Mastering the Way of the Ghost: Essential Techniques to Learn First in Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima isn’t just a visually stunning game; it’s a masterclass in combat, stealth, and exploration. But with a plethora of techniques to unlock, knowing where to invest your hard-earned Technique Points early on can be the difference between a struggling samurai and an unstoppable Ghost. So, what techniques should you learn first? The answer depends on your playstyle, but a balanced approach prioritizing survival, efficiency, and versatility will serve you best in the early game. Here’s a breakdown:
First and foremost, invest in the Deflect tree. Specifically, acquire the Perfect Healing Parry and the Resolve Gains. Perfect Healing Parry allows you to heal upon performing a perfect parry, which is crucial for sustaining yourself in tough fights. The Resolve Gains increases the amount of Resolve earned in combat. Resolve is a very important resource in Ghost of Tsushima as it lets you heal and use combat arts. Next, unlock the Evasion skills, particularly Dodge Roll as soon as possible. This provides essential mobility and allows you to escape dangerous situations or reposition for an attack. These skills are essential for all builds!
Then, consider unlocking the Water Stance as quickly as possible. Overwhelming Brutes is essential for effectively dealing with them and breaking their guard. Lastly, for Ghost Weapons, grab Kunai. They’re incredibly versatile, staggering enemies and allowing for follow-up attacks, and can also interrupt enemy attacks. They are very helpful against groups.
These initial investments provide a solid foundation for any playstyle. Prioritizing survival and crowd control through parrying, dodging, stance mastery, and efficient Ghost Weapon use will dramatically improve your early game experience. As you progress, you can tailor your technique choices to further specialize in stealth, archery, or direct combat. Remember, adapting to the challenges of Tsushima is key to becoming the legendary Ghost.
Essential Early-Game Techniques: A Deeper Dive
Mastering the Art of Defense
As mentioned before, your survivability hinges on your defensive capabilities.
- Perfect Healing Parry: This transforms a well-timed parry into a self-healing opportunity, reducing your reliance on Resolve for healing and allowing you to use it for offensive techniques. Practicing the timing is crucial, but the payoff is immense.
- Dodge Roll: Getting out of the way is often the best offense. Dodge Roll grants crucial invincibility frames, allowing you to evade unblockable attacks and reposition for a counter-attack. This skill is invaluable against all enemy types.
Stance Mastery: Breaking the Enemy’s Will
Stances are key to efficiently taking down different enemy types. Focus on unlocking at least one stance early on to deal with specific enemy types.
- Water Stance (Overwhelming Barrage): Brutes with shields are a common early-game enemy. The Water Stance allows you to break their guard with a flurry of punches.
Ghost Weapon Versatility
Don’t underestimate the power of Ghost Weapons.
- Kunai: These throwing knives are invaluable for staggering enemies, creating openings for attacks, and interrupting enemy actions. They’re particularly effective against groups, giving you breathing room in chaotic fights.
Building Your Playstyle: Beyond the Basics
Once you have these fundamental techniques, you can start to specialize in a playstyle that suits you. If you prefer stealth, invest in techniques that enhance your stealth capabilities. If you prefer a more aggressive style, focus on sword techniques and stances. Experiment with different combinations and find what works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ghost of Tsushima Techniques
1. What are Technique Points, and how do I get them?
Technique Points are earned by leveling up through gaining experience from completing quests, defeating enemies, and discovering locations. Each level grants you a Technique Point to spend on unlocking new abilities and skills.
2. Can I reset my Technique Points if I make a mistake?
No, Technique Points cannot be reset in Ghost of Tsushima. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully consider your choices and plan your build based on your preferred playstyle. However, the game provides ample opportunities to earn enough Technique Points to unlock most, if not all, techniques by the end.
3. Which stance is best for beginners in Ghost of Tsushima?
While all stances have their uses, the Stone Stance is a good starting point. It’s effective against swordsmen, the most common early-game enemy type, and its attacks are relatively straightforward to execute. However, the Water Stance is also critical to unlock early as well to deal with brutes.
4. Are Ghost Weapons more important than sword techniques?
Neither is inherently more important. They are complementary. Ghost Weapons provide crowd control, utility, and can create openings, while sword techniques are essential for dealing direct damage and mastering combat.
5. How do I unlock more Ghost Weapons?
Ghost Weapons are unlocked by progressing through the main story and completing specific side quests. Pay attention to the story and explore the world thoroughly to find new tools.
6. What’s the best way to practice parrying in Ghost of Tsushima?
The best way to practice parrying is through practice with enemies in-game. Focus on watching enemy attack animations and learning the timing of their strikes. Some players find it helpful to lower the difficulty setting initially to practice without the pressure of dying.
7. Is stealth necessary to beat Ghost of Tsushima?
While Ghost of Tsushima allows for a direct combat approach, stealth is highly encouraged and often more efficient. Many encounters can be easily cleared by using stealth tactics, and certain missions require it. It’s beneficial to invest in stealth-related techniques.
8. How do I upgrade my sword in Ghost of Tsushima?
Your sword, and other gear, are upgraded by visiting swordsmiths, armorers, and bowyers located in settlements. Upgrading requires resources like iron, steel, and gold, which can be found by exploring the world and completing quests.
9. Should I focus on one stance or try to master them all?
It’s beneficial to master all stances eventually, but in the early game, focus on unlocking and mastering one or two that suit your playstyle and the enemies you encounter most frequently. As you progress, expand your repertoire to become more versatile.
10. What is Resolve, and how do I use it?
Resolve is a resource used to perform special actions, such as healing or executing powerful combat arts. It’s gained by successfully parrying attacks, defeating enemies, and completing certain actions. Manage your Resolve carefully, as it can be the difference between life and death in a tough fight.
11. Are there any “must-have” Charms in Ghost of Tsushima?
While Charms are largely based on personal preference, the Charm of Inari (found early in the game) is highly recommended. It increases the supply of resources gained from collecting plants, animals, and other items, which is invaluable for upgrading your gear.
12. How does the Wind of Guiding work?
The Wind of Guiding is a system that helps you navigate the world. You can set it to guide you to specific objectives, like collectibles, resources, or undiscovered locations. This is a great way to explore the island efficiently.
13. What are the benefits of exploring the open world in Ghost of Tsushima?
Exploring the open world rewards you with resources, collectibles, side quests, and opportunities to discover new locations and secrets. It’s essential for upgrading your gear, unlocking new abilities, and fully experiencing the world of Tsushima.
14. How important is it to complete side quests?
Side quests are highly recommended. They provide valuable experience, resources, and insight into the world and its characters. They also often reward you with powerful gear and unlock new abilities.
15. Where can I learn more about the history and culture depicted in Ghost of Tsushima?
Dive deeper into the intersection of games and learning! The Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) offers fantastic resources to explore the educational potential of games and the historical context they present. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for articles, research, and discussions on how games can be powerful tools for learning about history, culture, and more.
By prioritizing these essential techniques and exploring the world of Ghost of Tsushima, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a legendary warrior and mastering the way of the Ghost. Good luck, samurai!