Guide: getting started in Ghost of Yotei, katana combat basics
The stance system inherited from Ghost of Tsushima returns, expanded. Here’s how to avoid getting punished in the opening hours.
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Ghost of Yotei builds on Ghost of Tsushima’s combat foundation while adding new weapons. Here’s what to understand before charging headfirst into the first big fight.
Switch stance before the fight, not during it
Each enemy type (brute, spearman, dual blades) is vulnerable to a specific stance — spotting the enemy type before engaging avoids wasting precious time switching mid-fight.
New secondary weapons change how fights read
Ranged weapons introduced in this entry let you disrupt a group before the first sword swing, an option nearly absent from the first game that genuinely changes the tactical approach.
In practice
- Prioritize stance upgrades over cosmetic upgrades early on
- Use the wind to spot your next objective instead of the map
- Don’t skip duels: they offer some of the game’s best weapon rewards
- Set your stance as soon as an enemy appears, not after engaging
Verdict
A combat system that demands observation before action — charging in without thinking leads straight to death in multi-enemy fights.
