Does Your Horse Make a Difference in Ghost of Tsushima?

The vast and beautiful landscapes of Ghost of Tsushima are best explored on horseback. As Jin Sakai, you’ll spend countless hours traversing the island, engaging in intense battles, and uncovering hidden locations alongside your trusty steed. But does your choice of horse actually matter in this critically acclaimed game? The short and direct answer is: No, the horse you choose in Ghost of Tsushima does not affect gameplay. While the game presents you with options, they are purely cosmetic in nature. Your horse’s abilities, speed, stamina, and overall performance will remain consistent regardless of the color you choose at the start.

Horse Selection: A Matter of Aesthetics

At the beginning of your journey in Ghost of Tsushima, you’re given the chance to select a horse from a small group of options. You can even choose a name. Many players believe this choice will have significant impacts down the line. However, the truth is that all horses function identically within the game. They have the same speed, respond to the same controls, and possess the same level of bravery in combat. The only difference between them is their color. The available options usually include a black horse, a dapple grey, and a horse with a white coat.

This design decision means that you can pick the horse that you find the most aesthetically pleasing without worrying about any gameplay ramifications. Whether you prefer the intimidating look of a black horse or the elegant appeal of a grey one, the choice is purely down to personal preference. This allows for a greater sense of immersion, as your mount becomes a visual representation of your character’s style.

Common Misconceptions

Many players initially believe that different horses will have distinct attributes, such as varying speed or health pools. This is a common assumption in open-world games, where different vehicles and mounts are often associated with specific benefits and drawbacks. However, Ghost of Tsushima purposefully deviates from this trend. It prioritizes the player’s individual connection to their horse through its looks and name.

While players might wish to see a more complex horse system, the uniformity across the available horses ultimately keeps the focus on combat, exploration, and story. The consistent performance of the horse allows for an equal playing field and avoids the potential for meta-gaming choices that could detract from the overall experience.

Beyond the Basics

While the base horses are all identical, the game does offer other ways to enhance your horse riding experience, mainly through horse armor. The Sakai Clan Armor is a notable example. It significantly boosts your horse charge damage by 50%, allowing you to kill brutes with a single hit. In addition, the armor also gives you a 10% chance of recovering 3 resolve each time you use a horse charge. It also makes your horse more resilient to being dismounted by enemy attacks. These benefits can dramatically impact your effectiveness in battle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions about horses in Ghost of Tsushima to further clarify their role and functionalities within the game:

1. Do horses have stats in Ghost of Tsushima?

No, none of the horses have unique stats. They all function identically in terms of speed, stamina, and responsiveness. They can all gallop, trot, and be mounted from a run.

2. Can you make your horse faster in Ghost of Tsushima?

There is no in-game method to increase your horse’s base speed. Galloping is the fastest speed you can achieve by holding down the sprint button. If it isn’t fast enough for you, pushing in the left thumbstick increases the speed.

3. What are the different types of horses in Ghost of Tsushima?

The game primarily offers three horse choices: a black horse, a dapple grey horse, and a white horse. However, a horse with white coat and dark skin, is actually called a grey horse; while, true white horse would have pink skin visible around the eyes and muzzle.

4. Can you beat Khotun Khan in the first fight?

No, the game will force a cutscene to progress the story regardless of your performance in the first fight with Khotun Khan. Therefore, you are not able to beat him in that encounter.

5. What happens if you get on another horse in Ghost of Tsushima?

If you ride another horse in the world, it will temporarily respond to your whistle. While you are riding it, your primary horse will not respond to your calls. Once the temporary horse has been dismounted and moves out of range, it will be replaced by your primary horse, which will then respond to your whistle.

6. Is it possible for my horse to die?

No, your horse is immortal in Ghost of Tsushima. It might get scared and run away during intense battles, but it will never die.

7. How do I keep my horse alive?

While your horse is immortal, you can keep it healthy by giving it waterskins. You can craft them using leather and plant fibers, and then fill them with water from ponds.

8. What does the Sakai horse armor do?

The Sakai horse armor significantly boosts your horse charge damage by 50% and enables you to kill brutes with one hit. It also gives you a 10% chance to recover 3 resolve when using a charge. Also, makes it harder for your horse to get dismounted.

9. Which is the best armor in Ghost of Tsushima?

Many consider the Sarugami Armor to be the best due to its unique ability to enable combo attacks after perfect parries. This promotes a very dynamic and engaging combat style.

10. Why do I have Hero of Tsushima armor?

The Hero of Tsushima Armor is only available through the purchase of the Digital Deluxe, Special, or Collector’s Edition. This armor is originally worn by Harunobu Adachi, hailed as the best swordsman on Tsushima Island.

11. What is the strongest weapon in Ghost of Tsushima?

The Kunai is considered one of the most powerful weapons due to its high damage output and ability to stagger multiple enemies when upgraded.

12. What is the most powerful move in Ghost of Tsushima?

The Unyielding Sword/Spear Parry is considered among the most powerful due to their ability to open up counter attack opportunities and enable you to stay on offense.

13. Does rank matter in Ghost of Tsushima?

Yes, your legend rank affects your max health and resolve, while also awarding technique points to be used on upgrades.

14. Do swords matter in Ghost of Tsushima?

No, sword kits are purely aesthetic and do not provide any gameplay bonuses.

15. Can you get horse armor in Ghost of Tsushima?

Yes, the Kazumasa Sakai horse armor can be found by swimming towards the two sailless masts protruding from the water.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the choice of horse might feel like a significant decision, it’s purely aesthetic in Ghost of Tsushima. Your horse’s speed, abilities, and behavior are exactly the same regardless of the color and name you choose. This decision ultimately allows you to focus on enjoying the story and developing your combat style. Don’t stress about your initial choice, and pick the horse that resonates best with your personal preferences and enjoy the immersive world of Ghost of Tsushima.