30 Essential Ghost of Tsushima Tips & Tricks (No Mods or Hacks Needed)

30 Gameplay Tricks to Help You Rule Tsushima Without Cheating

Whether you're stepping into Jin Sakai’s sandals for the first time or returning for a second go with New Game Plus, Ghost of Tsushima is packed with depth, secrets, and subtle systems that can make or break your experience.

And no—we're not talking cheats, hacks, or game-breaking exploits here. This guide is all about playing the game smart, using in-game mechanics to maximize your skill, immersion, and samurai swagger.

Let’s dive into 30 essential tips and tricks to help you conquer Tsushima without ever breaking the code.

🧭 Exploration & Navigation Tips

1. Use Photo Mode as a Scout Tool
Photo Mode isn’t just for stunning screenshots—it’s a hidden tactical gem. Pause mid-scout and rotate the camera to get a full view of enemy camps, locate archers, and identify stealth routes. It’s especially helpful before infiltrating larger Mongol outposts where charging in headfirst can get you overwhelmed. Use it alongside Focus Hearing to create a detailed plan of attack before taking a single step. Think of it as your personal drone before you unleash the blade.

2. Let Your Horse Steer
Stop fighting your horse. Jin’s trusty steed will automatically navigate around trees, rocks, and smaller obstacles if you simply don’t steer. This is especially helpful when you’re crossing forests or narrow mountain paths. You can focus on admiring the landscape or tracking a destination without worrying about collisions. Trust the horse to handle the terrain—it’s smarter than it looks. Seriously, it’s like Red Dead Redemption but way more zen.

3. Don’t Try to De-Fog the Map Too Early
When you start, it’s tempting to clear every inch of fog from the map. But don’t waste your time. Story progression naturally reveals large sections of the map, and the Traveler’s Attire helps too. Instead, focus on main missions early, and use the fog-clearing gear once you unlock more fast travel points. This way, you're not blindly wandering, and you save time for meaningful exploration once it actually matters.

4. Use the Guiding Wind Wisely
The Guiding Wind isn’t just for your next quest—it can direct you toward hidden collectibles too. Open your map, choose what you're hunting (like records, banners, or fox dens), and the wind will guide you. It’s a subtle system that turns wandering into treasure hunting. Use it to track down artifacts or resources, or to find those elusive Singing Crickets for flute tunes. It makes exploration feel focused, without losing the spirit of adventure.

5. Fast Travel From Shrines
Climbing a shrine can be time-consuming—and sometimes dangerous. Once you’ve reached the top and claimed your charm, don’t bother climbing back down. Open the map and fast travel to your last location. It saves time and avoids accidental fall damage (you’d be surprised how easy it is to slip). Plus, it’s an efficient way to keep your momentum going while questing across Tsushima.

🛡️ Combat & Stealth Tips

6. Roll to Reset Stamina
Running out of stamina while exploring or fleeing can be frustrating—but here’s the trick: roll. If you double-tap the dodge button, Jin will do a roll that resets your stamina bar and lets you keep moving. You’ll need to unlock the evasive roll technique first, but once you do, it's game-changing. Whether you’re sprinting through combat zones or just trying to reach a fox shrine faster, this lets you move endlessly without gassing out.

7. Practice Block-Hold Parrying
Parrying doesn’t have to be a last-second panic move. Instead, hold the block button for the first enemy strike, then release and press it again to parry the second. This technique gives you more control, especially when dealing with fast multi-hit enemies. Once you master it, you’ll be landing perfect parries like a true samurai. It’s a safer way to get your timing right without needing pixel-perfect reflexes every time.

8. Hold Block While Dodging
Here’s something many players overlook: you can still dodge while holding block. This is especially handy when you’re new to parrying and don’t want to risk taking a full hit. Keep your finger on the block button and tap dodge when enemies use red, unblockable attacks. It helps you stay defensive and reactive at the same time, and it’s a solid backup plan when you’re still learning enemy patterns.

9. Jump + Heavy Attack on Archers
Archers are annoying. They alert camps, pepper you from a distance, and often reposition before you get to them. The best counter? Sprint, jump, and slam down a heavy attack. This move gets you to them fast and puts them out of commission instantly. It also feels ridiculously cool—like a samurai superhero leap. Use it as your opener when clearing out bases, and you’ll neutralize ranged threats before they become a problem.

10. Use Smoke Bombs for Double Assassinations
Smoke bombs aren’t just for escaping—they’re opportunities. Toss one into a crowd, and you can assassinate two enemies before the smoke clears. Upgrade your smoke bombs and Sakai Tanto to make this tactic even more deadly. It’s perfect for clearing tightly packed groups without triggering alarms. Plus, it feels like peak Ghost-mode—silent, deadly, and stylish.

🧙‍♂️ Charms & Upgrades

11. Get the Charm of Inari Early
If you’re serious about upgrading your gear faster, this charm is an early-game MVP. Located at the end of a shrine southeast of Archer’s Rise, the Charm of Inari doubles your resource gathering. That means more supplies, hides, bamboo, and yew wood every time you pick something up. The sooner you get it, the more you benefit throughout the entire game. Prioritize this charm the moment the world opens up—it pays off the entire journey.

12. Grab the Okuninushi Charm for Passive Healing
This one’s a stealth playstyle favorite. The Charm of Okuninushi allows you to regain health while not in combat, which is huge when you’re sneaking through enemy camps. Instead of burning through healing items or resolve, just back off and wait it out. You’ll start topping off health automatically. Combine this with stealthy armor and you can stay in long infiltration runs without ever needing to heal manually.

13. Consider the Charm of Amaterasu
This charm heals you with every enemy you kill—making it a must-have during large-scale brawls. Especially useful in mid-to-late game where combat becomes chaotic and you’re dealing with swarms. Every enemy you drop becomes a mini-heal, allowing you to stay on the offensive without constantly managing health. Perfect for standoff-heavy builds or anyone who prefers face-to-face swordplay over sneaky ghosting.

14. Mizunokami Charm Makes Parries Easier
Struggling with timing your parries? The Mizunokami Charm gives you a wider parry window, making perfect parries significantly easier to land. That means more enemy openings, more counterattacks, and overall smoother fights. It’s especially helpful early on when you're still learning how different enemies swing. This charm gives you the confidence to block and punish without relying entirely on dodge rolls.

15. Invest in the Sakai Tanto First
Your katana may be flashy, but if you love stealth? Upgrade the Sakai Tanto first. It only needs two upgrades to max out and makes assassinations quicker and quieter—essential when sneaking through camps. Faster kills mean fewer alerts, and you’ll feel like a ninja slicing through outposts with surgical precision. Once that’s done, then start putting your resources into your katana. Stealth efficiency goes up dramatically with a maxed-out dagger.

🏹 Ranged & Tactics

16. Max Out Kunai for Easy Boar Farming
Need Predator Hides fast? Upgrade your kunai to tier 3, and you can auto-target multiple animals (or enemies) for instant takedowns. Boars usually spawn in groups of three, so one toss can net you a quick pile of hides. Combine this with the Charm of Inari for doubled resources, and you’ve got one of the fastest ways to farm materials in the early game. Plus, it’s satisfying as hell to hear all three go down in a single clink.

17. Bears = One Headshot
Bears are tough… unless you know the trick. If you’ve upgraded your bow to tier 3, a fully charged arrow to the head will kill a bear instantly—even on Hard or Lethal difficulty. Aim while they charge, let the arrow fly, and boom—fuzzy tank down. You can even do it from horseback. It trivializes bear encounters and helps you clear out predator threats with minimal effort. Be sure to loot them after for valuable hides.

18. Archers Are Deadliest Early Game
Melee enemies might look more intimidating, but archers are the real threat—especially early on. They’ll ping you from a distance, interrupt healing, and alert nearby guards. Prioritize them when scouting camps or during standoffs. Use Focus Hearing to locate their positions, and take them out first with arrows, kunai, or a surprise leap attack. Removing them early makes every fight easier—no more arrows in the back while you’re locked in a duel.

19. Wind Chimes Are More Powerful Than You Think
Wind chimes aren’t just noisemakers—they’re strategic tools. Toss one near a group of enemies and you can lure guards away from key paths or pull leaders into vulnerable spots. It’s one of the safest ways to isolate enemies for silent assassinations, especially in heavily patrolled forts. Want to take out a boss without alerting the whole camp? Toss a chime, wait, and strike from the shadows. Underestimated and incredibly useful.

20. Chain Assassinations Can Wipe Camps
Once you’ve unlocked Chain Assassinations, you can turn Jin into a one-man ghost army. Sneak up on a patrol, drop two enemies in a blink, and disappear before anyone notices. Upgrade your assassination techniques and pair with stealth armor and charms for even better efficiency. Camps with clustered enemies become a breeze when you time it right. It’s the ultimate feeling of power—ghost mode, maximum stealth, and zero noise.

🏰 Base Building & Loadouts

21. Upgrade Your Armor Early
Armor upgrades are more than cosmetic—they change how you play. The Golden Temple is where you’ll first meet the swordsmith and armorer, so don’t skip it. Upgrading armor boosts key stats like health, stealth, or melee power depending on the set. Early on, even one upgrade can make a huge difference in survivability. Don't delay—get your favorite set upgraded ASAP and tailor your playstyle around it. Bonus: some upgrades also make gear look cooler. Win-win.

22. Set Up Custom Loadouts
Once unlocked, custom loadouts let you assign charms to specific armor sets. It’s a massive time-saver when switching between stealth missions, archer builds, or boss fights. Instead of juggling individual charms each time, your presets are ready to go. Equip your stealth set for infiltration, your standoff set for open brawls, and your bow-focused set for sniping. Swapping on the fly keeps you flexible and lets you play smarter in any encounter. It’s tactical samurai fashion at its finest.

23. Save Supplies by Selling Bamboo & Iron
By mid-game, bamboo and iron pile up in your inventory. Once your bow and Sakai Tanto are fully upgraded, start selling the excess. These materials are common, especially bamboo, and merchants will trade you for supplies. Use those supplies for rarer upgrades or armor enhancements instead. Just be careful not to sell them too early—make sure all your gear is where you want it before offloading.

24. Use the Flute to Change Weather (Yes, Really)
Surprise—Jin’s flute isn’t just a vibe; it’s a weather control tool. Swipe right on the PS touchpad to play the flute and shift the skies. Different melodies can bring in sun, rain, fog, or storms. It’s especially useful if you need better visibility before a fight or want a dramatic mood for a showdown. Heads up though—playing the flute near enemies might get their attention. Even the weather can be a tactical choice in Tsushima.

25. Masks and Headbands = Just For Style
We all love a good cosmetic item—but don’t expect bonuses. Masks, headbands, and hats are purely visual and have no gameplay effects. They don’t boost your defense, scare enemies, or make you more intimidating. That said, they’re perfect for crafting your own samurai aesthetic. Want to look like a ghostly warlord? Do it. A headbanded mountain ronin? Go wild. Play the way you want, and look awesome doing it.

⚔️ Boss Fights & Game Progression

26. Use Heavenly Strike During Red Attacks
Red attacks can’t be blocked—but they can be interrupted. If you use Heavenly Strike just as an enemy winds up a red move, you'll deal damage and cancel the attack entirely. It works like a brutal counter—plus it looks incredible every single time. Perfect for bosses and elite enemies who spam unblockables. Practice the timing, and this technique becomes your “break glass in case of emergency” button.

27. Challenge Remaining Enemies—Always
When prompted, challenging the remaining enemies isn’t just cinematic—it’s strategic. It forces them to leave cover and face you head-on, saving you from hunting them down individually. It also increases your Ghost stance meter, making the next fights even easier. If you're confident in your skills, don’t pass this up. It's a quick way to clean up after a camp fight, and the extra swagger never hurts either.

28. Most of Your Progress Transfers to NG+
Thinking of starting New Game Plus? Good news—most gear, skills, and charms carry over, so you’re not starting from scratch. However, supplies and materials do not, so spend them before jumping into NG+. Upgrade everything you can beforehand and dump extras into armor or weapon upgrades. Entering NG+ fully prepped lets you focus on exploration, collectibles, and unlocking new charms without worrying about being underpowered.

29. Don’t Hoard Silk—Find Trappers
Silk is essential for top-tier armor upgrades, but it's rare and doesn't restock at merchants. Some Trappers sell it late-game, and certain side quests and missions reward it—though not always clearly. When you find a Trapper with silk, buy it immediately. If you hoard supplies and skip it, you may miss your window. In NG+, silk is available through Baku the Voiceless—just one more reason to explore every corner and complete optional quests.

30. New Game Plus = Maxed Skills from Day One
One of the best things about NG+ is starting the game with all your badassery intact. You’ll keep your charms, weapons, armor, and abilities—making early-game enemies feel like practice dummies. Want to replay the story but go full Ghost right out the gate? This is your moment. NG+ also introduces new vanity gear and exclusive charms, so it’s not just a retread—it’s a reward loop with extra flavor.

Ghost of Tsushima is a game that rewards clever play, not just raw aggression. Mastering these in-game systems—without relying on mods or exploits—makes the experience even more rewarding.

Every slice of the sword, every fox shrine discovered, and every stealthy step feels earned.

Keep that katana sharp and your mind sharper—ride with honor.
For more samurai strategy and open-world mastery, stay tuned to Land of Geek Magazine!

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