GHOST OF YŌTEI: 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO DO FIRST ASAP—OR FREEZE IN EZO’S WILDERNESS.
Just dropped into Atsu’s revenge? Don’t wander blind—these 10 early moves unlock god-tier gear, secret allies, and story branches before Chapter 2 hits. From taming your first kamuy spirit to nailing the perfect parry window, one wrong step and the Yōtei Six will bury you in snow.
Ready to forge a legend? Grab the 10 must-dos now.
Early-game tip you swear by? Drop it below! ⚔️❄️
The first snowflake falls on Atsu’s mask, and the clock starts ticking. Ghost of Yōtei, Sucker Punch’s frost-bitten masterpiece that’s already sold 5.2 million copies in its first month on PS5, doesn’t hold hands. Unlike Ghost of Tsushima‘s gentle Mongol introductions, Yōtei throws you into Ezo’s 1603 wilds with nothing but a broken blade and a blood oath. Miss the early beats, and you’ll be fodder for the Yōtei Six before the auroras even light up. From unlocking the Vengeance Flow stance to claiming the Bounty Master Armor seed, these 10 things you need to do ASAP will arm Atsu for her 40-hour revenge saga—before Chapter 2 locks half the map behind skill walls. Whether you’re parry-hunting or haiku-collecting, act fast: Ezo forgives no one.
1. Master the Perfect Parry Window – Unlock Vengeance Flow in 30 Minutes
Forget button-mashing—Atsu’s combat lives or dies on timing. In the Prologue Duel against the nameless ronin (your first real fight after the tutorial), spam parry (L1) until the prompt glows gold. Nail 5 perfect parries to trigger the Vengeance Tree early—spend your first 2 skill points on Flow of Fury (extends parry window by 25%). This isn’t optional: Every boss from the Ironclad to the Whisperer punishes sloppy blocks. Pro Tip: Practice on the training dummy at the Old Inn (unlocked post-prologue) for free retries.
2. Tame Your First Kamuy Spirit – The Fox Companion Changes Everything
Head to Fox Hollow (southwest Grasslands, marked by glowing blue fireflies) within the first hour. Crouch and follow the fox without sprinting—it leads to a hidden shrine. Offer 3 Spider Lilies (found on cliffs nearby) to unlock Kamuy Bond Level 1. Your fox now scouts enemy patrols, highlights collectibles, and distracts guards for 10 seconds. Upgrade at any Ainu altar for Spirit Sight (reveals hidden paths). Skip this, and you’ll miss 40% of side tales.
3. Clear the Old Inn Bounties – Seed the Bounty Master Armor Path
The Old Inn (central hub, unlocked after Chapter 1’s train crash) is your early-game goldmine. Speak to Kojiro the Broker and accept all three starter bounties (500 coin each). Complete them in stealth for bonus metals—you’ll need 10 to start the Cursed Renegade questline that unlocks the Bounty Master Armor (see our full guide). Do this before Chapter 2; the inn burns in a scripted event, locking the chain forever.
4. Collect 5 Haiku Shrines – Unlock the Undying Armor Early
Haiku shrines (glowing stone circles with wind chimes) are scattered in the Yōtei Grasslands. Find 5 before leaving Chapter 1 to unlock the Armor of the Undying via storyteller Ugatsu at the Old Inn. This set reduces damage by 20% and extends dodge windows—crucial for surviving the Lake Jozan Duel (your first real skill check). Use your fox’s Spirit Sight to ping them from afar.
5. Upgrade Your Katana at Ginji – Don’t Fight with a Dull Blade
Ginji the Armorer appears at the Old Inn after your first bounty. Spend 300 coin + 5 metals to upgrade your starter katana to Level 2—unlocks Bleed on Counter (10% chance to inflict bleeding on perfect parry). This trivializes early ronin packs and stacks with Vengeance Flow. Save metals from bounties; don’t waste on cosmetics yet.
6. Learn the Tanegashima Rifle – Snipe Before They See You
In the Abandoned Mill (north of Old Inn, Chapter 1 side path), find a broken Tanegashima on a corpse. Repair it at any campfire with 2 metals + 1 gunpowder (looted from bandit archers). This rifle one-shots unarmored foes from 50m and staggers elites—use it to thin herds before engaging in melee. Aim for headshots to build Resolve faster for healing.
7. Unlock the Song of the Ainu – Reveal Hidden Collectibles
Visit Huci the Elder in the Ainu village (Ishikari Plain, post-Chapter 1). Complete her “Spirits of the Land” tale (collect 3 inaw carvings from nearby shrines) to learn Song of the Ainu. This wind-based ability highlights spider lilies, metals, and secret entrances within 30m—essential for 100% completion and upgrading mystic gear like the Robes for Sitturaynu.
8. Stockpile Spider Lilies – Currency for Endgame Upgrades
Spider lilies (red flowers on cliffs and near shrines) are the rarest resource. Gather 20 before Chapter 2—they’re required for Ginji’s Level 3+ upgrades and Ainu mystic trades. Use fox scouting to farm efficiently. Miss this window, and you’ll grind for hours later.
9. Complete the First Standoff Chain – Unlock Ghost Stance Early
In the Grasslands Ambush (main story, end of Chapter 1), win a 5-man standoff without taking damage. This unlocks Ghost Stance Level 1—enter bullet-time after 3 unblocked kills, letting you insta-exec three foes. Crucial for clearing the Ironclad’s Mine without burning resources.
10. Save Your Skill Points – Don’t Waste on Flashy Moves
You’ll earn 6 skill points by the end of Chapter 1. Do NOT spend on cosmetic emotes or minor stamina boosts. Prioritize:
Vengeance Flow (2 points)
Perfect Parry Mastery (2 points)
Kamuy Bond Level 2 (1 point)
Resolve Regen (1 point) This build carries you through Chapter 3 without respecs. Save scumming at the Old Inn lets you experiment.
Bonus Pro Tip: Enable “Fractured Focus” in Settings
Go to Options > Gameplay > Toggle Fractured Focus. This zooms vision during stealth, highlighting patrol cones and interactables—saves hours of backtracking. Turn it off post-Chapter 2 for immersion runs.
With Yōtei dominating PS5 charts and GOTY buzz building, these 10 early moves aren’t just tips—they’re survival. Atsu’s vengeance is a marathon, not a sprint. Act fast, wanderer: The snow doesn’t wait, and neither should you. For more Ghost of Yōtei guides—boss strategies, haiku locations, and NG+ builds—stay locked. The north is calling. Will you answer?
