Ghost of Tsushima offers a breathtaking journey through the rugged beauty of Tsushima Island, where players assume the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai warrior striving to protect his homeland from the Mongol invasion. The game presents players with a deep combat system and a vast open world to explore, each element designed to challenge your skills and strategic thinking.
Whether you're new to the game or already on your way to becoming a skilled warrior, mastering combat is essential to success. This guide provides key tips and tricks to help you survive the brutal world of Ghost of Tsushima, from learning advanced combat mechanics to managing resources and mastering stealth.
1. Perfect Your Timing for Parries and Counters
Combat in Ghost of Tsushima is a delicate dance between attack and defense, and one of the most crucial skills to master is the parry. Parrying is essential for mitigating damage and creating openings for deadly counterattacks. Here's how to perfect your parrying technique:
Watch for the Enemy’s Tell: Every enemy has a specific "tell" before they strike. When an enemy prepares to attack, their movements will briefly telegraph their next action. Pay close attention to this to ensure you time your parry correctly.
The Perfect Parry: By pressing L1 at the exact moment an enemy's attack lands, you'll perform a perfect parry. This not only deflects the attack but also leaves the enemy stunned, allowing you to counter with a swift blow.
Use Parry for Offense: After a successful parry, immediately follow up with a combo attack. This is the key to dealing high damage in quick succession, particularly against tougher enemies.
Mastering the parry will allow you to survive the toughest fights, especially against elite enemies like Mongol generals or ronin.
2. Switch Between Stances to Overcome Various Foes
As Jin learns new techniques throughout the game, he gains access to different stances, each offering unique advantages against specific types of enemies. Switching stances mid-combat is essential for optimizing your attack against various foes. Here’s a breakdown of the stances:
Stone Stance: Effective against sword-wielding enemies. This is your default stance, offering a balanced attack against common foes.
Water Stance: Designed for taking down shielded enemies. It allows for sweeping attacks that break through shields and create openings for follow-up strikes.
Wind Stance: Best for spearmen. It enables you to quickly close the distance between you and spear-wielding enemies and neutralize their advantage.
Moon Stance: Perfect for dealing with heavily armored enemies such as brutes and large Mongols. This stance helps you break their armor and deal more damage.
Fire Stance: A high-damage stance ideal for aggressive, fast-moving enemies. It allows you to strike swiftly and deal devastating blows.
Learn to recognize which enemies require which stance, and don’t hesitate to change stances during combat to stay one step ahead of your opponents.
3. Exploit Stealth and Environment for Tactical Advantage
While Ghost of Tsushima offers thrilling, direct combat, it also rewards players who embrace stealth. By using your surroundings to your advantage, you can eliminate enemies quietly and avoid direct confrontation altogether. Here are some tips on stealth gameplay:
Use Tall Grass for Stealth: Tall grass provides perfect cover for sneaking past enemies or performing stealth kills. Always use it to your advantage when you’re outnumbered or wish to avoid detection.
Dismount for Silent Takedowns: When riding your horse, you can dismount and silently eliminate nearby enemies. The horse acts as a distraction and provides an escape route if things go wrong.
Observe Enemy Patrols: Pay attention to enemy patrol patterns and avoid being seen. Stealthily take out enemies one by one, and be sure to hide their bodies to prevent others from discovering them.
Use the Environment: The world of Tsushima offers plenty of places to hide and sneak, such as caves, bushes, and rooftops. Use these to stay hidden and plan your approach.
The ability to use stealth effectively can make a significant difference in your overall survival, especially in enemy camps or during difficult missions.
4. Manage Your Resources Efficiently
In a world as harsh as Tsushima, managing your resources is critical. Running low on essential items during a battle can quickly turn the tide in favor of your enemies. Here's how to make sure you always have what you need:
Crafting Materials: As you explore, gather crafting materials like iron, bamboo, and leather. These materials are crucial for upgrading your weapons and armor at blacksmiths and armorers.
Healing Items: Always keep a stock of healing items such as resolve, which is used to heal or execute special attacks. You can refill your resolve by performing takedowns or killing enemies. Prioritize collecting herbs and other materials for crafting these items.
Arrows: Keep your quiver stocked with arrows at all times. They are vital for long-range combat, especially when dealing with archers or larger groups. Scavenge frequently for arrow supplies or craft them when needed.
Upgrades: Regularly upgrade your gear to improve your chances in battle. Visit blacksmiths to enhance your weapons and armor, making sure you stay prepared for tougher fights.
Resource management is vital for long-term success, so don’t neglect it during your journey.
5. Take Advantage of Ghost Techniques
Jin’s transition to the Ghost requires him to embrace unconventional combat methods, including a variety of Ghost Techniques that focus on stealth, agility, and surprise. These techniques are incredibly valuable for taking down enemies quickly and silently. Here are a few techniques to experiment with:
Kunai: Throwing Kunai can stun enemies or distract them, allowing you to execute a silent kill or escape a dangerous situation.
Smoke Bombs: Create confusion and escape by using smoke bombs. These are particularly useful for breaking ghost of Tsushima review the line of sight and gaining the upper hand in combat.
Sticky Bombs: Sticky bombs are a powerful tool for disabling multiple enemies in one go. Use them when enemies are clustered together for maximum impact.
Fear Inducement: Some Ghost techniques, like scaring enemies with the use of shrines, can disorient them, making them easier to take down.
By mastering these Ghost Techniques, you’ll be able to outsmart enemies and approach every combat encounter with a new level of creativity.
6. Balance Samurai Honor and Ghost Stealth
The core of Ghost of Tsushima is Jin’s internal struggle between upholding the samurai code of honor and embracing the brutal, deceptive tactics of the Ghost. Understanding when to fight honorably and when to use stealth will make you a versatile warrior.
Samurai Combat: Traditional samurai tactics focus on head-on combat, protecting the honor of both the samurai and the enemies. This involves direct, powerful strikes and perfect parries. Embrace the art of the samurai when facing formidable opponents who deserve an honorable duel.
Ghost Stealth: On the other hand, the Ghost represents a more pragmatic approach to survival. In moments of overwhelming odds or when facing dishonorable enemies, the Ghost uses stealth, tricks, and brutal tactics to survive.
Both paths are equally valid, and mastering both will allow you to adapt to any situation that arises during your journey.
Conclusion
In Ghost of Tsushima, combat mastery is the key ghost of Tsushima tips and tricks to Jin Sakai’s survival. By perfecting parries, utilizing stances, leveraging the environment for stealth, and efficiently managing your resources, you’ll be well-equipped to face the Mongol threat and restore honor to your homeland. Experiment with different combat styles, embrace your inner Ghost, and honor the samurai code as you embark on an unforgettable journey through Tsushima Island.
With these strategies in mind, you can confidently take on the challenges that lie ahead, carving your own legend in the sands of Tsushima.