What to Know
- Sleight of Hand is an early side quest in Ghost of Yotei, unlocked after the prologue in Chapter 1: The Lone Wolf, set in the Yotei Grasslands region.
- It involves partnering with a mysterious ronin for a high-stakes infiltration, featuring intense combat, stealth elements, and a pivotal dialogue choice.
- Completing it rewards Mon currency and unlocks Zeni Hajiki, a coin-flipping minigame accessible at gambling dens for extra loot and lore.
- The quest emphasizes trust-building mechanics, with your decisions shaping the narrative without major branching paths.
The Sleight of Hand quest in Ghost of Yotei is a combat-focused side tale that starts at Lake Kuttara's southern dock. The quest has multiple fight sequences where you team up with a ronin to reclaim a gambling den taken over by enemies. After completing the battle and making a key dialogue choice, you unlock the Zeni Hajiki minigame for later play.
Sleight of Hand Quest: Quick overview
| Quest Element | Key Details | Rewards/Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southern dock, Lake Kuttara (Yotei Grasslands) | N/A |
| Prerequisites | Complete Prologue (Chapter 1 unlock) | N/A |
| Combat Focus | Stealth assassinations, multi-enemy waves, 1 boss-like sharpshooter | Iron scraps, herbs, ~200 Mon |
| Choice Impact | Dialogue standoff: De-escalate for full alliance; Aggress for neutral end | Zeni Hajiki minigame; potential Charm of Good with Coins |
| Replay Value | Minigame persists at dens; ties into family backstory | Ongoing Mon farming; lore snippets |
Location of Sleight of Hand Side Quest
This side quest is located south of Lake Kuttara, near the Kuttara Gambling Den. Here, the Ronin in the Sake House has been seized by Lord Saito’s men. He asks for your help in reclaiming it from those thugs and offers money in exchange. This will start the quest properly.
Sleight of Hand walkthrough
Here are the steps to follow to progress through the Sleight of Hand quest:
Step 1: Travel to the southern dock of Lake Kuttara
Head to the Yotei Grasslands region, accessible after the prologue in Chapter 1. Locate the southern dock of Lake Kuttara, marked on your map as a small pier jutting into the lake’s misty waters. There, the ronin awaits to initiate the quest with a coin toss.
Step 2: Approach from the front under cover
Crouch behind the tall grasses and crates lining the path to the sake house entrance. Sync your pace with the ronin—he'll mirror your stealth stance. Listen for patrol patterns; the guards circle every 10-15 seconds.
Step 3: Assassinate the left guard
Target the guard on the left side of the door—he’s isolated and faces away longer. Use Atsu’s tanto for a silent takedown: hold L2 to aim, then R2 to strike. The ronin handles the right guard simultaneously, preventing alerts.
Step 4: Slip inside and secure the first room
Dart through the now-unguarded door into the dimly lit entryway. Two more enemies patrol here—one near a lantern, another by the counter. Use environmental distractions: knock over a sake barrel with a thrown kunai to lure the lantern guard, then assassinate him from behind. Engage the counter foe in open combat if needed, parrying his katana swings before countering with heavy slashes.
| Action | Control | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Throw Kunai | △ + R2 | Hurls a kunai to disrupt enemies or trigger environmental distractions — ideal for stealth setups or quick diversions. |
| Parry (Katana) | L1 (timed) | A perfectly timed block that deflects an enemy’s strike. Successful parries open foes to counterattack and restore balance. |
| Counterattack | Heavy Attack after Parry | A swift, punishing strike following a perfect parry. Delivers heavy damage and can stagger armored enemies. |
| Spirit Step | ○ (while locked-on) | A quick evasive dash imbued with spectral energy — ideal for repositioning or dodging precise hits. |
| Specter’s Focus | R3 (Full Resolve) | Channels inner resolve to slow time momentarily, letting you chain attacks or execute flawless assassinations. |
Step 5: Push through the multi-room skirmish
The house unfolds into three connected chambers, each denser with threats—up to a dozen foes total, including archers and dual-wield ronin. Stick close to your ally; he’ll draw aggro, letting you flank. Prioritize archers by whistling (Circle) to expose them, then chain assassinations. In the final room, a sharpshooter barricades the hill exit—dodge his rifle shots (unblockable red glow) and close the distance for a resolve-finishing blow.
Sleight of Hand Rewards
Rewards here include minor loot like iron scraps and healing herbs, but the real payoff builds tension for the quest’s climax.
After silencing the sharpshooter, tension lingers as adrenaline fades. The ronin suddenly levels his blade, accusing you of coveting his share of the spoils. This moment serves as the quest’s moral pivot, shaping your relationship going forward.
Choice and Outcome after Sleight of Hand
| Choice | Outcome |
|---|---|
| “The coin was fair; let’s split it even.” (De-escalate) | Defuses the conflict, preserving trust. Rapport with the ronin increases, leading to cooperative outcomes later. |
| “You’re lucky I don’t take it all.” (Aggressive) | Triggers a short duel; quest still completes, but your bond weakens and dialogue options narrow in future encounters. |
Sleight of Hand combat tips
Use stealth for early takedowns
Approach guards quietly and use silent weapons like Atsu’s tanto or kunai for assassinations before alarms are raised.
Utilize environmental distractions
Throw kunai to knock over barrels and lure guards away from their patrol routes for easier kills.
Master parrying and counters
Time the L1 button to parry katana swings just before impact, then follow with heavy attacks to quickly dispatch tough enemies.
Stay close to the ronin ally
He will draw enemy attention, allowing safer flank attacks and coordinated strikes.
Post quest: Unlocking deeper layers through Zeni Hajiki
Beyond the immediate thrill, Sleight of Hand plants seeds for Ezo’s interconnected world. Returning home post-quest lets you gamble in Ghost of Yotei. Play Zeni Hajiki with spectral visions of Atsu’s mother, blending gameplay with poignant flashbacks.
This minigame isn’t just filler—it’s a gateway to charms that enhance your low-health damage output or Mon efficiency, vital for tougher duels ahead.
The Weight of Choice in Ghost of Yotei
The Sleight of Hand quest captures what Ghost of Yōtei does best — mixing fast-paced combat with moments of trust and doubt. Your final choice with the ronin defines not just your reward, but your reputation. It’s a short mission with lasting impact, unlocking the Zeni Hajiki game and reminding you that in Yōtei, even small decisions can carry great weight.
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