Kaede is the secondary playable character in Onimusha: Warlords, and players take control of her during several interlude chapters that run parallel to Samanosuke's main story. These chapters typically involve infiltration and exploration sequences that provide a change of pace from Samanosuke's more combat-focused gameplay. Kaede's chapters are shorter than Samanosuke's, but they present unique challenges due to her different combat capabilities and equipment limitations.
Kaede is a ninja, and her playstyle reflects this: she is faster than Samanosuke but has lower health and defense. Her primary weapon is a dagger, which has a fast attack speed but deals less damage per hit than Samanosuke's swords. Kaede cannot use magic attacks, as she does not possess an Oni Gauntlet, and she cannot absorb souls for weapon upgrades. This means her combat capabilities are fixed throughout the game, making her chapters more about skill and strategy than character progression.
Kaede's chapters occur at specific points in the story, typically when Samanosuke is occupied elsewhere. The first Kaede chapter occurs in Chapter 2, where she infiltrates the keep through a different entrance than Samanosuke. Subsequent Kaede chapters occur in Chapters 4, 5, and 7, each involving different areas of the keep and its surroundings. Each Kaede chapter has specific objectives, such as finding a key item, unlocking a passage for Samanosuke, or defeating a mini-boss that blocks progress.
The total playtime for Kaede's chapters is approximately 1-1.5 hours, compared to Samanosuke's 5-6 hours. Despite the shorter duration, Kaede's chapters contain some of the game's most memorable encounters and puzzle sequences. Her sections also contain several collectibles, including Fluorites and Trick Boxes, that are essential for 100% completion. Players who rush through Kaede's chapters may miss these collectibles, so thorough exploration is recommended even though her chapters are designed to be shorter and more linear than Samanosuke's.
Kaede Chapter Overview and Objectives
Kaede is the secondary playable character in Onimusha: Warlords, and players take control of her during several interlude chapters that run parallel to Samanosuke's main story. These chapters typically involve infiltration and exploration sequences that provide a change of pace from Samanosuke's more combat-focused gameplay. Kaede's chapters are shorter than Samanosuke's, but they present unique challenges due to her different combat capabilities and equipment limitations.
Kaede is a ninja, and her playstyle reflects this: she is faster than Samanosuke but has lower health and defense. Her primary weapon is a dagger, which has a fast attack speed but deals less damage per hit than Samanosuke's swords. Kaede cannot use magic attacks, as she does not possess an Oni Gauntlet, and she cannot absorb souls for weapon upgrades. This means her combat capabilities are fixed throughout the game, making her chapters more about skill and strategy than character progression.
Kaede's chapters occur at specific points in the story, typically when Samanosuke is occupied elsewhere. The first Kaede chapter occurs in Chapter 2, where she infiltrates the keep through a different entrance than Samanosuke. Subsequent Kaede chapters occur in Chapters 4, 5, and 7, each involving different areas of the keep and its surroundings. Each Kaede chapter has specific objectives, such as finding a key item, unlocking a passage for Samanosuke, or defeating a mini-boss that blocks progress.
The total playtime for Kaede's chapters is approximately 1-1.5 hours, compared to Samanosuke's 5-6 hours. Despite the shorter duration, Kaede's chapters contain some of the game's most memorable encounters and puzzle sequences. Her sections also contain several collectibles, including Fluorites and Trick Boxes, that are essential for 100% completion. Players who rush through Kaede's chapters may miss these collectibles, so thorough exploration is recommended even though her chapters are designed to be shorter and more linear than Samanosuke's.
Enemy Types and Combat Strategies for Kaede
Kaede faces many of the same enemy types as Samanosuke, but her different combat capabilities require significantly different strategies. Her lower health and defense mean that she cannot afford to trade blows with enemies, and her lack of magic attacks removes the ranged option that Samanosuke relies on for crowd control. This section provides specific combat strategies for Kaede against each major enemy type.
Soldier Demons: Kaede's fast dagger attacks are effective against soldier demons, as she can land multiple hits before the enemy can respond. The key strategy is to attack in short bursts of 2-3 hits, then retreat to avoid the enemy's counterattack. Kaede's dodge roll is faster than Samanosuke's, making it easier to evade attacks and reposition. Always prioritize archer demons first, as Kaede's lower health makes ranged attacks particularly dangerous. Use the environment to create bottlenecks that force enemies to approach one at a time.
Three-Eyes (Ninja Demons): Three-Eyes are arguably the most dangerous enemy type for Kaede, as their speed matches hers and their attacks can quickly deplete her health. The recommended strategy is to use Kaede's throw attack (pressing attack while moving toward the enemy) to stagger them, then follow up with a quick combo. When Three-Eyes jump to the ceiling, wait for them to descend and attack them during their landing recovery. Never engage more than one Three-Eye at a time; if multiple are present, use hit-and-run tactics to separate them.
Zombie Demons: Zombie demons are less threatening to Kaede than to Samanosuke, as their slow speed allows Kaede to easily outmaneuver them. Use hit-and-run tactics: approach, land 2-3 hits, then retreat before the zombie can initiate its grab attack. Kaede's fast movement speed makes it easy to maintain a safe distance while still dealing damage. Be cautious in enclosed spaces where the zombie's grab attack is harder to dodge.
Barabatub (Large Demons): Barabatub are extremely dangerous for Kaede, as her low damage output means prolonged engagements that increase the risk of taking a hit. The recommended strategy is to use Kaede's throw attack to stagger the Barabatub, then land as many hits as possible during the stagger period. Repeat this process, retreating between attacks to avoid the Barabatub's devastating melee combos. If possible, use environmental hazards (such as explosive barrels) to deal additional damage. In some Kaede chapters, it is possible to avoid Barabatub encounters entirely by taking alternate routes, which is recommended given her combat limitations against these enemies.
Boss Fight Tactics for Kaede Sections
Kaede faces one major boss encounter during her chapters, along with several mini-boss fights that serve as chapter climaxes. These encounters are designed to test the player's mastery of Kaede's unique combat style, and they require different tactics than Samanosuke's boss fights. This section provides specific tactics for each boss and mini-boss encounter in Kaede's chapters.
Mini-Boss: Corridor Guardian (Chapter 2): The first mini-boss Kaede encounters is a large soldier demon guarding a corridor in the keep. This enemy has more health than standard soldier demons and uses a wider variety of attacks, including a charge attack and a spinning slash. The strategy is to bait the charge attack, dodge to the side, and land 3-4 hits during the recovery. Avoid the spinning slash by maintaining distance; do not try to attack during the spin, as the hitbox is wide and will catch you if you are too close. This fight takes approximately 2-3 minutes with Kaede's dagger.
Mini-Boss: Dual Three-Eyes (Chapter 4): This encounter pits Kaede against two Three-Eyes simultaneously, which is one of the most challenging fights in her chapters. The key strategy is to focus on one Three-Eye at a time while keeping the other at a distance. Use throw attacks to stagger one while dodging the other's attacks. When one Three-Eye is defeated, the fight becomes significantly easier, as you can focus all attention on the remaining enemy. If your health drops below 50%, use an Herb to heal, as Kaede's low defense means she cannot survive more than 2-3 hits from a Three-Eye.
Mini-Boss: Armored Knight (Chapter 5): This mini-boss is a heavily armored enemy that is resistant to Kaede's dagger attacks from the front. The strategy is to circle around the knight and attack from behind, where its armor provides less protection. Use dodge rolls to circle behind the knight after it attacks, then land 2-3 hits before it turns to face you. The knight's attacks are slow but powerful, so patience is key. This fight takes approximately 3-4 minutes.
Final Kaede Boss: Lizard Demon (Chapter 7): The final boss of Kaede's chapters is a lizard-type demon that is considered the most challenging Kaede encounter in the game. The demon has fast, sweeping attacks that cover a wide area, and it can lash its tail to hit Kaede from unexpected angles. The strategy is to stay close to the demon's side, where most of its attacks cannot reach, and land quick combos when it finishes an attack animation. When the demon rears back, it is about to use its tongue lash attack; immediately dodge to the side to avoid being grabbed. The fight has two phases: in phase 1, the demon uses mostly melee attacks; in phase 2 (below 50% health), it adds a poison spit attack that covers the arena in hazardous pools. Avoid standing in the poison pools, as they deal continuous damage to Kaede. This fight takes approximately 4-5 minutes and is the ultimate test of Kaede's combat capabilities.
Recommended Equipment and Soul Allocation for Kaede
Unlike Samanosuke, Kaede does not have a weapon upgrade system or soul absorption mechanic. Her combat capabilities are fixed throughout the game, which means that the player cannot improve her stats through grinding. However, the consumable items and equipment that Kaede has access to can be managed strategically to maximize her survivability and combat effectiveness. This section covers the recommended item loadout and resource management strategies for Kaede's chapters.
Healing Items: Kaede should always carry a full stock of Herbs and Medicine when entering her chapters. Herbs restore 50% of her health, while Medicine restores 100%. Since Kaede's maximum health is lower than Samanosuke's, even a single hit from a mid-tier enemy can reduce her health by 30-40%, making healing items essential for survival. Collect Herbs and Medicine during Samanosuke's chapters and store them in the shared inventory, then equip them on Kaede before starting her chapters. Aim to carry at least 3 Herbs and 1 Medicine for each Kaede chapter.
Throwing Knives: Kaede has access to throwing knives, which serve as her only ranged attack. Throwing knives deal moderate damage and can be used to stagger enemies from a distance, making them invaluable for crowd control and for dealing with archer demons. Kaede can carry up to 30 throwing knives at a time. Use them strategically: save them for enemies that are difficult to approach in melee (such as archers and Three-Eyes on the ceiling) rather than wasting them on enemies that can be easily dispatched with the dagger. Throwing knives can be found in breakable objects throughout Kaede's chapters, so explore thoroughly to maintain your supply.
Power Jewels: While Kaede cannot upgrade her weapon, she can use Power Jewels to permanently increase her maximum health. Power Jewels are rare items found in specific locations throughout the game, and any Power Jewels collected during Samanosuke's chapters also benefit Kaede. Collecting Power Jewels before Kaede's difficult chapters (particularly Chapter 7) can significantly improve her survivability. Prioritize finding Power Jewels in the early chapters to ensure that Kaede has sufficient health for her later encounters.
Soul Management: Although Kaede cannot absorb souls, the souls dropped by enemies she defeats are not wasted. If you switch back to Samanosuke after a Kaede chapter, any souls that were on the ground when the switch occurred will still be there for Samanosuke to absorb. This means that Kaede's combat encounters can serve as a soul farming opportunity for Samanosuke, provided you return to the area as Samanosuke before the souls expire. This is a minor optimization, but it can help with weapon and orb upgrades if you are short on souls. Additionally, the Trick Boxes and Fluorites found in Kaede's chapters contribute to Samanosuke's collection totals, so thorough exploration during Kaede sections benefits the overall playthrough.