With Ghosts of Tsushima, players get regaled on a tale of how one samurai needed to embrace the shadows to save his home from a foreign threat. As a result, players take on the role of Jin Sakai as he becomes the eponymous Ghost to repel the Mongol invasion in Tsushima Island. Interestingly, the title takes a cinematic stealth-action approach in a sprawling and immersive world. However, folks from Sucker Punch upped the ante with Legends, a new co-op mode.
In this co-op experience, Legends players can team up with a variety of Classes to form the ultimate legendary team to fight hordes of enemies. Interestingly, players can choose one of four Classes to progress and level up. Additionally, teams don't have Class restrictions. As a result, players can mix and match Classes in their four-man teams as they please. However, just which Class combinations work best? Moreover, what Class combinations should players avoid?
10 Try: All-Ronin Setup
Let's cut straight to the point - the all-Ronin setup becomes extremely ideal because of all the Spirit Animals. Aside from the unlimited petting, an all-Ronin setup does give players the opportunity to have an eight-person team, courtesy of the four Spirit Dogs. Even then, one or two Ronin who will opt for Healing Incense to get the team massive healing opportunities. As a plus, having access to four Breaths of Izanami will almost always remove the possibility of a team wipe.
Additionally, despite the lack of more damaging melee, ranged, or assassination techniques, the Ronin's buffs alone can help the team outlast other player groups. Aside from healing abilities, the Ronin's Weakening Burst and Staggering Imposition alone can help a Ronin-based team have an edge regardless if they use their Katana or their Half-Bow.
9 Avoid: All-Hunter Setup
Players who want a bit of fun might want to dabble into an all-Hunter setup. After all, this team composition essentially transforms Legends into a shooter akin to The Division 2. Unfortunately, unlike The Division 2's diverse skill set and weapon choices, Hunters in Legends has skills that entirely focus on long-ranged incursions. As such, Hunters would only be able to access melee-based techniques depending on their equipped Katana.
Granted, katana-based stances and techniques still give Hunters the opportunity to fight in melee. However, Hunters work their magic long-distance, and the sheer number of enemy waves will likely force Hunters to defend some defense points from a melee standpoint. Players who want a challenge might try this out, but it's not recommended in the long run.
8 Try: 3 Hunters, 1 Samurai
Despite the risks of a predominantly-Hunter setup, perhaps the presence of a Samurai can balance the equation. Theoretically, a skilled-enough Samurai can protect a defense point from a group of enemies. Perks like Heavenly Strikes (unblockable quick-strike), Samurai Unleashed (decreased cooldowns), and Deep Strikes (melee boost) can help Samurai accomplish this.
In theory, a Samurai can get the aggro from stronger opponents, giving Hunters time to aim their headshots that can be boosted with Piercing Arrow (penetrate shields), Pinpoint (body shots can deal headshot damage), or Executioner (boosted headshots). Meanwhile, Hunters can even start assassinating targets to trigger Scent of Blood, which doubles their reload and draw speed for half a minute.
7 Avoid: 3 Assassins, 1 Ronin
Thanks to the assassination-reliant skills and tools of Assassins, they easily become one of the best damage-dealers in Legends. Moreover, having a Ronin as a backup should provide enough healing to anyone in a rut. Unfortunately, since Assassins rely on stealth for their damage output, discovered Assassins can't tap into their assassinations and stealth attacks.
Granted, Assassins have Vanish abilities, but their cooldowns take too long to have a significant effect. Of course, assassinating one enemy successfully triggers Chain Vanish that extends the vanish effect. However, this trick only works if the Assassin knows exactly where their targets are at any given moment - and if Chain Vanish is equipped. Moreover, the mobile nature of Assassins might make it difficult for a single Ronin to provide proper support.
6 Try: 2 Assassins, 2 Samurai
Despite the Assassin's sheer damage potential, their nature as stealth combatants makes them a bit vulnerable in direct confrontations. Opposite the Assassin are the Samurai, heavily reliant on straightforward attacks to break their opponents' defenses. In essence, Assassins can strike opponents from the shadows, only to have the Samurai land the killing blow on enemies in a difficult duel.
Interestingly, this team setup can spice things up with a few tricks. For instance, Group Vanish allows an Assassin and an accompanying Samurai to take opponents by surprise. Additionally, a Samurai's strong attack can Stagger opponents, leaving them vulnerable against an Assassin with the Opportunist Perk (50-percent damage boost against Staggered foes).
5 Avoid: 2 Assassins, 2 Hunters
A lone Assassin could eliminate threats before they even notice them coming. And with enough speed, an Assassin can kill off enemy forces if they get discovered. Unfortunately, the Assassin's techniques aren't built for direct incursions. This factor explains why some players prefer to have Assassins accompanied by melee-focused Samurai. Moreover, given the Hunter's ranged focus, their Katana-based techniques might not be enough to have them assist discovered Assassins in combat.
A way to circumvent this caveat is for Hunters to eliminate surrounding enemies fast enough before they overwhelm the Assassin. Alternatively, the Assassin may use Chain Vanish to assassinate a group of unsuspecting enemies quickly.
4 Try: 2 Ronin, 2 Assassins
Despite their lack of massive damage, two Ronin can bolster the presence of two Assassins with support techniques. In turn, the Ronin can take up both melee and ranged battle positions while Assassins pick off enemies who try to kill them off. For instance, a Ronin's Healing Incense can heal them as they and Assassins fight a group of enemies. Meanwhile, Spirit Animals can take on aggro while Ronins and Assassins regroup.
With the right Techniques, Ronin and Assassins can kill opponents much faster. For instance, an Assassin with Chain Vanish can jump from one enemy to the next after Vanish-empowered assassinations. Combined with a Ronin's Weakening Burst (weakens enemies), Assassins can pick off enemies that Ronin themselves can't finish off.
3 Avoid: 2 Samurai, 2 Hunters
Interestingly, one of the most ideal party compositions might comprise of two Samurai and two Hunters. After all, Samurai can outlast enemy waves with the right parrying, evasion, and strikes. Meanwhile, Hunters can provide just enough ranged support while the Samurai finish off enemies.
However, this match made in Heaven can make the game experience a bit too generic for players. Moreover, this setup lacks the supportive and assassination abilities of Classes like the Ronin and Assassin, respectively. In turn, this otherwise "effective" setup might not be as optimal as others think.
2 Try: 2 Hunters, 1 Samurai, 1 Assassin
Thanks to the ranged prowess of the Hunter, it makes sense to always have them on the team. Moreover, the melee and stealth prowess of the Samurai and Assassin, respectively, make them great for direct incursions. In theory, such a team can eliminate enemy waves quickly if Samurai take on the aggro while the Assassin stealthily eliminates unsuspecting enemies. Meanwhile, Hunters can pick off potential threats before they get too close to either the Samurai and the Assassin.
Moreover, this team can split into Hunter-accompanied pairs. The Samurai-Hunter pair could have the Samurai take on aggro while the Hunter engages with ranged DPS. Meanwhile, the Assassin-Hunter pair can have the Hunter bait a target with a long-ranged attack while the Assassin finishes the job.
1 Avoid: 2 Assassins, 1 Hunter, 1 Samurai
Stealthy Assassins need the confrontational Samurai to distract unsuspecting opponents. Theoretically, two Assassins should be enough to eliminate the rest of an enemy wave as others focus on the Samurai threat. Of course, some teams might not always stick together - meaning, a lone Assassin might try to secure an area and get overwhelmed. As a backup, an accompanying Hunter should be able to assist a a surrounded Assassin. Of course, it's recommended for the melee-ready Samurai to give much-needed tanking.
Unfortunately, compromised Hunters and Assassins might be difficult to help for an overwhelmed Samurai. Moreover, if a party completely splits defensive positions among themselves, a Samurai can't help compromised Assassins in two locations at once.