Dark Spider

Not to be confused with Dark Spider (DoD)

The Dark Spider is a ninja-like low class Genma that first appears in Onimusha: Warlords and is an enhanced version of the Three-Eyes. While following the same role as its predecessor, the Dark Spider is known to be significantly more swift and deadly, capable of landing faster and more powerful attacks in quick succession with its metal claws.

Appearance

The Dark Spider heavily resembles the humanoid Three-Eyes, mostly standing in the same hunched pose. Its most noticeable difference is its clothing, wearing a black shinobi outfit that covers its entire body with a metal pauldron covering each of its upper arms. Its eyes emit a purple glow rather than the green glow of the Three-Eyes, and it wields a set of metal claws on its hand rather than the Three-Eyes' retractable arm blade. Upon absorbing a Green Soul in Genma Onimusha, the Dark Spider's body and eyes turn red while its claws both begin emitting a red glow.

Behavior

The Dark Spider behaves almost identically to its predecessor, keeping itself hidden in order to ambush on unsuspecting prey. While they occasionally support other Genma, they usually work in small groups alongside other Dark Spiders. When engaging in battle, the Dark Spider's attacks are similar to the Three-Eyes, though can utilize its attacks significantly faster. On top of the faster lunges and jump strikes, it will often launch a flurry of swipes and stabs when at close range in an attempt to whittle down a target's health. When further away from its target, it will sometimes jump into the air and launch a volley of three knives at them, though these can sometimes strike other nearby Genma that find themselves between the Dark Spider and its prey.

The Dark Spider's most noteworthy skill is its ability to use illusions, sometimes spawning an illusory visage of itself when in danger. When struck by an opponent, the Dark Spider can not only create an illusion of itself but even switch places with it as the illusion jumps over a threat, allowing it to escape danger. This can even be done to escape an otherwise fatal blow, creating an illusion when struck and swapping places with it, effectively cheating death as a result. Occasionally, it will also use this ability to trick an opponent, spawning an illusion when hit in order to force them to follow it, only to remain in its original position.

However, this ability is not without weakness as the Dark Spider will always jump behind its target and make no more movements until the illusion ends, giving the target enough time to determine which one is the real Dark Spider and retaliate before it can continue its attack. Using an uppercut or a kick to knock it to the ground is also a viable strategy as it cannot use its illusion until it gets back up, allowing the chance for a finisher. While difficult to execute, it is also possible to deflect the small volley of knives it throws, something that is made easier to predict as it will audibly sharpen them before they are thrown. If an attack is used to strike them as they are thrown, they will be sent back into the Dark Spider and instantly kill it.

In Genma Onimusha, the Dark Spider is one of the Genma capable of absorbing a Green Soul. Upon doing so, the Dark Spider's attacks deal more damage and it will throw five knives in a wider arc instead of three in a straight line in order to make it harder to dodge. When it attempts to spawn an illusion upon being hit, the illusion will actually become real, effectively allowing the Dark Spider to multiply if it is not killed or forced out of its empowered state.

Trivia

• The Dark Spider is one of ten non-boss Genma that can be defeated in Critical Mode without an Issen, the other nine being Babian, Battobone, Battochaika, Bera, Bhaza, Gajimaro, Gera, Grizmoh and Zombie Warrior (Archer).
  • For the Battobone, Bhaza, Dark Spider and Grizmoh, this only applies if they are carrying an Oni Firefly. Those that are not require an Issen to defeat in Critical Mode.

Gallery

Dark Spider in Onimusha: Warlords

Dark Spider after absorbing a Green Soul

Entry in the Onimusha: Warlords Official Strategy Guide

Entry in the Onimusha 3: Demon Siege Official Strategy Guide