You're freezing. Your screen is turning white with frost, Jin Sakai is shivering uncontrollably, and the wind is howling so loud you can barely hear the music. This is the reality of The Undying Flame Ghost of Tsushima mythic tale. Most players stumble into this quest while exploring the frozen heights of Mount Jogaku in the Kamiagata region, usually right after they've grown tired of being shot at by Mongol archers. It’s arguably the most atmospheric mission Sucker Punch ever designed. It’s also the one that makes you realize how much you take "warmth" for granted in a video game.
Honestly, the rewards are worth the hypothermia. You get the Way of the Flame. It basically lets you ignite your katana using incendiary oil, turning Jin into a whirlwind of fire and steel. Against shieldmen or those annoying heavy soldiers, it's a total game-changer. But getting there? That’s the hard part.
The Brutal Ascent of Mount Jogaku
To even start The Undying Flame Ghost of Tsushima, you need to find Yamato, the musician. He’s sitting by a campfire at the base of the mountain. He tells you the legend of a flame that never goes out, perched at the peak of a mountain so cold it kills anyone who tries to climb it. He’s not exaggerating. The moment you step away from that initial campfire, a "cold" meter starts ticking. If it fills up, Jin dies. Simple as that.
The level design here is genius because it forces you to stop being a "ghost" and start being a survivalist. You have to sprint from campfire to campfire. Sometimes you see a faint orange glow in the distance through the blizzard—that’s your lifeline. You reach it, Jin warms his hands for a second, the frost clears from your HUD, and then you have to dive back into the white-out.
There’s a specific section halfway up where the path branches. If you go the wrong way, you’re dead. You have to look for the lanterns. Sucker Punch uses light as a breadcrumb trail better than almost any other developer in the industry. It reminds me of the "bonfire" mechanics in Dark Souls, but with the added pressure of an environmental timer that is actively trying to end your run. You aren't just fighting Mongols; you're fighting the island itself.
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Finding the Rhythm of the Fire
It’s not just about running. You’ve got to climb. There are several segments where you have to use the iron hook to swing across gaps. Doing this while your screen is fading to white creates a genuine sense of panic. Most people fail this quest at least once because they try to be too careful. In The Undying Flame Ghost of Tsushima, hesitation is what kills you. You have to move fast, find the wood for the unlit pyres, and strike them quickly.
Once you finally reach the summit, the blizzard stops. The silence is jarring. You find a lone dojo and a master who is waiting to teach you the secret. But he won't just hand it over. You have to duel him.
Dueling for the Way of the Flame
The duel against Bettomaru is one of the more unique encounters in the game. He uses the very technique you’re trying to learn. This means his sword is constantly on fire, and you can’t parry a flaming sword with your bare steel—it’ll burn right through your guard. You have to dodge. A lot.
It’s a masterclass in teaching a mechanic through gameplay. By forcing you to fight a guy using the Way of the Flame, the game shows you exactly how powerful (and terrifying) the move is before you ever get to use it yourself. The fight feels personal. It’s just two men on a frozen peak, surrounded by a ring of fire.
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- Tip 1: Don't try to parry the fire. Stick to the Water Stance or Stone Stance and focus on dodging until his blade goes out.
- Tip 2: Use your resolve for healing, not specials. The fire damage lingers.
- The Reward: Once you beat him, you get the Incendiary Oil. This is a limited resource, but you can restock it at any trapper or find it in the world.
Why This Quest Matters for Your Build
Once you’ve completed The Undying Flame Ghost of Tsushima, the Way of the Flame becomes a core part of your late-game kit. It’s found in the "Ghost" tab of your techniques. When you activate it by pressing R1 while your sword is drawn (and you have oil), your katana ignites.
Why is this so good? Because it makes your attacks unblockable for a short duration. If you’re playing on Lethal or Lethal+ difficulty, breaking a guard can be the difference between winning a fight in three seconds or dying in one. The fire also has a chance to spread to nearby enemies, causing them to panic. An enemy on fire is an enemy that isn't attacking you. They stop, they scream, and they try to put out the flames. That gives you a window to pick off their friends.
It also pairs incredibly well with the Charm of Enduring Affliction and the Charm of Fire Start. If you build Jin Sakai as a "Fire God" build, you can basically clear entire Mongol camps without ever needing to parry a single blow. You just burn your way through the front gate. It's not very "samurai," but Lord Shimura isn't here to judge you on Mount Jogaku.
Common Misconceptions About the Quest
A lot of players think you need high-level armor to survive the cold. You don't. The cold damage is scripted. Whether you're wearing the Gosaku Armor or the Traveler’s Attire, the frost builds up at the exact same rate. The only thing that saves you is the campfire.
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Another mistake? Thinking you can use the horse. Nobu (or Sora/Kage) can't make the climb. This is a solo trek. You’re also going to encounter some wolves. Don't waste time fighting them properly. Use a Kunai and keep running. The goal is the next fire, not a pelt.
Practical Steps for Success
If you're about to head up the mountain, here is exactly how you should handle it to avoid the frustration of a dozen restarts:
- Check your Oil: Make sure you aren't actually carrying full oil before the quest. Sometimes the game glitches if your inventory is weirdly full, though this was mostly patched in the Director's Cut.
- Look Up: The next campfire is usually higher than you think. Don't just look along the path; look for the orange glow on the cliffs above.
- Ignite the Pyres: There are several unlit stone lanterns along the way. You have to interact with them to light them. This creates a new "checkpoint" for your warmth.
- Master the Dodge: In the final duel, don't get greedy. Strike twice, then back off. The fire damage is no joke.
- Equip the Right Charms: After the quest, if you plan on using this style, go find the Charm of Amaterasu. It restores health on kills, which helps if you're playing aggressively with the flame.
Once the duel is over and you’ve learned the technique, the journey back down is much easier. You’ve mastered the element that was trying to kill you. That’s the core theme of The Undying Flame Ghost of Tsushima—taking the harsh, unforgiving nature of the island and turning it into a weapon to take back your home. It’s a perfect microcosm of Jin’s entire journey from honorable samurai to the Ghost of Tsushima.
Go get that oil, climb the mountain, and stop worrying about the cold. The fire is worth the frostbite.