Ronin are masterless samurai who wander around Tsushima independently from the samurai code. While some of them protect the people as mercenaries, other ronin choose to partake in thievery for their own survival. While there are formal groups of ronin such as the Straw Hats led by Ryuzo, most other ronin work in their own group.
Ronin at first act as allied units during The Tale of Ryuzo in Act 1, only to become a recurring enemy class from the start of Act 2 after Ryuzo allies with the Mongol Empire.
Presence[]
From the start of Act 2, Jin Sakai will encounter ronin either as part of Tales or in small groups that act as an enemy. As allies to the Mongols, they can also appear in Mongol-centric missions, and will come to the aide of a Mongol patrol if a ronin patrol comes in close proximity. Compared to the Mongols, ronin are fewer in numbers (with a group of them being no larger than four) but each are highly competent duelists.
Even after the defeat of Ryuzo at the end of Act 2, ronin warriors remain active in the Toyotama region, although not as active allies to the Mongols.
Random Spawn[]
Jin will encounter some situations involving ronin in the wild, although the kinds of situations they are observed in are much more limited than the Mongol soldiers. These are ronin that will remain active even after the Straw Hats is dissolved at the end of Act 2.
- Roam: Compared to the Mongols, who will have regular patrols, ronin can be found roaming the same roads in a similar fashion, although it is obvious they are not attempting to provide scouting info to allies outside the group. These groups range from two to four ronin warriors. Minor Legend gain is awarded for killing a group.
- Pillage: Just like bandits, ronin will resort to killing villagers or refugees on the road. Jin will find them scavenging the bodies, with one small lootable crate being in the middle of them. While most often there will be two to four ronin scavenging, there is also a chance for only one ronin to be present. Rewards minor Legend gain from killing the group; the small crate can also be searched for decent loot.
- Digging: Occasionally, Jin can come across a group of ronin attempting to dig out in the field. As to what or why they are digging remains unknown (although possibilities can include digging a hole for a grave). Killing this group of two to four ronin will grant minor Legend gain.
- Hunting: Sometimes, there will be ronin warriors who are attempting to hunt a bear. No more than two warriors will be fighting off the bear. While killing these warriors won't reward any Legend gain, Jin can take advantage of the situation to attain loot off of them as well as the pelt from the bear should it be defeated.
Occupied Sites[]
Ronin warriors rarely appear as enemies stationed at occupied sites. However, they can be found in Tale-bound sites, especially during Act 2 as they act as allies to the Mongols.
Umugi Cove[]
Although most ronin seen are either under the command of Ryuzo, a small faction of ronin serve under Lady Sanjo at Umugi Cove, and act as enforcers whom ensure the safety of the area. When Jin is in Umugi Cove, it is impossible to draw his katana, half bow, longbow, activate ghost weapons, or use his blowgun, as the laws of the area state that any person who draws a weapon will face the full wrath of the entire ronin faction. Similarly, it is impossible to engage any ronin in the area, save for Sanetoki, though he is engaged in a duel outside of the cove. After defeating Ryuzo, a small group of ronin can be engaged just outside of the cove, whom seem to be waiting for Jin to pass by to ambush him.
Gameplay[]
Ronin are a special unit after Jin has faced only bandits and Mongol soldiers in combat during the course of Ghost of Tsushima. Ronin, just like Jin, are trained in the way of the samurai and are excellent duelists. For what they lack in numbers and unit variety, ronin make up with being challenging opponents when fought one-on-one with no clear weakness in direct combat.
Ronin operate as a dangerous enemy unit during Act 2 of the game, acting as skilled enemies that attack and counter unlike the Mongols. Unlike bandits, ronin fight as a samurai would: their blade swings are swift, methodical, fluid, and precise. They use a stance similar to Jin's Stone Stance, can cancel their attacks, and effectively use defensive maneuvers against Jin's attacks (such as dodges and parries) that they can easily follow up with a counterattack combo. Their attacks consist of thrusts and slashes, together with a special unblockable attack that they use after sheathing their blade, similarly to enemies faced in duels. Ronin will often perform a 3-hit combo followed by an unblockable attack that can only be evaded or parried. Even during a Standoff, ronin are careful as they can conceal their strikes with a careful approach. Because of this, they are accustomed to fighting against swords, thus making Stone Stance the most feasible stance against them rather than being an outright weakness.
The weakness of ronin though is their lack in unit variety, together with their relative low health (comparable to the Archers of the bandits or Mongols). Ronin are excellent swordsmen, but that's all they have, unless they are cooperating with Mongols. If their defense is ever broken, it takes no more than one or two Light attacks for them to be felled. Because they only use their blade, they are vulnerable to anything outside of swordplay, such as arrows or any of the ghost weapons. They are especially vulnerable to arrows, as they don't wear adequate headgear to prevent Headshots.