Techniques

Jin Sakai can learn various techniques throughout the game. Technique points, obtained by increasing one's own legend ranking and liberating Mongol territory, are used to learn new techniques. There are three types of techniques categorized in the game menu: samurai, stance and Ghost. The weather in Tsushima slowly changes during exploration depending on how much Jin has used samurai or Ghost techniques. A samurai-based approach results in clearer weather while a Ghost-based approach results in more thunderstorms instead.

Samurai techniques[]

The Samurai technique is divided into four sections: deflection, evasion, mythic and exploration. These techniques concerns with Jin's skill as a samurai fighting straight on with his enemies, or with his interaction with the world of Tsushima through mythic tales and points of interest. The deflection and evasion lines are split into a progression tree where certain techniques need to be taken before proceeding to the next tier of Techniques.

Deflection[]

Deflection techniques focus on Jin's ability to block and parry incoming attacks. Upgrading this tree will reward players for performing parries, gain more resolve from defensive maneuvers and keep up the defense. As noted above, each technique is part of a tier, and to access the next tier, at least one technique from the previous tier needs to be unlocked.

Technique	Tier	Description	Cost
Perfect parry	0	Parry at the last possible second to fully open your opponent for a deadly counterattack. Slows down time briefly when performed, during which you can press or to counterattack.	1
Perfect parry healing	1	Perfect Parries recover a small amount of health.	1
Unyielding sword parry	1	Become able to parry unblockable attacks from Mongol swords.	1
Deflect arrows	2	Parry incoming projectiles while blocking.	1
Resolved parry	3	Gain moderate Resolve when performing a parry. Increases Resolve gained from a Perfect Parry.	1
Unyielding spear parry	3	Become able to parry unblockable spear attacks.	1
Terrifying parry	4	Perfect Parry have a 20% chance to terrify nearby enemies, causing them to flee.	2

Evasion[]

Evasion techniques on Jin's ability to completely avoid attacks by either dodging or rolling. Later down the tree, Jin is also offered alternative techniques that improves his offensive abilities in a variety of manners. As noted above, each technique is part of a tier, and to access the next tier, at least one technique from the previous tier needs to be unlocked.

Technique	Tier	Description	Cost
Roll	0	Rolls across the ground to avoid attacks. Also removes burning if caught on fire. Input by double-tapping Dodge ().	1
Dodging slash	1	An evasive strike useful against slow-moving enemies. Press after a Dodge to perform a Dodging Slash.	1
Sprint strike	1	Sprint toward your enemy and slash them with a quick strike. Press while sprinting to perform a Sprint Strike.	1
Shoulder charge	2	Charge into enemies while sprinting to knock them backward. Press while sprinting to perform a Shoulder Charge.	1
Delayed strike	3	A delayed quick attack that inflicts extra melee damage and stagger damage. Keep holding after a Light Attack in a chain to hold a stance indefinitely; release to perform Delayed Strike.	1
Mounted strike	3	Performing a jumping strike from your horse to tackle your enemy and inflict stagger damage. Press while on horse back and when there is an enemy nearby to perform Mounted Strike.	1
Perfect dodge	4	Dodge at the last possible moment to perform a deadly counterattack. Slows down time when performed, much like Perfect Parry. Press or to perform a counterattack.	2

Mythic[]

Mythic techniques, as indicated by their name, are techniques of mythical qualities. As a result, they are not attained by applying technique points but by completing their designated Mythic Tale. Heavenly Strike and Dance of Wrath are sword based techniques that are executed via a key combination, posing as unblockable attacks that deal high amounts of damage. Way of the Flame and Explosive Arrow are extra tools that Jin can access through his tools menu, applying special properties to his blade or arrow respectively.

Technique	Description	Requirement
Heavenly Strike	A quick unblockable attack that inflicts extra damage against staggered enemies.	Complete "The Heavenly Strike"
Dance of Wrath	Unleash three consecutive unblockable attacks that inflict high damage.	Complete "The Spirit of Yarikawa's Vengeance"
Way of the Flame	Use incendiary oil to ignite your katana and burn your foes.	Complete "The Undying Flame"
Explosive Arrow	Heavy arrow fitted with volatile powder that explodes on impact.	Complete "The Curse of Uchitsune"

Exploration[]

Exploration techniques are non-combat aides for the player, as they allow the player use the Guiding Wind to direct them to points of interests instead of relying on waiting for the Yellow Songbird to come to the player's aid.

Technique	Description	Cost
Wind of health	Follow the Guiding Wind to hot springs that will increase your health.	1
Wind of resolve	Follow the Guiding Wind to bamboo strikes that will increase your resolve.	1
Wind of charms	Follow the Guiding Wind to Shinto shrines where you can find new charms.	1
Wind of Inari	Follow the Guiding Wind to fox dens. Foxes will lead you to Inari shrines where you can earn additional charm slots and upgradeable charms.	1
Wind of vanity	Follow the Guiding Wind to discover items that allow you to personalize your appearance.	1
Wind of harmony	Follow the Guiding Wind to discover animal sanctuaries on Iki Island.	1
Wind of concentration	Follow the Guiding Wind to discover archery challenges on Iki Island.	1

Stance techniques[]

The stance techniques are a set of technique trees aimed to improve each of the stances Jin attains throughout the game. Each stance is good against specific types of enemies, with each tree only modifying one specific stance.

Stance	Properties
Stone	A straightforward stance that is good against enemies with swords. Focuses on consistent and focused damage.
Water	A solid stance that is good against enemies with shields. Focuses on burst damage.
Wind	A sweeping stance that is good against enemies with polearms. Focuses on mobility.
Moon	A powerful stance that is good against brute-type enemies. Focuses on disruption.

Ghost techniques[]

Ghost techniques are centralized on Jin's developing affinity for stealth and misdirection as the Ghost, in contrast to the straightforward combat of the samurai. While this set of techniques reflects Jin's willingness to take on dishonorable tactics, it also includes the evolution of techniques that would normally be seen as samurai techniques, such as the standoff or health recovery through resolve, into inhuman techniques that lets Jin fight against multiple enemies and survive impossible odds.

Ghost weapons[]

Ghost Weapons consists of the tools Jin slowly attains during his journey through Tsushima, taking up the shroud of stealth and misdirection as the Ghost. Starting out with the Kunai early on, Jin gains access to a new tool the first five times his Legend grows. Below is a list of Ghost tools Jin can gain access to:

Icon	Weapons	Descriptions
	Kunai	Throw a couple kunai to nearby enemies, breaking their guard.
	Black powder bomb	Throw a bomb that causes a destructive explosion.
	Smoke bomb	Throw down a smoke bomb to enter stealth while confusing enemies.
	Sticky bomb	Throw a bomb that sticks to a surface or enemy before exploding.
	Wind chime	Throw a wind chime to a location to attract the attention of one enemy.

Evolving tactics[]

Evolving tactics is the collection of techniques Jin improves upon to combat the Mongols. Some of these techniques were originally "samurai" techniques which have been developed to make Jin inhuman, while other define his image as the Ghost. All of these "tactics" will be naturally attained over the course of the game.

Technique	Description	Acquisition
Recover health	Consume Resolve to heal some health.	Prologue
Standoff	Challenge enemies to a one-on-one showdown.	Prologue
Archery	Harness the Way of the Bow to rain arrows on your enemy.	The Tale of Sensei Ishikawa
Assassination	Kill unaware enemies with a quiet and brutal stealth attack.	The Warrior's Code
Focused hearing	Detect nearby units by dampening unnecessary noise, seeing where they are.	The Warrior's Code
Shoji assassination	Assassinate an enemy behind a shoji door.	Shadow of the Samurai
Ghost Stance	Approach enemy leaders while in stealth to Slaughter them and enter the Ghost Stance. Once in the Ghost Stance, you can kill up to 3 enemies with deadly strikes.	The Ghost of Yarikawa
Horse charge	Ride forward in an all-out charge that can throw and damage even large groups of enemies.	A Lost Friend