Ghost of Tsushima: Legends takes the best of what makes the main game so great and translates it into a coherent, well-executed multiplayer experience. With multiple game modes to tackle, and a dynamic, rewarding loot system to dive into, getting started is as simple as picking a starting class.

While the Samurai, Assassin, and Hunter function as offensive options with nuanced specialties, the Ronin is the group’s healer class while also being able to buff the team while debuffing enemies. Ronins occupy a unique place among the four classes in many ways, making them a worthwhile starting class to pick.

The Bleeding Hearts of Legends Teams

Ronins can be a challenging class to engage within the early stages of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends. Their role in early teams can be a little unclear, as they do not gain access to healing abilities until they level up a little. 

This makes them nothing more than distractions in early battles, functioning as a lure for enemies while other members of the party deal damage. However, these early stages are an opportunity to learn about how to play this unique class. 

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Getting used to playing the Ronin with supportive strategies in mind is the way to go, and further levels gradually begin to add value to that role. That’s because Ronins can be more than distractions. They can be the member of any party that can alter the course of the toughest fights in the game.

So what makes a Ronin tick in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends? 

How to Build the Best Ronin in Ghost of Tsushima’s Legends

Easily the most important parts of a good Ronin build is their ability to heal themselves and others. At higher levels of the game, this becomes the most crucial ability in a Ronin’s arsenal, allowing them to keep their teammates in the fight longer to ensure a constant stream of damage against enemies. 

To this end, it can be useful to approach the Ronin class as a defensive rather than offensive option. Your Katana is simply there to help you draw the attention of a particularly nasty enemy in the early stages so that your team can take them out while they are distracted.

As you make progress and begin to raise your Ki Level, you will want to look at specific Weapon Techniques, Perks, Charms, and Ghost Weapons to create a truly effective build for your Ronin that takes advantage of their healing abilities for your party. 

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To start with, choose Healing Incense as soon as you can at Level 10 to replace your Spirit Animal Class Ability. While the latter is useful, the former becomes invaluable at higher levels where the Spirit Animal just cannot survive against higher-level enemies – but your teammates can. 

By dropping the incense, you create a space for healing in a small area for yourself and your allies, unlocking Ronin’s true potential.

Your first Perk should be Ronin Unleashed to take advantage of the 15% Cooldown reduction for your Class Ability.  The more often you can use Healing Incense, the more your team can survive the onslaught of enemies in harder difficulties and even later on in the story. Weakening Burst can be a viable option as it reduces enemy damage and defense by 25%.

The second Perk for your Ronin should be a choice between Resolve Increase and Quick Regen which increase your max Resolve by one and improve healing and health regen by 50% respectively. Having increased resolve carries a lot of value in difficult encounters and should take priority over Quick Regen. 

The final Perk you should unlock for the Ronin is Soothing Breath which complements your Ultimate Ability, adding eight seconds of continuous heath regen to it. Since the Ronin gets access to Bombs right off the bat as opposed to other classes, the Sticky Bombs and Black Powder Bombs work very well against normal enemies and Oni alike. 

Using their stun and fire abilities in tandem can let your team make short work of mobs and bosses alike. They can make your Ronin invaluable to controlling crowds, creating room for your team to work their magic. As far as Charms are concerned, equipping the highest possible defense is crucial to ensuring your Ronin stays on their feet long enough to keep everyone else alive. Offensive Charms are wasted on this class, considering that they are not meant to be doing a lot of the fighting. 

Another important component of the best Ronin builds is the Spirit Kunai which grants a 15% reduction to all Cooldowns on every kill. This means that your Ronin can keep healing the team, and ensuring that the fight stays firmly in your favor. Remember, your Sword is simply a defensive option for the early game and a tight spot in difficult situations while you wait for help from another class. The Ronin was not built for an aggressive approach but thrives on a tactical one. 

Fancy a break from Ghost of Tsushima: Legends to dive back into the main story? Perhaps it’s time to finally unlock that elusive cosplayer trophy? Either way, our Ghost of Tsushima guides are sure to make it easier to walk Jin’s lonely path to redemption.