Nitoryu: Dual Wielding Combat System is an extensive combat modification for Kenshi that introduces a fully functional dual-wielding system. Characters can wield two blades simultaneously, perform unique combinations, parry attacks with their secondary weapon, and develop their fighting abilities through a dedicated progression system.
Contents
Nitoryu — Dual Wielding Combat System for Kenshi
Nitoryu: Dual Wielding Combat System is an extensive combat modification for Kenshi that introduces a fully functional dual-wielding system. Characters can wield two blades simultaneously, perform unique combinations, parry attacks with their secondary weapon, and develop their fighting abilities through a dedicated progression system.
Unlike modifications that simply add new weapons or animations, Nitoryu changes how melee combat works. Both weapons actively participate in battles, allowing fighters to alternate between individual strikes, coordinated attacks, and defensive techniques.
The system features its own skill, five mastery ranks, more than 50 custom animations, and extensive customization options. Dual wielding is also available to NPCs, making encounters with skilled opponents more varied and challenging.
Main Features
Nitoryu introduces several interconnected mechanics designed to make fighting with two weapons a distinct combat style.
- True dual wielding. Characters can attack and defend using weapons in both hands.
- New Dual Wielding skill. Combat experience gradually improves proficiency with paired blades.
- Five mastery ranks. Each stage unlocks additional attacks, defensive techniques, and unique combat stances.
- Custom combat animations. More than 50 animations cover sword strikes, combinations, blocking, parrying, running, and weapon handling.
- NPC support. Non-player characters can also use the dual-wielding combat system.
- Specialized training equipment. Training dummies allow characters to develop their initial skills.
- Flexible configuration. Numerous parameters can be adjusted to customize animations, combat balance, and gameplay behavior.
The modification is designed around agile combat. Characters equipped with two blades can become formidable opponents, but their effectiveness depends on training, equipment, and overall combat attributes.
Dual Wielding Skill and Progression
Nitoryu adds a separate Dual Wielding skill to the character statistics window.
The skill improves naturally during combat as the character successfully uses paired weapons. Its development also contributes to a broader mastery system called the Path, which determines access to advanced techniques.
The Path is calculated using several characteristics, including Dual Wielding proficiency, weapon skills, Dexterity, Melee Attack, and Melee Defence.
There are five progression ranks:
| Rank | Path Required | Abilities |
|---|---|---|
| Deshi | 20 | Basic secondary-hand attacks and introductory techniques |
| Bushi | 40 | Additional strikes and defensive parries |
| Ronin | 60 | Combined attacks, counterattacks, and advanced blocking |
| Kenshi | 75 | Enhanced combinations and attacks against multiple opponents |
| Kensei | 90 | Advanced chained strikes and faster access to special techniques |
The three highest ranks also require minimum Dual Wielding skill levels of 40, 60, and 80 respectively.
Each rank introduces its own fighting stance and expands the character's available moves.
Combat Balance
Dual wielding is not intended to provide an immediate advantage over conventional weapons.
Inexperienced fighters initially perform worse than characters using a single blade. As they improve, however, new techniques and stronger combinations gradually compensate for these disadvantages.
Equipment also matters. Heavy armour, medium armour, and excessive encumbrance reduce the effectiveness of the Dual Wielding skill.
The system therefore encourages lightweight equipment, mobility, and careful character development rather than relying exclusively on raw damage.
New Animations and Combat Techniques
Nitoryu includes a substantial collection of original animations created specifically for fighting with two blades.
These cover individual attacks, synchronized strikes, defensive reactions, weapon drawing and sheathing, combat stances, and movement.
At higher mastery levels, characters gain access to more advanced mechanics, including attacks with both weapons, counterattacks following successful blocks, and combinations capable of threatening multiple opponents.
Individual animations and certain combat behaviors can be disabled through the modification's settings.
Changes in Version 1.3.0
Version 1.3.0 expands the combat system with additional attacks, animation improvements, and adjustments to skill progression.
The most important changes include:
- Improved rear blocking. Fighters who have reached the Ronin rank can hold their primary blade behind their back to intercept incoming attacks.
- Four additional mid-range attacks. New techniques expand the offensive options available across different mastery ranks.
- Seven reworked animations. Several offensive and defensive movements have been refined, including dual strikes, spinning techniques, and overhead blocking.
- Revised experience progression. Dual Wielding now gains experience incrementally from individual blows, with improved compatibility with experience-related modifications.
- Additional balance settings. New configuration options allow further adjustments to combat behavior.
- Animation compatibility fixes. Various improvements reduce conflicts with other combat animation packages.
The update also adjusts movement animations and changes the X-cut technique into a regular combat strike.
Supported Weapons
The combat system primarily supports katanas and sabres, including combinations of the two weapon types.
To activate dual wielding, equip two compatible weapons on a character, placing them in the appropriate back or hip weapon slots.
When the character draws their weapons, one blade is assigned to the primary hand and the other to the secondary hand.
Dual-wielding mode can be enabled or disabled using a dedicated inventory button.
Blunt weapons and hackers can also be enabled through additional settings, although their support is experimental and they do not have dedicated combat techniques.
Heavy weapons, polearms, and bows are not supported as dual-wielding combinations.
Installation and Requirements
Before installing Nitoryu, make sure the following requirements are met:
- Kenshi version 1.0.65 — the primary supported game version.
- RE_Kenshi 0.3.5 or newer — required for the combat system to function correctly.
- Mod Config Menu — optional, but recommended for convenient in-game configuration.
Installation Instructions
- Download this mod.
- Enable the modification in the game's mod manager.
- Place Nitoryu near the very bottom of the load order, preferably after other major gameplay modifications.
- Launch Kenshi using RE_Kenshi.
- Equip a character with two compatible weapons and activate dual-wielding mode in the inventory.
The modification should not be used together with DualWieldProbe, as both interfere with the same combat-related game code.
Existing saves can be loaded after disabling Nitoryu. Dual Wielding progression becomes available again when the modification is re-enabled.
Configuration and Compatibility
Nitoryu provides extensive customization through configuration files and optional integration with Mod Config Menu.
Players can adjust individual animations, combat behavior, NPC dual wielding, movement settings, visual indicators, and other features without modifying the game's original data manually.
The modification also offers tools for developers, including approximately 100 configurable FCS parameters and a C++ API for extending its functionality.
Additional combat animation mods may require configuration adjustments, particularly when they modify the same attacks or gameplay functions.
Additional Information
Nitoryu is an open-source project developed by enths and distributed under the GPL-3.0 license.
The source code, technical documentation, detailed skill formulas, and complete descriptions of combat techniques are available in the official repository.
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