Wondering how to get those crucial health upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 4? The legendary Dragon Lord’s Grace, a potent elixir that significantly boosts your life, isn’t something you can simply stumble upon or purchase. You’ll need to craft it yourself using a Phantasmal Herb and a Black Scale. These two ingredients magically combine to create the grace-bestowing elixir. And don’t worry, there are plenty more health-enhancing items beyond that!
Ninja Gaiden 4 is known for its brutal difficulty, especially on higher settings. While mastering combat techniques like the parry is essential for avoiding damage, sometimes a little extra health is all that stands between victory and defeat. To ensure your survival, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to every single health upgrade available in the game.
Phantasmal Herb Locations: Boost Your HP
Ready to track down every Phantasmal Herb? Here’s where to find them:
Chapter 01: Bloodsoaked Tokyo
In Chapter 01: Bloodsoaked Tokyo, during the “Find the data chip in Sky City Tokyo” mission, locate the data chip to the left of three item chests. This area is a large industrial arena bustling with scaffolding, shipping containers, and forklift trucks.
Chapter 03: Phantom Pleasure Quarter
In Chapter 03: Phantom Pleasure Quarter, you’ll find an item chest containing a Phantasmal Herb. Look for it by ascending the short staircase on the right side of the arena teeming with Burabura lantern daemons. Entering this area will initiate a conversation with Seori regarding the Dark Dragon shrines.
Chapter 04: Pilgrim’s Windswept Path
For Chapter 04: Pilgrim’s Windswept Path, complete the mission “Find the tengu offering in Fuuhaku Sanctum.” After defeating the Sanzeon boss and exiting the temple, the tengu offering will be immediately to your left.
Chapter 05: Raging Valley
In Chapter 05: Raging Valley, finish the “Retrieve the heirloom knife in Fuuhaku Sanctum” mission. The knife is located on the cliffside right after you defeat the Tsukumo, just before the Caddis Wire anchor that takes you to the upper part of the valley.
Chapter 06: Guiding Winds
You’ll discover a Phantasmal Herb in an item chest in Chapter 06: Guiding Winds. It’s situated to the left of the very first DarkNest Terminal. After landing and clearing out enemies on the initial bridge, head away from your objective marker to find both the terminal and the chest.
Chapter 09: Realm of Silent Dead
In Chapter 09: Realm of Silent Dead, complete the “Find three beautiful minerals in the Drowned District” mission. The first mineral appears after a significant gap requiring a wall-run and two Caddis Wire anchor uses. Follow the red lights, drop down, and head right. You’ll spot an item chest on your left and the beautiful mineral straight ahead.
The second beautiful mineral is guarded by a shark-toothed daemon gate. Use the Pond Strider to leap across the small chasm to the island on the right. After eliminating all enemies, parkour up the yellow rock face. Re-engage the Pond Strider to reach two item chests, with the beautiful mineral located to their left.
The third and final beautiful mineral awaits at the peak of the cliff, which leads to a Dragonfly Glider wind current. Navigate across the three Caddis Wire anchor points, then bypass the item chest to find the beautiful mineral just to your left, right before the wind current.
Chapter 11: Infiltration
Locate a Phantasmal Herb in an item chest during Chapter 11: Infiltration. After completing the chapter’s initial rail sequence, continue until you encounter a single rail. Grind along this rail until a platform with three item chests appears on your right. Jump down, defeat all adversaries, then open the second item chest in the corner to claim your Phantasmal Herb.
Chapter 19: Ebon Wings
A Phantasmal Herb can be found in an item chest during Chapter 19: Ebon Wings. Once the wind current carries you to the DarkNest Terminal platform, ascend the stairs. The item chest will be to the left of the vertical chute that descends into the game’s final confrontation.
Black Scale Locations: Crafting Dragon Lord’s Grace
Now, let’s pinpoint all the Black Scale locations you’ll need for those crucial health boosts:
Chapter 02: Haunted District
In Chapter 02: Haunted District, look for an item chest in the narrow alley on your left. This is located just before the Caddis Wire anchor that initiates the chapter’s first train track sequence.
Chapter 03: Phantom Pleasure Quarter
For Chapter 03: Phantom Pleasure Quarter, successfully complete the mission “Find the rotting Charm in Sky City Tokyo.”
Chapter 04: Pilgrim’s Windswept Path
In Chapter 04: Pilgrim’s Windswept Path, fulfill the mission “Find the secret supplies in Fuuhaku Sanctum.” After acquiring the Dragonfly Glider and navigating the first wind current, you’ll find the secret supplies in an item box within the arena. Defeat the enemies, then search for a blue item chest to the right of two other item chests, located near a crashed mech.
Chapter 08: Drowned District
Finish the mission “Find the antiquated currency in the Drowned District” during Chapter 08: Drowned District.
Chapter 12: Dragon’s Maw
During Chapter 12, complete the “Find the classified document in the Dragon’s Maw” mission. The classified document is hidden within an item chest to the right of the exit door in the room where Umi warns you about the inner gate closing.
Chapter 12: Dragon’s Maw
Another Black Scale can be found in an item chest in Chapter 12: Dragon’s Maw. After clearing all enemies from the large arena at the start of the level, proceed to the right of the door that opens to a long corridor. Here, you’ll discover the item chest containing the Black Scale.
With all these Ninja Gaiden 4 health upgrades secured, you’re now better equipped to conquer the game and potentially set new records for your playtime. While you’re on your journey, don’t forget to explore our comprehensive list of chapters and missions for other valuable items and accessories. Also, be sure to master the Ninja Gaiden 4 Guillotine Throw for those crucial invincibility frames when battles get intense.