Can You Dye Sakai Horse Armor in Ghost of Tsushima? A Deep Dive
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The short answer is no, you cannot directly dye the Sakai Horse Armor in Ghost of Tsushima or its Director’s Cut expansion, Iki Island. While the game offers a robust system for dyeing Jin’s armor, including the iconic Sakai Clan Armor, this customization doesn’t extend to your trusty steed’s protective gear.
Let’s delve into why this is the case, what you can customize regarding your horse, and explore the broader world of armor and customization options within Ghost of Tsushima.
Horse Customization: What Is Possible?
While you can’t change the color of the Sakai Horse Armor, you can equip it to your horse. This armor is acquired on Iki Island and provides significant benefits, bolstering your horse’s combat effectiveness.
Here’s what the Sakai Horse Armor does:
- Increased Horse Charge Damage: The horse charge deals 50% more damage, allowing you to plow through enemies with greater force.
- Brute Takedowns: With the Sakai Horse Armor, your horse charge can kill brutes with a single hit, eliminating tough opponents quickly.
- Resolve Recovery: Horse charge impacts now include a 10% chance of recovering 3 resolve, giving you an edge in combat by replenishing your ability to use special moves.
- Improved Horse Durability: Incoming attacks are far less likely to dismount Jin.
Beyond the armor itself, you can choose your horse’s appearance at the beginning of the game. You’re presented with a selection of different horses, each with unique coloring and markings. While this choice is permanent for that playthrough, it allows you to select a horse that aesthetically appeals to you. Ultimately, the choice of horse has no impact on gameplay beyond aesthetics, as each option has the same speed and endurance.
Why No Horse Armor Dyes?
The lack of dye options for the Sakai Horse Armor likely boils down to design choices. The developers at Sucker Punch Productions focused their customization efforts on Jin’s armor, allowing players to express their individuality and playstyle through a wide variety of dyes obtained from merchants using flowers as currency. It’s possible that adding another layer of customization for horse armor would have been overly complex or time-consuming during development. The available options allow for solid personalization and the focus seems to be on Jin himself.
Armor and Dyeing in Ghost of Tsushima: A Wider Perspective
The inability to dye the Sakai Horse Armor is somewhat offset by the extensive armor customization options available for Jin. You can acquire numerous armor sets throughout the game, each with its own unique stats and perks. Moreover, most of these armor sets can be dyed in a variety of colors, allowing you to tailor your appearance to your preferences.
How Armor Dyes Work
To change the color of your armor, you’ll need to find armor merchants located throughout the game world. These merchants sell dyes in exchange for flowers, which are abundant in the environments of Tsushima and Iki Island. Once you’ve purchased a dye, you can apply it to your chosen armor set by accessing the armor customization menu in the pause screen. The game offers a wide selection of dyes, from vibrant reds and blues to more subdued browns and greens. Each dye completely transforms the look of the armor, allowing you to create a truly unique character.
Notable Armor Sets and Dyes
- Sakai Clan Armor: Increases melee damage, health, and Standoff streak. Dyes can be obtained from merchants and completing specific quests. Unlocks new looks as you upgrade.
- Ghost Armor: Enhances stealth abilities and allows you to terrify enemies. Exclusive dyes are unlocked based on the ending choice you make – red for sparing Lord Shimura, white for killing him.
- Sarugami Armor: A high-risk, high-reward armor that requires perfect parries to unleash devastating combos.
- Ronin Attire: Boosts melee damage and reduces enemy detection speed, perfect for a more aggressive playstyle.
- Traveler’s Attire: Reveals undiscovered locations on the map and provides other exploration-focused benefits.
Ultimately, while you can’t dye the Sakai Horse Armor, Ghost of Tsushima offers a wealth of other customization options that allow you to express your creativity and tailor your gameplay experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about armor, dyes, and horse customization in Ghost of Tsushima:
1. Can you dye armor in Ghost of Tsushima?
Yes, you can dye most of Jin’s armor sets by purchasing dyes from merchants using flowers as currency.
2. How do you get red dye for Sakai clan armor?
Red dyes for the Sakai Clan Armor can be purchased from armor merchants located throughout the game world. They are usually available in larger settlements.
3. Why can’t I dye my Sakai Clan Armor on Iki Island?
When beginning the Tales of Iki, the player will be locked out of all the Sakai Clan Armor dyes except Jin from Yarikawa (which will use the Level one appearance with a Clan Yarikawa emblem on his chest armor) alongside both Sakai Clan Helmets, this lock will be removed after completing Massacre at Kidafure Village.
4. Can you get white Ghost Armor if you spare Lord Shimura?
No, you receive the red dye if you spare Lord Shimura. You receive the white dye for killing him. The ending choice unlocks an exclusive dye for the Ghost Armor: White for Kill and Red for Spare.
5. What happens if you wear Sakai armor in Iki Island?
Sakai Clan armor effects are designed to give Jin an increase in melee damage and health. Additionally, this armor set increases the Standoff streak. Consequently, this armor set gives Jin an advantage in Standoffs and general melee combat.
6. What is the most powerful armor in Ghost of Tsushima?
Many players consider the Sarugami Armor to be the most powerful, due to its ability to turn perfect parries into devastating combos. However, its effectiveness relies heavily on player skill. The Sakai Clan Armor is often considered the most powerful for overall combat.
7. Does Sakai horse armor do anything?
Yes! The Sakai Horse Armor significantly enhances your horse’s combat capabilities. It increases horse charge damage, allows you to kill brutes with a single charge, and provides a chance to recover Resolve on impact.
8. Does the horse matter in Ghost of Tsushima?
While you can choose your horse’s appearance at the beginning of the game, the choice is purely aesthetic. All horses have the same speed and endurance.
9. Is Sakai clan armor worth it?
Yes! The Sakai Clan Armor is a powerful choice for players who enjoy aggressive melee combat and Standoffs. It increases your health, melee damage, and Standoff streak.
10. Is the ghost armor better than the Sakai armor?
It depends on your playstyle. The Sakai Clan Armor is generally better for direct combat, while the Ghost Armor is more suited for stealth-focused players.
11. Is Sakai clan armor real?
Yes it is real but it is not proper armor as this style known as Gyorin Gusoku emerged in the 17th and 18th century, way later than the setting of the game.
12. What armor do you get for killing Shimura?
Namely, fans that kill Jin’s uncle will receive the Righteous Punishment dye, which is white and can be applied the Ghost Armor in Ghost of Tsushima as well as the Ghost Headband and Mask.
13. Which Ghost of Tsushima ending is canon?
The canonical ending will likely be the Honorable one in which Jin’s uncle, Lord Shimura dies an honorable death at the hands of Jin. Many players find this ending to be the most impactful.
14. Does Jin Sakai become a Shinobi?
It has been mentioned that Jin had to balance adhering to the samurai’s honor code, while also trying to use dishonorable tactics to save his people. Ultimately, Jin does become what is known as a shinobi by embracing the ‘Ghost’.
15. What armor is Jin Sakai wearing in the promotional material?
Enrobed in Rank III Sakai Clan Armor dyed in Kazumasa’s Darkness, Jin boasts a frightening silhouette. Once worn by Jin’s father, Kazumasa, the armor looks uncannily fitting on Jin. His kabuto, or helmet, features deer antlers distinguishing him as a leader.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide answered all your questions about the Sakai Horse Armor and customization in Ghost of Tsushima. Remember to explore the vast world, experiment with different armor sets and dyes, and find the playstyle that suits you best. The possibilities are endless. If you’re interested in learning more about the educational applications of games, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website.