggers ki consumption reduction from Backwave, but ignores Switchglaive's stances.
I suppose the short answer is that neither timely guard nor mid stance is any better for guarding in general situations. Both of those will slightly reduce ki consumption on block under very specific circumstances, but I wouldn't concern myself with it.
| Recorded on a PS4, patch 1.27.
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