Know Your Enemy
Conquer the Mongol invaders by understanding their strengths and weaknesses. This guide details how to identify and exploit the different enemy types you'll face across Tsushima, from the heavily armored samurai to the swift archers. Mastering these encounters is key to survival and earning the 'Know Your Enemy' achievement.
To achieve the 'Know Your Enemy' trophy, you must defeat at least one of each type of Mongol enemy. These formidable foes are scattered throughout the island, and recognizing their combat styles is crucial for survival. Pay close attention to their armor, weaponry, and attack patterns. For instance, the heavily armored Mongols require precise parries or explosive attacks to break their guard, while archers are best dealt with using stealth or quick dodges.
Here's a breakdown of the primary enemy types you'll encounter and how to approach them:
- Swordsmen: The most common enemy. They rely on basic sword combos. Perfect parries are your best friend here, leading to devastating counter-attacks.
- Spearmen: These enemies have longer reach and can be dangerous in groups. Their lunging attacks can be dodged to the side, and their spears can be broken with heavy attacks or specific stances.
- Brutes: Large, heavily armored Mongols. They are slow but hit hard. Their attacks are telegraphed, allowing for dodges. Use the Ghost Stance or heavy attacks to break their armor.
- Archers: Positioned at a distance, they can pepper you with arrows. Stealth is ideal for taking them out before they become a threat. If engaged directly, use cover and quick dodges.
- Shield Bearers: These Mongols use large shields to block frontal attacks. You'll need to flank them, use explosive arrows, or employ the Ghost Stance to bypass their defenses.
- Assassins: Swift and deadly, these enemies can quickly close the distance and unleash rapid combos. They often employ smoke bombs. Focus on dodging and looking for openings.
The 'Know Your Enemy' achievement is earned by simply engaging and defeating each of these distinct enemy types at least once. There's no specific location for this; as you progress through the main story and explore the world, you'll naturally encounter them. Keep an eye out for unique enemy variants as well, though defeating the standard versions is sufficient for the trophy.
| Enemy Type | Key Weakness/Strategy |
|---|---|
| Swordsman | Perfect Parries, Ghost Stance |
| Spearman | Side Dodges, Heavy Attacks |
| Brute | Dodging, Ghost Stance, Explosives |
| Archer | Stealth, Cover, Quick Dodges |
| Shield Bearer | Flanking, Explosive Arrows, Ghost Stance |
| Assassin | Dodging, Observation, Quick Counters |
By familiarizing yourself with these combat archetypes and adapting your tactics accordingly, you'll not only survive the Mongol onslaught but also unlock the 'Know Your Enemy' trophy, sifying your mastery over the invaders.