Do you need to play Nioh 1 and 2 before Nioh 3? Everything you should know

Nioh 3 is just around the corner, but since it’s the third game in a long-running series, some might be deterred by the fact that they haven’t completed the first two.

So, if you were one of those (as was I up until recently), here’s everything you should know.

Do you have to beat Nioh 1 and 2 before Nioh 3?

Nioh 3, like Nioh 2, does not require any foreknowledge of the series if you want to hop right into the newest one. All three games, though interconnected by lore and story, take place in separate locations and follow separate characters (Nioh 1 follows an actual historical figure, William Adams, a British explorer and the first Englishman in Japan, while the next two games have custom characters).

It would be a great experience to witness the evolution of the series starting from the first title, though there is nothing wrong with picking the franchise up at any point you see fit.

What will be a bit difficult is returning to older titles if you start out with Nioh 3. This latest entry is one of the most polished games in the Soulslike genre overall, and while its predecessors are good games, they’re not nearly as refined or well-made as Nioh 3.

Both do have their own set of quirks and fun mechanics, though, and much of what you see in Nioh 3 will at least feel familiar if you return to past titles.

So, to put it bluntly: no, you don’t have to start Nioh with the first game, but it would be a great journey if you did.

The post Do you need to play Nioh 1 and 2 before Nioh 3? Everything you should know appeared first on Destructoid.

The Chapter 3 update in Dune Awakening has introduced the Specializations system that allows you to customize your endgame builds with plenty of freedom.

Specializations are endgame abilities that have different categories. You have to equip them based on what type of build you want to run. Plenty of XP is also required to unlock more Specializations, and getting all of them unlocked can be quite a grind.

Complete list of Specializations in Dune Awakening

Complete list of Specializations in Dune Awakening

Specializations are available in the five following categories.

Crafting
Combat
Exploration
Gathering
Sabotage

Every category has 41 different options that offer various bonuses and added benefits.

Crafting

If you’re someone who loves to trade a lot in Dune Awakening, you’ll love the Crafting Specializations. You’ll craft better items while using materials much more efficiently. The items you make are much more durable, and there are bonuses applicable for refining/recycling products.

Ranged Augmentation Limit: Ranged Augmentation Limit: +1
Melee Augmentation Limit: Melee Augmentation Limit: +1
Repair Master: Max Durability Loss: -5.0%
Consumable Batch Crafting: Batch Crafting Chance: +25.0%
Garment Augmentation Limit: Garment Augmentation Limit: +1
Superior Spice Yield: Bonus Spice Refining Yield Chance: +10.0%
Recycling Yield: Recycling Yield: +33.3%
Recycling Jackpot: Recycle Jackpot Chance: +5.0%
Efficient Machinery: Increases the speed of all crafting and refining
Augment Fabrication Mastery: Improved Augment Chance: +5.0%
Superior Chemical Yield: Bonus Chemical Refining Yield Chance: +30.0%
Augment Cost Reduction: Augment Fabrication Cost: -10.0%
Repair Master: Max Durability Loss: -5.0%
Melee Augmentation Limit: Melee Augmentation Limit: +1
Ranged Augmentation Limit: Ranged Augmentation Limit: +1
Augment Fabrication Mastery: Improved Augment Chance: +2.5%
Recycling Jackpot: Recycle Jackpot Chance: +5.0%.
Efficient Machinery: Increases the speed of all crafting and refining
Recycling Yield: Recycling Yield: +33.3%
Garment Augmentation Limit: Garment Augmentation Limit: +1
Superior Spice Yield: Bonus Spice Refining Yield Chance: +10.0%
Repair Master: Max Durability Loss: -5.0%
Fragment Upgrading: Unlocks a recipe in the Advanced Survival Fabricator
Augment Fabrication Mastery: Improved Augment Chance: +2.5%
Augment Cost Reduction: Augment Fabrication Cost: -10.0%
Waste Not, Want No: Schematic Recovery Chance: +15.0%
Superior Ore Yield: Bonus Ore Refining Yield Chance: +30.0%
Repair Master: Max Durability Loss: -10.0%
Recycling Jackpot: Recycle Jackpot Chance: +5.0%
Efficient Machinery: Increases the speed of all crafting and refining
Crafter’s Helm Cosmetic Reward
Augment Fabrication Mastery: Improved Augment Chance: +5.0%
Recycling Yield: Recycling Yield: +33.3%
Repair Master: Max Durability Loss: -5.0%
Superior Spice Yield: Bonus Spice Refining Yield Chance: +10.0%
Ranged Augmentation Limit: Ranged Augmentation Limit: +1
Melee Augmentation Limit: Melee Augmentation Limit: +1
Augment Cost Reduction: Augment Fabrication Cost: -10.0%
Efficient Machinery: Increases the speed of all crafting and refining
Augment Fabrication Mastery: Improved Augment Chance: +5.0%
Ghost Data: Schematic Doubling Chance: +15.0%

Combat

If you’re someone who loves to shoot his guns at anything that moves, the Combat Specializations will be of immense benefit. One of those involves plenty of additional Skill Points, along with more Health, Stamina, and everything else that allows you to get an edge over your enemies.

Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Max Stamina Increase: Max Stamina +5
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Max Health Increase: Max Health +15
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Max Stamina Increase: Max Stamina +20
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Max Health Increase: Max Health +5
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Max Stamina Increase: Max Stamina +5
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Max Health Increase: Max Health +5
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Max Stamina Increase: Max Stamina +5
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Combatant’s Helm Variant
Max Health Increase: Max Health +25
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +3 Skill Points
Max Health Increase: Max Health +5
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Max Stamina Increase: Max Stamina +20
Skill Points: +1 Skill Points
Skill Points: +5 Skill Points

Exploration

The Deep Desert is a vast space, and having Exploration Specializations will allow you to reach its far reaches more quickly. The buffs will allow you to travel further and faster while making you and your vehicles far more efficient. Your vehicles will consume less fuel and show fewer signs of breakdown. Some abilities will also allow you to get more loot from crashed ships as a bonus.

Pack Mule: Inventory Slot Capacity +5
Vehicle Boost Heat Reduction: Boost Heat Generation: -10.0%
Superior Fuel Efficiency: Vehicle Fuel Efficiency: +5.0%
Rider in the Storm: Vehicle Sandstorm Damage: -15.0%
Treasure Hunter: Increases the amount of loot gained from crashed ships and buried treasures
Efficient Surveyor: Survey Time: -50.0%
Vehicle Boost Heat Reduction: Boost Heat Generation: -10.0%
Superior Scanning Range: Scanning Range: +15.0%
Vehicle Recovery Cost Reduction: Vehicle Recovery Cost: -25.0%
Vehicle Speed Bonus: Vehicle Speed: +15.0%
Superior Heat Dissipation: Heat Dissipation Rate: +5.0%
Pack Mule: Inventory Slot Capacity +5
Suspensor Powerdrain Reduction: Suspensor Power Drain: -10.0%
Vehicle Boost Heat Reduction: Boost Heat Generation: -10.0%
Expert Maneuvering: Vehicle Damage Resistance: +10.0%
Superior Fuel Efficiency: Vehicle Fuel Efficiency: +5.0%
Revealing the Fog: Fog of War Radius: +50.0%
Hidden Caches: Increases the amount of loot in loot containers
Wall Crawler: Climbing Stamina Cost: -20.0%
Rider in the Storm: Vehicle Sandstorm Damage: -15.0%
Superior Heat Dissipation: Heat Dissipation Rate: +5.0%
Pack Mule: Inventory Slot Capacity +5
Vehicle Recovery Cost Reduction: Vehicle Recovery Cost: -25.0%
Superior Fuel Efficiency: Vehicle Fuel Efficiency: +5.0%
Vehicle Boost Heat Reduction: Boost Heat Generation: -10.0%
Superior Heat Dissipation: Heat Dissipation Rate: +5.0%
Superior Fuel Efficiency: Vehicle Fuel Efficiency: +5.0%
Superior Heat Dissipation: Heat Dissipation Rate: +5.0%
Superior Scanning Range: Scanning Range: +35.0%
Without Rhythm: Sandworm Threat: -10.0%
Explorer’s Helm Variant
Pack Mule: Inventory Slot Capacity +5
Rider in the Storm: Vehicle Sandstorm Damage: -15.0%
Superior Heat Dissipation: Heat Dissipation Rate: +5.0%
Superior Fuel Efficiency: Vehicle Fuel Efficiency: +5.0%
Expert Maneuvering: Vehicle Damage Resistance: +10.0%
Vehicle Boost Heat Reduction: Boost Heat Generation: -10.0%
Suspensor Powerdrain Reduction: Suspensor Power Drain: -20.0%
Superior Heat Dissipation: Heat Dissipation Rate: +5.0%
Without Rhythm: Sandworm Threat: -10.0%
Pack Mule: Inventory Slot Capacity +5

Gathering

These are my favorite Specializations as I play alone. Every bit of resource you obtain will be more, making it easier for you to survive the harsh nature of the desert. If you’re someone who loves to harvest, mine, and collect, the Gathering Specializations will be perfect.

Effective Salvaging: Bonus Scrap Yield Chance: +30.0%
Every Last Drop: Water Harvesting Yield: +20.0%
Exsanguination Mastery: Blood Extraction Yield: +100.0%
More Efficient Tools: Tool Power Drain: -10.0%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Compactor Safety: Static Compactor Threat: -5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Superior Compactor Range: Static Compactor Area: +10.0%
Pickup Yields: Pickup Yield: +100.0%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Compactor Safety: Static Compactor Threat: -5.0%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Superior Compactor Range: Static Compactor Area: +10.0%
Effective Salvaging: Bonus Scrap Yield Chance: +10.0%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
More Efficient Tools: Tool Power Drain: -5.0%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Pickup Yields: Pickup Yield: +100.0%
Corpse Compression: Corpse Volume: -50.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Superior Compactor Range: Static Compactor Area: +10.0%
Compactor Safety: Static Compactor Threat: -5.0%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Superior Compactor Range: Static Compactor Area: +40.0%
Gatherer’s Helm Variant
Superior Compactor Range: Static Compactor Area: +10.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
Effective Mining: Bonus Mineral Yield Chance: +5.0%
Compactor Safety: Static Compactor Threat: -5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%
More Efficient Tools: Tool Power Drain: -10.0%
Compactor Safety: Static Compactor Threat: -5.0%
Yield Jackpot: Jackpot Yield Chance: +2.5%

Sabotage

Last but not least, Sabotage makes you efficient at taking down the enemy in a shrewd fashion. You can lay and manipulate traps, use your stealth better, and do more damage with precise shots. This category is recommended for the advanced players, as mastering the abilities will require in-depth knowledge about in-game mechanics.