Ghost of Tsushima Guide: Master the Way of the Samurai
- 2025-07-09

Are you ready to step into the shoes of a samurai hero, defend your homeland, and experience breathtaking open-world action? Ghost of Tsushima is not just any action-adventure game—it’s an immersive journey into feudal Japan, where every choice tests your honor and skill. Whether you’re new to the PlayStation or a seasoned gamer, this guide will help you master the art of the blade and claim victory over the Mongol invaders. If you want to enjoy beautiful landscapes, dive into gripping sword fights, and explore hidden secrets, then this adventure is made for you. Let’s set out on your path to becoming legend!
Core Guide to Ghost of Tsushima
Getting Started: Understanding the Basics
Before you charge into battle, take time to understand the basics. In Ghost of Tsushima, you play as Jin Sakai, a wounded samurai on a quest to save Tsushima from a Mongol invasion. Exploration, combat, and personal growth are all key parts of your journey.
- Know the Controls: Spend a few minutes in the tutorial. Fluid movement and smart attacks are your best friends.
- Follow the Wind: The game uses a unique guiding wind for navigation instead of traditional waypoints. Swipe up on the touchpad to reveal the wind’s direction to your next objective.
- Save Often: You can manually save progress at nearly any time, so make use of this before tough battles.
Exploring Tsushima: Open World Tips
Tsushima Island is vast and filled with secrets. Here are some tips to make your exploration smooth and rewarding:
- Unlock Fast Travel: Liberate towns and villages to gain new fast travel points. Use them often to save time.
- Visit Shrines: Shrines reward you with charms and skill upgrades. The platforming challenges are worth it!
- Follow Animals: Golden birds and foxes often lead you to hidden locations like bamboo strikes, hot springs, and Inari shrines.
- Collect Supplies: Pick up everything—bamboo, iron, leather, and flowers all help improve gear and appearance.
Combat Tips: The Way of the Samurai
Combat in Ghost of Tsushima is deep but accessible. You have two main options: face enemies with honor (Samurai) or use stealth (Ghost). Sometimes, the best warriors use both.
- Master the Stances: There are four stances—Stone, Water, Wind, and Moon—each best against specific enemy types. Switch often!
- Perfect the Parry: Time your block just before an enemy strikes to parry. This opens them up for counterattacks.
- Use Tools and Skills: Kunai, smoke bombs, and sticky bombs can turn the tide. Upgrade and use them well.
- Stealth Tactics: Use tall grass, rooftops, and distractions to thin enemy groups before going in loud. Assassinations are silent but deadly.
- Upgrade Weapons: Look for swordsmiths and bowyers. Enhanced blades and bows boost your power significantly.
Building Your Samurai: Skills and Gear
Jin becomes stronger as you progress. Smart skill upgrades and gear choices make a big difference.
- Choose Your Playstyle: Focus on unlocking skills that fit your approach—Combat, Stealth, or Exploration.
- Armor Sets: Each armor offers unique perks—damage reduction, increased stealth, or extra resolve (healing resource). Swap them depending on mission needs.
- Charms: Shrine charms give passive boosts. Mix and match to amplify your strengths and cover weaknesses.
- Resolve Usage: Resolve is precious—use it for healing or special attacks. Unlock skills that increase or restore it quickly.
Best Side Activities and Hidden Secrets
Some of the best moments in Ghost of Tsushima are off the main path.
- Bamboo Strikes: Complete mini-games to increase your maximum resolve.
- Hot Springs: Visiting these boosts your health and provides a moment of relaxation with Jin’s story.
- Haiku Spots: Write poetry for headbands—these reward calm exploration and reflection.
- Mythic Tales: Legendary side quests granting you special moves or killer gear. Always pursue these!
Main Story and Quest Tips
Main quests progress the story, but helping allies in their personal tales grants you useful upgrades and increases your legend.
- Main Story: Move forward at your pace, but consider completing side missions for extra strength during tough boss fights.
- Character Arcs: Help characters like Lady Masako, Sensei Ishikawa, and Yuna—they unlock powerful techniques and new experiences.
- Legend Levels: More legend unlocks new skills. Fight, explore, and help others to grow your reputation.
Money and Upgrades
Supplies, resources, and flowers are your currency in Tsushima.
- Supplies: Most upgrades cost basic supplies. Open every chest and search camps after a fight.
- Resources: Leather, iron, and silk are required for the highest tier upgrades. Prioritize armor and weapons before cosmetics.
- Flowers: Unique to cosmetics—collect them to customize colors and masks.
Facing Bosses and Difficult Fights
Boss duels in Ghost of Tsushima are intense, dramatic, and fair tests of your samurai skills.
- Learn Patterns: Take your time to study boss attack routines. Wait for an opening before striking.
- Focus on Parrying: Bosses leave openings after you parry or dodge. Unlock the perfect parry skill as soon as you can.
- Don’t Spam Attacks: Be patient. Two or three hits are safer than going all-out and exposing yourself.
Conclusion: Your Path to Becoming the Ghost
Ghost of Tsushima is not just about combat—it’s about finding your own way, building your legend, and balancing honor with necessity. Explore everything, practice new skills, and don’t be afraid to try new tactics. Each defeat teaches a lesson, and every victory brings you closer to freeing Tsushima. Remember: the true samurai is strong, wise, and adaptable. Good luck, and may the winds guide your blade!
Quick Tips for Success
- Use the guiding wind for quick navigation.
- Mix stealth and combat for best results.
- Upgrade gear regularly to keep up with stronger enemies.
- Take breaks to enjoy the world—hot springs and haikus boost performance and mood!
- Help allies for extra skills and story depth.
With these tips and strategies, you’re ready to master the way of the samurai and become the true Ghost of Tsushima!