You’re standing there, Jin Sakai’s cape fluttering in the Tsushima breeze, and Sucker Punch throws the first big choice at you. Pick a horse. It feels like a standard RPG trope. You might think it’s just a skin, a cosmetic layer over a bunch of code that dictates how fast you can gallop across a field of pampas grass. But if you’ve played through the story, you know that the Ghost of Tsushima horse isn’t just a vehicle. It becomes the emotional anchor of the entire first two acts.
Choosing between the white, black, or dappled coat is the easy part. The real weight comes from the name. Nobu (Trust), Sora (Sky), or Kage (Shadow). Later, if you have the Digital Deluxe edition or the Director's Cut, you get that striking golden mane option, Kaze (Wind). Most players just pick what looks cool. I went with Kage on my first playthrough because, honestly, being a "Ghost" sort of demands a black horse, right? But the game tricks you into a deep psychological bond that most open-world titles fail to achieve.
The Mechanic of the Ghost of Tsushima Horse: Speed, Stamina, and Myth
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. There is no statistical difference between the horses. Your white horse isn't faster than the black one. They don't have hidden stamina bars that vary by breed. This isn't Red Dead Redemption 2 where you have to worry about weight management or specific breed courage levels. In Tsushima, your horse is a tireless tank.
It can leap off ledges that would probably break a real horse’s legs, and it has an uncanny ability to teleport behind you the moment you whistle. Sucker Punch designed this for flow. They didn't want you bogged down in realism; they wanted you to feel like a samurai on a mission. The horse acts as a constant, reliable extension of Jin himself.
However, the Iki Island expansion changed the game. If you’ve played the Director's Cut, you know about Horse Armor and the Horse Charge ability. This turned your mount from a transport method into a legitimate weapon. Plowing through a line of Mongol archers while armored up is one of the most satisfying power trips in the game. It uses Resolve, though, so you can't just spam it forever. You have to be tactical.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Every Bubbul Gem: Why the Map of Caves TOTK Actually Matters
Why the "Bond" Isn't Just Marketing Speak
Games often talk about "bonding" with animals, but Tsushima forces it through animation. Notice how Jin leans down to pet the horse while riding? Or how he sleeps next to it during those transition scenes? These aren't just filler. They are "micro-interactions" designed to lower your guard. When you're 30 hours deep into the Mongol invasion, that horse is the only thing that hasn't asked you for a favor or died in a bloody raid. It’s just... there.
The Heartbreak Most Players Didn't See Coming
If you haven't finished Act 2, stop reading. Seriously. Go finish it.
The fate of your first Ghost of Tsushima horse is a masterclass in narrative cruelty. When Jin escapes Shimura’s castle, the horse takes arrow after arrow. It keeps going. It’s a scripted sequence, but it feels personal because you chose the name. You chose the color. When it finally collapses on the snowy path into Kamiagata, the game leaves you truly alone.
It's a "low point" in the hero's journey. Losing your mount is the moment Jin truly loses his identity as a Samurai and fully embraces the Ghost. You’re forced to ride a "Thin Blood" horse for a while—a scrawny, slow, pathetic-looking animal that serves as a constant reminder of what you lost. It’s a brilliant bit of "gameplay as storytelling." You hate riding that scrawny horse. You miss your friend. And that’s exactly how Jin feels.
🔗 Read more: Playing A Link to the Past Switch: Why It Still Hits Different Today
Eventually, you get a second permanent horse. You get to pick a new name and a new color, but you can’t reuse the old ones. If your first horse was Kage, Kage is gone. Forever. Most players end up picking a name that honors the first one. It’s a digital memorial.
Exploring the Iki Island Horse Armor
If you’re looking to maximize your horse's utility, you need the Sakai Horse Armor. You find this on Iki Island by completing the "Legacy of Kazumasa Sakai" Mythic Tale. It’s not just a cosmetic upgrade.
- It makes your horse nearly impossible to dismount.
- It increases the damage of your Horse Charge.
- It looks absolutely terrifying to enemies.
The quest itself is a bit of a trip, involving a lot of shipwrecks and some tricky platforming, but the payoff is the best gear for your mount in the game. Honestly, the Iki Island content makes the horse feel like a true partner in combat rather than just a way to get from Point A to Point B.
What Most People Get Wrong About Horse Choice
People constantly ask if the horse choice affects the ending. It doesn't. Not in a "multiple endings" way. But it affects the vibe. A white horse (Nobu) looks incredible against the autumn leaves of the Golden Temple, providing a sharp contrast to Jin’s dark Ghost armor. A black horse (Kage) blends into the shadows during night raids, making you feel more like a ninja.
💡 You might also like: Plants vs Zombies Xbox One: Why Garden Warfare Still Slaps Years Later
There's also a misconception that the Deluxe Edition horse is "better." It’s not. It’s just gold. It’s flashy. If you like looking like a legendary hero from a scroll, go for it. If you want a grounded, gritty experience, stick to the standard breeds.
Taking Care of Your Companion
While you don't have to feed your horse, you can interact with it in small ways. After a heavy combat encounter, Jin will sometimes reflect on the battle while standing near the horse. These moments of quiet are where the game shines. Sucker Punch knew that the violence of the combat needed a counterweight. The horse is that peace.
Practical Steps for New Players
If you’re just starting your journey through Tsushima, keep these things in mind to get the most out of your mount:
- Don't overthink the first choice. Pick the color you like looking at. You’re going to be staring at it for a long time.
- Whistle constantly. Your horse is faster than you. Even for short distances, it saves time.
- Unlock the Horse Charge early on Iki. If you have the expansion, go to Iki Island as soon as it opens in Act 2. The Horse Charge changes how you approach Mongol camps.
- Collect the Saddles. There are dozens of saddles hidden in the world (look for Cricket graves and collectibles). They don't change stats, but they let you customize your look.
- Cherish the quiet moments. Take those Photo Mode shots. The lighting in this game is world-class, and your horse is the perfect model.
The Ghost of Tsushima horse is more than a tool. It's a testament to how good game design can make us care about a collection of pixels. When you finally reach the end of Jin’s story, you’ll realize that the journey wasn't just about reclaiming an island—it was about the companions we lost along the way.