Ronin

This article is about the faction in *Ghost of Tsushima*. For the multiplayer class from *Ghost of Tsushima: Legends*, see Ronin (class).

## Ronin

### Affiliation

Straw Hats
Lady Sanjo
Kojiro

**Ronin** are masterless samurai who wander around Tsushima independently from the Samurai code. While some of them protect the people as mercenaries, other Ronin choose to partake in thievery for their own survival. While there are formal groups of Ronin such as the Straw Hats led by Ryuzo, most other Ronin work in their own group.

The Ronin at first act as allied units during the Tale of Ryuzo during Act 1, only to become a recurring enemy class from the start of Act 2 after Ryuzo allies with the Mongols.

## Presence

From the start of Act 2, the player will encounter the Ronin either as part of Tales or in small groups that act as an enemy. As allies to the Mongols, they can also appear in Mongol-central Tales, and will come to the aide of a Mongol patrol if a Ronin patrol comes in close proximity. Compared to the Mongols, the Ronin are fewer in numbers (with a group of them being no larger than 4) but each are highly competent duelists.

Even after the defeat of Ryuzo at the end of Act 2, Ronin warriors remain active in the Toyotama region, although not as active allies to the Mongols.

### Random Spawn

Jin will encounter some situations involving Ronin in the wild, although the kinds of situations they are observed in are much more limited than the Mongol Soldiers. These are the Ronin that will remain active even after the Straw Hats is dissolved at the end of Act 2.

* **Roam**: Compared to the Mongols who will have regular patrols, the Ronin can be found roaming the same roads in a similar fashion, although it is obvious they are not attempting to provide scouting info to allies outside the group. These groups range from two to four Ronin warriors. Players receive minor Legend gain from killing a group.
* **Pillage**: Just like Bandits, the Ronin will resort to killing villagers or refugees on the road. Jin will find them scavenging the bodies, with one small lootable crate being in the middle of them. While most often there will be two to four Ronin scavenging, there is also a chance for only one Ronin to be present. Rewards minor Legend gain from killing the group; the player can also check out the small crate for decent loot.
* **Digging**: Occasionally, Jin can come across a group of Ronin attempting to dig out in the field. As to what or why they are digging remains unknown (although possibilities can include digging a hole for a grave). Killing this group of two to four Ronin will grant minor Legend gain.
* **Hunting**: Sometimes, there will be Ronin warriors who are attempting to hunt a Bear. No more than two warriors will be fighting off the bear. While killing these warriors won't reward any Legend gain, the player can take advantage of the situation to attain loot off of them.

### Occupied Sites

Ronin warriors rarely appear as enemies stationed at occupied sites. However, they can be found in Tale-bound sites, especially during Act 2 as they act as allies to the Mongols.

### Umugi Cove

Although most Ronin seen are either under the command of Ryuzo, a small faction of Ronin serve under Lady Sanjo at Umugi cove, and act as enforcers whom ensure the safety of the area. When Jin is in Umugi cove, it is impossible to draw his sword, bow, activate ghost weapons or use his blowpipe, as the laws of the area state that any person who draws a weapon will face the full wrath of the entire Ronin faction. Similarly, it is impossible to engage any Ronin in the area, save for Sanetoki, though he is engaged in a duel outside of the cove. After defeating Ryuzo, a small group of Ronin can be engaged just outside of the cove, whom seem to be waiting for Jin to pass by to ambush him.

## Gameplay

Ronin are a special unit after Jin has faced only Mongol soldiers in combat during the course of the game. The Ronin, just like Jin, are trained in the way of the Samurai and are excellent duelists. For what they lack in numbers and unit variety, the Ronin make up with being challenging opponents when fought on one-on-one with no clear weakness in direct combat.

The Ronin operate as a dangerous enemy unit during Act 2 of the game, acting as skilled enemies that attack and counter unlike the Mongols. Unlike the Japanese Bandits, Ronin fight as a Samurai would: their blade swings are swift, methodical, fluid and precise. They use a Stance similar to Jin's Stone Stance, can cancel their attacks and effectively use defensive maneuvers against Jin's attacks (such as dodges and parries) that they can easily follow up with a counter-attack combo. Their attacks consist of thrusts and slashes, together with a special Unblockable attack that they use after sheathing their blade, similarly to enemies faced in duels. Ronin will often perform a 3-hit combo followed by an unblockable attack that can only be evaded or parried. Even during a Standoff, the Ronin are careful as they will conceal their strikes with careful approach sometimes. Because of this, while they are more vulnerable to the Stone Stance, they are accustomed to fighting against swords, thus making Stone Stance only *the most feasible* stance against them than being an outright weakness.

The weakness of Ronin though is their lack in unit variety, together with their relative low health (comparable to the Archers of the Bandits or Mongols). The Ronin are excellent swordsmen, but that's all they have, unless players are dealing with Ronin warriors that are cooperating with Mongols. If their defense is ever broken, it takes no more than one or two Light attacks for them to be felled. And because they only use their blade, they are vulnerable to anything that do not concern swordplay, such as arrow fire or any of the Ghost Weapons. They are especially vulnerable to bows, as they don't wear adequate headgear to prevent Headshots.