Ghost of Tsushima Walkthrough — Complete Guide

Introduction

Welcome to a practical, player-friendly ghost of tsushima walkthrough designed to help you master Jin Sakai’s journey across the Tsushima map. Whether you’re new to the game or aiming to platinum trophies, this guide balances story progression, combat tips, stealth techniques, and collectible hunting. Expect clear examples, useful bullets, and actionable tips that respect the game mechanics, from mythic tales to Kurosawa mode.

Getting Started: Early Game Essentials

When you begin your playthrough, the right choices set the tone. Here are starter recommendations that influence the rest of your experience:

• Difficulty and preferences: Choose a difficulty that invites learning. You can change difficulty later, but starting on a mode that encourages parry and stance learning makes combat feel rewarding.
• Explore the Tsushima map slowly: many rewards are hidden in bamboo strikes, Shinto Shrines, and side quests. Use the wind and guide systems to avoid aimless wandering.
• Prioritize tools and charms: Resolve is crucial early on. Unlocking basic Ghost Tools (smoke bombs, kunai, sticky bombs) gives options for stealth and crowd control.
• Upgrade your sword and armor: Early armor sets like the Traveler and Ronin offer different perks. Consider cosmetic vs. performance — some armor unlocks charm slots.

Tip: Visit hot springs when you discover them to unlock bonuses to maximum health and improve Jin Sakai’s connection to the world. Hot springs are easy to miss if you rush through story missions.

Main Story Walkthrough: Act Structure and Key Missions

The main story unfolds over three acts. Here’s a compact route you can follow with mission priorities and why they matter.

Act 1: Liberation and Learning

• Key missions: The first acts introduce major NPCs and mechanics. Focus on building Resolve and learning stances.
• What to do: Complete nearby side quests and liberate small encampments to gain experience and resources. Doing mythic tales early unlocks strong techniques.

Act 2: Becoming the Ghost

• Key missions: Missions escalate, demanding stealth and Ghost Tools. This is where you craft your playstyle.
• What to do: Invest skill points into ranged and stealth techniques, and collect charm materials. Embrace the stealth assassination and strike from above.

Act 3: Final Confrontations

• Key missions: Boss fights and choices that shape the ending. Save key moments and ensure you have upgraded armor and techniques.
• What to do: Finish remaining side quests, mythic tales, and collectibles to feel fully prepared. Use the best armor and sharpen your parry timing for heavy enemies.

Example path for a balanced playthrough: clear nearby settlements, unlock two mythic tales, complete half the side quests in each territory, then push through the next main mission. This prevents being under-leveled for boss fights.

Side Quests, Mythic Tales, and Collectibles

Side content enriches the story and supplies key upgrades. The game rewards exploration with crafting materials, charms, and lore.

• Side quests and tales: These often reveal character backstory and grant powerful rewards. Mythic tales in particular reward unique techniques and legendary armor pieces.
• Shrines and hot springs: Shinto Shrines grant prayer beads for charm unlocks. Hot springs increase Jin’s maximum health and are worth seeking early.
• Collectibles: Bamboo strikes, Mongol artifacts, and haiku/ink rubbing locations all tie into trophies and upgrades. Use a checklist approach to avoid missing items.

Tips for finding collectibles:

• Use Mongol camps as hubs: clearing camps often reveals clues to nearby collectibles.
• Follow the foxes to Inari shrines to get charm-related rewards.
• Use the map filters to mark undiscovered icons and methodically sweep each region.

Combat and Stealth: Techniques and Examples

Combat in Ghost of Tsushima balances samurai stance combat and Ghost stealth. Learning both gives you flexibility.

Stance System

Switch stances based on enemy types: stone for shields, water for swordsmen, wind for spear users, and moon for brutes. Examples:

• Facing brutes? Use the moon stance for heavy attack windows.
• Against many sword enemies, the water stance’s quick counters matter most.

Parry, Dodge, and Resolve

Parry is strong when timed correctly and often opens enemies to a death blow. Dodge and counter when facing unblockable attacks. Use Resolve to perform powerful healing or special attacks in dire moments.

Stealth and Ghost Tools

Ghost tools change fights substantially:

• Smoke bombs create retreat windows and enable assassinations.
• Kunai stun targets for quick eliminations.
• Sticky bombs control groups or break morale.

Example stealth approach to a fort: scout the perimeter with your guiding wind, take out sentries silently, disable bell towers, and pick high-value targets like archers or officers to reduce detection risk.

Armor, Upgrades, and Charms

Choosing armor and upgrading it changes how you face the Mongol invasion and affects both samurai and Ghost playstyles.

• Armor sets have bonuses: Traveler reduces ability cost, Ronin improves Resolve, Samurai sets boost stance benefits. Cosmetic armor can be melded with functional stats.
• Charms provide passive boosts like increased Ammo, better Stealth, or more Resolve. Collect prayer beads at Shinto Shrines to unlock charm slots.
• Upgrades require iron, supplies, and sometimes rare materials. Prioritize upgrades that match your approach — stealth-focused players should boost Ghost Tools and stealth charm efficiency.

Tips:

• Combine the best defensive armor with a charm that boosts your preferred tools.
• Upgrade the sword early to handle heavier enemies in the late game.
• Don’t ignore ranged options; arrows and bow techniques are essential for many encounters.

Endgame, Trophies, and Replayability

After finishing the main story, you can pursue trophies, explore Kurosawa mode, and complete lingering collectibles. Endgame tasks include:

• New Game Plus — replay with retained cosmetics and some upgrades, but most players enjoy the challenge of starting over with better gear options.
• Kurosawa mode — a stylistic filter that changes visuals and mood but not gameplay mechanics; it offers a fresh cinematic feel for replays.
• Trophies and Platinum — require completing all side quests, mythic tales, and collecting all items. Plan for a checklist: shrines, hot springs, haikus, bamboo strikes, and Mongol artifacts.

Example endgame plan: finish the main storyline, then tackle one region at a time to complete all side quests and collectibles. This reduces map travel and repeated crossings.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many players rush the main story and miss valuable upgrades. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Rushing through acts: Skipping side quests leaves you under-leveled for later bosses.
• Ignoring stealth: The Ghost approach often makes crowded fights manageable.
• Failing to explore: Hidden shrines, fox dens, and hot springs provide long-term benefits.

Quick fixes:

• Use the map filter to mark undiscovered icons.
• Return to hubs to craft and upgrade instead of pushing straight through missions.
• Watch for environmental cues: bamboo groves often hide collectible opportunities.

FAQ

Q1: What’s the best way to progress through the Ghost of Tsushima walkthrough?

A1: Balance the main story with nearby side quests. Complete mythic tales early to unlock techniques, upgrade your sword and armor, and collect prayer beads at Shinto Shrines for charms.

Q2: Should I focus on stealth or sword combat?

A2: Use both. Stances and parries excel in open combat, while stealth and Ghost Tools let you control fights and thin enemy numbers. Invest skill points across both trees for flexibility.

Q3: How do I find all collectibles and trophies?

A3: Methodical region sweeps work best. Use map filters, follow foxes to Inari shrines, complete Mongol camps, and do bamboo strikes. Keep a checklist and clear one province at a time.

Q4: What armor should I prioritize?

A4: Choose armor that matches your playstyle. For Ghost-focused play, armor that boosts stealth or Resolve is ideal. For samurai-focused runs, armor that enhances stance efficiency and health is better. Many players mix cosmetic sets with desired perks.

Q5: Is New Game Plus worth it?

A5: Yes, if you enjoy refining your build or collecting missed items. New Game Plus keeps some cosmetics and offers the chance to experience Kurosawa mode or tackle trophies with prior knowledge.

Final Tips and Quick Checklist

Before you set out, keep this quick checklist handy:

• Unlock at least two mythic tales early.
• Collect prayer beads to equip several charms.
• Upgrade both sword and primary armor once you have materials.
• Learn to parry and switch stances mid-fight.
• Complete side quests in every region before moving to the next act.

Small actions like visiting hot springs, praying at shrines, and following foxes pay off with tangible in-game benefits and deeper immersion in Jin Sakai’s story.

Conclusion

This ghost of tsushima walkthrough aims to guide you through every major decision point: from early game survival on the Tsushima map to endgame trophies and Kurosawa mode. Use stealth, master stances, hunt for charms and shrines, and enjoy the rich narrative of Jin Sakai. With balanced exploration, disciplined skill allocation, and thoughtful upgrades, you can shape Jin into both a legendary samurai and the feared Ghost of Tsushima.