What are the best starting tips for beginners in Ghost of Yotei?

Okay, here's my essential tip, especially if you're coming from Tsushima: Master the Perfect Parry/Dodge, but Be Strategic About Charms! The combat loop is tighter, and the new disarming attacks can really mess you up. Getting the timing down for a Perfect Parry or Perfect Dodge (which now grants you bonus counters or spirit gain depending on your build) is key to dominating camps. Also, unlike the first game, charms are more build-defining. Don't just slap on whatever. If you want to be a stealth master, find the charms that reduce detection range. If you prefer open combat, stack those stagger and health-on-kill charms. Don't forget to visit the Altars of Reflection, especially the one on Mount Yotei, which can give you some powerful early-game options to really lean into your preferred playstyle.

Welcome to Yotei! Here are some tips I wish I knew when I started: Embrace the Kami: Don't ignore the new spirit mechanics. Your Kami Techniques are not just for show; they're essential for crowd control and breaking enemy guards. Practice using them early and often. Gather Everything: Seriously, pick every herb, mine every ore node, and collect every resource you see. You'll need them for upgrading your gear, tools, and for crafting ammo. It becomes a lifesaver later. Do the Mythic Tales: These side quests are marked with a special blue icon. They are some of the best content in the game and always reward you with a powerful new ability, armor set, or weapon. Don't leave them for the endgame! Learn to Parry and Dodge: The combat is more aggressive than Tsushima. You can't just spam attack. Spend time in the Bamboo Strike training areas to really get the timing down for parries and dodges—it's the difference between life and death in duels. Use Your Horse:* Your horse isn't just for travel. You can fight from horseback, and it's incredibly effective against archers and scattered enemies. Don't forget to call it in the heat of battle!

I'd second the weapon advice, but I have a couple of exploration-focused tips: * Follow the Gold Birds: Just like in the first game, if you see a gold bird flying, stop what you're doing and follow it! They lead you directly to hidden Hot Springs, Shrines, and sometimes important collectibles or minor quests. They are essentially free map markers and save you a lot of time wandering. * Check Out Bounties: Seriously, don't ignore the bounty board. They’re not just for money (though the cash is good); some of the most interesting side characters and one-off stories are in the bounties, and you often get unique masks, charms, or even rare upgrade materials as rewards. They’re a great way to learn the map and practice against new enemy types without committing to a full main mission.

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.

My number one tip for beginners is to experiment with the new weapon types early. Don't just stick with the katana. Try out the Kusarigama for crowd control and the Odachi for breaking through defenses. Finding a weapon that matches your playstyle will make the game so much more enjoyable and effective. Also, talk to every merchant you see! They often sell maps that reveal the locations of collectibles like Hot Springs and Haiku spots, which permanently increase your health and resolve.

Jumping in for the first-timers! Ghost of Yotei can feel overwhelming at first, but here are a couple of things I wish I knew right at the start: * Prioritize Weapon Masters: Unlike Tsushima, where you mostly stuck to your katana with different stances, Atsu gets a whole new arsenal—dual katanas, the spear (yari), and the kusarigama. The core combat dynamic is now a rock-paper-scissors system where specific weapons counter specific enemy types. Find the Weapon Masters ASAP (they're marked on the map or sometimes tied to early Tales) to unlock these new weapons and their skill trees. The kusarigama is a game-changer for shielded enemies! * Don't Blow Your Coin on Ammo: You'll find ammo for your bows and firearms everywhere, especially if you loot diligently. Save your hard-earned Coin for armor upgrades first, then for the more permanent weapon and utility upgrades. Armor perks are crucial to defining your playstyle (stealth, stagger, or survivability), and upgrading them early makes a huge difference in the first region.

For beginners, a few tips can make a huge difference: - Explore carefully: Use your wolf to scout enemies and hidden paths. - Master stealth early: Avoid unnecessary fights and use terrain to your advantage. - Collect resources: Gather materials for crafting armor, weapons, and consumables. - Focus on one combat stance initially to understand its combos before branching out.