Can You Change the Color of the Sakai Horse Armor in Ghost of Tsushima? A Deep Dive
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Absolutely! You can indeed change the color of the Sakai Horse Armor in Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, specifically on Iki Island. Acquiring and customizing this unique armor set is a rewarding endeavor that adds both aesthetic flair and practical benefits to your gameplay experience. Let’s explore the intricacies of obtaining, dyeing, and maximizing the potential of your Sakai Horse Armor.
Unlocking and Accessing the Sakai Horse Armor
The Sakai Horse Armor isn’t immediately available. You must journey to Iki Island, an expansion included in the Director’s Cut. Once there, you’ll embark on a quest to collect Sakai Banners. These banners are scattered across the island, often hidden in challenging locations or tied to specific side quests.
Trading Sakai Banners for Dyes
Once you’ve gathered enough Sakai Banners, you’ll need to find Tsubaki, a unique NPC (Non-Player Character) on Iki Island. The article you provided mentions finding a “Dyer” south of the Nakajima Overlook. This is partially correct. The “Dyer” is specifically Tsubaki. He’s the key to unlocking new color schemes for your horse armor.
For every 6 Sakai Banners you trade to Tsubaki, you’ll unlock a new dye option for the armor. This incentivizes exploration and completion of side content on Iki Island, rewarding players with tangible customization options.
The Functional Perks of the Sakai Horse Armor
Beyond aesthetics, the Sakai Horse Armor provides tangible gameplay benefits. When equipped, your horse charge inflicts significantly more damage. Incoming attacks are also less likely to dismount Jin, increasing survivability during mounted combat. This makes traversing the battlefield and engaging enemies on horseback a more viable and powerful strategy.
General Armor Dyeing in Ghost of Tsushima
It’s important to remember that armor dyeing in Ghost of Tsushima isn’t limited to horse armor. Jin’s own armor can be dyed as well. Here’s how:
Flower Power: The Currency of Customization
The primary currency for armor dyes is flowers. These are abundant throughout Tsushima and Iki Island, encouraging exploration and resource gathering.
Dye Merchants: The Gatekeepers of Color
To unlock the ability to dye your armor, you must first find a Dye Merchant. These merchants are typically located in towns or settlements. They offer a wide variety of dyes for sale, each with unique color combinations and visual styles. Once you encounter a Dye Merchant, the ability to dye your armor is unlocked at any time.
The Iki Island Exception: Sakai Clan Armor Dye Lock
The article snippet correctly notes that access to Sakai Clan Armor dyes is initially restricted upon starting the Tales of Iki. With one exception, most dyes will be unavailable until completing the “Massacre at Kidafure Village” main tale.
Obtaining the White Ghost Armor Dye
One interesting note on dyes and the Ghost Armor is that the dye is connected to the ending you choose to pursue. As the article mentions you get one of two dyes for your Ghost armor, depending on whether you spare or kill Lord Shimura.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about armor customization, the Sakai Horse Armor, and related aspects of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut.
1. Can I dye other horse equipment besides the Sakai Horse Armor?
No, the dyeing mechanic for horses is specifically tied to the Sakai Horse Armor in the Iki Island expansion. You cannot dye the saddle or other aspects of your horse’s appearance outside of the armor.
2. Where can I find Sakai Banners most easily?
Sakai Banners are often found near points of interest on Iki Island. Look for them near Mongol camps, scenic viewpoints, and associated with side tales. Use your map and exploration skills to uncover these hidden collectibles. They are typically marked once you get near them with your Guiding Wind ability if you choose to set it to find collectibles.
3. Does the Sakai Horse Armor affect stealth gameplay?
While the armor itself doesn’t directly improve stealth, its offensive capabilities (increased horse charge damage, reduced dismount chance) can indirectly aid in stealth scenarios. For example, quickly eliminating a patrol with a powerful horse charge can prevent them from raising an alarm.
4. How much does it cost to dye armor?
The cost of dyes varies, but they are typically priced affordably in terms of flowers. The primary limiting factor is often the availability of specific flower types, encouraging players to explore different regions to gather resources. Some dyes are also earned by completing quests so you won’t have to spend any flowers to get them.
5. Are there any dyes that are exclusive to certain regions or quests?
Yes, some dyes are exclusive to specific regions (like Iki Island) or are rewarded for completing particular quests. These unique dyes often have special visual effects or color palettes that cannot be obtained elsewhere.
6. Can I revert to the default color of an armor piece after dyeing it?
Yes, you can always revert to the default color of an armor piece by selecting the original dye option at a Dye Merchant. This provides complete freedom to experiment with different looks without permanently altering your armor.
7. Does armor dye affect the stats or abilities of the armor?
No, armor dyes are purely cosmetic. They do not alter the stats, abilities, or upgrade level of the armor. The appearance of the armor is independent of its functional properties.
8. Where is the Crimson Dye Merchant located, specifically?
As stated in the original article, the Crimson Dye Merchant is located east of Fort Sakai and north of Tatsu’s Ladder on the main Tsushima island. Once you win the final duel required to unlock him, his shop will appear on your map.
9. Is there any missable armor or dye in Ghost of Tsushima?
Some armor and dyes are tied to specific quests that, if failed or missed, might prevent you from obtaining them. Pay close attention to quest objectives and outcomes to ensure you acquire all available rewards. There are no quests that can be failed, only some side quests can be missed if you progress to the next act without completing them.
10. Does New Game Plus affect dye availability?
In New Game Plus, you retain all of your unlocked dyes from your previous playthrough. This allows you to immediately customize your armor with your favorite color schemes from the start of the new game.
11. Does Sakai Clan armor have the best stats in the game?
While Sakai Clan Armor is excellent for direct combat, it’s not necessarily the “best” in all situations. Armor choice depends on your playstyle. The Sarugami Armor, as mentioned in the article, is very powerful, but requires precise parrying. Stealth-focused players might prefer the Ronin Attire.
12. Are there any historical examples that inspired the color scheme in the Sakai Clan Armor?
While the game takes liberties with historical accuracy, the color schemes in Ghost of Tsushima are likely inspired by traditional samurai armor designs and clan colors. Researching historical samurai armor can provide context for the aesthetic choices in the game.
13. What is the significance of the Sakai family crest?
The Sakai family crest, which appears on the armor, represents the family’s lineage and status. The crest is in reference to a mountain peak within the game, and serves as a symbol of heritage, duty, and honor.
14. Can my horse die while wearing the Sakai Armor?
Yes, your horse can still die, even while wearing the Sakai Horse Armor. The armor reduces the likelihood of being dismounted and increases resistance to damage, but it doesn’t make your horse invulnerable.
15. What makes Ghost of Tsushima a great learning experience?
Ghost of Tsushima offers a fascinating glimpse into feudal Japan and the samurai code. Moreover, it helps improve skills like strategic thinking, planning, and cultural awareness. For those interested in learning more about how games can be used in education, resources like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) offer great insight.
In conclusion, dyeing the Sakai Horse Armor is a rewarding aspect of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, adding a personalized touch to your gameplay experience while providing valuable combat benefits. Collect those Sakai Banners, find Tsubaki, and ride forth in style!