So you dumped your gold, burned your materials, upgraded your Switchglaive… loaded into a mission… and your damage number barely moved.
Feels bad.
Before you assume you got robbed by the blacksmith, relax — this is one of the most common “did I just waste everything?” moments in Nioh 3. And no, you didn’t get bamboozled.
Here’s what’s actually going on — and how to fix it fast.
Often the problem isn’t the upgrade itself. It’s how the game calculates damage behind the scenes.
Stance differences can completely change your damage output. Weapon scaling might not match your current stats. Conditional buffs may not be active when you’re testing. And sometimes players accidentally compare the wrong copy of the weapon.
If you want to solve it quickly, test the weapon in low, mid, and high stance on a weak enemy.
Then check the weapon’s base attack and scaling letters.
Finally, compare unbuffed hits versus buffed hits.
If you’ve ever searched “nioh 3 switchglaive damage didn’t increase,” you’re not alone. This is a common situation — and usually an easy fix once you know what to look for.
The Short Answer
If your Switchglaive damage didn’t increase after upgrading, it’s almost always one of these:
- You’re testing the wrong stance
- Your stats don’t match the weapon’s scaling
- A buff/conditional effect isn’t active
- You accidentally compared the wrong copy
Let’s break it down properly.
1️⃣ The Switchglaive Is Stance-Sensitive (More Than You Think)
Unlike most weapons, the Switchglaive literally changes form between low, mid, and high stance.
That means:
- Different damage multipliers
- Different hit properties
- Different scaling interactions
If you upgraded and then tested in a different stance than before, your damage can look identical — or even lower — despite the upgrade being real.
What To Do
Go to a weak enemy and test:
- Low stance damage
- Mid stance damage
- High stance damage
Write the numbers down. One stance usually shows the real increase.
If you only tested one stance, that’s probably your answer.
2️⃣ Scaling Mismatch: Your Stats Matter More Than +Levels
This is the big one.
Open your weapon screen and check:
- Base Attack
- Scaling Letters (S / A / B / C)
Now compare that to your highest stats.
Example:
- Weapon scales with Skill / Intellect
- Your build is stacked into Strength / Heart
Upgrading the weapon increases base attack — but if your stats don’t feed that scaling, the real combat damage barely moves.
That’s not a bug. That’s math.
Quick Fix
Either:
- Respec slightly into the weapon’s scaling stat
- Or use a weapon that scales with your highest stat
If scaling and stats don’t match, upgrades feel weak.
3️⃣ Conditional Buffs Might Not Be Active
Some builds rely on:
- Active Skill Damage bonuses
- Elemental accumulation
- Stance-based passives
- Combo finishers
If you tested damage without triggering those, it can look like nothing changed.
Try testing:
- No buffs active
- Then with your full rotation
See if the upgraded version scales better during your real combat flow.
4️⃣ Double-Check You Equipped the Upgraded Copy
It happens more than you think.
Common mistakes:
- Upgraded one copy, equipped another
- Compared display attack number, not live combat damage
- Forgot to re-equip after enhancing
Go back into Enhance/Soul Match and confirm:
- It shows the correct + level
- It’s the weapon currently equipped
If you’re unsure, stash or sell the old copy to eliminate confusion.
A Simple 60-Second Damage Test
If you want a clean answer, do this:
- Remove buffs
- Equip upgraded Switchglaive
- Test low/mid/high stance on a weak enemy
- Write down numbers
- Repeat with your old weapon
If base attack is higher and at least one stance hits harder, the upgrade worked.
If everything is identical, check scaling letters and stats again.
Is This Ever a Bug?
Extremely rare.
In almost every community case, the issue was:
- Stance difference
- Scaling mismatch
- Testing inconsistency
Actual “upgrade didn’t apply” bugs are not a widespread issue.
When Should You Even Upgrade?
If you’re still early or mid-game:
You’ll find stronger weapons naturally within 15–20 minutes.
Heavy upgrading usually makes sense:
- In late game
- On Divine gear
- When building around graces or specific rolls
Early upgrades can feel underwhelming because gear power jumps quickly.
The Bottom Line
No, you didn’t get cheated.
If your Nioh 3 Switchglaive damage didn’t increase, it’s almost always stance testing or stat scaling — not a broken upgrade.
Switchglaive rewards understanding mechanics more than raw upgrading. Once your stats and stance line up, you’ll feel the difference immediately.
Read also: