Ghost of Tsushima - 7 Essential Combat Tips For Beginners

Ghost of Tsushima arrives today on PS4! If you've picked up the game, why not check out these 7 combat tips for beginners while enjoying some beautiful Ghost of Tsushima gameplay? Please share any of your own tips in the comments!
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[@DJLiddle]

When you first come out of the woods into the clearing on horseback and the screen widens to reveal "Suckerpunch presents.. Ghost of Tsushima!".. has to be one of the most gorgeous openings ever!

[@grooviestcube7843]

My thoughts as well.

[@jjmmm515]

That share button came in really handy there

[@abdullahalhashimy5036]

I got F^%^$ GOOSEBUMPS !

[@rome229]

Jin touching the grass is a nice touch

[@mikkdc]

@@rome229 I loved that. When he crouched down on horseback slightly to run his hand through the pampas grass, it made me smile but I am not sure why.

[@danquaza9275]

A good tip to remembering the stance buttons without looking, the shield stance is O round like a shield, spear is 🔺 “triangle” pointed like a spear head, swords is X like a pair of crossed swords, and brutes is ◽️ “square”, big and boxy enemy’s.

[@Digitalcanvas77]

Woah. I didnt realize. Gd job man

[@alkalinemk1588]

Wow that's clever thanks man

[@carlitos05]

Woah... Thanks!

[@ToxicGam3r02]

Ik u u got that from someone else but gg I’ll use it

[@joedemelfie5509]

Lol sarcastic remarks ?

[@inkdupgaming8790]

I have done nothing but get distracted in this game..en route to a quest to then take a 3 hour detour following a fox and playing the flute by a pretty lake..this game is incredible

[@concretespecial9953]

Same here!! Lol. I'm having a hard time sticking to just one task...i keep running into even more amazing sights and happenings! I have a ton of open quests partially finished. Amazing game!!

[@mykoo_]

Sameee

[@shivammalhotra4328]

Haha this happens every time with me. While I'm on a quest and then a Mongol Territory appears en route or a Mongol Moving Squad. I can't resist myself from wiping out that even if it's not the objective. Plus completing all the side missions when clearing a mongol territory gives me an immense satisfaction.

[@madeingermany9445]

ilike to explore everything and do every sidequest befor playing the main missions. don't want to miss something and i really go for every enemy or japanese in destress i see. xD

[@delusion5744]

Me too man. I've been doing more side quests than main ones and been destroying mongol camps left and right just because i want the full experience of the game. And yes, I've been following foxes, cutting bamboo, taking swords from pillars, composing top teir haiku like a japanese swordsman badass and also taking a bath three times in a row...

[@christianfarren1179]

9:08 “Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” -Bruce Lee

[@Nutterbutter123]

Ya dam right!

[@olavofernandes7286]

This is not Hong Kong this is Tsushima

[@Ogdt2014]

If you put water into a bottle it Becomes the bottle 💧💦🌊

[@poopikins]

@@olavofernandes7286 No this is Patrick

[@dotei6617]

yep, love that quote, AND THAT SONG

[@scifigeezer5271]

This one of the best games I have ever played. And I've played lot of games.

[@joedemelfie5509]

My little pony ? Mmm. Excuse me?!

[@mr.chilll5179]

For me the best...

[@adviksandhu1943]

@@mr.chilll5179 Well not the best but definetely my top 5. Let's hope the ps5 brings in more of an experience than the ps4 did. That would be exciting!

[@RPA_Productions]

Word

[@upsethoneybadger_1577]

I have yet to master my katana. ( im on Hard Mode) 5 hours in...

[@Emelenyt]

This game looks phenomenal and my resolve is to play it

[@mckensyq]

Awesome. I hope you play and enjoy this game. I sure will👍🏿

[@aydenmcfly1362]

It IS

[@mixedmartialmarxist]

it’s currently 2pm & i’ve been playing since 11 pm when the game became playable. i have not slept 1 bit & phenomenal is an understatement

[@Dave_ja_vu]

@@KavalanSol that's absolutely not true my friend

[@Dave_ja_vu]

@@KavalanSol I disagree massively on the combat, it's really smooth. Where abouts are you in the game? What seems outdated?

[@jayy_93]

"drown your enemies in steel' your way with words never fails to amaze me Rob

[@themadridpapers2535]

Fantastic analogy!

[@dazlee3257]

I went into this game like it was Sekiro II, all blades and deflects blazing, then shortly began to realise that its much more than that. It now feels like I'm actually being trained as a samurai with all the life lessons of patience, respect for all life and nature (except Mongols), and the importance of inner peace. A truly amazing achievement by the team that made it.

[@thomaswilson6189]

I can’t wait for the game to make me feel this when I start playing 😩🙌🏻😂

[@ceramicmagic4169]

Totally. I never had a game where I enjoyed writing poems and doing a real mini meditation myself!

[@javiercotto1201]

"Drown your enemies in steel" this is why Rob is the best, best metaphors for these quick tip videos, love it

[@silvermu22]

I absolutely loved that metaphor. It got so hyped. I’m about to go drown someone right now. (In the game) of course lol

[@mr-mysteryguest]

It actually says that in the game.

[@AWretchedMan]

No

[@heyojayo8642]

Heres my tip: Head to Sensei Ishikawa(halfbow quest) quest first but don't activate it. Keep heading East from there downhill towards Isonade Coast until you see Torii gates and a shrine maiden. Complete the trial and you get a very useful charm that heals you outside combat letting you save resolve for combat heals 👍

[@JackMihoff6969]

Heyo Jayo I’ll do this later. Thanks mate!

[@sjonwallace191]

Yo. Bout to hop on and find this. Thanks!!🙌🏾

[@goldharp1a1]

Sweet tip thxs heyo jayo

[@heyojayo8642]

@@Ch0ntrol NP bud 👍 Also directly South East from Golden Temple is another very useful charm.

[@heyojayo8642]

@@JackMihoff6969 NP bud 👍 Also directly South East from Golden Temple is another very useful charm.

[@n4stion]

"maxing out assassination" But Rob... that's.. not honorable I can't do that

[@mikkdc]

Might not be honorable but it certainly IS honoROBle

[@gallactikk4323]

I'm playing my playthrough of tsushima as dishonorable as possible

[@joedemelfie5509]

Does honor matter realky like in rdr2?

[@MarkMcDaniel]

The Mongols studied the Bushido Code, and have planned their tactics around it. The only way to defeat the Mongols is to adjust to tactics of a ninja.

[@AmerthaManuaba]

@@gallactikk4323 my spirit animal

[@a.b5263]

That heavenly strike mission was actually soooo cool, it reminded me alot of rurouni kenshin in samurai x

[@LeoUSA33]

"Ama Kakeru Ryu no Hirameki" :)

[@Burentsu]

Rob taking a break from photo mode to make a video.

[@mikkdc]

Haha! I am going to have to turn photo mode off. My thumb is constantly edging its way to the right d-pad if I so much as catch a glimpse of some nice scenery (which in this game is every 2 or 3 minutes!). I'm getting NOWHERE in the game :D

[@alexpollock6932]

mikkdc I’m going to spend 50 hours alone in photo mode

[@CRISNCHIPS12398]

Photo Mode in the Gwent of this game. I’m gonna spend so many hours taking scenic photos!!

[@maximaldinotrap]

Ubisoft: Assassin's Creed wouldn't work in a samurai setting Ghost of Tsushima: Hold my beer, I got this.

[@ZackeryGee]

Yeah, Ubi missed the boat. AC fans have clamored for a game with this exact setting. It seems so simple. (The recipe I mean) - I have this game on its way (physical editions are my thing) and I am looking forward to it. From what I have heard (trying to not hear anything spoilerific) is that it basically IS an AC game. Not really GROUNDBREAKING as far as mechanics or anything... But IS fun and visually striking... (A la AC4 on PS4.. new setting, high color pallette) but still an AC game. Anyhow... Really looking forward to getting my hands on it!

[@timowthie]

*Hold my sake

[@ZackeryGee]

@@timowthie could have been a Sake bomb! ;-)

[@thepuppetmaster9284]

@Zackery G I played for a couple of hours and it feels more like Tenchu mixed with Horizon than an AssCreed game.

[@bartoltolic]

timowthie damn you beat me to a comment... respect

[@shifttheshaman]

For me the best beginners' tip: whenever you find a camp with one of those bosses you can _double_ milk them for the combat-stance-points. Sneak in and 'observe' them then happily stab them. It's the best because it's the only one that is irreversible: every one you miss is one you've missed. and I've missed most of them. :P

[@SahilP2648]

What do you mean observing?

[@heyojayo8642]

@@SahilP2648 hold R2 while watching the leader/boss and you get stance points. Yeah you gotta creep on butch mongols....Jin is a weird one alrite 🐸

[@Dave_ja_vu]

Also, as soon as you enter a camp if the Leader can be observed it'll be added as a subheading on the mission text in the top left corner so you will know if it can be done as soon as you reach the camp.

[@iamdjiamput7552]

Fortunately I realize this after my 7th leader fight, so i can still milking this technique 😂

[@bobtillich8306]

not every leader can be observed though. But yes, if it says you can observe the in the top left, make sure to do it

[@eysan90]

That speech at the end was so motivational

[@suhailmustafa2724]

That Anakin joke had me good.

[@hokutoshinken-chrisarmstro131]

I'm a martial artist and I love this game for living out my samurai fantasies but also how the combat makes you think like a martial artist. Blocking, parrying and striking at the precise moments and switching styles for different situations. It's fantastic.

[@lambro3001]

Each stance has its own "hold triangle" move, use them. They're very effective especially once you've unlocked extra stagger damage.

[@iloveporkandchicken4718]

Thanks for the combat tips Varys from Game of Thrones

[@PlayStationAccess]

You're welcome. Secret 8th tip just for you: power resides where men believe it resides.

[@plaguedoctor0112]

@@PlayStationAccess power is stored in the balls

[@iloveporkandchicken4718]

@@PlayStationAccess u hav my deepest gratitude Master of Whisperers 🙏

[@Dave_ja_vu]

Played a few hours of it last night, just barely scratched the surface but my word it's breathtaking! If you're on the fence about this game I implore you to get it and try it, apart from a little jankiness moving the camera during battles (completely my own fault for not adjusting the sensitivity) it has been flawless so far!

[@kyle21843]

only question i have is it only worth it on the ps4 pro? i have the original ps4 and i feel like this game would probably just kill it lmfao

[@samphyllobates4765]

Yes! The classic phenomenom of an immersive game experience where you just want to try it for a couple of min before bed.... still playinh 3 hours later

[@Dave_ja_vu]

@@kyle21843 I have a launch day ps4, it's a little loud I won't lie but it's running fine. I'd say it's worth it for sure

[@Dave_ja_vu]

@@samphyllobates4765 lol that's exactly what happened mate! Can't wait to get home and play more of it

[@Emelenyt]

I've seen so many people on Twitter say they can't stop using the photo mode

[@alexkaen1701]

There's another video where an actual Samurai expert looks at the game and gives his thoughts. His comments were, "It doesn't matter how you do it, just kill the enemy". So, yeah, real Samurai have no problem with me playing as a ninja.

[@NDT-hw7nr]

There's an old Japanese phrase that I think he's referring to here: "Never allow one's opponent to raise their head". Meaning attack, attack, attack lol

[@spiderhulk26]

"Keep standing by those doors lads because I am loving it " lol :)

[@jamie.richardson]

“Drown your enemies in steel” Noice.

[@THerculez]

I’m having a few framerate drops and stutters on my OG PS4. The games amazing though I’ve been waiting for a samurai game for yeaaaaaaarrrs. Just bought the straw hat and now I’m gonna walk around the world playing my flute

[@lejenddairy]

I’ve experienced a drop too. If you’re on the S4 Pro you can go into your settings and optimize the game to have better frames over resolution.

[@snewton250]

@@lejenddairy if you're playing on a PS4 Pro you don't need to optimize for frame rates...you can but its not necessary..

[@Yoo-Kang]

L O LASSAS

[@bshia13]

I’m hardly listening to the tips, Im just appreciating how brilliantly narrated this video is! Well done!

[@mikkdc]

Loved the " I have the high ground" reference.

[@Khang-qm3hc]

The thing i like about the combat is that you actually fight like a samurai, don’t let your emotion jeopardize the mission

[@macbryant822]

"two swords and now no torso" that's gonna stay in my head as play this game after work

[@shanemcdevitt2568]

I love this so much only played 3 hours before work but loving every minute they will fear my katana

[@vulpixfairy1985]

My husband is currently playing this game. He would call me over when he’s composing a haiku or when he wants to show off the skills he’s updated. It’s amazing

[@dontwatch2666]

"You'll know when you've defeated one because the game gets all excited and slow motion to celebrate"🤣🤣

[@skyhijinx]

I've watched a couple of these videos with Rob talking about Ghost of Tsushima. I can tell how much he loves the game because of the poetic, almost beautiful, way he speaks about things. I find it quite enjoyable. This game is a damn masterpiece. I absolutely *LOVE* it when enemies get scared and run away so I can shoot them in the back of the head.

[@kheyirvenbaronda1748]

It's always nice to listen to Rob's review.

[@dubbmoon]

I have been having so much fun with this game.

[@arikelvara]

Would love some more dismemberment and decapitation. I have only seen "Slaughter" moves where Jin slices heads off!

[@truhayabusa]

I'm Absolutely addicted to this Game. have been playing for Hours since it's release. I'm never one for Side missions but that's all I've been doing in Ghost Of Tsushima.

[@IanICee]

That "just ask Anakin Skywalker" joke got even better 🤣

[@KoolMB]

loving the game so far but I wish they didn't remove the dismemberment mechanic from the original gameplay trailers...

[@Trivium97]

I know I was a little sad that they couldnt put that back in

[@connorob166]

I watched your review and now this tips vid and I have to say I absolutely love your commentary. Very engaging and witty.

[@blairkirkland1]

A few more tips: - Remember you can change up armor and charms at any time, even mid fight. After a fight you can put on the charm that passively heals you, then take off when full health. For a dule / boss you probably want different charms that improve only your melee. - Archers always yell just before they shoot. One of your first skill points should unlock dodge roll. get in habit of just rolling every time you hear them shout. - Don't forget your bow. You can hit guys on look out towers before entering camp and nobody will see you do it if you head shot. When enemies are charging you can usually get at least 1 or 2 before they reach you with slow down time. Use long bow for helmet enemies. For large battles, exploding arrows on long bow are awesome. - If you struggle with perfect parry timing, try starting with parry button held down. Then as enemy swings release parry button and quickly press again. The game does not have a cool down between parry's that you need to meet to get perfect parry and by doing this way, 9 out of 10 times even if you screw up perfect parry timing you still manage a regular parry.

[@SolomonKoIk]

Honestly Rob you have been killing it with these videos. Kudos good sir! 👏🏾

[@MOONSUN4Life]

You guys are life-savers. I've only just started playing this game and my butt is a little sore from all the kicking it's getting. Still, I already love it, and this video is showing me so many promising things, it's like the Assassin's Creed game I've always dreamed of.

[@deadlyapollo]

Shoots a fleeing combatant in the back, the Geneva Convention wants to know your location...

[@notasimpleworld6408]

Don’t know if this has been said but on combo attacks and stringing moves. Every stance has a light and heavy mix up that makes you attack faster than just spamming light. This also stops enemies from blocking/guarding. Works on duals/bosses for fast takedowns. Got a 18 hit combo perfect kill on a straw hat ronin with stone stance on hard.

[@todangtall]

I find it more effect to play defensively than offensively. You have a lot is skills that upgrade your defensive options and you have to take it slow against leaders and during duels anyway.

[@distanceyaself8975]

Rob you got quite beautifully poetic at the end there, very well written and another excellent video, thanks for the tips.

[@thelocoraven]

Love the bow then flute walk away. Even better than not looking back at an explosion walk away.

[@dexroyjunior5089]

This game is a boom , classic, been waiting for a ninja game like this

[@TheMrCHELL]

Ninja and samurai. It's interesting because ninjas (shinobi) didn't exist yet during the time the game takes place (you never hear people calling Jin a Shinobi because this "profession" didn't exist yet).

[@totiarriola]

Love the last part especially remembering rob saying on a chatty faces ep that he loves going in with the flute killing people then leaving with the flute

[@DevilRees]

"Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend." - Bruce Lee

[@norvinzor]

Bruce Lee the Actor Said That??

[@whenyounutinhermouthandshe]

@@norvinzor duh, look it up.

[@norvinzor]

@@whenyounutinhermouthandshe But Hes an actor so hes fake.

[@christianfarren1179]

Huzzah! A man of quality.

[@MyMinorE]

This is purely a 100% Japanese style game, no Chinese here.

[@LeoUSA33]

Great tips and hilarious jokes! This game is truly an amazing game, breath taking sceneries, so much to do and explore. What a way to close out the PS4 with this exclusive game.

[@TheGoMetal]

Rob is really into it at the end

[@CDZNTZ]

Came here looking for a perfect parry tutorial, ended up getting inspired! Nice vid!

[@alexpollock6932]

I absolutely love this guys videos on ghost of Tsushima. If he streamed the game i would watch in a heart beat

[@stevelazo82]

I bought this game when it first came out on ps4 and only played it for a short while. Now I'm playing it on ps5 and loving it, and your video is awesome!! It's making me want to play it right now!!

[@steve.wright3780]

Probably only 3 hrs into this game and it has already blown my mind. Gorgeous

[@GoGoGo2Sleep]

I love this game so much! Its got that old school playstation feeling! It really makes you feel like a samurai or ninja (if you're assasinatng)

[@xstarsystemsx]

I'm playing this and ac odyssey at the same time and let me tell you, the almost opposite button configurations are doing me in. 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@notasimpleworld6408]

Also during a kill or a solid light attack you can switch stances and do a mixup combo. I managed to do some flashy cut-throughs I saw in the pre releasedemos with some experimenting

[@JoeyLegendd]

This game was def one of the best games I have EVER played, and this is through generations of gameplay.

[@bori1986]

I really like these Mystic Quest this game is amazing learning a move from a quest or getting a weapon is my kinda style

[@stonergee420]

Play immortal Felix rising game is kinda similar to except you have wings & horse to explore the map 🔥

[@TheDalinkwent]

I love this guy. He should do all combat tips and tricks videos.

[@dibdug32]

I love this game, always great to have some pointers.

[@leemarson7350]

Just had this as a Fathers Day gift from my daughters. Some helpful tips. Thank you!

[@joshuarose1381]

After playing a lot this weekend... a tip people need is pause and switch armor at any time... ride around in traveler's unlock map get into a standoff pause put on the Sekai armor to let you kill more completely outnumbered and gotta run swap to ronin or ghost gear and make for the tall grass

[@mikki8805]

One extra tip : If you have not unlocked the moon stance, you can use wind stance instead by using stagger attacks or hold and release the triangle. It can kick brutes to let them off-guard.

[@MumonguGaming]

Enjoying it. Thanks for the tips, Rob. The double roll unlock, I find it helpful to add to this wonderful video by the water carrier/visualizer himself

[@Andrew-mn2xc]

Loving this game so far! Only a few hours in but I already know it’s gonna be one of my favs of the year.

[@rhyzhenthioz]

I have just had an English lesson by watching your video. It was really a pleasure and you have my biggest thanks of the day.

[@Dreamsmasher410]

Thanks for the help/tips rob ,only got to play for a hour before I had to go bed because work

[@kirkenstiensmonster6522]

Unfortunately I cant play all day as I planned, so I figure I'd pop on by and listen to Rob's soothing voice while I wait for my next foray into GoT!

[@stoikusu5084]

This guy is really encouraging- thanks for the beautiful words

[@LordGedi]

I’m late getting this game and just got it today, here I am looking for tips. I’m so exited to play this soon , it looks amazing

[@RainoAkira]

For unlocking stances, you can first observe the Mongol leader, which will fill one progress bar towards unlocking the next stance, then killing him will fill another. So make sure you observe the leader before killing him.

[@MrFunktone]

Hahaha brilliant advice, just picked up the game and absolutely loving it! Great video cheers

[@0daadaadaa0]

Amazing... one of the first games and one of the last games of the Playstation 4 era is a samurai game (Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin in JP, Ghost of Tsushima today).

[@infinitepotential5167]

This is the best game I've ever played... 10/10 and I'm only 7 hours in and have mostly just roamed around doing side stuff LOL

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

I find the stand offs quite easy and most of the spear and swordsmen although i do struggle against archers attacking at the same time and those big brutes with the clubs who seem to toss me about lol

[@chriswyatt9869]

Parrying is my go to. So easy to do and gives you a good opportunity for a counter attack. So satisfying

[@timverkoyen8742]

Wish I could give you ten likes, this many times I had to smile for your awesome commentary. Awesome content and lovely humor.

[@MrJatariusStinson]

I’ve played this game for all of 30 min and I’m blown away. That man is a fool wit that blade

[@amador4417]

This game has been truly amazing and I love it so much, I’m still in act 1 very big map lol

[@dragonchr15]

Thumbs up for the stance explanation!

[@Yolpecharalim]

I mainly fight with water and stone stance (when fighting with ronin). Kunai or heavenly strike, hold tri, tri, tri, tri, tri are what I usually go with. Holding triangle in water stance is surprisingly quick to do so don't be afraid. Just got my Platinum Trophy, and the game is still super fun.

[@sunnyparmar2914]

Great video love the narrative 👍

[@djangounchained7314]

That last kill with the Katana , the cleaning and then the flute really made my day!!! hahahaha

[@markwheeler4245]

I rarely buy games near launch I wait for sales BUT I can’t wait with this one I just bought it and OMG it’s amazing im stunned my pro is capable of this! Visually beautiful and plays beautifully so far

[@lukebutler7338]

Just bought the game gonna download overnight and I think all of these will be very useful thanks guys just 1 more reason ive been subscribed for yrs

[@kirank287]

Thanks for the tips. Can't wait to play this today

[@charliealder3522]

Never thought I'd ever take fighting tips from Rob.

[@michaelrounsville8314]

Going to be getting a copy in a little while (I prefer physical over digital) and I can't wait to play

[@davidtsmith33]

Excellent tips. Thanks.

[@murdertech4272]

“Drown them in steel” is probably the coolest thing I’ve heard in a long time.

[@MNBR-hj5uc]

I buy this game shortly after seeing this video. Totally enjoy this.. thanks

[@tomerlevin21]

Amazing video guys, you nailed it!

[@RockNlRolla]

Still waiting for my pre order smh so good to know this ... i can still watch this 2 days before i get mine 😂

[@kirank287]

Love this game so much. It's now one of my favorite games

[@jcesarrc2741]

Combat variety is awesome in this game, I absolutely love this awesome game.