What Happens if You Beat Khan on the Bridge in Ghost of Tsushima?
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The short answer is: you can’t. Despite your best efforts, no matter how perfectly you time your parries, how flawlessly you execute your stances, or how many kunai you hurl, you cannot defeat Khotun Khan on the bridge during your first encounter in Ghost of Tsushima. The game is scripted to progress the story, ensuring Jin Sakai’s defeat and capture. Reaching zero health on Khotun Khan simply triggers a cutscene where he overpowers Jin, leading to the next stage of the narrative.
Understanding the Unwinnable Fight
Many players, driven by skill and determination, have tried countless times to overcome this seemingly impossible obstacle. Videos flood the internet showcasing incredible displays of combat prowess against Khotun Khan. However, these efforts are ultimately in vain. The fight is designed to be a dramatic set-piece, not a genuine challenge that can be overcome.
The game forces a cutscene to progress the story once you deplete a certain amount of Khan’s health, regardless of how well you are fighting. It’s a narrative device to establish Khotun Khan as a formidable and overwhelming threat, setting the stage for Jin’s transformation from honorable samurai to the Ghost of Tsushima. This predetermined outcome shapes Jin’s journey and provides the motivation for the player’s actions throughout the game.
Think of it like a tutorial boss – a seemingly insurmountable foe designed to teach you about the game’s mechanics while simultaneously emphasizing the protagonist’s vulnerability.
Speedrunning and the Khotun Khan Fight
The inability to win this initial fight has, unsurprisingly, impacted speedrunning strategies. Instead of trying to win, speedrunners focus on finding the fastest way to lose. This often involves strategies to quickly lower Jin’s health, triggering the cutscene as quickly as possible. While it might seem counterintuitive, minimizing the time spent on this encounter is crucial for achieving the fastest possible completion time.
The Art of Deliberate Defeat
Speedrunners experiment with various approaches, such as running directly into attacks or strategically avoiding healing to expedite the inevitable loss. Optimizing these methods involves a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and the timing of the cutscene trigger. The challenge lies not in defeating the enemy, but in mastering the art of deliberate defeat. This represents the game’s ability to change one’s strategy based on circumstance. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores these nuances and adaptations in gaming communities, specifically, how players adapt their behavior based on circumstance.
FAQs: Khotun Khan and the First Encounter
Here are some frequently asked questions concerning Khotun Khan and the initial bridge fight.
1. What stance is Khotun Khan weak to?
According to videos, the Wind Stance and Moon Stance are the best options to take on Khotun Khan.
2. Is Khotun Khan a real person?
No, Khotun Khan is not based on a specific historical figure. While the Mongol invasion of Tsushima is a real event, Khotun Khan is a fictional character created for the game. There is no Mongol leader known as Khotun Khan.
3. Can you beat Ghost of Tsushima without assassination?
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima can be completed using either honorable or dishonorable combat tactics. While the narrative frames stealthy tactics as dishonorable, the game doesn’t penalize either approach. This does not affect the ending.
4. What are the consequences of fighting honorably vs. dishonorably in Ghost of Tsushima?
The most apparent impact of choosing between honorable and dishonorable combat is on the weather.
5. Who is the hardest boss in Ghost of Tsushima?
The hardest boss in Ghost of Tsushima is subjective, however, Lord Shimura is the final boss and is considered one of the most challenging encounters, followed by Khotun Khan.
6. Is Jin Sakai a bad guy in Ghost of Tsushima?
No, Jin Sakai is not inherently a bad guy. He’s a complex character who must make difficult choices to protect his home. His methods are viewed unfavorably by the mainland since he’s essentially lit a spark to a class uprising even though that was not his intention. and its this uniting this unifying of the lower class to reject those in power and fight for their selves and their interests that leads to the mainland deeming Jin Sakai a traitor.
7. Can you parry Khotun Khan?
Yes, Khotun Khan can be parried. However, only after taking the first quarter of his health. Once he’s sitting at 3/4 health, he’ll begin to use simple blue attacks that you can parry and block with the right timing.
8. What is the best armor for fighting Khotun Khan?
Khan mainly uses wide, swinging attacks, the vast majority of which are unblockable and must be dodged to escape safely. Samurai Clan Armor, Gosaku’s Armor and the Sakai Clan Armor are all good options, as you’re more than likely to get hit multiple times and all these will alleviate the damage.
9. Which ending is the best in Ghost of Tsushima?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your interpretation of Jin’s character and the samurai code. Although it may be the more honorable choice, killing a member of his own family goes against Jin’s own morals. While it might be disgraceful to Shimura not to honor his wish for a warrior’s death, the “right” answer is to spare him and walk away.
10. Which armor is the best overall in Ghost of Tsushima?
The Sarugami Armor is considered by many to be the best overall armor due to its perfect parry system.
11. Is Ghost of Tsushima historically accurate?
Ghost of Tsushima is actually based on true historical events, chronicling the first Mongol invasion of Japan in which the island of Tsushima was occupied by the Yuan invasion force.
12. Is there a canon ending for Ghost of Tsushima?
It is speculated that the canon ending will likely be the Honorable one in which Jin’s uncle, Lord Shimura dies an honorable death at the hands of Jin.
13. What is the strongest weapon in Ghost of Tsushima?
The Kunai is a very strong weapon due to upgrades and the ability to stop multiple Mongols in their tracks.
14. What is the true final boss in Ghost of Tsushima?
The final boss in Ghost of Tsushima is not against Khotun Kahn or any of the other Mongolian warlords. Instead, players must face off against their uncle, Lord Shimura himself.
15. Should I 100% complete Ghost of Tsushima?
You don’t need to get everything in Ghost of Tsushima. Do as much or as little as you like. There’s no special armor, cutscene, story point, or extra reward if you do it all.
The Importance of Narrative Over Gameplay
The unwinnable fight against Khotun Khan is a powerful example of how narrative can sometimes take precedence over gameplay. While frustrating for players who strive for perfection, it’s a deliberate choice that serves the story’s overall arc. It underscores the overwhelming power of the Mongol invasion and sets the stage for Jin’s transformation into the Ghost. By accepting this predetermined outcome, players can appreciate the game’s narrative depth and the emotional impact of Jin’s journey. Furthermore, the inability to win early on highlights the narrative themes about honor and the cost of war that are central to the game.