Unlocking the Secrets of the Dirty Key in Nioh 3: A Guide to Its Location and Use

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Finding the Dirty Key in Nioh 3 can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s not as tough as acquiring it. Early in the game, you’ll encounter a ruined village where a formidable Yamainu enemy lurks. You can choose to bypass it, but if you take on this wolf demon, you’ll earn the Dirty Key as a reward.

The tricky part is figuring out where to use this key, but it’s worth it since it unlocks a treasure trove, including a Secret Skill Text. Here’s how to locate the Dirty Key in Nioh 3 and how to put it to use.

You obtain the Dirty Key by defeating the Yamainu in the ruined village at the start of the game, shortly after entering the open-world Warring States period map. You can’t miss him—just follow the path from the Prospect Hill shrine (the first one you encounter), past two yokai enemies, and into the village where the wolf roams. Be sure to take out the enemy on the rooftop to the right who throws projectiles before engaging the Yamainu.

Yamainu can be a tough opponent, so consider softening him up with projectiles from a rooftop before launching a drop attack. They tend to get stuck on objects and have difficulty entering buildings, making it easier to defeat them if you’re having trouble with direct combat. Once you take down the Yamainu, you’ll receive the Dirty Key along with some dialogue.

To use the key, head to the location marked above:

Interact with the door to unlock it with the Dirty Key, then open the chest inside. You’ll find various gear, including the Armor Piercer Ninjutsu Secret Skill Text.