Should I Upgrade Weapons in Ghost of Tsushima? The Definitive Guide

Yes, you absolutely should upgrade your weapons in Ghost of Tsushima. Upgrading your katana, tanto, and bow is crucial for progressing through the game, tackling tougher enemies, and mastering the various combat techniques.

Why Weapon Upgrades are Essential in Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima masterfully blends cinematic storytelling with challenging and rewarding gameplay. As Jin Sakai, you’ll face increasingly formidable Mongol warriors and bandits who are more than capable of ending your journey prematurely. Weapon upgrades directly impact your combat effectiveness by increasing your damage output, improving your stealth capabilities, and unlocking new combat abilities.

Increased Damage Output

This is the most obvious benefit. A sharper katana cleaves through enemies with greater ease. Upgrading your katana increases the amount of damage each strike inflicts, allowing you to defeat enemies faster and with fewer swings. Similarly, upgrading your tanto makes assassinations and stealth kills more reliable.

Enhanced Stealth

Stealth is a vital component of Jin’s arsenal, especially early on. A fully upgraded tanto makes silent takedowns quicker and more efficient, allowing you to chain assassinations and clear out enemy camps before they even know you’re there. Upgrades can reduce the animation time for stealth kills, crucial for avoiding detection.

Unlocking Combat Techniques

Certain weapon upgrades unlock or enhance combat techniques, such as new katana stances and improved archery skills. Mastering these techniques is paramount to becoming a versatile and deadly warrior. These techniques often provide counters to specific enemy types, giving you a distinct advantage in combat scenarios.

Surviving Tougher Encounters

As you progress through the story and explore the open world, you’ll encounter increasingly challenging enemies. Upgrading your weapons ensures that you can keep pace with the rising difficulty and remain competitive in combat. Without adequate upgrades, even basic enemies can become a significant threat.

Resource Management Considerations

While upgrading your weapons is essential, resource management is also key. Resources like iron, steel, gold, and supplies are required for upgrades, and they are limited, especially early in the game. Prioritize upgrading your katana and tanto first, as they are your primary weapons. After that, focus on the bow and any other tools you frequently use.

Prioritizing Weapon Upgrades

Not all upgrades are created equal. Some offer more significant benefits than others, and it’s important to prioritize your resource spending wisely.

Katana Upgrades

Your katana should be your top priority. The increased damage and improved combat techniques it provides will drastically improve your overall combat effectiveness. Focus on upgrading the katana’s damage and unlocking new stances.

Tanto Upgrades

Next, focus on upgrading your tanto. A faster and more reliable stealth kill is invaluable, especially when dealing with larger groups of enemies. Upgrading the tanto significantly reduces the chances of being detected during assassinations.

Bow Upgrades

The bow is a versatile weapon for both ranged combat and stealth takedowns. Upgrading the bow improves its accuracy, draw speed, and damage. Consider upgrading the bow after the katana and tanto.

Armor and Charms

Don’t neglect your armor and charms! These provide valuable defensive buffs and passive abilities that can significantly enhance your survivability and combat prowess. Invest in armor upgrades to increase your health and resistance to damage.

Ghost Weapons

Ghost weapons like kunai and smoke bombs can also be upgraded, offering valuable tactical advantages. Experiment with different ghost weapons and upgrade the ones that best suit your playstyle.

When to Upgrade Weapons

The best time to upgrade your weapons is whenever you have the necessary resources and access to a blacksmith. Don’t hoard resources, as they are most valuable when used to enhance your combat abilities. Check in with blacksmiths in liberated settlements regularly to see what upgrades are available.

Resource Gathering

Explore the open world and complete side quests to gather resources. Pay attention to resource icons on the map and prioritize collecting materials that you need for upcoming upgrades. Liberating Mongol camps often yields valuable resources.

Blacksmith Locations

Blacksmiths are typically found in liberated settlements and larger towns. Seek them out and check their available upgrades regularly. They’ll be able to enhance your weapons with the resources you’ve gathered.

Early Game Upgrades

Focus on katana and tanto upgrades early in the game. This will help you survive the initial challenges and establish a strong foundation for your combat skills.

The Impact of Upgrades on Combat

The impact of weapon upgrades on combat is undeniable. You’ll notice a significant difference in your ability to defeat enemies, survive challenging encounters, and master the game’s combat system. Upgrades make you feel more powerful, more skilled, and more capable of facing any threat that comes your way.

A Sense of Progression

Upgrading your weapons provides a tangible sense of progression. As you invest resources and unlock new abilities, you’ll feel like you’re truly growing as a warrior. This sense of progression is a key element of what makes Ghost of Tsushima so engaging.

Mastering Jin Sakai’s Transformation

The transformation of Jin Sakai from a samurai into the Ghost is a central theme of the game. Upgrading your weapons and mastering new techniques is a crucial part of that journey. As you become more skilled and more powerful, you’ll truly embody the spirit of the Ghost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about upgrading weapons in Ghost of Tsushima:

What resources are needed for weapon upgrades? You need a combination of supplies, iron, steel, gold, and sometimes rare materials like silk.
Where can I find resources for weapon upgrades? Resources are found throughout the world by exploring, completing quests, liberating Mongol camps, and scavenging.
How do I upgrade my weapons? Visit a blacksmith in a liberated settlement or major town. They will offer upgrades in exchange for resources.
Which weapon should I upgrade first? Prioritize upgrading your katana and tanto early in the game.
Are armor upgrades as important as weapon upgrades? Yes, armor upgrades are also crucial for improving your survivability and combat effectiveness.
Do weapon upgrades affect the appearance of my weapons? Some weapon upgrades change the appearance slightly, but the core design remains the same.
Can I respec my weapon upgrades? No, you cannot respec your weapon upgrades in Ghost of Tsushima. So, make wise upgrade decisions!
How do I unlock new combat stances? New stances are unlocked by observing and defeating Mongol leaders in occupied territories.
Are there any unique weapons that cannot be upgraded? The Sakai Storm katana cannot be upgraded; it is a unique weapon obtained at a certain point in the story.
Do charms affect weapon damage? Yes, certain charms can increase weapon damage, critical hit chance, and other combat-related stats.
Is there a limit to how much I can upgrade my weapons? Yes, there is a maximum upgrade level for each weapon.
Does difficulty affect the necessity of weapon upgrades? Yes, on higher difficulty levels, weapon upgrades are even more critical for survival.
How do I get gold for upgrades? Gold is often rewarded for completing main story missions and certain side quests. Liberating occupied territories can also yield gold.
What’s the best way to farm resources quickly? Prioritize liberating Mongol camps and exploring areas marked on the map with resource icons.
Can I upgrade my horse? No, you cannot directly upgrade your horse, but you can unlock new saddles with perks like improved stamina recovery.

Conclusion

Upgrading your weapons in Ghost of Tsushima is not just recommended; it’s essential for a fulfilling and successful gameplay experience. By prioritizing your katana, tanto, and bow, managing your resources effectively, and mastering new combat techniques, you’ll transform Jin Sakai into the legendary Ghost and liberate Tsushima from the Mongol invasion. Don’t hesitate to invest in upgrades, and enjoy the satisfaction of becoming an unstoppable force on the battlefield.

Should I upgrade weapons Ghost of Tsushima?