In Onimusha: Warlords, Samanosuke acquires three elemental weapons over the course of the campaign, each tied to a different element and combat style. These weapons -- Raizan (thunder), Enryuu (fire), and Shiden (ice) -- form the core of your offensive toolkit and can each be upgraded with red souls absorbed from defeated enemies.
Raizan is the thunder sword and is typically acquired first. It attacks quickly and has a reliable combo string, making it the go-to weapon for Issen-focused players who want fast, responsive strikes. Its magic attack unleashes a bolt of lightning that strikes forward, useful for staggering groups.
Enryuu is the fire sword and hits harder per swing than Raizan, but with a slightly slower animation. Its magic releases a flame pillar that deals heavy damage in a small area, making it excellent against tough single targets and bosses. Many players prefer Enryuu for its raw damage output.
Shiden is the ice sword and occupies a middle ground between Raizan and Enryuu in speed and power. Its magic attack freezes enemies temporarily, giving you breathing room in crowded fights. Shiden is a versatile choice that shines when you need crowd control mixed with decent damage.
- Raizan: Fast, thunder element, good for Issen
- Enryuu: Slow, fire element, highest raw damage
- Shiden: Balanced, ice element, crowd control
Each weapon can be upgraded multiple times with red souls, increasing its attack power and magic damage. You switch between weapons on the fly, so you are never locked into one choice during combat.
The Three Elemental Weapons Explained
In Onimusha: Warlords, Samanosuke acquires three elemental weapons over the course of the campaign, each tied to a different element and combat style. These weapons -- Raizan (thunder), Enryuu (fire), and Shiden (ice) -- form the core of your offensive toolkit and can each be upgraded with red souls absorbed from defeated enemies.
Raizan is the thunder sword and is typically acquired first. It attacks quickly and has a reliable combo string, making it the go-to weapon for Issen-focused players who want fast, responsive strikes. Its magic attack unleashes a bolt of lightning that strikes forward, useful for staggering groups.
Enryuu is the fire sword and hits harder per swing than Raizan, but with a slightly slower animation. Its magic releases a flame pillar that deals heavy damage in a small area, making it excellent against tough single targets and bosses. Many players prefer Enryuu for its raw damage output.
Shiden is the ice sword and occupies a middle ground between Raizan and Enryuu in speed and power. Its magic attack freezes enemies temporarily, giving you breathing room in crowded fights. Shiden is a versatile choice that shines when you need crowd control mixed with decent damage.
- Raizan: Fast, thunder element, good for Issen
- Enryuu: Slow, fire element, highest raw damage
- Shiden: Balanced, ice element, crowd control
Each weapon can be upgraded multiple times with red souls, increasing its attack power and magic damage. You switch between weapons on the fly, so you are never locked into one choice during combat.
Raizan vs Enryuu vs Shiden: Head-to-Head
Choosing the best weapon depends on your playstyle and the situation. Here is a detailed comparison across the factors that matter most in combat.
Attack speed is where Raizan shines. Its fast swings let you fit more hits between enemy attacks and make Issen timing feel more forgiving. Enryuu is the slowest, which means fewer hits per window but more damage per strike. Shiden sits between them, offering a balance that many players find comfortable.
Damage output favors Enryuu. Per hit, the fire sword deals the most raw damage, and its magic attack is devastating against bosses. Raizan compensates with speed, allowing more total hits in a given timeframe. Shiden deals moderate damage but adds utility through its freezing effect.
Magic utility varies significantly. Raizan's thunder bolt is quick and staggers, Enryuu's flame pillar hits hard in a zone, and Shiden's ice freeze provides crowd control that no other weapon offers. The freeze effect is especially valuable in the Dark Realm where you face dense groups.
| Stat | Raizan | Enryuu | Shiden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast | Slow | Medium |
| Damage | Low-Med | High | Medium |
| Magic | Bolt stagger | Flame pillar | Ice freeze |
| Best for | Issen combos | Boss damage | Crowd control |
Ultimately, all three weapons are viable for the entire campaign. The game encourages switching based on the encounter rather than committing to a single blade.
Which Weapon Should You Upgrade First?
Resource management matters because red souls are finite per area, so deciding which weapon to upgrade first affects your mid-game power curve. The general recommendation is to focus on one weapon rather than spreading souls evenly across all three.
For most players, Raizan is the best first upgrade target. Because you acquire it earliest, investing red souls into Raizan gives you a strong, fast weapon for the majority of the campaign. Its speed also synergizes with Issen practice, letting you learn enemy timings while dealing respectable damage.
If you prefer raw power and boss-killing efficiency, pour your souls into Enryuu once you acquire it. A fully upgraded fire sword shreds bosses and heavy Genma, and its magic attack is one of the strongest single-hit damage sources in the game. The trade-off is slower normal combat until you adjust to the timing.
Shiden is an excellent secondary investment. Its freeze effect trivializes crowded rooms and Dark Realm waves, and a well-upgraded Shiden can carry you through the toughest optional content. Many completionists max all three eventually, but if you must choose, prioritize based on your preferred combat rhythm.
- Best overall: Raizan (speed and Issen synergy)
- Best for bosses: Enryuu (highest damage)
- Best for crowds: Shiden (freeze utility)
- Always max at least one before the final area
In New Game Plus, you carry over all upgrades, so you can max the remaining weapons on a second run without the pressure of finite souls.