You’re standing on a cliffside in Izuhara. The wind is whipping through the pampas grass, and the game is practically begging you to take a photo. But before you can go anywhere, you have to make a choice that—honestly—feels way more stressful than it should be. You have to pick your horse. For most players, it’s a three-way split between a white, black, or dappled mount. But if you shelled out for the Digital Deluxe Edition or the Director’s Cut, there’s a fourth option shimmering in the menus: the Ghost of Tsushima deluxe horse. It’s golden. It’s flashy. And it’s arguably the most debated cosmetic choice in the entire community.
Does it run faster? No. Does it have more health? Not really. Does it make you look like a legendary samurai who spends way too much time grooming his ride while the Mongols are literally burning down the island? Absolutely.
Picking your horse in Sucker Punch’s masterpiece isn't just a "press X to mount" situation. It’s an emotional anchor. Because of the way the story unfolds, that animal becomes your primary companion in a world where everyone else is either dying or betraying you. The deluxe horse—that distinct brown-gold coat—isn't just a skin. It’s a statement of intent.
The Aesthetic Reality of the Golden Steer
Let’s get the technicalities out of the way because people always ask the same thing: is the Ghost of Tsushima deluxe horse actually better?
The short answer is a flat no.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, every horse in the game is identical. Whether you pick the "thin" digital deluxe horse or the bulky black stallion from the standard edition, your sprint speed is the same. Your stamina—or lack thereof, since horses don't really tire out in the traditional sense here—is identical. Sucker Punch was very careful not to gate actual gameplay advantages behind a paywall or a special edition. This isn't an RPG where you're grinding for "Horse Speed +5."
The deluxe horse is officially described as a "brown" horse, but that’s a massive understatement. Under the sunlight of Tsushima, it has a metallic, golden sheen. It looks expensive. It looks like something a high-ranking Lord Shimura would gift to a favorite nephew.
The real value lies in the visual contrast. Most of the early game armor sets, like the Traveler’s Attire or the Samurai Clan Armor, feature earthy tones. The golden coat of the deluxe horse pops against the muddy reds and deep greens of the environment. If you’re a fan of the Kurosawa Mode (the black and white filter), the deluxe horse actually provides a unique grayscale texture that stands out more than the pure white or pure black options.
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A Quick Note on the "Noble" Vibe
There is something deeply satisfying about riding into a Mongol camp on a horse that looks like it belongs in a museum. Most players who choose the deluxe mount do so because they want Jin Sakai to feel like the noble he was born to be, right before he descends into the "Ghost" persona. It creates a tragic irony. You have this beautiful, regal animal carrying a man who is increasingly covered in blood, mud, and the shame of "dishonorable" tactics.
How Do You Actually Get It?
If you’re looking at your stable right now and only see three options, don't panic. You didn't necessarily get ripped off. To access the Ghost of Tsushima deluxe horse, you must own either the original Digital Deluxe Edition (which is mostly phased out now) or the Director’s Cut.
When you reach the "Honor and Ash" or "The Warrior's Code" segments early in Act 1, you’ll be prompted to choose your horse and its name (Nobu, Sora, or Kage). If you have the entitlement on your account, the golden-brown horse will simply be there as a fourth selection.
Pro Tip: If you bought the Director's Cut upgrade after starting a standard game, you won't be able to swap your current horse for the deluxe one immediately. You’re bonded to that first horse. You’ll have to wait until a specific narrative beat later in the game—no spoilers, but you'll know it when it happens—to pick a "new" horse. At that point, the deluxe option should become available if you didn't pick it at the start.
The Name Matters (Wait, Not Really, But Kind Of)
You get to name your horse.
- Nobu (Trust)
- Sora (Sky)
- Kage (Shadow)
There is a weird psychological effect when you pair the Ghost of Tsushima deluxe horse with the name "Kage." Shadow? For a horse that looks like a literal sunbeam? It’s a bit of a mismatch. Most players tend to go with "Nobu" for the deluxe horse. It feels sturdy. It feels "deluxe."
The Tragedy of Choice: Why People Regret the Deluxe Horse
Here is the thing about Ghost of Tsushima that no one tells you when you're looking at the "Buy Now" button on the PlayStation Store. The game wants you to love this horse. It forces you to spend hours with it. You pet it. It nuzzles you when you wake up after a fast travel.
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Because the deluxe horse is so visually distinct, some players find that it actually breaks the immersion later in the game. When Jin is supposed to be hiding in the shadows, riding a glowing golden horse feels a bit like wearing a neon sign that says "HERE IS THE GHOST."
Also, there's the "New Game Plus" factor. In NG+, you get access to a different horse—the one with the thin, ghostly white coat and red mane. Many veterans of the game argue that the NG+ horse is actually "cooler" than the deluxe horse. If you’re planning on playing the game through multiple times, the deluxe horse might lose its luster once you see the other specialized options.
Does the Horse Armor Work With It?
With the release of the Iki Island expansion in the Director's Cut, horse utility skyrocketed. You can now get Sakai Horse Armor.
Does the Ghost of Tsushima deluxe horse look good in armor?
Yes. Better than the others, actually.
The Sakai Horse Armor has deep blues and metallic plates. When you drape that over the golden coat of the deluxe horse, Jin looks less like a guerilla fighter and more like a God of War. If you’re going for a "heavy cavalry" build where you use the Horse Charge mechanic to steamroll through enemies, the deluxe horse feels right. It has a visual weight to it that the spindly white horse lacks.
Technical Troubleshooting: "My Horse is Missing!"
I’ve seen this on Reddit a thousand times. Someone buys the Director's Cut, but the Ghost of Tsushima deluxe horse isn't showing up.
First, check your licenses. On PlayStation, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. This usually fixes the "missing DLC" bug.
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Second, make sure you actually downloaded the "Hero of Tsushima" pack. Even if the game is installed, sometimes the individual cosmetic entitlements need a manual "start download" click from the library.
Third, and this is the most common mistake: you cannot change your horse's breed at a whim. If you already picked the dappled horse at the start of the game, you are stuck with it for several dozen hours. You can't just go to a stable and "swap" to the deluxe horse. You have to commit.
The "End Game" Perspective
Eventually, the color of your horse becomes a secondary concern to the charms you’ve equipped and the stance you’re mastering. But for those first 20 hours? That horse is your lifeline.
The Ghost of Tsushima deluxe horse isn't a "win button." It’s a "vibe button." It’s for the player who wants their screenshots to look like a high-budget historical epic. It’s for the player who wants to feel a bit more "legendary" than the average samurai.
If you’re a completionist, you want it because it’s there. If you’re a minimalist, you might actually prefer the standard black horse because it fits the "Ghost" aesthetic better. Honestly, it's all about how you want to tell Jin's story.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you are just starting your journey or considering the upgrade, here is how to handle the horse situation:
- Evaluate your playstyle: If you plan on taking hundreds of photos, the deluxe horse provides the best lighting interactions in the game. The "gold" reflects the environment beautifully.
- Check your version: Don't buy the standalone "Hero of Tsushima" pack if you already plan on getting the Director's Cut; it's included.
- Don't rush the choice: Sit at the selection screen for a minute. Look at the coat in the light. Once you pick, that animal is your partner for a massive chunk of the story.
- Pair with the right armor: The deluxe horse looks incredible with the Sakai Clan Armor (Rank II or III) but looks a bit weird with the neon-colored dyed outfits from the Black Dye merchant. Keep your fashion consistent.
- Iki Island Priority: If you have the deluxe horse, head to Iki Island as soon as Act 2 starts to get the Horse Armor and the Saddlebags. It turns your cosmetic luxury into a functional powerhouse.
The deluxe horse is a badge of honor for fans of the game. It’s a reminder of the journey's start. Whether you call him Nobu or Kage, just make sure you take a moment to hit the R2 button and let Jin pet him. He’s earned it.