Fans of Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima admire the game for its precision-based combat and highly-immersive environments. As a result, players do feel like living the life of a samurai in a film set in Feudal Japan. Moreover, the highly-anticipated Legends DLC finally lets players create custom characters of their own. Additionally, unique classes such as the Assassin, Hunter, Ronin, and the Samurai further diversify character options in this co-op multiplayer DLC.
However, just how will new Classes and abilities change the flow of Ghost of Tsushima's gameplay? Moreover, with teases of "magic" added into the DLC, just what lessons from the game's single-player mode should players carry to the DLC?
10 New Enemies, New Rules
Thanks to Legends, players can explore new abilities and features of the game's four co-op Classes. However, players should also take the time to observe their new enemies. Magical or not, Legends' new enemies will likely have "types" similar to the main game. In turn, each enemy type will likely have movement patterns and attack combos.
As such, players should take the time to study new enemy movements and attack patterns. It's likely that certain Classes can leverage their abilities better against certain enemy types. Moreover, understanding an enemy's attack pattern and combo system can help players time their parries and attacks much easier.
9 Parry, Dodge Whenever Possible
Despite the magical flavor that lies inside each Legends class, players shouldn't forget the primary combat mechanic that Tsushima relies on: evasion. In special modes like Legends, players need to master dodging and parrying as their four-man squads will likely fight more enemies at once.
In turn, players should try to parry and dodge whenever possible. Parrying allows players to halt an enemy combo to force a swift counter-attack. Likewise, players should only dodge when trying to gain distance against enemies. Dodging most attacks may avoid damage, but this will likely make players too far to get a swift counter.
Remember, players can parry most attacks. However, players should also dodge unblockable strikes (with the red indicator) to avoid knockback.
8 Study Auditory Cues
In the base game, players can hear a slight indicator before an enemy makes an unblockable attack. Some consider this cue more reliable compared to the red indicator. Likewise, enemy archers usually shout before launching a long-ranged attack, giving players time to dodge the archer.
In Legends, such elements may apply to their opponents. However, players should keep an ear out for these specific audio cues. Remember, parties in Legends will likely be fighting hordes of enemies, indicating multiple audio cues at once. As such, players need to pay closer attention to their particular targets.
7 Take Away Distractions
Another important tactic Tsushima players learn early on would be eliminating distractions from fights to focus on intense duels. After all, Jin already has to worry about groups of enemies. Unfortunately, enemy units like archers and mini-bosses make battles more irritating with their long-ranged attacks and powerful movesets, respectively. As such, players almost always try picking them off first so they can focus on other opponents.
In Legends, this principle works in the same way. Since Legends forces players to fight hordes of enemies, teams should keep in mind their priorities in battle. Ideally, players should pick off archers and lure stronger foes away in order to focus on the main horde. That way, players have stronger but fewer enemies to deal with in the endgame.
6 Take Note Of Technique Combos
In the base game, Jin gets access not just to various Stances, but various Techniques inside these Stances. In turn, Jin almost always has a way of dealing with particular kinds of enemies. However, the game leaves players to figure out which Techniques go well with each other. For instance, Ghost lovers will likely spam Smoke Bombs and Chain Assassination to groups of enemies, as the smoke practically renders Jin invisible - and therefore capable of doing assassinations up close.
In Legends, player Classes also have different Techniques under their belt. Despite the lack of demonstrations in a lot of them, it's likely that players can figure out beneficial combos with these as well.
5 Don't Settle For Primaries
Some players might think the loadouts in Legends seem quite similar to modern action titles. After all, Classes now have melee and long-ranged weapons to accompany them in battle. Save for the bow specialist Hunter, most of the other Classes seem to have a Katana "primary" weapon and a Half-Bow "secondary" weapon. However, like in most action titles, Legends players shouldn't settle to master just "one" weapon type.
In Legends, versatility matters. Since players can freely create teams of different Class combinations, players will likely get different team roles. It's vital for players to be just as skillful with their long-ranged weapon as they are with their melee weapon in times of need. If possible, players should get essential techniques involving all their weapons mastered so they can adjust to situations quickly.
4 Quick-Draws Exist For A Reason
Thanks to the thrill of battle, Legends players will likely focus on spamming combos and Class abilities. After all, the goal lies in defeating the horde, right? However, players shouldn't forget about their various quick-draws assigned to their loadout. Like in the base game, these quick-draws serve as utility options that can help players in a pinch.
As per released trailers, quick-draws in Class loadouts included some fan-favorites. For instance, the Healing Gourd serves as a main healing item. Meanwhile, the Kunai can stagger and even quickly kill enemies, with the option of throwing two to three at a time.
Interestingly, the Legends features two new quick-draw items as well. Dirt Throw seems to be an alternate staggering or stunning tool like the Kunai. Meanwhile, Caltrops may slow enemies down due to their nature as ground obstacles.
3 Take Them Out One By One
Interestingly, despite how irritating archers or long-ranged fighters become, sometimes they do offer a quick win to the battle. For instance, players should take note that archers usually get assigned to towers and high surfaces to have a greater vantage point over the battlefield. Players can capitalize on this by eliminating the archer, stealing their position, and popping enemies from there.
In the case of Legends, Hunters can establish their long-ranged superiority courtesy of high surfaces such as cliffs. Moreover, enemies may have the ability to climb things such as ladders. However, in that case, Hunters can quickly switch to melee and slash enemies away one by one. Likewise, other Classes can capitalize on these high surfaces to regroup and heal while picking off enemies.
2 Use The Environment
Players in Ghost of Tsushima can tackle the game's dramatic story from the perspective of Jin's samurai stand-offs or the stealthier Stealth Mode - both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, environments in the base game also affect the way players choose their combat approach. For instance, enemy camps with multiple towers and structures can be a perfect vantage point for the Ghost to go roof-to-roof stealthily. Likewise, an open battlefield works best for the samurai's many Stances.
In Legends, players should take full use of their environment's offerings in battle. For instance, a battlefield with multiple cliffs would greatly benefit Hunters or long-ranged attacks. Likewise, open fields work best with Samurai and Ronin. Lastly, forests and places with thick foliage can be the perfect cover for Assassins.
1 Avoid Falling Off Heights
As an open-world game, the base Tsushima game allows players to explore much of the game world without any hindrances. These include idyllic mountains with amazing cliff views or tall houses with grand terraces. Unfortunately, falling off any ledge can cause tremendous fall damage if players don't tread carefully. And sadly, the wrong fall can result in an untimely death.
However, players can also use heights to their advantage while playing in Legends. In the base game, deft-footed players can lure enemies to make careless strikes only to find themselves falling to their deaths. In Legends, players can employ the same tactic to some enemies should the battle take place in high places such as platforms, ledges, cliffs, and rooftops.