Ghost of Tsushima has some fun combat mechanics, including the ability to change your stance. There are four stances in Ghost of Tsushima, each one serving as its own approach to combat, with certain stances being more effective against certain enemy types. To simplify everything, we’ve put together a guide explaining how to change stance and what stances to use in Ghost of Tsushima.
How to change stance and what stance to use in Ghost of Tsushima
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In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin has four different stances he can use with each one offering an edge in certain combat scenarios. For example, the Water Stance is great for fighting shielded enemies. Having these stances available can help you better strategize your approach to various combat scenarios.
Unfortunately, you won’t have the four stances immediately available at the beginning of the game. Instead, you’ll need to work your way through the story, missions, quests, and clearing Mongol camps to gradually unlock each stance. A great way to unlock stances is by defeating Mongol leaders by clearing camps, and this tip is provided in the game as well.
Once you unlock various stances, there are four upgrades available under each one that you can unlock with Technique Points as well. Each of these upgrades also relates to the enemy type each stance is effective against. Using the Water Stance as an example again, you can unlock upgrades that give you even more of an edge against shielded enemies.
To switch between each stance, you’ll need to press R2 and the button designated for each stance. Below, we’ve listed how to switch to each one and what enemy types those stances are effective against.
- Stone Stance: R2 + X, effective against swordsmen.
- Water Stance: R2 + O, effective against shieldmen.
- Wind Stance: R2 + Triangle, effective against spearmen.
- Moon Stance: R2 + Square, effective against brutes.
© Sucker Punch
The more you use stances, the easier it’ll be to switch between them during a fight. You can start with the Water Stance and take out shieldmen, and then when swordsmen show up, you can switch over to the Stone Stance. If you stumble across a big brute, use the Moon Stance to reduce the hassle of taking them out.
Sick of getting poked at by spearmen? No problem! Use the Wind Stance to show those pesky spearmen who’s boss. If there’s an enemy type that you have a harder time with than others, like brutes, you can prioritize putting Technique Points in the Moon Stance category. No matter what your approach is, it’s well worth your time to unlock all four stances in the game, and learn how to use them and switch between them.
Now that you know how to change stance and what stance to use in Ghost of Tsushima, be sure to read through some of our other guides including:
- How to kick in Ghost of Tsushima
- How to observe leaders in Ghost of Tsushima
- Can you lock on or target enemies in Ghost of Tsushima?
