What Are Lesser Crucibles and Crucible Spikes? 🔮
Lesser Crucibles and Crucible Spikes are important collectibles in Nioh 3 providing key benefits:
What they do:
✓ Increase Spirit Force (critical stat)
✓ Sometimes block main path progression
✓ Appear on map after raising exploration level
✓ Lesser Crucibles = achievement/trophy requirement
Why collect all:
- Spirit Force boost for better combat
- Completion for platinum/achievements
- Some required for story progress
- Exploration rewards for thoroughness
You might be wondering: Do I need to find all? Lesser Crucibles yes for achievement. Crucible Spikes are optional, but Spirit Force boost is worth it.
Overall Summary – Heian Region 📋
Collectible distribution:
| Region | Lesser Crucibles | Crucible Spikes | Total | Level Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamo Village | 1 | 0 | 1 | 57 |
| Funaokayama | 1 | 1 | 2 | 59 |
| Sagano | 1 | 0 | 1 | 62 |
| Nishiichi | 1 | 1 | 2 | 66 |
| Hachijo | 1 | 1 | 2 | 73 |
| Rokuhara | 1 | 1 | 2 | 77 |
| TOTAL | 6 | 4 | 10 | 57-77 |
💡 Pro tip: Raise exploration level of each region to at least 50% before searching – they’ll appear on map and ease navigation.
Step-by-Step Location Guide 🗺️
1. Kamo Village – Lesser Crucible (Level 57) 🏔️
Starting point: Path of Koyama
Navigation:
- From Path of Koyama run down the slope
- Go straight forward
- Lesser Crucible is directly on the path
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy – directly on path |
| Enemies | Minimum |
| Requirements | None special |
❌ Common mistake: Rushing past without attention. Even though it’s “on the path,” it can be easy to miss if you’re sprinting.
2. Funaokayama – Lesser Crucible (Level 59) 🏯
Starting point: Funaokayama arrival point
Navigation:
- After arriving run east
- Follow main road past all enemies
- Approach Frozen Ghost Town Shrine
- Go further east and down
- Find Lesser Crucible
Bonus: Frozen Ghost Town Shrine access
How to reach the shrine:
- Face the shrine on the hill
- Go left
- Break boxes near the corpse
- Crawl through the opening
- Find shrine + Sudama
💡 Pro tip: This shrine is a critical fast travel point. Definitely activate it even if you’re primarily hunting Lesser Crucible.
3. Funaokayama – Crucible Spike (Level 59) 💠
Starting point: West of Funaokayama
Navigation:
- Run west of Funaokayama
- Take the last right turn
- Opens to area with:
- Large body of water in middle
- Broken-down house on left
- Crucible Spike is here
Quest connection:
- Same area as Yokai Horde Picture Scroll myth
- Must defeat Yokai here during quest
- Can grab Spike before/after myth
⚠️ Warning: If doing myth quest, remember to grab Spike simultaneously – saves a return trip.
4. Sagano – Lesser Crucible (Level 62) 🌊
Starting point: Horiike of Arashiyama Shrine
Navigation:
- From shrine run south
- Pass by enemy base
- When encountering mermaids
- Turn left toward submerged building
- Cross the building
- Spirit Vein leads up to Lesser Crucible
Challenge breakdown:
| Obstacle | Solution |
|---|---|
| Enemy base | Avoid or clear |
| Mermaids | Careful, aggro range |
| Submerged building | Platforming section |
| Spirit Vein | Traversal mechanic |
💡 Pro tip: Mermaids have long aggro range. If you don’t want to fight, stick to area edges.
5. Nishiichi – Crucible Spike (Level 66) 🌉
Starting point: Northwestern region entrance
Navigation:
- Enter region from northwest
- Find path on right
- Jump across water
- Reach Spike
- Destroy it
Quick access:
- Very straightforward location
- Minimum detours
- Low enemy presence
❌ Common mistake: Missing the right path immediately after entry. Stay to the right side.
6. Nishiichi – Lesser Crucible (Level 66) 🏰
Starting point: Nishiichi region
Navigation:
- Run southeast of region
- Find large area
- Lesser Crucible is here
Optional shortcut:
- Clear enemy base to north
- Activate Driftwood Fortress Shrine
- Creates checkpoint closer to Lesser Crucible
Strategy:
Option A: Direct approach
- Go straight to southeast
- Faster if underleveled
Option B: Clear then collect
- Clear enemy base first
- Activate shrine
- Safe and comfortable collection
💡 Recommendation: Option B – shrine is useful for future exploration.
7. Hachijo – Crucible Spike (Level 73) ❄️
Starting point: Rajomon: Suzaku Avenue Shrine
Navigation:
- From shrine run north
- Pass by Wheelmonks
- At end turn left
- Find icicles – break them
- Leads to Spirit Vein
- Traverse Spirit Vein
- Go up
- Spike is at top
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Accessing Spirit Vein requires story progress. If you can’t use it, return later.
Requirements:
- Certain point in main story
- Spirit Vein ability unlocked
- Level 73+ recommended
8. Hachijo – Lesser Crucible (Level 73) 🏚️
Starting point: Filthy Flooded Street Shrine
Navigation:
- From shrine follow path south
- Southeastern part of region = Lesser Crucible
Quest connection:
- Visit this location during Putrid Paradise myth
- Must take Tatsumaro to his house
- Can grab Lesser Crucible during quest
💡 Pro tip: If doing Putrid Paradise myth, you’ll automatically pass through this area. Don’t forget to grab Lesser Crucible during mission.
9. Rokuhara – Crucible Spike (Level 77) 🌳
Starting point: Gion Grove Shrine
Navigation:
- Look west from shrine
- Drop down
- Follow path until encountering boxes
- Break and crouch through
- Spirit Vein awaits
- Traverse Spirit Vein
- Spike is on other side
Platforming section:
- Requires jump timing
- Crouch crawl mechanic
- Spirit Vein traversal
❌ Common mistake: Missing boxes to break. Look for destructible objects carefully.
10. Rokuhara – Lesser Crucible (Level 77) – FINAL 🎯
Starting point: Kamo Riverbank Shrine
Navigation:
- From shrine run east into Rokuhara
- Take path leading to Gion Grove Shrine
- Cross water via tree branch
- Climb stairs
- Ahead find last Lesser Crucible in Heian
Completion reward:
✓ 6/6 Lesser Crucibles complete
✓ Achievement/Trophy unlock
✓ Maximum Spirit Force from Heian
🎉 Congratulations: You’ve completed all Lesser Crucibles in Heian region!
Completion Checklist ✅
Lesser Crucibles:
- Kamo Village (Level 57)
- Funaokayama (Level 59)
- Sagano (Level 62)
- Nishiichi (Level 66)
- Hachijo (Level 73)
- Rokuhara (Level 77)
Crucible Spikes:
- Funaokayama (Level 59)
- Nishiichi (Level 66)
- Hachijo (Level 73)
- Rokuhara (Level 77)
Total Progress: ___/10 collectibles
Strategies for Efficient Collection 🎯
Level-Based Approach
Early Game (57-62):
- Kamo Village Lesser Crucible
- Funaokayama Lesser Crucible + Spike
- Sagano Lesser Crucible
Mid Game (66):
4. Nishiichi Lesser Crucible + Spike
Late Game (73-77):
5. Hachijo Lesser Crucible + Spike
6. Rokuhara Lesser Crucible + Spike
Region-Based Approach
Best for completionists:
- Clear one region completely
- All collectibles, shrines, myths
- Then move to next
Time efficiency:
- Combine with myth quests
- Activate shrines for fast travel
- Raise exploration level for map reveal
FAQ
Q: What happens if I miss a Lesser Crucible?
A: You can return anytime. None are missable – all available even after completing main story.
Q: Do I need all for platinum/100%?
A: Lesser Crucibles yes (achievement/trophy). Crucible Spikes no, but Spirit Force boost is worth it.
Q: Do they automatically appear on map?
A: Only after raising exploration level of region. Explore thoroughly for reveal.
Q: What level should I collect at?
A: Minimum recommended level for each location. Underleveled = difficult survival.
Q: Can I collect in any order?
A: Yes, but some require story progress (e.g., Hachijo Spirit Vein). Level-based approach safest.
Q: What if I can’t use Spirit Vein?
A: Story progress required. Continue main quest and return later.
Q: How much Spirit Force does each give?
A: Text doesn’t specify exact amount, but each provides significant boost. Collecting all is worthwhile.
Q: Are any of these tied to boss fights?
A: No direct boss fights, but some locations have enemy bases nearby that you may want to clear first.
