Ghost of Tsushima: Best Stance Combos for Every Enemy Type

Introduction: The Key to Combat Mastery

In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin Sakai's journey is defined by his sword. But to truly become the Ghost, you must master the four stances, each designed to counter specific enemy types. This guide breaks down the best stance combos and techniques for every encounter, helping you flow through combat like a true samurai.

Understanding the Four Stances

Each stance has a unique attack pattern and specializes against a particular enemy class. Switching stances mid-combat is crucial—use the D-pad to cycle quickly.

Stone Stance – Best against swordsmen (single-blade enemies). Focuses on quick, direct thrusts.
Water Stance – Ideal for shield enemies. Rapid slashes break through guard.
Wind Stance – Effective against spearmen. Sweeping attacks counter their range.
Moon Stance – Designed for brutes and heavy armored foes. Powerful kicks and charged strikes.

Stance Combos by Enemy Type

Swordsmen (Ronin, Mongol Swords)

Use Stone Stance for quick, precise thrusts. The heavy attack (hold triangle) breaks their guard. Follow up with a light combo. Pro tip: Parry their attacks (R1) to open them for a devastating counter.

Shield Enemies (Wood/Metal Shield)

Water Stance is your go-to. The flurry (rapid triangle taps) demolishes shields. Once staggered, use a heavy attack to finish. If they block, dodge and use Water Stance's surging strikes from behind.

Spearmen (Polearm Users)

Switch to Wind Stance. Its sweeping heavy attacks close the distance and interrupt their thrusts. The kick (triangle after a dodge) knocks them prone. Use the Heavenly Strike technique for additional damage.

Brutes (Large Enemies with Heavy Weapons)

Moon Stance excels here. Charged heavy attacks deal massive stagger damage. Use the spinning kick (hold triangle) to break their posture. Follow with a flurry of light attacks. When they glow red, dodge or parry immediately.

Techniques to Enhance Each Stance

Invest in techniques that complement your stance strategy:

Mizu no Kami (Water Stance) – Unlock the 'Surging Strikes' for faster shield break.
Kaze no Kami (Wind Stance) – 'Heavenly Strike' piercing spearmen's defense.
Tsuru no Kami – Not a stance but the 'Dodge' upgrade helps against all enemies.
Ghost Weapons – Use kunai to stagger enemies before stance attacks.

Pro Tips for Stance Switching

Use the 'Switching Stance' Ghost Tactic: You can unlock a technique that lets you swap stances mid-combo for a powerful follow-up.
Assign Quick-Select: Map your most-used stance to the left D-pad for instant access.
Practice in the Bamboo Strike: Perfect your timing—this translates directly to combat.
Fight with Resolve: Use Resolve (L2+R2) to heal or use special moves like Dance of Wrath.

Advanced Combos for High Difficulty

On Lethal+ difficulty, mix stances frequently. Start with Stone Stance to parry a swordsman, then switch to Water to break a shield-bearer's guard. Use Wind against incoming spearmen, then Moon to stagger a brute. The key is adapting faster than your enemies.

Combine with Ghost weapons: throw a smoke bomb, then use Heaven's Sting (technique) for a stealth kill. Or use sticky bombs to stagger groups before engaging.

Conclusion: Become the Ghost

Mastering stance combos isn't just about defeating enemies—it's about feeling like a samurai. Practice against different Mongols, upgrade your techniques, and soon you'll flow through combat with the grace of the wind. Remember: the right stance at the right moment turns a brawl into a dance of blades.