The Katana stands as Ghost of Yotei's best weapon, earning SS-tier status with its perfect balance of speed, power, and versatility. This comprehensive weapons tier list ranks all 13 weapons from SS to B tier, helping you dominate Ezo's battlefield with the optimal loadout for every encounter.
| Tier | Weapon | Combat Rating | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS | Katana (Wolf Blade) | 95/100 | Balanced dueling, precise strikes |
| S | Dual Katana | 92/100 | Fast combos, spear counters |
| S | Kusarigama | 90/100 | Stealth kills, shield breaking |
| S | Quickfire Tools | 88/100 | Tactical advantages, crowd control |
| A | Yari (Spear) | 85/100 | Reach advantage, sickle counters |
| A | Odachi | 83/100 | Heavy damage, large enemies |
| A | Bow (Hankyu) | 80/100 | Silent takedowns, precision shots |
| B | Tanegashima | 75/100 | Burst damage, armor piercing |
Combat Rating: 95/100 Best Use Case: Balanced dueling, precise strikes
Contents
The Katana, known as the Wolf Blade in Ghost of Yotei, earns its SS-tier status through sheer versatility and reliability. This curved blade excels in one-on-one duels where precision matters most, making it the perfect starting weapon that remains viable throughout your entire journey.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
How to Obtain: Start the game (default weapon)
Upgrade Path:
Combat Rating: 92/100 Best Use Case: Fast combos, spear counters
The Dual Katana setup transforms combat into a whirlwind of steel. These paired blades excel against spear-wielding enemies, using rapid strikes to overwhelm their defenses before they can establish range.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
How to Obtain: Complete "The Way of Dual Katana" Revenge Quest in Yotei Grasslands
Upgrade Path:
Combat Rating: 90/100 Best Use Case: Stealth kills, shield breaking
The Kusarigama revolutionizes your approach to combat with its unique chain-and-sickle design. This weapon shines in stealth scenarios, allowing you to drag enemies into killing range from unexpected angles.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Key Techniques:
How to Obtain: Complete The Kitsune questline, defeat Nine Tails
Combat Rating: 88/100 Best Use Case: Tactical advantages, crowd control
Quickfire Tools provide the tactical edge that separates good players from great ones. These aren't just supplements to melee combat—they're fight-winners when used strategically.
Available Tools:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Combat Rating: 85/100 Best Use Case: Reach advantage, sickle counters
The Yari spear excels when you need to maintain distance while dealing consistent damage. Its sweeping attacks and thrusting techniques make it particularly effective against sickle-wielding enemies who rely on close-range chains.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
How to Obtain: Complete "The Way of the Yari" Sensei quest in Ishikari Plain
Upgrade Path:
Combat Rating: 83/100 Best Use Case: Heavy damage, large enemies
The Odachi is Ghost of Yotei's BFK: Big Freakin' Katana. This massive two-handed sword sacrifices speed for devastating damage output that can break through the toughest defenses.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
How to Obtain: Complete "The Way of the Odachi" Sensei quest during "The Saito Brothers" Revenge quest
Upgrade Path:
Combat Rating: 80/100 Best Use Case: Silent takedowns, precision shots
The Hankyu bow offers quick draw capabilities, making it the most appropriate bow for active combat situations. While it doesn't have the raw power of the Yumi, its versatility and speed make it invaluable for stealth approaches.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Available Ammo Types:
How to Obtain: Complete "The Old Inn" Revenge Quest, purchase from Ran the Bowyer for 300 Coin
Combat Rating: 75/100 Best Use Case: Burst damage, armor piercing
The Tanegashima is the rifle option in Ghost of Yotei, dealing high-impact damage to enemies. While highly effective in battle, it takes time to reload and the shots are loud, making it less suitable for stealth approaches.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
How to Obtain: Progress Saito Brothers storyline through "The Storm Breaks"
Melee Weapons: Visit Father's Forge to upgrade using Metal and Oni Raider Mask Pieces Bows: Upgrade through Ran the Bowyer using coins and wood Bombs: Enhance via Ina the Bomb Maker with coins and Black Powder Guns: Improve through Matchlock Murata using coins and Gun Parts
| Enemy Type | Most Effective Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sword Users | Katana (Wolf Blade) | Balanced combat, perfect for duels |
| Polearm Users | Dual Katana | Speed overwhelms their reach advantage |
| Shield Users | Kusarigama | Best shield-breaking capabilities |
| Brutes/Large Enemies | Odachi | Heavy damage breaks through their defenses |
| Sickle Users | Yari | Reach advantage keeps you safe from close attacks |
| Archers | Yari or Bow | Maintains distance while eliminating threats |
The most effective warriors don't rely on single weapons—they adapt their loadout to each encounter. Master the art of switching weapons mid-combat to counter specific enemy types:
Certain weapon combinations create powerful synergies:
Effective weapon usage requires careful resource management:
The Katana (Wolf Blade) is considered the best weapon overall due to its perfect balance of speed, power, and versatility. It excels in one-on-one duels and remains effective throughout the entire game.
The Kusarigama is the best weapon for stealth builds, allowing you to drag enemies into killing range from unexpected angles and perform silent assassinations from tall grass.
Weapons are unlocked by completing specific quests throughout the game:
The Hankyu is a medium bow with faster draw speed and moderate damage, ideal for active combat. The Yumi is a longbow with higher damage but slower draw time, better for long-range precision shots.
Weapon upgrades are crucial for late-game success. Upgraded weapons deal significantly more damage and unlock new techniques, making them essential for challenging encounters and New Game+ content.
Yes, you can switch between weapons instantly during combat using the weapon wheel. This is essential for adapting to different enemy types and situations.
The Odachi is generally most effective against bosses and large enemies due to its high damage output and ability to break through tough defenses.
Ammunition can be purchased from merchants, crafted at camps, or found in the world. Different arrow types become available as you upgrade your bows.
All weapons are obtainable through normal gameplay progression, but some require completing specific side quests or advancing certain storylines.
The Katana (Wolf Blade) is the best weapon for beginners as it's available from the start, has balanced stats, and is effective against most enemy types you'll encounter early in the game.
Mastering Ghost of Yotei's diverse weapon system is key to becoming an unstoppable force in feudal Ezo. While the Katana stands as the top-tier weapon due to its versatility, each weapon serves a specific purpose and excels in different situations.
The most effective warriors adapt their loadout to each encounter, switching between weapons to counter specific enemy types and maximize their combat effectiveness. Whether you prefer the lightning-fast Dual Katana, the strategic Kusarigama, or the devastating Odachi, understanding each weapon's strengths and weaknesses will help you dominate any battlefield.
Remember to upgrade your weapons regularly, experiment with different loadouts, and don't be afraid to switch weapons mid-combat. The best weapon is ultimately the one that fits your playstyle and the current situation.
For the most up-to-date information and community discussions, join the official Discord server and Reddit community. Happy hunting in Ezo!
This guide was last updated in October 2025. Check back regularly for the latest weapon balance changes and meta shifts as Ghost of Yotei continues to evolve.