If you've just started playing Ghost of Tsushima, you'll eventually need to upgrade your equipment and master combat tactics to progress through the game on higher levels. In this guide, we'll delve deeper into Ghost of Tsushima's combat system, why ability upgrades are necessary, and how you can improve your weapons.

Combat in Ghost of Tsushima

The combat system in the game is based on timing. Simply striking enemies isn't effective - combat primarily revolves around counterattacks. Spamming your opponent with strikes won't work. This becomes even more challenging in later stages of the game as enemies learn new moves and dodges, putting you at risk of taking a series of hits and losing all your HP.

Players have a choice of 4 stances, each designed for combat against specific enemies: Stone Stance - for swordsmen, Water Stance - for shieldmen, Wind Stance - for spearmen, Moon Stance - for powerful close combat warriors.

How to Upgrade Skills

Over time, you'll be able to unlock new Techniques for unique combat moves. To unlock new techniques, you'll need technique points. These points are awarded for filling the Legend meter and leveling up. To earn more points, complete all available side quests and clear enemy camps. By the end of the game, you'll be able to unlock virtually all techniques.

How to Improve Equipment

You'll gain even more advantage in combat by upgrading armor, attire, and weapons. Upgrading all categories requires resources, which are detailed in a separate guide.

Upgrade resources can be found in the open world. Collect flowers, mine ore, chop down trees, clear Mongol camps, and complete side quests - this way, you'll obtain everything you need. You can find more valuable items at shrines, where locals occasionally leave valuable rewards.

To upgrade weapons, visit villages and look for masters. They will be marked on the map with a yellow marker once you've collected enough resources and discovered the settlement.

As you can see, there's nothing overly complex about the combat system in Ghost of Tsushima. The formula is classic: unlock new abilities, use them against the right enemies, upgrade your armor and weapons.