Ghost of Tsushima techniques define how players approach combat on Tsushima Island. The game offers a deep system of stances, abilities, and upgrades that transform Jin Sakai from a traditional samurai into a deadly warrior. Whether players prefer direct sword combat or stealth tactics, mastering these techniques makes the difference between victory and defeat.
This guide covers everything players need to know about Ghost of Tsushima techniques. It explains the core technique system, breaks down all four samurai stances, and details the powerful ghost abilities. Players will also learn how to unlock new techniques and which ones deserve early investment.
Key Takeaways
- Ghost of Tsushima techniques divide into three categories—Samurai, Stance, and Ghost—each offering unique combat and stealth abilities.
- The four samurai stances (Stone, Water, Wind, Moon) counter specific enemy types, and switching between them mid-combat is essential for success.
- Ghost techniques enable stealth gameplay with abilities like Chain Assassination, Smoke Bombs, and Standoff Streak for eliminating multiple enemies quickly.
- Players earn technique points through main story missions, Tales of Tsushima side quests, and liberating Mongol territories across the island.
- Prioritize versatile techniques early—Perfect Parry, Perfect Dodge, Roll, and Standoff Streak upgrades provide the most value for new players.
- New stances unlock by observing or killing Mongol leaders, not by spending technique points.
Understanding the Technique System
The technique system in Ghost of Tsushima serves as Jin’s primary progression mechanic. Players earn technique points by completing main story missions, liberating Mongol territories, and discovering hidden locations across the island.
Ghost of Tsushima techniques split into three main categories: Samurai, Stance, and Ghost. Samurai techniques improve Jin’s core combat abilities like deflection, evasion, and resolve recovery. Stance techniques unlock new attacks for each of the four combat stances. Ghost techniques provide stealth tools and unconventional weapons.
Each technique requires one or more technique points to unlock. Some advanced techniques have prerequisites, players must purchase earlier skills in a branch before accessing stronger options. The system rewards exploration and combat equally, so players who clear enemy camps and find collectibles will unlock techniques faster than those who rush through the story.
Resolve plays a critical role in the technique system. Many powerful Ghost of Tsushima techniques consume resolve to activate. Jin builds resolve by defeating enemies, landing perfect parries, and performing other skillful actions. Managing resolve becomes essential during difficult encounters.
The Four Samurai Stances
Ghost of Tsushima techniques include four distinct samurai stances. Each stance counters a specific enemy type. Switching between stances mid-combat gives Jin a massive advantage against mixed enemy groups.
Stone Stance
Stone Stance is Jin’s default fighting style. It works best against swordsmen, the most common enemy type in the game. The stance features strong overhead strikes that break through enemy guards quickly.
The Staggering Strike technique adds a powerful heavy attack that deals significant stagger damage. Full Moon Strike lets Jin perform a spinning attack that hits multiple enemies. Stone Stance forms the foundation of Ghost of Tsushima techniques for new players.
Water Stance
Water Stance excels against shieldmen. Standard attacks bounce off shields, but Water Stance cuts through their defenses. The flowing, sweeping attacks target the gaps in shield coverage.
The Surging Strikes technique delivers a flurry of rapid slashes. Torrential Slash breaks shields entirely with one powerful blow. Players should switch to Water Stance immediately when facing shielded enemies.
Wind Stance
Wind Stance handles spearmen effectively. Spear-wielding enemies have long reach and can interrupt Jin’s attacks. Wind Stance features kicks and sweeping movements that close distance quickly.
Typhoon Kick staggers spearmen instantly. Spear Defense improves Jin’s ability to deflect spear attacks. Wind Stance techniques turn dangerous spearmen into easy targets.
Moon Stance
Moon Stance destroys brutes, the heavy, armored enemies that shrug off normal attacks. This stance uses powerful strikes designed to stagger large opponents.
Crescent Moon technique delivers a devastating spinning attack. Full Moon unleashes three consecutive heavy strikes. Moon Stance Ghost of Tsushima techniques become essential in late-game encounters where brutes appear frequently.
Ghost Techniques and Stealth Abilities
Ghost techniques transform Jin into an assassin. These abilities support stealth gameplay and provide tools for indirect combat. Players who prefer avoiding direct confrontation will invest heavily in this category.
Assassination techniques improve Jin’s stealth kills. Chain Assassination lets Jin eliminate multiple enemies in rapid succession. Safe Landing reduces fall damage, making rooftop approaches viable. Focused Hearing highlights enemies through walls.
Ghost weapons offer ranged options. Kunai throw fast and deal moderate damage, they’re perfect for interrupting enemy attacks. Smoke Bombs create cover for escapes or surprise assassinations. Black Powder Bombs deal area damage and work well against groups.
The Standoff techniques deserve special mention. Standoffs let Jin challenge enemies to single combat at the start of encounters. Successful standoffs kill enemies instantly and terrify nearby foes. Upgrading standoff Ghost of Tsushima techniques allows Jin to chain multiple instant kills, sometimes clearing half an enemy camp before regular combat begins.
Terror techniques amplify fear effects. Terrified enemies flee combat entirely. Some Ghost of Tsushima techniques cause terror automatically when Jin performs certain actions, creating chaos in enemy ranks.
How to Unlock and Upgrade Techniques
Players unlock Ghost of Tsushima techniques by spending technique points at any time through the pause menu. The game doesn’t require visiting specific locations or NPCs.
Technique points come from several sources. Main story missions provide the most consistent rewards. Side quests called Tales of Tsushima offer technique points upon completion. Liberating Mongol territories, farms, camps, and strongholds, grants points based on the location’s size.
Stance unlocks work differently. Players don’t spend technique points to access new stances. Instead, they must observe or kill Mongol leaders. After observing enough leaders, a new stance becomes available. The game tracks progress toward the next stance unlock automatically.
Once a stance is unlocked, players spend technique points to purchase attacks within that stance. Early stance techniques cost one point each. Advanced techniques in Ghost of Tsushima require two or three points and have prerequisites.
Charms and armor don’t directly affect techniques but complement them. Certain charms increase resolve gain, letting players use resolve-consuming techniques more often. Some armor sets reduce technique costs or enhance specific ability types.
Best Techniques to Prioritize Early
New players should focus on specific Ghost of Tsushima techniques that provide immediate value. Smart early investments make the mid-game significantly easier.
Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge should come first. These defensive techniques reward precise timing with powerful counterattacks. They work against every enemy type and remain useful throughout the entire game.
Roll technique seems basic but proves essential. The ability to roll away from attacks provides a reliable escape option. It costs only one technique point and saves Jin from countless deaths.
Standoff Streak upgrades offer high value early. Each upgrade lets Jin kill one additional enemy during standoffs. Three points in this line can eliminate four enemies before combat starts, a massive advantage.
For Ghost of Tsushima techniques focused on stealth, prioritize Chain Assassination. Killing two enemies silently opens many tactical options. Kunai upgrades also help, as throwing knives work in both stealth and combat situations.
The Deflect Arrows technique prevents frustrating deaths from ranged enemies. Archers can interrupt sword combos at the worst moments. Deflecting their shots removes that threat entirely.
Avoid spending early points on highly specialized techniques. Some Ghost of Tsushima techniques only help in specific situations. General-purpose upgrades provide more consistent value during the first half of the game.
