Onimusha Way of the Sword has a series of quests under Ace Archer, where it asks you to go to one of the previously visited areas, and shoot the Kubi Abari (the floating blue heads). This is the game’s way of encouraging you to explore previously inaccessible areas in these regions, and give some incentive to complete collectibles that have now popped up there, like the Lion Dogs.
The Ace Archer starts off simple, but from Nijo-jo Castle, locating the Kubi Abari, and lining up the shot starts becoming trickier. In this guide, I have put up all the 5 Kubi Abaris that you need to shoot to complete Ace Archer – Nijo-jo Castle.
Ace Archer: All 5 Kubi Abari Locations in Nijo-jo Castle
The Nijo-jo Castle is where you examined the area, and then traced out the movement of what eventually turned out to be the Nue. The path here is a retrace of those exact steps. Start from the Nijo-jo Castle Entrance Spirit Mirror, and make your way across to the area where the first Kubi Abari location is marked, as shown in the image above.
Nijo-jo Castle Kubi Abari Location #1
The location will show a bridge, but you will not see any Kubi Abari floating above. This one is, for a change, below the bridge. Make it to the other side, take care of the Genma including those on the roof so that they don’t keep interrupting when you try and take the shot. Then, line yourself up exactly at the place shown in the image above, and shoot the arrow to get the first one out of the way.
Nijo-jo Castle Kubi Abari Location #2
Head back to just after the bridge, and if you look up, you will see the second Kubi Abari floating above the building. This one is an easy spot. Wait for a while if it floats below the roof for it to reappear, and you will have the second one crossed off the list.
Nijo-jo Castle Kubi Abari Location #3
Cross the street littered with pots and explosive devices. Climb the ladder on your right, and from there you will see the Kubi Abari floating above the roofs on the opposite side. If you have already taken care of the pesky archers, you can take your time lining up the shot and get Kubi Abari #3.
Nijo-jo Castle Kubi Abari Location #4
For the next one, continue across the rooftops, then jump down. Use the crates to climb to the next building, and you will see the floating head straight ahead as in the image above. Again, get rid of the archers so that you can take your shot properly.
Nijo-jo Castle Kubi Abari Location #5
Jump down into the open courtyard where there will be a mob of Genma to take care off, nothing particularly menacing here. Now, take the ladder as shown in the image above, on the left of the Spirit Mirror, and you will see a faint blue glow on your right.
Yes, the last one is hiding just behind the boundary of the house on your left, as I have shown below. Take it out, and your Ace Archer Nijo-jo Castle quest is complete.
You will get 2 * Leather, 1 * Fine Silk Cloth, and 2 * Power Stone for your efforts. I would recommend that you keep doing these quests as and when they pop up, so that you can upgrade your gear and Skill Tree in Onimusha Way of the Sword.
