Character Skills

Introduction

In Ghost of Tsushima, you play as Jin Sakai, a samurai turned ghost. Your skills are organized into three main trees: Samurai, Stances, and Ghost. Additionally, Mythic Techniques learned from legendary tales and Armor Abilities from each armor set provide powerful special moves. This guide covers every skill, ability, and special move available, including unlock conditions, detailed effects, upgrades, cooldowns, combos, synergies, recommended builds, and optimal usage.

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Samurai Skills (Skill Tree – Samurai Tab)

Basic Combat Skills

• Parry (L1) – Blocks incoming attacks. Unlocked from start.


• Perfect Parry (L1 just before hit) – Stuns the enemy briefly, allowing a follow-up strike. Unlocked via technique point.


• Counter – Press triangle after a Perfect Parry to instantly kill or heavily damage a staggered enemy. Unlocked via technique.


• Dodge (O) – Sidestep to avoid attacks. Unlocked from start.


• Perfect Dodge (O just before hit) – Slows time for a few seconds, enabling free hits. Unlocked via technique.


• Roll (O while sprinting or after dodge) – Evade by rolling; longer distance than dodge. Unlocked from start.


• Combat Rolls – Upgrade that allows rolling while locked on to avoid attacks. Unlocked via technique.


• Jump Kick (X then O) – A kick in midair that staggers enemies. Unlocked via technique.


• Staggering Strike (O after dodge) – A heavy attack that deals extra stagger damage. Unlocked via technique.




Resolve Skills



• Mighty Resolve – Increases Resolve gained from parries, dodges, and kills. Unlocked via technique (2 levels).


• Resolve II – Increases maximum Resolve from 3 to 5. Unlocked via technique.




Offensive Skills



• Heavenly Strike (R1+R2 while locked on) – An unblockable sword slash that consumes 1 Resolve. Deals heavy damage and staggers. Unlocked via technique.


• Dance of Wrath (R1+R2 spam) – A three-hit combo that consumes 1 Resolve. Each hit must be timed by pressing triangle as the blade glows. Extremely high damage. Learned from the Mythic Tale: The Legend of Tadayori.


• Way of the Flame (R1+R2 held) – Sets your katana on fire for a short duration, dealing extra fire damage and causing fear. Consumes 1 Resolve. Learned from the Mythic Tale: The Curse of Uchitsune.




Upgrades and Usage



• Perfect Parry and Counter are core for duels and one-on-one fights. Use against sword-wielding enemies.


• Perfect Dodge is essential against brutes and heavily armored foes. After a Perfect Dodge, use Staggering Strike to break their guard.


• Jump Kick is great for interrupting incoming attacks from large groups.


• Heavenly Strike is best used to break a strong enemy’s defense or finish a duel opponent.


• Dance of Wrath is your highest single-target damage ability. Time the prompts for maximum output. Use on leaders or Mongols with shields.


• Way of the Flame is excellent for crowd control and burning shielded enemies or those weak to fire. Combine with the Flame Raniment or fire charms.


Synergies: Way of the Flame + Heavenly Strike (fire adds extra damage). Resolve gain skills allow more frequent use of Mythic Techniques.

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Stances (Skill Tree – Stances Tab)



Each stance is effective against a specific enemy type and has its own unique skills.



Stone Stance (Effective against Swordsmen)



• Stone Stance Basics – Fast, precise strikes. Triangle attacks are quick and interrupt enemy light attacks.


• Stone Stance Skills:

- Stone Stance – Heavy Combo (Triangle, Triangle, Triangle): A three-hit chain that deals moderate damage and stagger.
- Stone Stance – Surge Kick (Hold Triangle): A powerful kick that knocks back swordsmen and breaks their guard.
- Stone Stance – Lunging Strike (Forward + Triangle): A quick lunge that closes distance.

• Upgrade: Stone Stance – Heavy Combo final hit becomes unblockable? (Actually, Surge Kick is unblockable). Unlocked via technique.




Water Stance (Effective against Shieldmen)



• Water Stance Basics – Wide sweeping attacks. Triangle attacks break through shields.


• Water Stance Skills:

- Water Stance – Flowing Strike (Triangle, Triangle, Triangle): A three-hit combo; each hit has a wide arc.
- Water Stance – Surging Strike (Hold Triangle): A powerful overhead slam that shatters wooden shields.
- Water Stance – Staggering Sweep (Triangle after a dodge): Low sweep that trips shieldbearers.

• Upgrade: Surging Strike gains a larger hitbox. Unlocked via technique.




Wind Stance (Effective against Spearmen)



• Wind Stance Basics – Kicks and low strikes. Perfect for parrying spear thrusts.


• Wind Stance Skills:

- Wind Stance – Whirlwind (Triangle, Triangle, Triangle): Rapid spinning slash that hits multiple times.
- Wind Stance – Typhoon Kick (Hold Triangle): A fast low kick that staggers spearmen and breaks their posture.
- Wind Stance – Dodging Slash (O + Triangle): A sidestep into a slash, great for countering spear thrusts.

• Upgrade: Typhoon Kick can be charged to launch enemies. Unlocked via technique.




Moon Stance (Effective against Brutes)



• Moon Stance Basics – Heavy, slow kicks but high stagger. Press triangle for powerful kicks that break brute armor.


• Moon Stance Skills:

- Moon Stance – Moon Stance Combo (Triangle, Triangle, Triangle): A series of kicks ending with a heavy stomp.
- Moon Stance – Crushing Kick (Hold Triangle): A massive kick that sends brutes flying.
- Moon Stance – Solar Slam (Triangle after a dodge): A ground slam that staggers nearby enemies.

• Upgrade: Crushing Kick breaks brute armor in one hit. Unlocked via technique.




Using Stances



• Switching stances mid-combat is crucial. Use Stone vs. swordsmen, Water vs. shields, Wind vs. spears, Moon vs. brutes.


• Stance combos can be mixed with dodges and parries to chain kills.


• Recommended Build: Unlock all stance skills early to maximize combat effectiveness against all enemy types.




Ghost Stance (Unlocked after killing many enemies in stealth or with terror)



• Activation – When the meter is full (from assassinations or terror kills), press R3 to enter Ghost Stance. You become invulnerable and can instantly kill multiple enemies in a row by pressing triangle on each targeted foe. Ends after a few kills or manually deactivated.


• Usage: Best used to clear a group of enemies in traps or after a stealth approach. Save Ghost Stance for large groups or boss fights where you need quick kills.


• Synergy: Smoke Bomb + Ghost Stance = easy chain kills from stealth.


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Ghost Weapons & Ghost Tools (Skill Tree – Ghost Tab)





Ghost Weapons (Equipped in Tool Slots)



• Kunai (throw with R1) – Thrown knives that deal minor damage and stagger enemies. Can be upgraded to hit multiple targets.

- Upgrades:
1. Extra Kunai (hold 3 charges instead of 2).
2. Baneful Kunai (poison effect, causes damage over time).
3. Kunai Master (increase stagger and damage).
- Cooldown: Each charge recharges in 15 seconds (base).
- Usage: Use to interrupt enemy attacks, finish low-health foes, or stagger a group. Excellent for setting up a Heavenly Strike.
- Synergy: Kunai + Dance of Wrath (stagger then use).

• Smoke Bomb – Creates a cover of smoke. While inside, you can assassinate enemies without being detected.

- Upgrades:
1. Extra Smoke (hold 2 bombs).
2. Charmed Smoke (heals 1 Resolve while inside).
3. Smoldering Smoke (damages enemies inside).
- Cooldown: 30 seconds per bomb.
- Usage: Escape danger, chain assassinations with Chain Assassination, or set up Ghost Stance. Best in stealth missions or duels where you need to reset.

• Sticky Bomb – A bomb that sticks to enemies and explodes after a short delay.

- Upgrades:
1. Extra Sticky (hold 2 bombs).
2. Explosive Radius (larger blast).
3. Sticky Magnet (attracts alerted enemies).
- Cooldown: 45 seconds per bomb.
- Usage: Great for groups or armored foes. Throw at a leader to stagger and damage nearby enemies.

• Wind Chime – Lures enemies to a location. Hold R1 to aim, release to throw.

- Upgrade: Extended range.
- Cooldown: No cooldown, but finite uses per area (replenish at towns).
- Usage: Stealth tool to separate enemies for assassinations.

• Firecracker – Distracts enemies with loud noise. Hold R1 to aim, release to throw.

- Upgrade: Longer distraction duration.
- Cooldown: No cooldown, finite uses.
- Usage: Diversion to bypass patrols or cause chaos.

• Black Powder Bomb – A powerful explosive that deals massive damage and fire effect. Learned from the Mythic Tale: The Six Blades of Kojiro? Actually it's a Ghost Weapon upgrade tied to story progression.

- Upgrades:
1. Extra Bomb (hold 3).
2. Black Powder Master (increase damage).
- Cooldown: 60 seconds per bomb.
- Usage: Best for large groups, breaking doors, or bosses. Combine with Way of the Flame for devastating fire damage.



Ghost Skills (Passive Techniques in Ghost Tree)



• Chain Assassination – After a stealth kill, press triangle within a short window to immediately assassinate another enemy up to 3 in a row. Unlocked via technique.


• Sprinting Stab – While sprinting, press triangle to perform a slide attack that can assassinate. Unlocked via technique.


• Point of No Return – Increased assassination range from above.


• Ghostly Movement – Increased crouch speed and reduced noise. Unlocked via technique.


• Terrifying Assassination – Assassinations have a chance to terrify nearby enemies. Unlocked via technique.


• Shadow Strike – Throwable Kunai that can be used while in stealth? Actually it's a technique that allows throwing Kunai as an assassination from a distance. Unlocked via technique.

Recommended Build for Stealth: Unlock Chain Assassination, Ghostly Movement, Terrifying Assassination, and Shadow Strike early. Combine with Smoke Bomb for undetected multi-kills.

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Armor Abilities (Unique Perks per Armor Set)

Each armor set provides a distinct passive ability that functions like a skill. Equip the right armor for your playstyle.

Usage: Use Samurai Clan Armor for duels and open combat; Ghost Armor for stealth; Tadayori's for ranged; Sakai Clan for defense against archers; Gosaku's for aggressive melee; Kensei for ability spam; Mongol Commander for damage stacking.

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Recommended Builds

Stealth Assassin Build

• Armor: Ghost Armor (Terrify), upgrade to large radius.


• Techniques: Chain Assassination, Terrifying Assassination, Shadow Strike, Ghostly Movement.


• Ghost Weapons: Smoke Bomb (Charmed Smoke), Kunai (Baneful).


• Mythic Techniques: None required.


• Strategy: Use Smoke Bomb to chain assassinate up to 5 enemies. Terrified enemies flee, simplifying large camps. Use Kunai to stagger before final kill.




Samurai Duelist Build



• Armor: Samurai Clan Armor (Way of the Samurai) or Gosaku's Armor (Unyielding).


• Techniques: Perfect Parry/Counter, Perfect Dodge/Staggering Strike, Heavenly Strike, Dance of Wrath.


• Ghost Weapons: Sticky Bomb (for groups), Kunai (interrupt).


• Mythic Techniques: Heavenly Strike, Dance of Wrath, Way of the Flame.


• Strategy: Parry and dodge perfectly to build Resolve, then unleash heavy damage abilities. Use Sticky Bomb to break armor before engaging.




Ghost Stance Spam Build



• Armor: Ghost of Tsushima (Legend) for longer Ghost Stance.


• Techniques: Terrifying Assassination, Chain Assassination, Ghost Stance.


• Ghost Weapons: Smoke Bomb (Smoldering) to charge Ghost Stance meter.


• Strategy: Assassinate from smoke to fill meter, then enter Ghost Stance to clear remaining enemies. Repeat.


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When to Use Each Skill (Quick Reference)




• Heavenly Strike: Use against bosses, duelists, or when an enemy is about to attack unblockable.


• Dance of Wrath: Highest single-target damage; use on leaders or heavily armored enemies.


• Way of the Flame: Use on groups or shielded enemies; combo with ghost weapons.


• Parry/Counter: Essential for 1v1 duels and against sword enemies.


• Perfect Dodge: Crucial against brutes and spearmen.


• Jump Kick: Use to interrupt enemy combos.


• Stances: Switch to match enemy type.


• Kunai: Interrupt an enemy mid-attack or finish off runners.


• Smoke Bomb: Escape detection, revive allies (in Legends mode), or set up chain assassinations.


• Sticky Bomb: Use on groups or when enemy is standing still.


• Black Powder Bomb: Use on large clusters or bosses; causes fire.


• Chain Assassination: Use in stealth to clear a small group quickly.


• Ghost Stance: Use when you have the meter full in a crowd of 3+ enemies.

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Conclusion

Mastering Jin's skills is key to surviving Tsushima. Mix and match stances, ghost weapons, and armor abilities to create a build that suits your preferred playstyle. Upgrade early, practice parrying and dodging, and use Mythic Techniques to turn the tide of battle. With the above guide, you can become the ultimate Ghost of Tsushima.