Derick Schoenbaum (Marquetarian)

I found the system much more focused on gear upgrades than just the skill tree this time. In Ghost of Yotei, improving your armor and weapons at the Armorer feels as impactful as spending a skill point. The resource gathering is still there, but now each piece of gear unlocks specific, high-level perks at the top tier. For instance, maxing out your basic Katana grants you a chance for an instant Stagger on a perfect parry, which isn't a skill tree unlock at all! So, progression is really a blend: Skill Points for new actions (moves, utility) and Materials for new effects (damage buffs, special perks on gear). Don't ignore those material gathering side quests!

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.