Weapons

Introduction

Ghost of Yotei replaces the stance system of its predecessor with a weapon counter system built around eight weapon types: the katana, yari, kusarigama, ōdachi, dual-wielded katanas, the hankyū bow, the tanegashima matchlock rifle and the tanzutsu pistol. Each weapon has its own reach, speed and role, and crucially each one is strong against specific enemy types — spearmen, brutes, fast assassins and guards all have a weapon that beats them. Beyond the eight main types, the toolkit includes disarming attacks that strip an enemy's weapon and thrown weapons that let you hurl whatever you pick up back at your foes. This category breaks down every weapon's stats, counter matchups and best use, so you can build a loadout that answers whatever Ezo throws at you, from camp raids to the duels and the Yotei Six.

Weapon Counter Matchup Table

Weapon Arsenal

Core Mechanics

The weapon counter system is the heart of Ghost of Yotei combat. Every enemy type in the game belongs to a category that a specific weapon beats, and fighting with the wrong weapon makes even basic enemies feel spongy while the right weapon turns fights into clean, satisfying exchanges. Each weapon type has its own moveset: the katana is the balanced all-rounder, the yari offers long reach and thrusts, the kusarigama sweeps crowds and can disarm, the ōdachi trades speed for posture-breaking power, and the dual katanas reward aggression with rapid flurries. Ranged options round out the toolkit — the bow handles stealth from distance while the tanegashima and tanzutsu bring early-modern gunpowder with real punch. Weapons can be upgraded and mastered over time, and legendary weapons add further variety, so the counter system rewards players who level a balanced arsenal rather than a single favourite.

Advantages

The weapons category is the definitive reference for Ghost of Yotei's combat identity. Because the counter system makes weapon choice matter in every single fight, a clear breakdown of matchups and roles is genuinely valuable — you will consult these guides every time you hit a new enemy type or struggle in a duel. The category also covers the practical side of the arsenal: where to find weapons, how upgrading and mastery work, which legendary weapons are worth chasing and how disarming and thrown weapons extend your options beyond the eight main types. For players building a loadout for the Yotei Six, New Game+ or Legends co-op, the weapon guides provide the foundation every build is built on.

Challenges

The main limitation of the weapons category is that matchups are only part of the fight — timing, posture and positioning matter just as much as choosing the right blade. A guide can tell you that the yari beats spearmen, but it cannot teach you the parry timing to make that advantage count. Ranged weapons also need context: the tanegashima's reload and the bow's draw time mean they are situational rather than universal. Finally, with balance updates possible after major patches, specific numbers can age, though the counter system's fundamentals are stable. Treat the matchup table as a starting point and practise the actual timing in combat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Tips