Ghost of Yotei Black Knight Kubo Location, Route, Rewards and Combat Tips

Ghost of Yotei’s Black Night Kubo is a single-target bounty duel meant to test your timing, parry skill, and stagger management. Below you’ll find where to spawn him, what to bring, a detailed step-by-step combat plan, and quick troubleshooting so you can finish the duel efficiently and claim the reward.

Black Knight Kubo: A quick overview

Black Night Kubo location

Black Night Kubo appears at the Black Knight Dueling Ring (a circular dueling clearing) in Teshio Ridge / Sentinel Forest. The bounty itself can be picked up at the Red Crane Inn bounty board in Teshio Ridge.

How to start the Black Night Kubo quests and find and defeat him

Here is an actionable step-by-step run you can follow from picking up the bounty to looting the mask. Each step is concrete — treat it like a checklist you can follow in-game.

Step 1

Pick up the bounty at the Red Crane Inn bounty board in Teshio Ridge. The quest will mark the objective and remind you this is an optional duel — accept it so you can turn the reward in afterwards.

Step 2

Equip any full black armor set (or a black dye/“Eyes in Smoke” color) before you leave the inn. Kubo will only spawn if you interact with the ritual straw mat while wearing black — don’t skip this.

Step 3

Fast-travel to the nearest Teshio Ridge checkpoint/shrine or simply leave the Red Crane Inn and head toward the Black Knight Dueling Ring clearing in Teshio Ridge / Sentinel Forest. Look for a circular arena with a dead body and a straw mat/woodblocks in the center.

Step 4

Stand directly beside the straw mat and confirm you are still wearing black armor. Interact with the straw mat/woodblocks to trigger the duel prompt — if you’re not wearing black, Kubo will not spawn.

Step 5

When the duel starts, take a second to steady yourself: move only a step or two into the ring and wait. Kubo opens with slow, deliberate strikes — don’t rush in for damage on the first exchange.

Step 6

Learn his telegraph: watch the weapon lift/shoulder/elbow and the slight wind-up animation. Time your parry input to the last possible moment before the strike lands (L1 on PlayStation / LB on Xbox / your parry key on PC). Successful parries restore spirit/ki and rack stagger.

After a successful parry, immediately follow with a heavy or stagger-focused attack (the heavy finisher button) — this is your primary stagger-building combo: parry → heavy → quick hit → reset. Repeat this rhythm to steadily fill his stagger meter.

Step 7

When Kubo flashes a red-glint or begins a multi-hit chain that looks un-parryable, dodge sideways (circle / B) toward his flank instead of backpedaling. Sidestep + a quick light attack can punish the recovery window.

Step 8

Watch the stagger signs: when his posture collapses or he staggers visibly, immediately use your heaviest finisher or your special skill, then back away — Kubo can sometimes follow a stagger with a fast counter if you overcommit.

If you get opened up, create space and heal — don’t try to trade through a heavy hit. Reset distance, regain composure, and re-engage with the parry→counter cycle. Patience beats aggression here.

Step 9

When Kubo falls, loot the corpse for coins and the Black Night Mask. Make sure to physically pick up the mask before leaving the ring — it’s the bounty item needed for completion.

Recommended loadout for the Black Knight Kubo Fight

Kubo is a heavy-armored duelist who favors disciplined, telegraphed strikes and strong guard. Your prep should focus on parry skill, stagger buildup, and an option to break or punish guard.

Combat tips: Common mistakes and quick fixes

Beating Black Night Kubo like a pro

Black Night Kubo is a duel of patience and timing. Trigger his appearance with black armor, stay disciplined with parries, and focus on stagger mechanics. Once you learn his slow, deliberate swings, you’ll find him one of the most rewarding duels in Ghost of Yotei.