• Feature: Full character re-customization and "Transform" system.
  • Unlock Requirement: Defeat Jakotsu-baba (Crucible boss) at Hamamatsu Castle.
  • Key Item: Guiding Mirror (provided by Ii Naotora).
  • Location: The Mirror inside the Eternal Rift.
  • Time Investment: Roughly 6 to 10 hours depending on exploration.
  • Functionality: Supports external character customization codes.

Fashion is the Real Endgame: Re-Customization in Nioh 3

We’ve all been there. You spend forty minutes in the character creator, start the opening cutscene, and realize your protagonist’s jawline looks like a discarded geometry project. In most RPGs, you’re stuck with that mistake for eighty hours. Fortunately, Team Ninja isn't that cruel. Nioh 3 brings back the robust character creation system we loved in the previous titles, and yes, you can fix your mistakes or swap to a Vergil-inspired build whenever the mood strikes.

Our take? This isn't just about fixing a bad haircut. The customization codes floating around since the demo launched are already top-tier. If you want to run through 16th-century Japan looking like 2B, you’re going to need to unlock the Eternal Rift first.

How to Unlock the Guiding Mirror

You can’t just swap faces from the jump. You’ll need to prove you can handle the combat before you’re allowed to play dress-up. The re-customization feature is tied to a specific progression milestone that most players will hit between the six and ten-hour mark.

The Road to Hamamatsu Castle

To gain permanent access to your hub for all things aesthetic, you must defeat Jakotsu-baba. She is the boss of the first major Crucible area. Once you clear the corruption at Hamamatsu Castle, you’ll meet Ii Naotora, who hands over the Guiding Mirror. This key item is your ticket to traveling between the overworld and the Eternal Rift.

Using the Eternal Rift Mirror

Once you have the Guiding Mirror, the process is straightforward but easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it. Head to the Eternal Rift, move toward the shrine, and go up the stairs. The mirror is tucked away in the corner of the top floor.

Interact with the mirror and select "Change Your Appearance." You’ll be greeted with three distinct options:

  • Change Appearance: This takes you back to the full character creator. Skin, hair, proportions—everything is on the table.
  • Equipment Appearance: The standard transmog system to keep your stats high and your fashion on point.
  • Transform: This allows you to take on the form of other characters from the story. Note that this feature won't be available immediately upon unlocking the mirror.

The Analyst's Verdict

The decision to gate these features behind a 10-hour wall might frustrate the "Fashion-Souls" purists, but it serves as a solid carrot on a stick for the early game. Given the sheer length of the game, you’ll have plenty of time to cycle through different looks. Whether you're min-maxing your hitboxes or just trying to look like a legendary samurai, the Guiding Mirror is the most important QoL tool in your kit.