"Wretched warriors... nothing more than flesh and bones. You no longer need to suffer... I offer you peace and salvation. Be not afraid... your soul is now mine!"
The Hitokiri is a playable hero class in For Honor.
Overview[]
The Samurai have a name for former executioners – Hitokiri, a word that means “manslayers” with no heart.
These ghostly warriors have lost all faith in humanity. They wander the land clutching their masakari, the mighty axes they used to sentence criminals.
Their presence on the battlefield spreads a dark cloud of death that can terrify all enemies.
Armor[]
The Hitokiri wear Japanese ceremonial garbs made of leather, linen and cotton, coloured with ashen grey and crimson, with rope bindings for both their upper body and limbs. With lacquered steel armor covering the shoulders, forearms and shins, they also wear a large waistcloth known as the uwa-obi, eerily decorated with white puppet heads which symbolize the victims they've executed.
The mask they wear is completely white, with a face that is both ominous and sunken, lacking any sign of remorse or emotion. The ropes for the mask is lined with cloth streamers, and on the mask's face, a reminder of their status as executioners is etched upon it.
Weapon[]
Masakari Axe - This large double-headed axe has been used by the Hitokiri to deal the death blow in executions. Although heavy like the Kanabo, using its two heads to the weapon's full capacity requires a truly skilled manhunter.
Trivia[]
- As mentioned in the overview, "hitokiri" (人斬り) means "manslayer" or "murderer."
- The Hitokiri themselves are based on a number of aspects from Japanese medieval history.
- Their motif of bearing large netsuke-like heads is meant to draw upon how in war, samurai would often behead more prestigious targets to present to their masters after battles. In the Feudal Japanese penal system, beheading was one of the more preferred method of execution for death row inmates.
- The Hitokiri themselves may be based off warrior monks, primarily the Yamabushi and Sohei,
- The Yamabushi were ascetic hermits who also occasionally acted as an auxiliary force along side samurai warriors or other warrior monks. Their fervent piousness taken into battle was just as much of a spiritual war as a physical one to wage on the world. It is also believed these Yamabushi were endowed with supernatural powers.
- The Sohei were Buddhist warrior monks who were more known for their military prowess first, pious fervor second. Much like the lay brothers in Europe, the Sohei were not typically "ordained" and focused more on manual labor such as protecting the temple grounds or even intimidating other schools. The Sohei as such were more assertive in presenting their military might to uphold their religion, sometimes culminating in more powerful collectives such as the Ikko-Ikki movement.
- It's apparent that Hitokiri's thematic also takes from Japanese horror and Kaidan (怪談; lit. "mysterious narrative"), specifically the supernatural horror, with Hitokiri being much like an Onryō (怨霊; lit. "malicious spirit" or "vengeful spirit").
- It's very likely the four Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu were an inspiration to the Hitokiri's murderous theme and name.
- Alternatively, the Hitokiri may be inspired by the accounts of Asaemon Yamada, the name tied to a family of sword-testers of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Known under titles such as "Beheader Asa" (首斬り朝; kubikiri asa) or "Killer Asa" (人斬り朝; hitokiri asa), the Yamada family had a history of performing beheadings for the Shogun along with accounts of using the corpses of those beheaded as material to test swords on.
- Just like the Black Prior, the Hitokiri's ornament is located on their shoulders, making them the second Hero to not feature them on their head.
- Hitokiri is also currently the only Hero of the Samurai faction who features metal as their material customization choice (iron, bronze, copper, etc.) compared to the cloth/wood customization choice given to the Samurai and Vikings.
- Just like the Aramusha, the Hitokiri has tattoos on some of their armour choices, showcasing demons and spirits. This follows the possibility of tattoos in ancient Japan being implemented for spiritual purposes. Check General Tozen's trivia section for more on Tattoos in Japan.
- The Masakari (鉞) is an axe of the larger variant in Japan. It should not be mistakenly interchangeable with the term "ono" (斧; lit. "axe") which is the general classification term for axes in Japanese, while the term Masakari is specifically given to large axes or an axe with an exceptionally long cutting edge.
- Historically, the Masakari was not actually used as much on the battlefield, as noted by Roman in the April 25th, 2019 Warrior's Den stream. It was meant for woodcutting, and was a tool adapted for being an improvised weapon.
- The Masakari also only had one blade head; the design team went for two in order to distinguish it from other axe-like weapons in the game, such as the Raider's and Lawbringer's.
- The Hitokiri uniquely has ambient sounds when walking outside Guard Mode, where aside from their raspy breathing, there is an ominous hum. This is counted as an FX, therefore controlled by FX volume in the volume menu.
- On the Hitokiri's helm set, words are carved or written either on the helm or the face.
- The Sakura's Spirit helm set features the following writing: "忘れるな、我は死神だ." This translates to "Do not forget, I am the reaper."
- The Yukito's Shadow helm set features the following writing: "しにいくものはわが者なりけり." This roughly translates to "Everything that dies becomes mine."
- The Enma helm set features the following writing: "我は死神だ." This translates to "I am the reaper."
- The North Star helm set features the following writing: "お前はもう死んでいる." This translates to "You are already dead." and is a famous quote from the action anime series Fist of the North Star (referenced by the set's name).
- "Sakura" (桜; lit. "cherry blossom") as a name is not uncommon in Japan. The cherry blossoms have been a symbolism for mortality and the transient nature of life.
- "Yato" (夜刀) likely is a reference to "Yato-no-kami" (夜刀神; lit. "God of the night-sword") who are snake deities of Japanese folklore.
- The Yato-no-kami were rumoured to have brought extermination to whoever had seen them, together with the family of that individual. Soon enough they were killed, enshrined and banished to the mountains.
Translations[]
- "Mugen-ryu" (無限流) literally translates to "way of the infinite" or "infinite style."
- "Meikai" (冥界) translates to "lower world" or "Hell."
- "Mangetsu" (満月) translates to "full moon."
- "Rei" from Rei Kick and Rei Sweep translates into "spirit" (霊), as "霊" is utilized in the Japanese localization.
- "Sankotsu" (散骨) refers to the act of scattering the ashes of someone who was cremated.
- "Chinkon" (鎮魂) refers to the ceremony or the act of laying to rest a departed soul.
- "Senbonzakura" (千本桜; lit. "a thousand cherry petals") refers to a phrase that has been used popularly throughout Japanese popular culture, from song titles to terms used in manga/anime. It was used in older media too, such as Kabuki plays.
- The term originates from the prefecture now known as Nara, and is meant to be an expression in regards to the sight of many cherry blossoms blooming in spring.
- "Ikansenban" (遺憾千万; lit. "A million regrets") translates to "highly regrettable."
- "Senketsurinri" (鮮血淋漓) translates to "dripping of fresh blood."
- "Tokiyojisetsu" (時世時節; lit. "time and situation") translates into "the course of events in time."
- "Murimutai" (無理無体; lit. "unreasonable, intangible") translates into "by force."
- "Inginburei" (慇懃無礼; lit. "courteous rudeness") translates into "hypocritical courtesy" or "superficial politeness, rude intent."
- "Goukikadan" (剛毅果断; lit. "Fortitude and Decision") translates to "dauntless and decisive."
- "Jishinkajou" (自信過剰) translates to "Overconfidence."
- "Boujakubujin" (傍若無人) translates to "ill-mannered" or "impudent."
- "Ikiyouyou" (意気揚々) translates to "high-spirited" or "elation."
- "Shishoufuchi" (死生不知; lit. "Ignorant of life and death") translates to "reckless."
- "Shizentouta" (自然淘汰) translates to "natural selection."
- The name can also be used synonymously to "cutting by a whirlwind" in reference to their actions of cutting people up.
- The name of this execution is in reference to a technique from Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings. Meaning "don't let the opponent raise their head," it refers to the need to prevent your opponent from acting, usually by foreshadowing what they will do and preemptively striking.
Quotes[]
Combat[]
- Japanese: 我は影なり! (Ware wa kage nari) – English: "I am the shadow itself!"
- Female Hitokiri, Mangetsu Rift
- Japanese: 我は影! (Ware wa kage) – English: "I'm the shadow!"
- Male Hitokiri, Mangetsu Rift
- Japanese: 斬る! (Kiru) – English: "(I'll) cut (you down)!" or "(I'll) behead (you)!"
- Female Hitokiri, Meikai Rift
- Japanese: 食らえ! (Kurae) – English: "Take this!" or "Eat this!"
- Male Hitokiri, Meikai Rift
- Japanese: 我は死神! (Ware wa shinigami) – English: "I am the reaper!" or "I am the death god!"
- Female Hitokiri, Rei Kick
- Japanese: 我は死! (Ware wa shi) – English: "I am death!"
- Male Hitokiri, Rei Kick
- Japanese: 我に委ねよ! (Ware ni yudane yo) – English: "Entrust (your soul) to me!"
- Female Hitokiri, Rei Sweep
- Japanese: 委ねよ! (Yudane yo) – English: "Entrust (your soul to me)!"
- Male Hitokiri, Rei Sweep
Feats[]
- Japanese: お前の魂を頂く! (Omae no tamashi wo itadaku) – English: "I'll take your soul!"
- Female Hitokiri, Tainted Gift feat
- Japanese: 嘉しお憩い! (Yomishi oikoi) – English: "Rest well!"
- Female Hitokiri, Tainted Gift feat
- Japanese: 贄となれ! (Nie to nare) – English: "Become my sacrifice!"
- Male Hitokiri, Tainted Gift feat
- Japanese: 逃がしはせぬ! (Nigashi wa senu) – English: "I won't let you run!"
- Male Hitokiri, Tainted Gift feat
- Japanese: お前の魂を頂く。もっと、もっとだ。血の匂いは我を導く。うふふふふ、我に弛むな! (Omae no tamashi wo itadaku. Motto, motto da. Chi no nioi wa ware wo michibiku. Ufufufufu, ware ni tarumu na.) – English: "I'll take your soul. More, I want more. The scent of death guides me. Eheh heh heh, don't underestimate me."
- Tainted Gift feat, background SFX on target
- Japanese: 対象に死を! (Taishou ni shi wo) – English: "Death to my opponent!"
- Female Hitokiri, Senbonzakura feat, Butterfly Beheading execution
- Japanese: すべてに死を! (Subete ni shi wo) – English: "Death to all!"
- Male Hitokiri, Senbonzakura feat, Butterfly Beheading execution
When Revived[]
- Japanese: 血沸き、肉躍る! (Chi waki, niku odoru) – English: "My blood seethes, and my body trembles (in excitement)!"
- Female & Male Hitokiri
- Japanese: 死こそ我が力なり! (Shi koso waga chikara nari) – English: "Death is what becomes my strength!"
- Female & Male Hitokiri
- Japanese: 感じるぞ! (Kanjiru zo) – English: "I can feel it (death)!"
- Female Hitokiri
- Japanese: 感じる、感じるぞ! (Kanjiru, kanjiru zo) – English: "I feel it (death), I can feel it!"
- Male Hitokiri
- Japanese: 血が滾るわ! (Chi ga tagiru wa) – English: "My blood is boiling!"
- Female Hitokiri
- Japanese: 血が滾る! (Chi ga tagiru) – English: "My blood is boiling!"
- Male Hitokiri
- Japanese: もっと、もっとだ! (Motto, motto da) – English: "More, I want more...!"
- Female Hitokiri
- Japanese: まだだ、まだ足りぬぞ! (Mada da, mada tarinu zo) – English: "Not yet, this isn't enough yet...!"
- Male Hitokiri
- Japanese: 死の匂いが我を導く! (Shi no nioi ga ware wo michibiku) – English: "The scent of death guides me!"
- Female Hitokiri
- Japanese: 死の定めには誰も抗えぬ! (Shi no sadame niwa daremo aragaenu) – English: "Nobody can resist the fate of death!"
- Male Hitokiri
References[]
Fighting Style[]
The Hitokiri are relentless executioners. Wielding the Masakari, the Samurai battle axe, they can enter a special state to chain uninterruptible heavy attacks infinitely and perform special moves. They dictate the flow of combat with charged attacks, uninterruptible moves and a core bash mix-up.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Relentless executioner with infinite Hyper Armor Heavies
- Mix-ups through Charged Heavies and Bashes
Special Capabilities[]
- Mugen-ryu: A state that grants special moves and Heavy infinite chains, most of them being Uninterruptible
- Rei Kick and Sweep in Mugen-ryu that provide a strong core mix-up
- Charged Heavy Attacks that are Unblockable and Uninterruptible
- Unique Feats that are specialized around the idea of performing Executions
Perks[]
Available Perks for the Hitokiri can be viewed on the Perks page.
Feats[]
| Tier | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deliverance
Passive | Gain a shield and Uninterruptible Stance while executing an enemy Hero Unlocked at level 1 |
Fast Recovery
Passive | Stamina regenerates faster. Unlocked at level 5 |
Iron Lungs
Passive | You can still sprint when out of stamina. Unlocked at level 7 |
| 2 | Tainted Gift
Mark and reveal an enemy hero. If executed the killer and their nearby teammates gain some health. Unlocked at level 1 |
Bloodlust
Passive Feat | Killing heroes grants temporary attack and defense boosts Unlocked at level 9 |
Righteous Deflection
Passive | Parry to gain high damage reduction for a short time Unlocked at level 11 |
| 3 | Spirit Shroud
Passive | Gain Damage Resistance after executing an enemy Hero. Effect remains until you are killed. Unlocked at level 1 |
Heal on Block
Passive | Blocking regenerates your health. Unlocked at level 13  |
Nukekubi
Gain Stamina on successful attacks Unlocked at level 15 |
| 4 | Senbonzakura
Launch an attack that is unblockable and deals massive damage, leading to an execution on kill. Unlocked at level 1 |
Regenerate
Passive | Regenerates your health when out of combat. Unlocked at level 17  |
Fear Itself
Enemies around you have lower Stamina regeneration and defenses Unlocked at level 19  |
Moveset[]
General[]
- Renown: Heavy - Earn more Renown by assisting or saving Heroes, and holding objectives to unlock your feats in a match. (non-Dominion/Breach gamemodes only)
- Revenge Mode - Boosts Damage and Health. All Attacks are Uninterruptible. Parry and Throws knock enemies down. Attacks are Auto-Parried on activation.
- Dodge: No Guard - When performing a Dodge, your Hero's Guard disappears until the end of the Dodge.
Hero Specific[]
- Mugen-Ryu - The Hitokiri has access to a state called Mugen-ryu, which grants them special moves. Some moves maintain Mugen-ryu, others end it.
- Mugen-Ryu Starters - Sprint Attack, Zone Attack, Sankotso, Chinkon, Meikai and Mangetsu start Mugen-Ryu.
- Mugen-Ryu Chain - Endless Myriad maintains Mugen-ryu. Rei Kick and Rei Sweep also maintains Mugen-ryu but cannot chain into another Kick or Sweep.
- Mugen-Ryu Finishers - Mangetsu Rift and Meikai Rift end Mugen-ryu.
- Charged Heavy Attack - Hold RMB (PC), RT (XB1), or R2 (PS4) when initiating a basic chain Heavy Attack (Mangetsu or Endless Myriad) to finish a chain with a Charged Heavy Attack. Holding and releasing this move allows for variable timing.
- Charging Phases - Charging a Heavy Attack has two phases, and has to enter its second phase (shown with the Unblockable sign) for the Heavy Attack to receive the Fully Charged Heavy properties and become Mangetsu Rift. If the attack is only in its first phase when released, Hitokiri will initiate a normal Heavy Attack.
- Mangetsu Rift - If a Heavy Attack is fully charged, it will become Mangetsu Rift, dealing increased damage and becoming Unblockable.
- Charging Heavy Attack: Chain End - Mangetsu Rift cannot be chained into another move.
- Charging Heavy Attack Cancel - Charging Heavy Attacks can be canceled with B (XB1), ◯ (PS4) or E (PC). This can be performed even after the Charging Heavy Attack has become Unblockable.
- Rei Attacks - Initiate a Rei Kick by pressing MMB (PC) or X (XB1) or ⬜ (PS4) during Mugen-ryu. Holding Rei Kick will charge it, becoming Rei Sweep if Fully Charged. Holding this move allows for variable timing.
- Charging Phases - Charging a Rei Kick has two phases, and has to be fully charged (the second phase) for Rei Kick to become Rei Sweep. If the attack is only in its first phase when released, Hitokiri will initiate a Rei Kick.
- Rei Kick Displacement - Rei Kick will knock aside the opponent based on direction their previous attack came from: Left Guard knocks opponents to the left, whereas Top and Right Guard will knock them to the right.
- Rei Sweep - If Rei Kick is fully charged, it will become Rei Sweep, knocking down the target. Other Heroes hit by the Sweep will be knocked back.
- Charging Rei Attack Cancel - Rei Kick and Rei Sweep can be canceled with B (XB1), ◯ (PS4) or E (PC).
- Uninterruptible Attacks - Mangetsu, Mangetsu Rift, Rei Sweep and Endless Myriad Heavies have Uninterruptible Stance. The Uninterruptible Stance on Endless Myriad Heavies start-up earlier into the attack than most instances of Uninterruptible Attacks.
- Chinkon - Hits at the opposite of the direction of the Dodge.
Moves[]
(From Guard Mode)
| Type | Name | PC | XB1 | PS4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meikai (Initiates Mugen-ryu) | LMB | RB | R1 | |
|
Mangetsu (Initiates Mugen-ryu) | RMB | RT | R2 |
| Sankotsu | W + Space, RMB | LS↑ + A, RT | LS↑ + X, R2 | |
| Chinkon | A or D + Space, RMB | LS← or LS→ + A, RT | LS← or LS→ + X, R2 | |
| Sprint Attack (Not in Guard Stance) | Shift + RMB | LS↓ + RT | LS↓ + RT | |
|
Endless Myriad
(During Mugen-ryu, Maintains Mugen-ryu) |
 RMB
|
RT
|
R2
|
| Meikai Rift
(During Mugen-ryu) |
LMB | RB | R1 | |
|
Mangetsu Rift | Hold RMB | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
|
Rei Kick
(During Mugen-ryu, Maintains Mugen-ryu) |
MMB | X | ⬜ |
|
Rei Sweep
(During Mugen-ryu, Maintains Mugen-ryu) |
Hold MMB | Hold X | Hold ⬜ |
Executions[]
 Requiescat In Pace |
 Rampage Of Ragnarok |
 Cheaty Flute |
 Blow Your Own Horn |
 Harpy Hey Joe |
 Lute Not |
 Sylvan Vaporization |
 Horkos Pharmakos |
 Sylvan Metamorphasis |
 Revenant Slayer |
 Ulfhednar Killer |
 Shiryo Avenger |
 Jiangshi Banisher |
 Minified And Put Aside |
 Minified And Magnified |
 Minified And Stomped |
 Minified And Kicked Away |
 Wolf Among Sheep |
 Ilma's Scythe |
 Cane You Feel It |
 Brought You A Gift |
 Chimera Salvation |
 Blades of the Vanguards |
 Resounding Defeat |
 Deadly Hare |
 Sylvan Detachment |
 To The Great Beyond |
 Feast Upon The Weak |
 The Masquerade Is Over |
 Unquenchable Wolf |
 Farewell, Chimera Music Box |
 Farewell, Chimera Zither |
 Farewell, Horkos Bagpipe |
 Farewell, Horkos Violin |
 Wrathful Concision |
 Willful Concision |
 Sorrowful Concision |
 Artful Concision |
 Aegir's Reach |
 Anchors Down |
 Chill Out |
 Death Metal Triangle |
 Fish In A Barrel |
 Get Whale Soon |
 Off The Hook |
 The Huntress' Prey |
 Ran's Bestowment |
 What Goes Around |
 Just Add Oil |
 A Plague Unto You |
 Blow Dart Barrage |
 Jorogumo's Hunter |
 The Spider's Thrall |
 Gruesome Punishment |
Emotes[]
Passive Stance[]
 The Bard's Instrument |
 Sword In The Stone |
 Ready To Rumble |
 Volcanic Destruction Blast |
 Jack O Lantern |
 Leap Of Faith |
 Penguin Walk |
 Vortiger's Ascent |
 Shadows of the Hitokiri |
 Zhanhu's Fire |
 Dubious Assessment |
 One Of Your Shrugs |
 Howl At The Moon |
 Confused Warrior |
 Skeptically Swaying |
 Horkos Grimoire |
 Sylvan Book |
 Sylvan Meditation |
 In ChaRAHcter |
 Muscular Archer |
 Muscular Biceps |
 Message Board |
 Sylvan Panacea |
 Selfish Drinker |
 Chimera Bagpipe |
 Chimera Music Box |
 Chimera Violin |
 Chimera Zither |
 Horkos Bagpipe |
 Horkos Music Box |
 Horkos Violin |
 Horkos Zither |
 Odaiko |
 Raising Glasses |
 Suspended Gong |
 The Bodhran |
 The Field Drum |
 Suspicious Tumbleweed |
 Elegant Dance |
 The Bard's Triangle |
 Gryphon's Fireside |
 Boxing Drill |
 Mad Alchemist |
 Stars of Destiny |
Boxing Drill |
 Think About It |
 My Juggle Act |
 Most Wanted |
| Think About It |
My Juggle Act |
Most Wanted |
 A Light In The Dark |
 Sun's Out Chair's Out |
 Dev Handshake |
 Handle With Care |
 Popcorn Kick |
 Follow My Lead |
 Snake Crossing |
 Rocking Horse |
Fighting Stance[]
 Snowball Fight! |
| Heroes | |
|---|---|
| Knights | Warden - Conqueror - Peacekeeper - Lawbringer -Centurion Gladiator - Black Prior - Warmonger - Gryphon |
| Samurai | Kensei - Shugoki - Orochi - Nobushi Shinobi - Aramusha - Hitokiri - Kyoshin |
| Vikings | Raider - Warlord - Berserker - Valkyrie - Highlander Shaman - Jormungandr - Varangian Guard |
| Wu Lin | Tiandi - Jiang Jun - Nuxia - Shaolin - Zhanhu |
| Outlanders | Pirate - Medjay - Afeera - Ocelotl |