Ghost of Tsushima Techniques: A Complete Combat Guide

Ghost of Tsushima techniques define how players fight, sneak, and survive on the island. The game offers dozens of combat abilities spread across three distinct categories. Each technique changes how Jin Sakai handles enemies, from dueling Mongol leaders to assassinating scouts in the shadows. This guide breaks down every technique type, explains how they work, and identifies which ones players should prioritize first. Whether someone prefers the honorable samurai path or the ruthless ghost approach, understanding these techniques is essential for mastering combat.

Understanding the Technique System

Ghost of Tsushima techniques use a point-based unlock system. Players earn technique points by completing main quests, liberating Mongol territories, and discovering hidden locations across Tsushima. Each point unlocks one technique or upgrades an existing ability.

The technique menu divides abilities into three main branches:

• Samurai Techniques – Focus on direct combat, parrying, and stance improvements
• Ghost Techniques – Emphasize stealth, assassination, and fear tactics
• Mythic Techniques – Offer powerful special moves learned from legendary tales

Players can mix techniques from all three categories. There’s no penalty for blending samurai honor with ghost tactics. By late game, most players will unlock every technique available. But, early choices matter significantly since technique points come slowly during the first act.

The technique system rewards exploration. Finding bamboo strikes, hot springs, and Shinto shrines all contribute to earning more points. Players who rush through main missions will find themselves underpowered compared to those who explore.

Samurai Techniques

Samurai techniques form the foundation of Ghost of Tsushima combat. These abilities improve Jin’s swordplay, defense, and direct confrontation skills. Players who enjoy face-to-face battles should invest heavily in this branch.

Deflection and Evasion Skills

Deflection techniques turn enemy attacks into openings. The base deflection skill allows Jin to parry incoming strikes with proper timing. Upgraded versions provide additional benefits:

• Perfect Parry – Creates a larger window for successful deflections
• Unyielding Sword Parry – Allows blocking of unblockable attacks (blue glint)
• Resolved Parry – Restores resolve when successfully deflecting

Evasion techniques improve Jin’s dodge roll and sidestep. The Roll upgrade increases distance traveled, helping escape surrounded situations. Dodging Slash lets Jin counter-attack immediately after evading, maintaining offensive pressure.

These defensive techniques prove essential against bosses. Many Mongol leaders use rapid combo attacks that require precise deflection timing. Without these upgrades, players will struggle during story duels.

Stances and Offensive Upgrades

Ghost of Tsushima techniques include four combat stances. Each stance counters a specific enemy type:

• Stone Stance – Effective against swordsmen
• Water Stance – Breaks shields quickly
• Wind Stance – Staggers spearmen
• Moon Stance – Overwhelms brutes

Players unlock new stances by observing or killing Mongol leaders. Each stance has its own technique upgrades that add combo attacks, stagger damage, and special finishers.

Offensive samurai techniques also include Perfect Healing Parry, which restores health on successful deflections, and Heavenly Strike, a powerful overhead slash that deals massive stagger damage. These ghost of tsushima techniques reward aggressive play while maintaining defensive awareness.

Ghost Techniques

Ghost techniques transform Jin from an honorable samurai into a deadly assassin. This branch focuses on stealth kills, throwable weapons, and psychological warfare.

The Assassination line contains essential stealth upgrades. Base assassination allows silent kills from behind. Chain Assassination lets Jin eliminate up to three enemies in rapid succession. This technique trivializes many enemy camps when combined with proper positioning.

Focused Hearing acts as Jin’s detective vision. It highlights nearby enemies through walls and reveals patrol paths. Upgrades extend range and duration, making camp infiltration much safer.

Throwable techniques improve kunai, smoke bombs, and sticky bombs:

• Kunai – Quick throwing knives that stagger or kill weaker enemies
• Smoke Bomb – Creates cover for escapes or assassination setups
• Sticky Bomb – Explosive device that clears groups
• Wind Chime – Lures enemies to specific locations

The Terrify technique deserves special mention. When Jin kills enemies in gruesome ways, nearby Mongols may flee in terror. Upgraded terror techniques increase the chance and number of fleeing enemies. A single well-placed assassination can cause an entire camp to scatter.

Ghost techniques shine during territory liberation. Players can clear camps without triggering alarms, earning bonus rewards and making subsequent exploration easier.

Mythic Techniques

Mythic techniques represent the most powerful abilities in Ghost of Tsushima. Players unlock these ghost of tsushima techniques by completing Mythic Tales, special side quests that tell stories of legendary warriors.

Six mythic techniques exist in the base game:

• Heavenly Strike – Unblockable overhead attack with high stagger
• Dance of Wrath – Three rapid slashes that hit multiple enemies
• Explosive Arrow – Bow shot that creates an explosion on impact
• Way of the Flame – Sets Jin’s sword on fire temporarily
• Typhoon Kick – Powerful kick that launches enemies backward
• Spirit Strike – Three-hit combo available in specific armor

Each mythic technique costs resolve to activate. Players must manage their resolve bar carefully, balancing healing with special attacks.

Dance of Wrath often ranks as the best mythic technique. It deals tremendous damage to groups and can eliminate weaker enemies instantly. The animation also provides brief invincibility frames.

Way of the Flame excels against Mongol camps. Fire damage spreads fear among enemies and deals continuous damage. Combined with terror techniques, one flaming sword attack can break enemy morale completely.

Mythic Tales appear as blue icons on the world map. Players should complete these quests as soon as they become available since mythic techniques significantly increase combat effectiveness.

Best Techniques to Unlock First

New players should prioritize certain ghost of tsushima techniques over others. These recommendations balance offense, defense, and exploration benefits.

Top 5 Early Techniques:

1. Roll – Extended dodge distance saves lives during early combat
2. Chain Assassination – Eliminates multiple enemies silently
3. Focused Hearing – Reveals enemy positions through obstacles
4. Deflection upgrades – Perfect parry timing makes bosses manageable
5. Kunai capacity – More throwables means more combat options

Stances deserve immediate attention whenever observation opportunities appear. Water Stance becomes critical once shield-bearing Mongols appear regularly. Wind Stance handles spearmen that punish aggressive players.

Players should avoid spending early points on situational techniques. Upgrades like swimming speed or horse charge damage provide minimal combat benefit. Focus technique points on core combat abilities until the mid-game.

For players pursuing platinum trophies, the Concentration technique improves bow accuracy during slowdown. This makes headshot challenges significantly easier.

Ghost techniques offer the fastest camp clearing, while samurai techniques provide better duel performance. Most players benefit from splitting points between both branches rather than specializing heavily in one.