What to know

  • Focus early on free armor and powerful charms to boost your survivability and skills.
  • Completing bounty quests and side missions unlocks abilities, skill points, and unique weapons quickly.
  • Strategic exploration (like hunting bamboo strikes and hot springs) grants lasting upgrades from the start.
  • Engage with NPCs, follow environmental cues, and prioritize weapon unlocks for a smoother journey.

Jumping into Ghost of Yotei, you’ll want every advantage you can get. These tips and tricks will help you make the smartest choices in your first three hours and beyond, ensuring you’re always a step ahead.

Best tips and tricks for the perfect start

#1 Search homestead and early areas thoroughly
  • After the prologue, explore Atsu's homestead to find hidden money, a roof cosmetic, and a bamboo strike. Don’t skip early side areas, as some quests and stashes here are secluded but invaluable.
  • Pay close attention to conversations—family memories can reveal shrine locations for powerful items.
#2 Prioritize hot springs and bamboo strikes

Seek out hot springs for a permanent health boost. Bamboo strikes are essential—each one improves your resolve, making it easier to heal and use special attacks.

#3 Unlock Taro’s armor and key charms early

Visit Taro’s camp north of the starting area for a free armor set. This armor grants you fire/cold resistance, added spirits, increased health, and provides shop access for unique charms like Furious Attacks, Confidence Strikes, and Healing.

#4 Claim your horse and customize for style
  • Complete the Old Trails side quest for your first horse—pick whichever color you like, but remember this decision is permanent.
  • After naming your horse, enjoy bonus loot and an easier time exploring.
#5 Invest skill points wisely

Use your first skill point on Perfect Parry for huge combat benefits in all fights. Spend your second point on Dodge Roll to unlock fire extinguishing, sound dampening, and improved mobility.

#6 Complete early bounties and main story missions
  • Immediately after main missions, use the bounty board at Yote Shadow Inn. The Crow Genzo bounty unlocks a powerful blinding ability (Mitsubushi) useful against all enemies.
  • Never leave a zone without activating nearby skill shrines for essential upgrade points.
#7 Follow up with weapon unlocks and shrines
  • Grab your first dual katanas from the Yote trailhead—critical for taking on spear users and boosting your damage versatility.
  • Climb Mount Yote for the family shrine to claim Mother’s and Father’s charms, which increase bow damage and provide healing on perfect parries.
#8 Tackle dual katana mythic tale efficiently

Start Takzo’s Mythic Tale by finding and defeating disciples at five dueling trees, each granting a special charm. When all five are collected, duel Takzo for the ultimate dual slash technique—for devastating power in any fight.

#9 Unlock the Odachi for true versatility

Whenever the Odachi option appears (often through Silto brothers), choose it for a multipurpose heavy weapon. This sword is effective against all enemy types and adds powerful stagger and defensive abilities.

#10 Always interact with NPCs and the cartographer
  • NPCs aren’t just for flavor text—talking to them unlocks new side quests, gear opportunities, and sometimes even advances the main story.
  • The cartographer sells maps showing hidden activities and upgrades, so grab new ones in each area for faster progress.
Bonus: Use the game’s natural navigation
  • Instead of just staring at your map, follow gusts of wind (swipe up on the touchpad) or golden birds that guide you to activities.
  • Steam rising in the distance usually means a nearby hot spring or hidden event—keep your eyes open.

Why is a head start necessary to beat the game

Without a strong start, progression can become more challenging and frustrating, as you might lack the tools needed to survive tough battles and explore the world to its fullest potential.

Essentially, getting a head start empowers you to enjoy the game's rich content and story with greater ease and satisfaction, dramatically increasing your chances of success from the get-go.