Mongol Leaders are the elite officers who run Mongol territories, lead patrols and serve Khotun Khan as generals and warlords. Observing and killing them is how Jin unlocks the Water, Wind and Moon stances.
Leaders use two-handed swords, twin blades, shields or polearms. They throw unblockables, ignite their swords with the Way of the Flame and follow a halberd thrust with a sweep. Like ronin, they can dodge or parry your heavy attacks, and they soak far more damage than regular troops.
They are rare in Izuhara and Toyotama early on and become common from Act 2. In Kamiagata, patrols often include several black-armoured leaders. Some forts end in a duel with a leader once you clear them.
After The Ghost of Yarikawa you get the Ghost Stance. Sneak up on a leader and you slaughter him outright, which can terrify his men and fully charges the Ghost Stance. Any leader dies instantly to a Ghost Stance strike, and they fall to Standoffs and Standoff streaks like anyone else.