Musashi's swords are central to combat in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, serving as his primary means of fighting the demonic forces. While other options like explosive barrels and Oni weapons exist, they are often situational. The player's primary engagement will be with their swords. To diversify this experience, Onimusha: Way of the Sword offers various sword skins that can be unlocked.
Most of these cosmetic sword skins are acquired by finding Lion Dogs. These unique creatures become available after completing the "What Lurks in the Shadows" quest and meeting Lady Murasaki. They can be found in specific locations scattered across maps, such as in Eastern Kyoto. Certain skins, however, are exclusive to those who pre-ordered the game or purchased the deluxe and premium deluxe editions.
It is important to note that these unlocked swords are purely cosmetic. They do not alter Musashi's damage output or grant any special effects. To equip a different sword skin, players must visit any Spirit Mirror within the game and select the "Change Appearance" option.
Unlocking Swords with Lion Dogs
Finding a sufficient number of Lion Dogs will unlock several sword appearances. These dogs are small, ghostly entities that need to be interacted with. After completing the "What Lurks in the Shadows" quest, Lady Murasaki will provide information about the Lion Dogs and mark some of their locations on the map with paw icons. Progressing through the game unlocks more Lion Dog locations, with the "Curious Cases" menu detailing available dogs and their maps.
To find all 36 Lion Dogs, players must advance through the campaign. Certain quest completions reveal new sets of Lion Dog locations. The following quests and their associated Lion Dog counts are key:
- "What Lurks in the Shadows" unlocks 12 Lion Dog locations in Eastern Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Nijo-jo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
- "The Roots of All Evil" unlocks 5 Lion Dog locations in Eastern Kyoto.
- "Okuni's Kabuki Dance" unlocks 5 Lion Dog Dog locations in Eastern Kyoto.
- "The Demon on the Mount" unlocks 6 Lion Dog locations on Mount Oe.
- "In the Light of an Icy Moon" unlocks 8 Lion Dog locations in Eastern Kyoto and Arashiyama.
The swords unlocked through finding Lion Dogs include:
- Sakurahime: Requires six or more Lion Dogs. This blade is described as having been stained by countless victims.
- Shishioh: Requires 12 or more Lion Dogs. It is said to be forged from the remains of a beast slain by a great warrior.
- Myogo: Requires 18 or more Lion Dogs. This sword is the product of a swordsmith's prayers to all deities.
- Ura-giri: Requires 24 or more Lion Dogs. It is imbued with the fury of an Oni betrayed by its kin.
- Mooncrossed: Requires 30 or more Lion Dogs. This celestial gift is noted for its almost frightening beauty.
- Kikoku: Requires 36 Lion Dogs. This sword is described as being haunted by the nocturnal lamentations of weeping Oni.
Special Edition and Pre-Order Bonuses
Beyond the Lion Dog collectibles, some sword skins are tied to specific editions of the game or pre-order bonuses.
- Sealed Curse: Available for those who pre-ordered the game. Its appearance is noted as unnerving, fueling rumors of a curse.
- The White Lion: Exclusive to the deluxe and premium deluxe editions. This skin is described as bold, beautiful, and inspiring courage.
- Bamboo & Panda: Also included with the deluxe or premium deluxe editions. Musashi apparently favors this bamboo blade, complemented by a panda design.
- Whittled Oar: Another bonus for deluxe and premium deluxe edition owners, this skin transforms Musashi's sword into a wooden oar.
- Raizan: Available in deluxe and premium deluxe editions. This skin gives the sword a striking appearance, suggesting it is imbued with lightning's power, though it remains an ordinary blade.
- Enryuu: Also found in deluxe and premium deluxe editions. Similar to Raizan, this skin makes the sword appear to hold fire's power while maintaining its standard functionality.
