Shinobi

"Theirs was a secret society. Even we Samurai were not sure if they even existed or if they were just a myth...until they came out of the shadow: shinobi. Their weapon, the kusarigama is like no other. It echoes through our past and proves they are indeed from our blood. Trained in secret, their presence on the battlefield is felt before they are even seen. We now know they are always close, waiting for the right moment to strike. They have now entered this war and won't leave until their job is done."

Shinobi are a playable hero in For Honor.

Overview[]

The Shinobi are silent warriors who move with a dancer's grace and kill with the precision that can only come from a lifetime of disciplined training.

They were told as only being a myth, but this was intended by the secret society which kept their training and existence a secret. While their brethren Aramusha are brash enforcers, the Shinobi are tasked with undercover work. Not much else is known about the Shinobi than their agility, their magic-like ninja arts and their skill that lets them dispatch enemies quickly with the kusarigama they hold in hand.

Armor[]

The shinobi takes on the image of the ninja in pop culture, clad in dark shinobi shōzoku with ropes, bombs, and a kaginawa grappling hook hanging from their belt, with a Sanjaku-tenugui covering their face. Leather armor cover parts of the body, but most determinately the arms, upper chest and shoulders.

Weapon[]

Kusarigama - The traditional Japanese weapon consists of a kama (Japanese sickle) with a chain-and-weight attached. It is brutal in close quarters but can also be thrown and retracted for medium-distance attacks.

Trivia[]

Shinobi (忍び) literally means "patience," "endure" or "conceal", and this is the short version of Ninja (忍者) or Shinobi no Mono (忍びの者), one who waits patiently for the right opportunity to strike.
Shinobi in For Honor were inspired by their real-life and pop culture counterparts, also referred to as ninja (which is another word for Spy).
- Unlike pop culture tendency to make the ninja into assassins dressed in a black shōzoku, real life ninja would usually dress themselves as ordinary people to avoid suspicion or any attire that best suited their mission. However, it is possible that the shinobi did wear shinobi shōzoku, but ones coloured to blend into the environment.
  - Black clothes like those in-game would stand out, even during the night. Instead, dark blue was used at night as the colour blended in better.
- Historical shinobi's primary duties were espionage, sabotage, and guerilla warfare, while occasionally carrying out assassination attempts. Pop culture, especially those of the West, may portray the ninja as combat intended, and while they did certain have martial arts training, the Shinobi would do what they can to avoid conflict.
  - While ninja/shinobi are often portrayed as sworn enemies of the Samurai in pop culture due to differences in their honor codes, shinobi were often working for Daimyo lords, with many shinobi having been samurai or ronin.
The Kusarigama (鎖鎌; lit. "chain-sickle") are weapons comprised of a sickle (the kama), a heavy metal piece known the "counterweight" (分銅; fundou), and a long chain that connects the two. While a variant with a second kama replacing the metal piece existed, it was not as popular.
- While the game portrays the kama being swung, in the art of the Kusarigama (鎖鎌術; kusarigama-jutsu), it was traditionally the metal piece that would be used to bash armored opponents from a distance. The kama would remain in the wielder's hand.
  - Should the metal piece be caught by the enemy, the chain would be used to ensnare the enemy so they can be killed at close range by the kama.
- While the chain is often shown attached to the bottom of the kama's handle in pop culture, historically it was attached to the top end of the handle, near the blade, to assist it in ensnaring opponent's weapon that locked blades with the kama.
- The art of the kama (鎌術; kama-jutsu) was traditionally practiced while dual-wielding a set of kama. As a result, the Shinobi may be incorporating a mix of both arts (kama-jutsu and kusarigama-jutsu).
Shinobi and Shaman are currently the only Heroes who will crouch when at a ledge, unlike other Heroes who simply lean over while standing to look.
- For the Shinobi, this comes with a unique animation, where upon hopping off a ledge for a ledge kill, the Shinobi will do a flip in the air before landing on their unsuspecting opponent.
Super Sprint is based off the running style that ninja are commonly seen using in pop culture, with possibly the greatest influence from the Naruto run where both arms are swung behind the runner. This type of running style has been confirmed to be "authentic" according to an interview by Asian Boss with a real life ninja, although pop culture has embellished its posture greatly.
Shinobi possessed the lowest Health possible, at 110 Health. This was changed as of Year 5 Season 4 to be 120.

Executions[]

"Nagado" (長胴) translates to "long barrel."
"Oshimai" (お終い) translates to "the end."
The "Zankoku" (残酷) in "Zankoku Slicer" translates to "regrettable" or "despairing."
The "Inazuma" (稲妻) in "Inazuma Dash" is one of the names for "lightning" in Japanese, with one other term being "raikou" (雷光; lit. "thunder light").
"Sekka no Atari" (石火のあたり) translates to "Strike of Flint Fire."
- The name of this execution is in reference to a terminology from Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings, in regards to the need to strike small but swiftly (like flint fire) when found in either an unfavourable position or a stalemate.

Quotes[]

Japanese: お覚悟 (Okakugo) - English: "Prepare yourself!"
- Female Shinobi, Ranged Guard Break or Successful Sickle Rain
Japanese: 覚悟 (Kakugo) - English: "Ready yourself!"
- Male Shinobi, Ranged Guard Break or Successful Sickle Rain
Japanese: 遅い (Osoi) - English: "Too slow!"
- Kick Maneuvers or Slide Tackle
Japanese: 戻ろう (Modorou) - English: "Let's return."
- Male Shinobu, Shiryo Avenger Execution
Japanese: 大事ない (Daiji nai) - English: "Nothing important."
- Female Shinobu, Shiryo Avenger Execution
Japanese: 参ろう (Mairou) - English: "Let's go."
- Male Shinobu, Sekka no Atari Execution
Japanese: まだ戦える (Mada tatakaeru) - English: "I can still fight."
- Female Shinobu, Sekka no Atari Execution
Japanese: 必殺 (Hissatsu) - English: "Critical hit!" or "Deadly strike!"
- Deflect
Japanese: ここまでか (Kokomadeka) - English: "It seems this is my undoing."
- Death
Japanese: 無念 (Munen) - English: "Regretful."
- Death

Fighting Style[]

The Shinobi excel at repositioning, as they are able to move about the battlefield with ease and speed. They excel in skirmishing combat as they dodge or flip in-and-out of range of their opponents. They will use their kusarigama sickles to pin down unsuspecting foes with their Sickle Rain mix-up.

Difficulty: Hard
Mobile skirmisher
Counter-attacker

Special Capabilities[]

Has a vast selection of moves to allow themselves to reposition in battle, such as their back flips and double dodge
Sickle Rain Finishers that are either Undodgeable or Unblockable, pinning enemies down if it successfully lands
Deflects lead into a guaranteed Teleport counterattack

Perks[]

Available Perks for the Shinobi can be viewed on the Perks page.

Feats[]


Tier	1st	2nd	3rd
1	Body Hunter Passive \| Gain Health & Stamina when you kill another hero Unlocked at level 1	Stealth Passive \| Hide yourself from the HUD, Radar & Aim Assist Unlocked at level 5	Kiai Drain the stamina of nearby opponents with a scream Unlocked at level 13
2	Smoke Bomb Throw down a bomb that stuns enemies for a moderate duration of time. Unlocked at level 7	Shooting Stars Throw multiple shuriken in an area in front of you Unlocked at level 7	Executioner's Respite Passive \| The base healing of Executions are increased by 50%. Unlocked at level 15
3	Sharpen Bladed Attacks inflict low Damage over time. Unlocked at level 1	Nukekubi Gain Stamina on successful attacks Unlocked at level 9	Slip Through Passive \| Dodging raises damage for the next attack. Unlocked at level 17
4	Arrow Storm Aerial attack that deals medium damage in multiple areas. Unlocked at level 1	Nail Bomb A trap dealing Bleed Damage in an area of effect Unlocked at level 11	Yama Uba Gain Health on successful attacks Unlocked at level 19

Moveset[]

General[]

Renown: Assassin - Earn more Renown in 1vX fights, by killing enemy Heroes, and getting killing streaks to unlock your feats in a match. (non-Dominion/Breach gamemodes only)
Revenge Mode - Boosts Damage and Health. All Attacks are Uninterruptable. Parry and Throws knock enemies down. Attacks are Auto-Parried on activation.
Dodge: Deflect - Dodge in the direction of an incoming Attack just before impact to Deflect it. A deflect does not interrupt the incoming attack, but in trade grants a Hero access to unique follow-ups.

Hero Specific[]

Light Attack Combo - The second Light Attack in Shadow Dancer and Ghoul's Rage are guaranteed if the first attack successfully hits and the second Light Attack is performed from the same direction.
Sickle Rain Finisher - All Heavy Finishers are Sickle Rain attacks which will pin the enemy if they land, allowing for up to three Light follow-ups to be performed, each inflicting minor damage and extending the pin.
- Timed Sickle Rain - The Light Attacks in Sickle Rain require proper timing to perform. If performed too slowly or too quickly, the inputs will not register. Compared to other timed moves, Sickle Rain's timing is lenient.
- Special Finishers - Side Sickle Rain Finishers are Undodgeable. Top Sickle Rain Finishers are Unblockable.
- Revenge Feeding Rain - A successful Sickle Rain and Sickle Rain Lights will count as a Special Bash when it comes to feeding Revenge to the target, instead of feeding Revenge based on the damage they deal. As a result, they feed a lot more Revenge than normal.
Chain Openers - Ghoul's Pain, Front Roll, Back Flip, Ghoul's Torment, and Ghoul's Affliction all count as Chain Openers, thus can lead into a Chain Light or a Sickle Rain Finisher.
- Limited Chain Openers - Teleport, Shadow Strike and the last strike of the Zone Attack count as the second Light in Chain, thus can only lead into a Sickle Rain Finisher. Teleport and Shadow Strike can also lead into their exclusive follow-up bash, Spectral Kick.
Double Dodge - Cancel your Dodge by performing another Dodge (Space for PC, A for XB1, X for PS4). While you can perform a Double Dodge out of a back Dodge, you cannot perform a back Dodge after a Dodge as part of Double Dodge.
- Special Double Dodge - You can perform a Double Dodge out of a Front Roll or Back Flip.
- Double Dodge Attacks - Perform a Light or Heavy Chain Opener smoothly out of Double Dodge. You can also perform Reaper's Dance and Ghoul's Affliction out of a Double Dodge (only if the second Dodge is a Forward Dodge for Ghoul's Affliction.
Flip Kick - Perform a Flip Kick with the Guardbreak input (MMB for PC, X for XB1, ⬜ for PS4) after a Front Roll or Back Flip.
Bash Heavy Follow-ups - Upon performing a successful bash, pressing the Heavy input (RMB for PC, RT for XB1, R2 for PS4) will perform a guaranteed follow-up attack. After a Flip Kick or Ghastly Chase, you can perform Ghoul's Torment. After a Reaper's Dance or Spectral Kick, you can perform Ghoul's Embrace.
- Bash Follow-up - Ghoul's Embrace will count as a Bash, thus not being parriable. However, it will also feed Revenge to the target as such, instead of feeding Revenge based on the damage it deals.
Back Flip & Front Roll - Press the Dodge input (Space for PC, A for XB1, X for PS4) during the recovery of any attack, including after each strike of Sickle Rain Lights. For most attacks, Shinobi will perform a Back Flip. If initiated after Ghoul's Embrace, Shinobi will instead perform a Front Roll. Back Flip and Front Roll have I-frames.
Zone Attack Cancels - Zone Attack can be Cancelled with B (XB1), E (PC) and O (PS4) or a Back Flip with the Dodge input (Space for PC, A for XB1, X for PS4) before the last strike.
Teleport Deflect - Deflects can be immediately followed-up by a guaranteed Teleport with the Guardbreak input (MMB for PC, X for XB1, ⬜ for PS4), which will interrupt the opponent, deal damage to them, along with teleporting Shinobi behind them.
- Teleport Follow-up - Teleport can be followed-up by either a Sickle Rain Finisher or Spectral Kick.
Super Sprint - Enter Super Sprint by releasing and pressing the sprint button/key. Consumes Stamina overtime to increase Sprint Speed by ~12.5%. Release and press the sprint button/key again to go back to normal sprint.
- Super Sprint into Combat - Shinobi is not restricted from performing attacks such as Ghastly Chase or entering Guard Mode during Super Sprint.

Moves[]

(From Guard Mode)

Name	PC	XB1	PS4
Shadow Weaver	LMB, RMB	RB, RT	R1, R2
Shadow Dancer	LMB, LMB, RMB	RB, RB, RT	R1, R1, R2
Ghoul's Pain	RMB, RMB	RT, RT	R2, R2
Ghoul's Rage	RMB, LMB, RMB	RT, RB, RT	R2, R1, R2
Sickle Rain Lights (upon landing a Heavy Finisher)	LMB, LMB, LMB	RB, RB, RB	R1, R1, R1
Double Dodge	←↑↓→ + Space, ←↑→ + Space	←↑↓→ + A, ←↑→ + A	←↑↓→ + X, ←↑→ + X
Reaper's Dance	←↑→ + Space, MMB ←↑↓→ + Space, ←↑→ + Space, MMB	←↑→ + A, X ←↑↓→ + A, ←↑→ + A, X	←↑→ + X, ⬜ ←↑↓→ + X, ←↑→ + X, ⬜
Ghoul's Afflication	↑ + Space, RMB ←↑↓→ + Space, ↑ + Space, RMB	↑ + A, RT ←↑↓→ + A, ↑ + A, RT	↑ + X, R2 ←↑↓→ + X, ↑ + X, R2
Ghoul's Embrace (After a Reaper's Dance/Spectral Kick)	RMB	RT	R2
Front Roll (After Ghoul's Embrace)	Space	A	X
Back Flip (After any non-Ghoul's Embrace move)	Space	A	X
Flip Kick (After a Front Roll/Back Flip)	MMB	X	⬜
Ghoul's Torment (After a Flip Kick/Ghastly Chase)	RMB	RT	R2
Ghastly Chase (Not in Guard Mode)	↑ + MMB	LS↑ + X	LS↑+ ⬜
Super Sprint	↑,↑	LS↑, LS↑	LS↑, LS↑
Teleport	, MMB	, X	, ⬜
Shadow Strike	, LMB	, RB	, R1
Spectral Kick (After Teleport/Shadow Strike)	MMB	X	⬜

Equipment[]

*Star weapon

**Unknown rarity

	Armor Styles	Weapon Styles
Common	Foxglove Holly Elderberry	Utility Simple Curved Forest Sharp Durable
Rare	Ivy Oak Hyacinth	Lucky Stork Buzzard Wicked Lasting Simplicity Konchu Wicked Ebony Prodigal Defiant Performer
Heroic	Belladonna Mandrake Nightshade Habu	Life and Death* Elegant Marbled Silver & Gold Flamingo Ebony Good and Evil Azoth Durable
Epic	Azalea Oleander Torikabuto Snakeroot Satsuki Kurohane	Celestial* Vendetta Dusk & Dawn* Exquisite Ancient Trickster* Undead Nihyaku Toka Kihei Junishi
Legendary	Daffodil Rosary Pea Nowaki Ryuseigun	Serpentine* Immortal* Tengu Onyx and Ivory* Harmonious Crane* Dragon* January Pine June Peonies* Akkorokamui Torigakure Omote Ura* Wicked Flamingo Upstream Sunrise Sunset Daruma Amaterasu* Fanning the Flames* Nihongi Ao Tsuru
Event	Death's Shadow	Stinging Hail Viper Brothers Ayame's Dance Katon: Scorched Gale Kikokuryu Shiryo Jodogahama Marebito Ayame Drvaspa Belligerent Scoundrel Fatal Squash Chimera Seien Pointy Snowflake Ecliptic Curtness
Premium		Wyverndale Shadow Resonance of Horkos Sylvan's Breeze Avant-Garde Sozosha Fabled Jojishi Cursed Sunago

Executions[]

Emotes[]

Passive Stance[]

Fighting Stance[]

Executions[]

Rampage_Of_Ragnarok — Rampage Of Ragnarok

Sylvan_Vaporization — Sylvan Vaporization

Sylvan_Metamorphasis — Sylvan Metamorphasis

Minified_And_Put_Aside — Minified And Put Aside

Minified_And_Magnified — Minified And Magnified

Minified_And_Stomped — Minified And Stomped

Minified_And_Kicked_Away — Minified And Kicked Away

Blades_of_the_Vanguards — Blades of the Vanguards

To_The_Great_Beyond — To The Great Beyond

Feast_Upon_The_Weak — Feast Upon The Weak

The_Masquerade_Is_Over — The Masquerade Is Over

Farewell,_Chimera_Music_Box — Farewell, Chimera Music Box

Farewell,_Chimera_Zither — Farewell, Chimera Zither

Farewell,_Horkos_Bagpipe — Farewell, Horkos Bagpipe

Farewell,_Horkos_Violin — Farewell, Horkos Violin

Sorrowful_Concision — Sorrowful Concision

Death_Metal_Triangle — Death Metal Triangle

The_Spider's_Thrall — The Spider's Thrall

Gruesome_Punishment — Gruesome Punishment

Emotes[]

Passive Stance[]

The_Bard's_Instrument — The Bard's Instrument

Volcanic_Destruction_Blast — Volcanic Destruction Blast

Shadows_of_the_Hitokiri — Shadows of the Hitokiri

Skeptically_Swaying — Skeptically Swaying

Suspicious_Tumbleweed — Suspicious Tumbleweed

The_Bard's_Triangle — The Bard's Triangle

A_Light_In_The_Dark — A Light In The Dark

Sun's_Out_Chair's_Out — Sun's Out Chair's Out

Fighting Stance[]

Executions[]

Emotes[]

Passive Stance[]

Down_The_Hatch!_(Samurai) — Down The Hatch! (Samurai)

Rub_Salt_In_The_Wound_(Samurai) — Rub Salt In The Wound (Samurai)

Banner_Of_Arms_(Samurai) — Banner Of Arms (Samurai)

Media[]

Images[]

Armor

Stills

Videos[]

For Honor - The Shinobi Samurai Gameplay Trailer

Heroes
Knights	Warden - Conqueror - Peacekeeper - Lawbringer -Centurion Gladiator - Black Prior - Warmonger - Gryphon
Samurai	Kensei - Shugoki - Orochi - Nobushi - Shinobi Aramusha - Hitokiri - Kyoshin - Sohei
Vikings	Raider - Warlord - Berserker - Valkyrie - Highlander Shaman - Jormungandr - Varangian Guard
Wu Lin	Tiandi - Jiang Jun - Nuxia - Shaolin - Zhanhu
Outlanders	Pirate - Medjay - Afeera - Ocelotl