Should You Use Hero of Tsushima Armor? A Comprehensive Guide
The Hero of Tsushima Armor is a visually striking piece of equipment in Ghost of Tsushima, steeped in lore and bearing a resemblance to that worn by Lord Adachi. However, its usefulness is a more complex question. In short: the Hero of Tsushima Armor is primarily useful in the early game due to its health and damage reduction benefits, but it quickly becomes outclassed by other armor sets that offer upgradeability and more specialized bonuses. It serves as a decent stepping stone, particularly on higher difficulties early on, but should be replaced as soon as you acquire better options.
Early Game Appeal vs. Long-Term Viability
The initial appeal of the Hero of Tsushima Armor is undeniable. It provides a significant boost to health and reduces incoming damage, making it a valuable asset in the early stages of the game when Jin is more vulnerable. This armor can make the initial encounters less punishing, especially on higher difficulty settings where enemies hit harder and are more aggressive. Its striking appearance, mirroring Lord Adachi’s armor from the game’s prologue, also adds to its allure. The wine stain that appears when the full set is worn is a particularly poignant detail.
However, the armor’s main drawback is its inability to be upgraded. As you progress through Ghost of Tsushima, you’ll find other armor sets with unique perks and the ability to be upgraded, significantly enhancing their stats and unlocking powerful bonuses. Armor like the Sakai Clan Armor for melee combat, the Ronin Attire for stealth, or the Ghost Armor for terrifying enemies all offer more specialized and potent abilities that are far more beneficial in the long run.
The Hero of Tsushima armor functions as a stopgap measure. It helps you survive the initial onslaught, providing a much-needed cushion before you acquire and upgrade better options. Its benefits are front-loaded; it is strong early, but fails to grow with you as you continue your journey through Tsushima.
Beyond Stats: Considering Playstyle
The choice of whether or not to use the Hero of Tsushima Armor also depends on your preferred playstyle. If you favor a direct, confrontational approach early in the game, the health and damage reduction offered by the Hero of Tsushima Armor can be useful. However, if you prefer a more stealth-oriented playstyle, the Ronin Attire will prove more effective, even early on. As you explore and complete side quests, you will discover even more sets that are tailored to certain strategies.
Therefore, assess your playstyle early and start searching for armor that compliments it. By the time you reach the mid-game, you should have acquired armor sets that offer superior bonuses and can be upgraded to match your gameplay.
Hero of Tsushima Armor in New Game Plus
The Hero of Tsushima Armor can be upgraded in New Game Plus (NG+). This upgradeability does extend its usefulness. However, even with upgrades, the armor still lags behind other sets that offer more specialized bonuses or more powerful inherent abilities. It can still serve as a good early-game option in NG+ while you re-acquire and re-upgrade your favorite armor sets from your first playthrough.
Making the Most of the Hero of Tsushima Armor
If you decide to use the Hero of Tsushima Armor, focus on acquiring better armor as quickly as possible. Explore the world, complete side quests, and liberate Mongol camps to unlock new armor sets. As soon as you find an armor set that better suits your playstyle and can be upgraded, switch it out for the Hero of Tsushima Armor. It’s a tool to get you started, not a tool to finish the job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about the Hero of Tsushima Armor and other armor in Ghost of Tsushima:
1. What are the benefits of the Hero of Tsushima Armor?
The Hero of Tsushima Armor offers a major increase to health and reduces damage by a moderate amount. This makes Jin more resistant to enemy attacks and more likely to survive encounters.
2. Why can’t the Hero of Tsushima Armor be upgraded initially?
The Hero of Tsushima Armor being unupgradeable in the initial playthrough serves as a balancing mechanism. It provides an early advantage but encourages players to explore and acquire more specialized armor sets as they progress.
3. Which armor is considered the best in Ghost of Tsushima?
There isn’t a single “best” armor, as the ideal choice depends on your playstyle. However, some popular choices include the Sakai Clan Armor for melee combat, the Ghost Armor for stealth and intimidation, and Tadayori’s Armor for archery. The Sarugami Armor is considered a very strong option by some due to its risk/reward parry based perk.
4. How does the Sakai Clan Armor compare to the Hero of Tsushima Armor?
The Sakai Clan Armor is generally considered superior to the Hero of Tsushima Armor in the mid to late game. It increases melee damage and health significantly, and it also enhances Standoffs, making it ideal for aggressive players. The Sakai Clan Armor can also be upgraded to improve its stats and bonus perks, which is something the Hero of Tsushima armor cannot do initially.
5. Is the Ghost Armor worth using in Ghost of Tsushima?
Yes, the Ghost Armor is highly valuable, especially for players who prefer a stealthy approach. It reduces enemy detection speed, increases the chance of terrifying enemies, and reduces the number of kills needed to enter the Ghost Stance, allowing you to quickly eliminate large groups of enemies.
6. What armor is best for stealth in Ghost of Tsushima?
The Ronin Attire is the best armor for stealth, as it significantly reduces enemy detection speed and increases melee damage. This allows you to approach enemies undetected and quickly eliminate them before they can raise an alarm.
7. How accurate is the armor in Ghost of Tsushima compared to real-world armor?
While not perfectly accurate, the armor in Ghost of Tsushima is largely based on historical examples. The Mongol army’s armor is generally accurate, with only minor exceptions. Some of the Samurai armor styles reflect later periods.
8. What is the significance of the Hero of Tsushima Armor’s appearance?
The Hero of Tsushima Armor is the same armor worn by Harunobu Adachi in the game’s prologue. Wearing the full set of armor reveals a wine stain, a visual reminder of Khotun Khan’s disrespect and brutality.
9. How does New Game Plus affect the Hero of Tsushima Armor?
In New Game Plus, the Hero of Tsushima Armor can be upgraded, making it more viable in the later stages of the game. However, it still may not be as powerful as other specialized armor sets.
10. What happens if you wear the Sakai Clan Armor on Iki Island?
Wearing the Sakai Clan Armor on Iki Island enhances Jin’s melee damage, health, and Standoff abilities, making him a formidable force in combat. This is especially useful against the tougher enemies and unique challenges found on Iki Island.
11. What is the best armor for archers in Ghost of Tsushima?
Tadayori’s Armor is the best choice for archers. It increases nocking and reload speed, increases concentration time, and allows arrows to recover some concentration.
12. Did Jin Sakai actually exist?
Jin Sakai is a fictional character created for the game. While there was no single person who single-handedly defeated the Mongol invasion, his story is inspired by the historical events and cultural elements of the time. The development team took liberties to create compelling characters and engaging storylines, as is further explained by research on Games Learning Society, which explores the educational value and historical context of video games.
13. What are some unique dye options for armor in Ghost of Tsushima?
Killing Lord Shimura unlocks the Righteous Punishment dye (white) for the Ghost Armor, while sparing him unlocks the Vow of Vengeance dye (red). These dyes allow you to customize your appearance based on your choices in the game.
14. Is stealth a viable playstyle in Ghost of Tsushima?
Yes, stealth is a highly viable playstyle in Ghost of Tsushima. The Ghost Armor and Ronin Attire are specifically designed to enhance stealth abilities, allowing players to approach enemies undetected and eliminate them silently.
15. What is the Sakai Horse Armor and what does it do?
The Sakai Horse Armor is special horse armor found on Iki Island. It increases the damage of Horse Charge by 50% and allows it to kill brutes in a single hit. Additionally, it has a 10% chance to recover 3 resolve.
In conclusion, while the Hero of Tsushima Armor provides a helpful boost in the early game, its lack of upgradeability ultimately makes it less effective than other armor sets. Assess your playstyle, explore the world, and acquire better armor as quickly as possible to become a truly formidable Ghost.