Malice barriers are persistent obstacles in Onimusha: Way of the Sword that Musashi must overcome to purify regions corrupted by malice and the genma. These barriers frequently appear in key story missions and also conceal optional objectives, making them impossible to ignore for players aiming to progress through the game and save Kyoto. Early in the campaign, players will encounter these barriers, notably within Kiyomizu-dera Temple during the "The Stage is Set at Kiyomizu" quest.
To break these infernal structures, neither conventional training nor conventional weaponry will suffice. The key lies in unlocking the Oni Strength ability, which becomes available during the "Careful What You Wish For" main story mission. This quest, which can take up to five hours of gameplay to reach, involves investigating mysterious events at the Hachidai Rikison Shrine and confronting the boss Rasho-gan. Upon defeating this foe and witnessing a subsequent cutscene, players will acquire the Oni Strength skill and its associated skill tree.
Once unlocked, Oni Strength allows for direct interaction with malice barriers. By holding the action button, Musashi can break through them. Furthermore, the Oni Strength skill tree offers a passive upgrade called "Destruction Speed." This enhancement reduces the time required to destroy barriers, proving particularly useful for players who wish to navigate levels more swiftly while bypassing enemy encounters.
Beyond its utility in clearing pathways, Oni Strength serves as a significant combat tool. It can be employed to break the defenses of enemies who wield shields or maintain a defensive posture. This potent oni power also enables Musashi to interact with environmental objects, such as explosive barrels and even large pillars after further upgrades, allowing them to be thrown at adversaries.