Ghost of Tsushima enemies

Bandits

Bandits are the island's common criminals, attacking villagers, Mongols, ronin and Jin alike. They are a secondary enemy in Izuhara during Act 1, poorly armed and predictable, but reckless enough to hurt you.

Eagle Tribe

The Eagle Tribe is the Mongol force that has taken Iki Island, led by the shaman Ankhsar Khatun, called the Eagle. They are the main enemy of the Iki Island expansion, and their purple-uniformed troops bring units you never see on Tsushima.

Mongol Archers

Mongol Archers are the bowmen at the back of every Mongol group. They are fragile up close but chip away at you from off-screen, so kill them early or close the distance fast.

Mongol Eagle Bearers

Mongol Eagle Bearers are archers or swordsmen paired with a trained eagle that circles overhead and spots you. They fight like normal soldiers, but the bird makes sneaking up on their group much harder.

Mongol Sappers

Mongol Sappers are bomb throwers who hang back and lob explosives into the fight. They are rare and fragile, so taking them out first stops the flashes and fire that make a group fight messy.

Mongol Soldiers

Mongol Soldiers are the main enemy army in Ghost of Tsushima, the troops Khotun Khan uses to take the island. You fight them everywhere, and knowing their class and uniform colour tells you which stance to use and how hard they hit.

Mongolian Brutes

Mongolian Brutes are the huge Mongol heavies who tower over Jin and shrug off normal hits. They don't flinch and their attacks can't be blocked, so you need the Moon Stance, unlocked after 15 Mongol leader observations or kills, to stagger them.

Mongolian Shieldmen

Mongolian Shieldmen are Mongol soldiers who carry a shield in their off hand and block most of what you throw at them. Water Stance heavy attacks crack their guard, so unlock it early by observing or killing three Mongol leaders.

Mongolian Spearmen

Mongolian Spearmen are Mongol polearm fighters who use their reach to hit you from outside sword range. None of their attacks can be blocked, so you need the Wind Stance, unlocked after eight Mongol leader observations or kills, to handle them well.

Mongolian Swordsmen

Mongolian Swordsmen are the sword-armed Mongol troops you meet most often on Tsushima and Iki. They attack fast in long combos, so the Stone Stance, which you have from the Prologue, is the tool for breaking them.

Ronin

Ronin are masterless samurai who start as allies in Act 1 and become a regular enemy from Act 2. They fight like Jin, parrying and countering, so each one is a proper duel even though they come in small groups.

Shamans

Shamans are Eagle Tribe support units on Iki Island who stay at the back and chant to power up nearby Mongols. Buffed soldiers get double health and turn far more aggressive, so the shaman is your first target.

Switchers

Switchers are purple-tier Eagle Tribe soldiers on Iki Island who carry several weapons and swap between them mid-fight. You have to keep changing stance to match whatever they are holding.