You need to find and combine Black Scale and Phantasmal Herb to increase your health in Ninja Gaiden 4. These collectibles are scattered throughout different chapters, and you can easily miss them if you don't know where to look. This guide will show you the locations of Black Scales and Phantasmal Herbs to increase your HP.
How to Increase Your Health in Ninja Gaiden 4
To increase your health in Ninja Gaiden 4, you need to find a pair of Black Scales and a Phantasmal Herb. Every time you find at least one of each, they will automatically combine to create Dragon Lord's Grace. Yakumo automatically consumes this item to increase his HP pool slightly. While there are only 10 pairs of Black Scales and Phantasmal Herbs, you can upgrade your health 13 times once you're able to use Ryu Hayabusa. Instead of Dragon Lord's Grace, you can find three Lives of the Thousand Gods to increase your HP when using Ryu.
All Black Scales and Phantasmal Herb Locations
Black Scales
- Black Scale #1 (Chapter 2): Before you fight the elite enemy in the rooftop steps area with floating drones, look for a short alley to your left. The Black Scale should be in a chest at the end of the path.
- Black Scale #2 (Chapter 3): After you find the Rotting Charm, you'll start a side mission and eventually reach the shrine. Explore further until you encounter the Food Thief and a large blue cargo container. The item will be in a chest behind the container.
- Black Scale #3 (Chapter 4): Locate the chest guarded by two spear enemies at the top of a set of stairs in the shrine area.
- Black Scale #4 (Chapter 4): While completing the Secret Supplies mission, you'll eventually find a large clearing near the wreckage of an advanced flying machine. There are several chests in the area, and you'll get the Black Scale after submitting the supplies.
- Black Scale #5 (Chapter 8): While completing the Antiquated Currency, you'll run through an obstacle course after obtaining Pond Strider. You'll eventually arrive in an area with large fish with portals in their mouth. Choose and fight the one with a large "keep out" sign on the wall behind them. A chest will appear after you defeat the creature, which will contain the currency. Complete the quest to receive the Black Scale.
- Black Scale #6 (Chapter 9): You can find the item in the middle of the land mass in the second area of Chapter 9 that multiple enemies guard. You can reach this place with Pond Strider after clearing the first area and by sliding under a gate to enter the next open area.
- Black Scale #7 (Chapter 12): After the first encounter, climb up a flight of stairs and enter a door. Before you climb the next set of stairs, look for a chest on the right turn near a fence and a stack of pallets. The item will be inside this container.
- Black Scale #8 (Chapter 12): While completing the Classified Documents, you'll eventually reach an area with red light and an entrance to a series of corridors leading to an elevator. Before this door, turn right and look for the chest along the wall with documents. After you turn in the quest item to the DarkNest Terminal, you'll get the Black Scale.
- Black Scale #9 (Chapter 15): You can obtain the Black Scale after completing the Execute the Demonic Infiltrator side quest in the Fanged Gate.
- Black Scale #10 (Chapter 17): After you defeat the Demonic Infiltrators, enter the large tower and exit the main cylindrical chamber.
Phantasmal Herbs
- Phantasmal Herbs #1 (Chapter 1): You'll receive the first Phantasmal Herb after collecting the Data Chip and turning in the mission.
- Phantasmal Herbs #2 (Chapter 3): While in the shrine area, look for an alcove with a chest at the top of a flight of stairs in the circular chamber. The Phantasmal Herb will be inside the container.
- Phantasmal Herbs #3 (Chapter 5): You'll receive the Phantasmal Herb after turning in the Heirloom Knife. You can find the item behind one of the large enemies that launches fireballs while you glide through the mountain.
- Phantasmal Herbs #4 (Chapter 5): You'll receive the Phantasmal Herb after turning in the Tengu Offering. The Tengu Offering will be on the ground on the left side once you exit the building after defeating the statue boss.
- Phantasmal Herbs #5 (Chapter 6): At the start of this chapter, you'll see two chests near the ruins of an old suspension bridge to the left of the DarkNest Terminal. One of these containers has Phantasmal Herbs.
- Phantasmal Herbs #6 (Chapter 9): You'll get a Phantasmal Herb after locating all three Beautiful Minerals in Chapter 9.
- Phantasmal Herbs #7 (Chapter 11): During the Dragon's Maw stage, climb a large wall with E-4 spray and ride the blue speed-boost ring rail. At the end, you'll have to slide under a gate and climb a platform on the left. After you defeat all the enemies here, open all the chests to obtain the Phantasmal Herb.
- Phantasmal Herbs #8 (Chapter 12): At the start of the level, defeat all enemies in the large arena and head to the right of the door. Look for the chest in the long corridor, which contains the Phantasmal Herb.
- Phantasmal Herbs #9 (Chapter 13): Complete the Execute the Fiend Captain mission to obtain this Phantasmal Herb.
- Phantasmal Herbs #10 (Chapter 19): In the last chapter, ride the wind current to reach the platform with the DarkNest Terminal. Climb the stairs and look to the left of the vertical chute leading to the final battle. There should be a chest containing the Phantasmal Herb.
Once you've collected all 20 of these items, you can further upgrade your HP via Ryu's segment of the game.
All Lives of the Thousand Gods Location (Ryu Hayabusa's Part)
- Lives of the Thousand Gods #1 (Chapter 15): Enter the door at the back of the stage to drop into a large tunnel. Once you land, turn around to obtain the Lives of the Thousand Gods.
- Lives of the Thousand Gods #2 (Chapter 16): After you defeat the Burabura Lantern Demons, cross the gap on the left. You'll encounter a large pot-like enemy. Defeat it and reach the end of the path to find the next Lives of the Thousand Gods.
- Lives of the Thousand Gods #3 (Chapter 17): Drop down into the room with the Knightmares and defeat them to get the Tablet of the Pyramid. A chest will appear near the door you came from, containing the item.
Once you find and consume all these health upgrades, you'll unlock the Ninja Fortitude Achievement.
