Ghost of Tsushima – Things to Do First

Unlock Abilities Through Main Quests

As fun as it is to race off to the far corners of the island, explore, and fight off Mongol patrols – trust us when we say it’s worth doing at least a few of the main quests as soon as possible. Jin is a fairly capable fighter, but you’ll be sorely lacking in a lot of techniques. Complete Yuna’s first quest – The Warrior’s Code – to unlock the ability to quietly assassinate enemies. You should also head east to Hiyoshi Springs to find and complete The Tale of Sensei Ishikawa to get a Half Bow.

These two abilities will go a long way in taking on various threats you’ll be facing, and taking over settlements will be a lot harder without them. In fact, if you continue Ishikawa’s side quests, you’ll also get access to the Long Bow, which can deal major damage and pierce helmets.

Get the Traveler’s Attire

After helping out Ishikawa at his dojo above Hiyoshi Springs, be sure to visit the town itself, as it has many features worth investigating.

Several camps, the springs included, have a merchant that sells vanity items and dyes – and upon your first interaction, you’ll receive the Traveler’s Attire, which can help you track down collectibles. Also in the town, visit the inn at the center and speak to a woman to find one of many hot springs that will increase your health. Finally, travel up the east side to find one of the bamboo strike minigames by a house that will increase your resolve.

Upgrade Armor and Weapons at Golden Temple

Another settlement worth getting to know is Golden Temple, which is marked on your map from the start. Unlike Hiyoshi Springs, it features weapon and armor upgrade merchants, as well as a gift altar where you can get different kinds of masks as your renown increases.

Be sure to help out on another nearby main quest – The Tale of Lady Masako – to the east of Golden Temple, as it will not only lead you to Golden Temple, but have you speak to the armor to get another unique piece of gear – the Samurai Clan Armor.

Find Shinto Shrine Charms

When you begin your adventure, Jin will have 2 slots for major charms to bolster yourself with passive upgrades. These charms can be found at Shinto Shrines all over Tsushima. You can always find them by following the tori gates, and then platforming around broken paths to reach the top of the shrine.

While there are a few to choose from early on, we recommend finding Golden Summit Shrine south of Golden Temple near the Winding Trail, and Arrow Peak Shrine, located further south in the Azamo prefecture near Archer’s Rise. From these two shrines you can get charms that increase your resource gathering to help with early upgrades, as well as the ability to gain health after killing an enemy.

Unlock the White Dye Merchant

When you visit merchants at camps, they’ll have a small selection of armor dye to sell in exchange for flowers, but it’s worth noting that other merchants – mostly ones in major settlements in other regions of the game – will sell more kinds of armor dyes.

If you’re looking for more variety early on, head to the southern part of the Komoda prefecture and ride up the mountain to Wanderer’s Pass. On the west side of this area you can find a home hidden in the hills where a White Dye Merchant can give you special dye for the Traveler’s and Ronin Attire that you’ll get in this region – as well as more for armor you unlock later. This dye can’t be found anywhere else in the game, so take advantage of the new fashions!

Complete Mythic Quests for Rare Rewards

You can find a lot of side quests just by visiting camps, talking to villagers, following birds, and exploring – and all side quests reward you with a different minor charm to help you in or out of battle. However, Mythic Tales are special side quests that usually provide a bit more challenge for some great rewards.

Be sure to travel to the east of Tsutsu prefecture’s survivor camp over to a small unmarked camp below the Rustling Bend – to find a mythic tale that can unlock a brand new set of armor with upgradeable abilities for archers.

You can also find a musician outside Komatsu prefecture’s forge town, south of the river falls bridge. This quest will unlock one of the few special techniques that lets you unleash an unblockable attack that can be incredibly useful in evening the odds against a group of Mongol soldiers.

Techniques to Get First

Ghost’s suite of combat and exploration options makes for a lot of skill trees. And while preferred skills will vary from player to player, here are some worth getting sooner rather than later.

• Fall damage is present but unlocking Safe Landing lets you roll right before landing to avoid damage completely.

• The ability to deflect arrows will save you some midcombat frustation.

• Improving your standoff streak will help you take down roaming enemies with ease to build your legend and earn technique points.