How does the use of the Kusarigama change up combat in Ghost of Yotei?
From a defensive perspective, it's a shield-breaker's best friend. Swords can bounce off shields all day, but one good swing of the Kusarigama's weighted chain and that shield is gone, leaving the enemy wide open. It completely negates what is otherwise a very annoying enemy type. If you're struggling with shielded enemies, investing a few points into the Kusarigama tree is the easiest solution. It's a hard counter that makes those encounters trivial.
I'm a Kusarigama main and I love it for how it complements a hybrid playstyle. I open fights from stealth with my bow or blowgun, but when things get messy, the Kusarigama is my go-to. The skill tree has some amazing abilities—my favorite lets you entangle an enemy's legs and swing them around as a human flail to knock down their friends. It's as awesome as it sounds. It does require a different rhythm than the sword; you have to be more mobile and use hit-and-run tactics. It's not a stand-and-trade-blows kind of weapon, and that's what makes it so fun and unique. It forces you to think differently.
It’s all about the Stagger damage for me. Every weapon in Ghost of Yotei has a primary function, and the Kusarigama's is applying massive Stagger to multiple targets at once. A fully charged heavy swing with the chain will make a whole group of unarmored enemies reel, allowing you to follow up with a quick katana strike or a silent assassination. If you're overwhelmed, switching to the Kusarigama's wide, sweeping attacks buys you precious time and sets up easy kills. Think of it as your panic button that's actually super effective at controlling the flow of a large skirmish. It’s the perfect weapon to transition from stealth to an outright fight without losing momentum.
The Kusarigama is a total game-changer, turning you from a straightforward warrior into a tactical crowd-control master. It's all about distance and disruption. Where the katana is precise and the spear is about reach, the Kusarigama excels at controlling the space between you and your enemies. You can use the chain to snag shields away from brutes, trip up charging enemies, or pull archers down from their perches. Its light attacks are quick and can hit multiple enemies in a whirlwind, while the heavy attacks are all about that satisfying yank. It's easily the most versatile weapon for dealing with groups.
The best thing about the Kusarigama in Ghost of Yotei is that it's your go-to for breaking enemy composition. Have you ever been annoyed by an archer on a ridge or a gunner behind a line of swordsmen? The Kusarigama lets you reach them. The new Grapple Attack mechanic, which is tied to this weapon, allows Atsu to pull an enemy toward her or quickly zip to a distant, exposed foe, closing the gap instantly. It breaks the "standoff" feel of the first game and makes the battlefield feel much more dynamic. It’s essential for speed-runners and high-level combat because of how quickly you can reposition and eliminate key threats. It's basically your ninja tool mixed with your main weapon, which really emphasizes the Ghost side of the game's title. I found a killer video showcasing all the moves here: Kusarigama Combat Showcase
It definitely has a learning curve, though. The wind-up on some attacks is longer, so you're vulnerable if you miss. You really need to master the dodge and parry timings to use it effectively. But once it clicks, it's arguably the most powerful and stylish weapon in the game. It makes you feel like a total badass.