Ghost of Tsushima gets a lot of points for its stunning visuals, and rightly so. But great graphics aside, combat remains the main draw of Jin Sakai’s fight against the Mongol invasion of Tsushima. It is rare to see games that allow their narrative framework to form the crux of core gameplay mechanics.

But that’s just what this game does, requiring Jin to observe Mongol Leaders train to get a better sense of their fighting styles – and how best to counter them. Observing Leaders before engaging them rewards Jin with a Stance Point which can then be used to unlock the four stances – stone, water, wind, and moon. Each stance is used to fight against a specific weapon type, and switching between them with deadly grace is simply a journey that begins with a little homework on Jin’s part.

The Biggest and Baddest Mongols on Tsushima

Like their boss Khotun Khan, Mongol Leaders like to stay in protected areas of their respective camps. They are by no means easy to kill, however, and can make short work of any samurai careless enough to take them on unprepared.

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They can be found training almost constantly in their camps, wearing elaborate armor that makes them stand out. A trained ear could also help in identifying them by their battle cries once Jin is close enough.

While Jin is rewarded with a Stance Point for defeating a Mongol Leader, observing them beforehand rewards another. This essentially doubles the speed at which you unlock the four stances and become the deadliest swordsman on the island.

But observing these elusive Leaders train can be easier said than done. Our guide is here to help.

How to Observe Leaders in Ghost of Tsushima

Note that you can only observe Leaders in camps where the objectives clearly state that you can do so.

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First of all, it is important to enter any of these encampments stealthily. You should be able to detect a broken wall or fence to get through to cover. Use covers like pampas grass or nearby buildings to mask your approach. Take to the rooftops whenever possible, as you will need to get close enough to the Leader while being able to properly observe them.

Once you are close enough with the Leader in view, you get the prompt to observe them by holding down the R2 button until the observation bar fills up, granting you the Stance Point. You are now free to take on the Leader for another one or simply vanish from the camp like the ghost you are.

Looking for more ways to make life in Tsushima a bit easier? Our dedicated guides are sure to help!