What to know

  • Odachi Meditation involves visiting Altars of Reflection to unlock powerful techniques for the Odachi weapon.
  • Progress is tied to completing Master Yoshida’s final lesson and the “Way of the Odachi” questline.
  • Mastering meditation grants access to exclusive skills like the Bulwark Stance and Mountain Breaker.
  • Efficient route planning and skill upgrades at each altar are essential for full mastery.

Starting your path with the Odachi means more than heavy strikes; it’s about balance, timing, and understanding the spiritual journey through meditation. With guidance from Master Yoshida, unlocking the full potential of the Odachi requires visiting special sites and practicing discipline, patience, and martial focus.

Odachi meditation reference checklist

Location / Condition What You Do Purpose
Master Yoshida’s dojo (Horosaru Falls, Tokachi Range) Speak to Yoshida to begin Initiate odachi training
Weapons rack in dojo Equip the Odachi Officially begin handling it
Training area (dojo grounds) Practice blocking, parrying, swings Learn its mechanics
Dojo → courtyard → surrounding grounds Follow Yoshida and perform actions Progress the lesson
Combat area / encounter zones Fight Saito’s soldiers using Odachi (and swap with Katana as needed) Demonstrate mastery
Completion area (after trial) Meditate with Yoshida (you can end the meditation via prompt) Finalize the training sequence

Understanding Odachi Meditation and its significance

Odachi Meditation refers to a progression system in Ghost of Yotei where you unlock new Odachi techniques at Altars of Reflection scattered across the world. These altars act as milestone locations that offer skill points specifically for the Odachi when meditated at, contributing to both spiritual and combat mastery.

Taking on these altars is necessary for advancing through Master Yoshida’s questline and eventually completing his final lesson. This journey weaves together exploration, combat training, and introspective moments, encouraging a rhythm beyond simple hack-and-slash encounters.

How to do the odachi meditation and training

Here is how you can complete the odachi meditation sequence:

Step 1: Locating Master Yoshida and starting the lesson

You’ll find Master Yoshida in his dojo near Horosaru Falls, in the Tokachi Range. Interact with him to begin the Way of the Odachi quest, which triggers the meditation/training sequence.

Once the cutscene/dialogue is done, he leads you to a weapons rack where you equip the Odachi. That marks your transition to officially training with it.

Step 2: Basic handling like blocking, parrying, swings

In the dojo grounds, Yoshida will guide you through basic handling of the Odachi:

  • Practice blocking and parrying with it
  • Perform standard and heavy swings
  • Get accustomed to its slower speed and heavier hits compared to your katana.

This is the “meditation” in practice: you’re internalizing its feel, rhythm, and timing.

Step 3: Trial by combat

After the training portion, Yoshida leads you outward into real engagements. You’ll be tested by Saito’s soldiers. The combat tests force you to use the Odachi, but also to switch to your katana when dealing with faster foes.

In these trials:

  • Use the Odachi for heavier enemies and to break guards
  • Use the Katana for faster enemies or when mobility is required
  • Be alert for unblockable red-glint attacks — dodge instead of attempting to block
Step 4:

After proving proficiency in battle against Saito’s men, climb with Yoshida to further testing grounds. Seek out all Altars of Reflection, unlocking every Odachi technique. Only then will Master Yoshida accept you for the final lesson.

Step 5: Final Meditation

Return to the dojo and complete the quest to unlock the Odachi’s ultimate power—now fully mastered and available for all future battles

Step 6: Odachi's full potential unlocks

Once you succeed in the combat trials, the sequence wraps up with a meditation session with Yoshida. You’ll be given a prompt (for example: press ⭘ to exit) to end the meditation and confirm completion.

At this point, the Odachi becomes a fully usable weapon in your arsenal, and you unlock the ability to unlock further Odachi techniques via Altars of Reflection.

All Odachi techniques in Ghost of Yōtei

TechniqueDescription / Effect
OdachiThe base technique that enables use of the Odachi — a large, heavy blade designed for powerful sweeping attacks. Ideal for breaking guards and staggering brutes.
Unstoppable StrikesWhen attacking with the Odachi, you become Unstoppable — your swings can’t be interrupted, and you take reduced damage while mid-swing.
Bulwark StanceEnter a defensive stance with the Odachi to block nearly all standard attacks, absorbing impact and conserving stamina efficiently.
Mountain BreakerA high-impact overhead attack that deals immense stagger damage, capable of flattening enemies who are already weakened or off balance.
Improved Bulwark StanceEnhances Bulwark Stance: releasing your heavy attack unleashes a slam followed by a powerful double slash and piercing thrust.
Strength of the MountainIncreases all stagger damage dealt with the Odachi, making it even more effective against armored or shielded opponents.
Indomitable CounterPerfectly timing Bulwark Stance lets you counter any incoming strike — even red-glint (normally unblockable) attacks.
Resolve of the MountainReduces incoming damage while attacking with the Odachi, rewarding aggressive, high-commitment combat.
Unstoppable ForceAny damage sustained while in the Unstoppable state becomes recoverable. Continue attacking to regain lost health through aggression.

Odachi meditation rewards and unlocks

Fully completing Odachi Meditation not only makes the Odachi a dominant weapon in your arsenal but also unlocks unique achievements, permanent upgrades, and faster progression for future playthroughs.

Players who achieve full mastery will find combat with brutes, armored foes, and groups significantly more manageable compared to those relying solely on standard weapons.

Reward / UnlockDescription / Use
Use of OdachiAfter completing the meditation/training, you can wield the Odachi freely.
Access to further odachi skillsYou can now learn new Odachi techniques via Altars of Reflection.
Weapon kit (in later linked quest)The quest Master Yoshida’s Final Lesson awards a Weapon Kit.

Odachi meditation tips

  • Don’t rush the training and practice the techniques thoroughly before moving into combat.
  • Use the Katana when enemies are fast or agile, and reserve the Odachi for heavier foes.
  • Watch for red-glint unblockable attacks — dodge instead of blocking.
  • Make sure your posture, timing, and stamina management are in check — heavy weapons are less forgiving.
  • Before starting, be sure your skill tree (if any prerequisites exist) is ready to support the Odachi usage.

Odachi meditation mastery

The odachi meditation/training in Ghost of Yōtei is more than a tutorial — it’s a rite of passage. Through disciplined guidance from Master Yoshida, you internalize the weight, rhythm, and purpose of the Odachi. Successfully completing it not only grants you access to the Odachi, but also sets you on the path to mastering its full technique tree. Use the experience as a foundation; your journey to full mastery is just beginning.