Llama Panai

Don't be afraid to run away! Seriously, if you're overwhelmed in a camp or by a patrol, there's no shame in retreating, using the environment to break line of sight, and re-engaging from stealth. The game encourages a hit-and-run approach, especially in the early hours when you're not a powerhouse yet. Use the tall grass, your new Kami Veil ability, and verticality to your advantage. Stealth is a perfectly valid and often smarter path to victory.

Ah, the Hot Springs! A mandatory stop for every Ghost game fan! Finding them is a great way to slightly increase Atsu's maximum health and get some of her best internal monologues (and sometimes the best character moments!). Here's how to track them down: 1. Follow the Gold Birds: This is the easiest and most organic way. If you are near a Hot Spring, a Gold Bird will often appear and lead you directly to it. Just stop what you are doing and follow the bird's flight path until it circles the location. 2. Purchase Maps: When you enter a new major region, look for the Cartographer (usually found near major settlements like an Inn or Town). They will sell you maps that reveal the locations of Hot Springs, Shrines, and other key points of interest for a small amount of Coin. This is the quickest way to mark them all on your map. 3. Use Guiding Winds (via Shamisen): Atsu's Shamisen replaces Jin's guiding wind from the first game, but it has a similar function. If you go into the map and set a marker for "Hot Spring," the wind will literally blow in the right direction, acting as a natural compass. There are sixteen Hot Springs in total across Ezo. Make sure you find all of them—you get a great reward for doing so!

To expand on the armors, I think the Crimson Kimono deserves a mention for stealth players. It's the go-to if you want to embrace the 'Ghost' playstyle. The Crimson Kimono drastically reduces your detection radius and, even cooler, it enhances your Kusarigama chain assassinations, allowing you to take out more targets in a single sequence. You unlock it relatively early by pursuing a specific side tale, so it’s a good set to rush if you want to clear out enemy camps undetected right from the start. Finding the different dyes for each set is also a major part of the cosmetic chase—they really let you customize your look!