Discover everything you need to know about the best weapons tier list in Ghost of Yotei, including how to acquire them.
Weapons in Ghost of Yotei are the core of your combat style. Each weapon type offers unique advantages, combos, and upgrade paths. Katana allows for light attacks, heavy slashes, and perfect parries. Choosing the best weapon can be challenging, as each weapon is effective in its own way. Different weapons are more effective against different enemy types, so choosing them can be tricky.
Each weapon is obtained while completing the specific quest or progressing in the game. Kusarigama, Dual Katanas, Odachi, Yari, and Katana are the best weapons to use against enemies to dominate them. In this guide, we’ll discuss the best weapon tier list in Ghost of Yotei, including what makes them the best ones.
Best Weapons Tier List
Below is the best weapons tier list in Ghost of Yotei.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Katana |
| A-Tier | Dual Katana, Kusarigama, Quick Fire |
| B-Tier | Yari, Odachi, Bows |
| C-Tier | Tanegashima Matchlock |
S-Tier
katana
Wolf Blade (Katana) is the default weapon, and it remains with you throughout your journey. It is more versatile and is reliable in many situations. However, the katana is not the fastest, does not have the biggest reach, nor the highest damage, but still, this is one of the best weapons to use. The single-edged blade and an all-around melee weapon that is highly effective against enemies wielding swords.
Katana allows for fluid usage of combos and offers precise strikes. However, this melee weapon is single-target focused. This means that you will be vulnerable while fighting multiple enemies in a fight. This weapon is an all-around option as it’s relatively quick, has decent range.
With the resolve of lightning skill unlocked, it also increases the stagger buildup for each parry you land. The Katana is often your best option in a duel, as many bosses use this blade as their main weapon. That’s even further enhanced if you unlock the IAI Storm from the skill tree, which is arguably the most powerful combo in a 1v1 fight. You start the game with the first step of this combo already unlocked, which is the slash performed by holding the triangle. With all the upgrades unlocked, it becomes a full six-hit combo.
If you get the timing right, simply wait for the glint to appear around the blaze handle before you let go of the button for the first attack. For the second and third, you simply need to press it in time. These attacks also interrupt an enemy, so especially in a duel, your opponent can’t do anything back.
The Katana also has the easiest spirit attack to unlock, unlike other options. The returning Heavenly Slash can immediately be unlocked from the skill tree. It’s a powerful single strike that’s blockable and also causes extra damage against staggered enemies. Katana is still a welcome addition to your arsenal and especially shines in 1v1 fights.
A-Tier
Dual Katana
Dual Katanas are considered the best weapon to use because it is fast, flashy, and have high combo potential. This weapon is highly effective against spear-type enemies. Equip this weapon if you prefer an aggressive melee playstyle. However, this weapon offers less defense and is tougher to use against heavily armored enemies.
Using this weapon makes it harder to manage stagger or block compared to heavier weapons. It deals massive damage to spear-wielding enemies and focuses on heavy hits to defeat them. Complete the Dual Katana Quest and learn from Master Hanbei to acquire the Dual Katana. However, this weapon has lower damage output without upgrades. Dual Katana can quickly overwhelm enemies and allows for a quick succession of attacks.
The Dual Katanas are used to counter Spear and Naginata-wielding enemies. You also have a charged combo that you initiate by holding triangle. This one is very strong as it ends in an unblockable strike. However, you have to be careful not to get interrupted. You can also make each weapon more powerful by investing in its skill tree.
Unlock the upgrade for the Dual Katana to make it even more effective and parry incoming spear attacks. Unlock the Relentless Furry to continue your charged combo after a dodge. This means you no longer have to commit to the full combo. However, you can dodge at any point to avoid enemy attacks, then continue your attack chain by pressing triangle again.
Each weapon has a unique spirit attack that needs to be unlocked. For the Dual Katana, you need to complete the mythic tail that starts on the Coastal Dueling Tree. This Takazo’s dual slash allows you to perform two graceful strikes that you can use to dance between two different enemies or hit the same target twice. They interrupt as well, meaning they’ll mock an enemy out of their attack if they are preparing one.
Kusarigama
Kusarigama is a very versatile weapon in Ghost of Yetoi, allowing you to disarm shielded enemies. You can use it for stealth and surprise hits. Shielded enemies are the nastiest ones, and using this weapon against them can make your day. However, this weapon is slower than dual swords in many combos. It requires spacing and timing, and is weaker when enemies are very mobile or in tight corridors.
Use Kusarigama to push surrounding enemies back and pull off bloody assassinations while in tall grass. Attack the enemies from a far distance and different angles. Use this weapon while in stealth mode to disarm the enemies who are wearing shields. Progress in the Kitsune questline eliminates the Nine Tails to get your hands on the Kusarigama. However, this weapon is not effective against armored opponents. Versatile for stealth attacks, and is excellent for crowd control.
Your range varies wildly depending on which attacks you’re using. Light attacks use the blade, and while they are very quick, they have a short range. The heavy attacks that use the ball and chain can hit enemies from really far. They are excellent at breaking shields, which is the main use of the Kusarigama.
By holding down the heavy attack button, you will charge an attack that swings the ball and chain in a wide arc around you. This is perfect for dealing damage to groups, especially if enemies are surrounding you. This attack can be upgraded to a three-hit combo, which I definitely recommend. This weapon also has a benefit for stealth players, as you can use a somewhat similar technique to assassinate a target from range.
Quick Fire
Quickfire Tools allows you to change the pace of a battle. It consists of items like your Kunai, Smoke Bombs, and other utilities. Metsubushi and Smoke Bombs are included in it, allowing you to distract enemies. However, this weapon consumes items and has a limited carry capacity. Below are all the Quick Fire weapons in Ghost of Yotei.
- Kunai
- Smoke Bomb
- Metsubushi
- Tanzutsu
- Oni Flame
- Scorch Bomb
- Blind Bomb
Save the Oni’s Flame when fighting bosses, so fights end much quicker. Get the Oni’s Flame by just progressing the main story in Ishikari Plains, specifically the main story quest, Twin Wolves, and Twin Hearts, which will automatically unlock this sub weapon after completion.
The smoke bomb plays a great role while fighting the enemies. Not only does this sub-weapon give you an easy way to chain assassinate targets in a flash, but it also provides healing thanks to the charm of Masaka. Very useful when you need to heal and break from a group of enemies if getting overwhelmed. This is another healing source for the undying samurai.
Camp enemy leaders can easily be blinded by the smoke, so you can pull off a Kosarigama stealth skill or do a critical hit. Get this awesome sub weapon by just progressing the main story in Tesio Ridge, specifically the Poison and Lies main story quest.
You can throw the blind bomb to inflict stagger damage to multiple targets. So, you can farm for heals by staggering targets with heavy attacks. Get the blind bomb by progressing Ena’s quest in the Ishikari plane.
B-Tier
Yari
Yari is a spear that allows you to keep enemies at bay. Use it to interrupt enemy attacks and is good for crowd control or when you want to poke. You can throw it to defeat the enemies or deal a chunk of massive damage. However, this weapon has lower damage against heavy armor and is not effective in tight corridors. The straight-headed spear can deal damage from a distance because it has a longer reach. Use this weapon to deal damage to sickle-wielding enemies, as it focuses on sweeps and stabs. Progress in the Oni questline and eliminate Yari Master to let him teach you.
Yari has an amazing reach that is mostly used to counter enemies wielding a Kusarigama or other short-bladed weapons. It’s a bit on the slower side, but it has some special attacks that make it very powerful. Your charged heavy attack is typhoon kick, which launches an enemy back to give you some breathing room.
The spirit attack, thundering wave, is also really good, as you charge straight at an enemy to impale them to deal a lot of damage. The Yari has a unique sprinting attack as well, called Typhoon Sweep. Pressing heavy attack while running swings the spear in a wide arc in front of you. This allows you to interrupt enemies and knock them down. This gives you enough time to follow up with stabs as they are recovering.
Odachi
Odachi in Ghost of Yotei is a sword for eliminating massive enemies. This weapon is excellent for dealing with heavily armored enemies, as it has damage. Use it to break through defenses in combat. However, it has slow wind-ups and is less effective while facing a cluster of enemies. We recommend using this sword when no other weapon is working to finish off foes. The two-handed katanas can dominate large enemies with heavy strokes and slashes. Progress in the Saito Brothers questline and learn from Master Yoshida.
Odachi is mainly used to counter the heavy brute-type enemies. Its swings are very slow, but they deal a ton of damage. Instead of a charge attack, you gain access to Bulwark Stance by holding the triangle. This blocks all incoming attacks, and when you release the button, you push back and stun your opponent. It might seem a bit overwhelming, but it can be upgraded with a follow-up combo. This one is very powerful and can even counter the red attacks that you otherwise have to dodge if you unlock the Indomitable Counter skill.
The spirit attack of Odachi is refreshingly straightforward, as this massive swing deals massive stagger damage. If you break the enemy’s guard and they survive, they will still be stunned. This allows you to follow up with an execution attack that will likely finish them off.
Bows
The bow in Ghost of Yotei is a ranged weapon that lets you silently eliminate enemies from afar. This weapon is ideal for stealth kills from a distance. The bow is a precision ranged weapon that fires arrows. You unlock the bow early in the game during a main story quest. Kaito teaches you how to hunt deer and bandits using the bow. You receive the bow permanently after completing the hunting tutorial. However, the bow deals less damage and requires more precision. This is ideal while attempting to sneak into places.
C-Tier
Tanegashima Matchlock
Tanegashima Matchlock offers high damage and the unique ability to shoot through enemy defenses. Its bullets can penetrate any enemy defense, making it a potent tool. An upgrade provides a shrapnel ammo type that explodes to stagger enemies and make them vulnerable to other attacks. The reload speed is notably slow, which can leave you vulnerable. Ammunition for the matchlock is scarce and costly. Firing the Tanegashima is incredibly loud, alerting all nearby enemies.
