Is the Ghost Armor Worth It in Ghost of Tsushima? A Deep Dive
The Ghost Armor in Ghost of Tsushima is more than just a cool-looking set of threads. It’s a powerful tool that can dramatically change how you approach combat and exploration. So, is it worth it? Absolutely, but with a caveat. While it’s not the best armor for every single situation, its unique combination of stealth enhancements and fear-inducing abilities makes it a valuable asset for any player, especially those who enjoy a more tactical and unsettling approach to eliminating the Mongol threat. It excels at reducing enemy detection speed, decreasing the number of kills needed to enter Ghost Stance, and granting a chance to terrify enemies upon a kill. This combination makes Jin a terrifying force to be reckoned with, capable of thinning enemy ranks before they even know he’s there, and sending the survivors running in terror.
Understanding the Ghost Armor’s Strengths
The strength of the Ghost Armor lies in its ability to amplify Jin’s stealth capabilities while simultaneously turning him into a harbinger of fear. Let’s break down its core benefits:
- Reduced Enemy Detection Speed: This is the armor’s bread and butter. Enemies will take significantly longer to spot you, allowing for more opportunities for stealth kills, assassinations, and strategic positioning. This is particularly useful in heavily fortified areas or when dealing with numerous patrols.
- Reduced Kills for Ghost Stance: The Ghost Stance is one of the most powerful abilities in the game, allowing you to instantly kill several enemies in a spectacular fashion. The Ghost Armor reduces the number of kills required to activate this stance, allowing you to unleash its devastating power more frequently.
- Chance to Terrify Enemies: This is where the Ghost Armor truly shines. With each kill, there’s a chance that nearby enemies will be so frightened by Jin’s menacing appearance and brutal efficiency that they’ll flee in terror. This can drastically reduce the number of enemies you have to face, create openings for further attacks, or simply allow you to slip away unnoticed.
These abilities synergize beautifully, creating a gameplay loop where stealth is rewarded, combat is decisive, and fear becomes a weapon in itself.
The Ghost Armor vs. Other Armor Sets
While the Ghost Armor is powerful, it’s not the only viable option in Ghost of Tsushima. Several other armor sets offer unique benefits that might be better suited for specific situations or playstyles.
- Ronin Attire: Offers a significant increase to melee damage and stealth, making it a more balanced option for players who want to be effective in both stealth and open combat. This is a great option for those who prefer to engage in standoffs and direct confrontation.
- Sakai Clan Armor: Focuses on enhancing standoff abilities and increasing melee damage and health. It’s ideal for players who rely heavily on standoffs to initiate combat and who prefer a more aggressive, in-your-face approach. If you enjoy waiting for the enemy to make the first move and capitalize on standoffs, this is a superb choice.
- Gosaku Armor: Designed for offensive players, increasing stagger damage and health. It allows you to break enemy defenses more easily and deal significant damage with heavy attacks. If your fighting style revolves around overwhelming your opponents with a relentless barrage of attacks, the Gosaku armor is the way to go.
- Sarugami Armor: A high-risk, high-reward armor that grants powerful counterattacks upon performing perfect parries. It is generally considered one of the most OP armors due to its ability to chain attacks after successful perfect parries.
- Traveler’s Attire: Enhances exploration by tracking unexplored locations and increasing resource gathering. Its primarily a tool for finding collections.
The key is to experiment and find the armor that best complements your preferred playstyle and the specific challenges you’re facing. The concepts that underly the game design can be studied at Games Learning Society, allowing players to understand why they prefer the gaming experiences that they do.
- GamesLearningSociety.org offers more information on the principles that shape engaging gameplay.
Optimizing the Ghost Armor
To truly unlock the Ghost Armor’s potential, it’s crucial to upgrade it fully. Upgrading the armor enhances all of its core benefits, making you even more stealthy, terrifying, and deadly. Additionally, consider equipping charms that further augment your stealth abilities, such as charms that increase assassination damage or reduce enemy detection speed. A fully upgraded armor combined with stealth-focused charms turns Jin into an almost invisible predator, capable of striking from the shadows with impunity.
The Verdict
The Ghost Armor is undoubtedly a valuable asset in Ghost of Tsushima. Its unique combination of stealth enhancements and fear-inducing abilities makes it a powerful tool for any player, especially those who enjoy a more tactical and unsettling approach to combat. It’s not the best armor for every single situation, but its versatility and impact on gameplay make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to become the true Ghost of Tsushima.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Ghost Armor the best armor for stealth in Ghost of Tsushima?
While it’s excellent for stealth, the Ronin Attire offers a good balance between stealth and melee damage. It boils down to your playstyle, but the Ghost Armor is very good for sneaking up on enemies.
2. How do I get the Ghost Armor?
You get the Ghost Armor automatically during Act 2 as part of the main story quest “From the Darkness.”
3. Can the Ghost Armor be dyed?
Yes, the Ghost Armor can be dyed. You get dyes for completing specific quests or for purchase from merchants. Sparing Lord Shimura gives you the Vow of Vengeance dye (red), while killing him gives you the Righteous Punishment dye (white).
4. Is the Ghost Armor realistic?
While the game aims for a degree of realism, the Ghost Armor’s specific effects and design elements are stylized for gameplay and narrative purposes. Some liberties were taken with the realism of characters like Jin.
5. What are the best charms to use with the Ghost Armor?
Charms that enhance stealth, such as the Charm of Concealment (reduces enemy detection speed) and the Charm of Hidden Blades (increases assassination damage), work exceptionally well.
6. Is the Ghost Stance overpowered?
The Ghost Stance is powerful, but it requires building up kills without being detected, which can be challenging in some situations. But the Ghost Armor reduces the kills required making it easier to trigger.
7. Does the Ghost Armor affect boss battles?
The stealth benefits of the Ghost Armor are less useful in boss battles, but the chance to terrify enemies can still provide brief openings.
8. What is the best sword kit to use with the Ghost Armor?
The best sword kit is subjective and depends on your preference. Some players prefer kits that enhance damage, while others prefer kits that improve survivability.
9. Is it worth upgrading the Ghost Armor fully?
Absolutely. Upgrading the Ghost Armor significantly enhances its stealth and fear-inducing abilities, making you a far more effective Ghost.
10. How does the Ghost Armor compare to the Samurai Clan Armor?
The Ghost Armor is focused on stealth and fear, while the Samurai Clan Armor is focused on direct combat and health. Choose based on your preferred approach.
11. Can I still use the Ghost Armor after completing the main story?
Yes, you can continue to use and upgrade the Ghost Armor after completing the main story.
12. What is the best way to farm resources for upgrading the Ghost Armor?
Explore the open world, complete side quests, and liberate Mongol-occupied areas to gather resources.
13. Does difficulty setting affect the effectiveness of the Ghost Armor?
The difficulty setting can influence how easily enemies detect you, but the Ghost Armor’s effects remain consistent across all difficulties.
14. Does the Ghost Armor work in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends?
No, the armor sets from the single-player campaign are not directly transferable to the Legends multiplayer mode.
15. What is the community consensus on the Ghost Armor?
The community generally considers the Ghost Armor to be a very good and versatile option, particularly for players who enjoy stealth and tactical combat.
By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Ghost Armor, experimenting with different playstyles, and carefully selecting charms and upgrades, you can become the ultimate Ghost of Tsushima, a silent and deadly warrior who strikes fear into the hearts of the Mongol invaders. It is important to note that video games are learning experiences, and more information can be found at the Games Learning Society.