Mastering the Khan: Choosing the Right Stance in Ghost of Tsushima
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The question on every samurai’s mind facing the Mongol onslaught in Ghost of Tsushima: what stance is best against Khotun Khan? While the game nudges you towards Wind Stance for its spear-breaking capabilities, the true answer is a bit more nuanced. The most effective stance is ultimately the one you’ve invested the most in and are most comfortable using. However, for a first-time playthrough or a specific strategy, Wind Stance edges out Moon Stance due to the Khan’s tendency to use spear-like attacks.
Analyzing Khotun Khan’s Combat Style
To understand why Wind Stance is generally favored, let’s break down Khotun Khan’s fighting style. He primarily uses a massive Guandao-like weapon, which functions similarly to the spears wielded by Mongol soldiers throughout the game. His attacks are slow but powerful, with a wide reach and the ability to inflict significant damage if you’re caught off guard. Key characteristics of his fighting style include:
- Wide Sweeping Attacks: The Khan favors sweeping attacks that cover a large area, making dodging more crucial than parrying for some.
- Spear-Like Thrusts: He often uses thrusting attacks reminiscent of spear users, which can be difficult to block effectively without the right stance.
- Unblockable Attacks: As with many bosses, the Khan has unblockable attacks that must be dodged, regardless of your stance.
- Changing Attack Patterns: Throughout the fight, the Khan’s attack patterns will evolve, introducing new moves and requiring you to adapt your strategy.
Why Wind Stance Is a Solid Choice
Wind Stance excels at breaking the guard of spear-wielding enemies. Its signature heavy attack, the Typhoon Kick, is particularly effective at staggering opponents, leaving them open to follow-up attacks. Given the Khan’s spear-like weapon and similar attack patterns, Wind Stance provides several advantages:
- Guard Breaking: The Typhoon Kick can quickly break the Khan’s guard, creating opportunities for damage.
- Staggering: Successfully landing Wind Stance attacks can stagger the Khan, disrupting his attack patterns and giving you breathing room.
- Adaptability: While primarily designed for spears, Wind Stance’s moveset is versatile enough to be effective against other enemy types, making it a solid choice even when the Khan isn’t using spear-like attacks.
When Moon Stance Might Be Better
While Wind Stance is generally recommended, Moon Stance can be a viable alternative, especially if you’ve heavily invested in its upgrades. Moon Stance is designed to break the guard of brutes, who often rely on powerful, unblockable attacks. Here’s why Moon Stance might work for some players:
- Prior Investment: If you’ve focused on upgrading Moon Stance, you’ll likely have unlocked powerful skills that can be effective against the Khan.
- Aggressive Playstyle: Moon Stance encourages an aggressive playstyle, which can be useful for putting pressure on the Khan and preventing him from launching attacks.
- Familiarity: If you’re more comfortable with Moon Stance’s moveset, you’ll be able to react more quickly and effectively to the Khan’s attacks.
Strategic Considerations Beyond Stance
Regardless of which stance you choose, there are other crucial factors to consider when fighting Khotun Khan:
- Dodging: Master the art of dodging to avoid his unblockable attacks. Pay close attention to his attack animations to anticipate when to dodge.
- Parrying: Learn the timing of his parryable attacks. Successfully parrying can create openings for counterattacks. As mentioned in the article text, once he is sitting at 3/4 health, he’ll begin to use simple blue attacks that you can parry and block with the right timing.
- Resolve Management: Use your resolve to heal when necessary, but also consider using it to unleash powerful special attacks.
- Stance Switching: Don’t be afraid to switch stances mid-fight if you find that one stance isn’t working. Experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you.
- Upgrades: Invest in upgrades that enhance your melee damage, health, and resolve.
- Charms: Equip charms that provide additional benefits, such as increased damage or resistance to damage.
- Patience: Don’t get discouraged if you struggle at first. The Khan is a challenging opponent, but with practice and the right strategy, you can defeat him.
The Importance of Adaptation
Ultimately, the best stance against Khotun Khan is the one you can use most effectively. The key is to adapt your strategy based on his attack patterns and your own strengths. Experiment with different stances, skills, and equipment to find the combination that works best for you. Remember that Ghost of Tsushima, like other games discussed at the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org), relies on the player’s ability to adapt and learn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about fighting Khotun Khan in Ghost of Tsushima:
1. Can you actually win the first fight against Khotun Khan?
No. Even if you deplete his health bar, a cutscene will trigger, forcing you to lose the fight. This is a narrative device to progress the story.
2. What happens if you try to beat Khotun Khan in the first encounter?
You can’t. The game will force a cutscene regardless of your performance, ensuring that you “lose” the battle.
3. Is Khotun Khan based on a real historical figure?
Yes, Khotun Khan is loosely based on Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty in China and grandson of Genghis Khan.
4. What is the hardest difficulty to fight Khotun Khan on?
The hardest difficulty is Lethal mode, where both you and enemies deal significantly more damage. Timing and precision are crucial on this difficulty.
5. What weapon does Khotun Khan use?
He wields a large Guandao-like weapon, similar to a spear in its attack patterns.
6. What’s the best armor to use against Khotun Khan?
There isn’t one “best” armor, but the Sakai Clan Armor is excellent for its melee damage boost, and the Sarugami Armor if you can master perfect parries.
7. Can you parry Khotun Khan’s attacks?
Yes, many of his attacks are parryable, especially later in the fight once his attack patterns become more predictable.
8. What are the best charms to use against Khotun Khan?
Charms that increase melee damage, health, or resolve gain are all beneficial. The Charm of Inari or Charm of Okuninushi are good choices.
9. How important is dodging against Khotun Khan?
Extremely important. He has unblockable attacks that you must dodge to survive. Mastering the timing of your dodges is crucial.
10. Does killing Khotun Khan end the game?
No. Killing Khotun Khan progresses the story, but there are still Mongol encampments to clear and other missions to complete before the game ends.
11. What happens after you defeat Khotun Khan?
You continue the fight against the Mongol invasion, liberating Tsushima Island and dealing with the consequences of Jin’s evolving fighting style.
12. Is it better to fight Khotun Khan honorably or dishonorably?
The game doesn’t drastically change based on your fighting style. Focus on what works best for you, regardless of whether it’s considered “honorable.”
13. What are the best combat techniques to use against Khotun Khan?
Techniques that increase your melee damage, health, or resolve gain are all valuable. Also, invest in stance-specific techniques to maximize their effectiveness.
14. How many phases does the Khotun Khan fight have?
The fight has multiple phases, with the Khan’s attack patterns changing as his health decreases. Be prepared to adapt your strategy as the fight progresses.
15. What should I do if I’m struggling to beat Khotun Khan?
Take a break and come back to the fight with a fresh perspective. Review your strategy, upgrade your gear, and practice your dodging and parrying skills. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different approaches until you find what works best for you.
By understanding Khotun Khan’s fighting style, mastering the game’s combat mechanics, and choosing the right stance for your playstyle, you can overcome this challenging boss and continue your journey to liberate Tsushima. Good luck, samurai!