Learn how to complete Takezo the Unrivaled mission in Ghost of Yotei: locations for all the Dueling Trees, tips for fighting Takezo’s disciples, and how to fight Takezo.
Table of contents
How to Start Takezo the Unrivaled
To start Takezo the Unrivaled, you’ll need to find Ugetsu the Storyteller at the Coastal Dueling Tree in the Yotei Grasslands. He’ll be at a camp near a tree with many talismans on it.
Talk to him and he’ll share the story of Takezo the Unrivaled. Your goal is to attract his attention and you’ll need to defeat five of his disciples to do so.
Duel Takezo’s Disciples
Takezo’s disciples will be found at dueling trees found in the Yotei Grassland and Tokachi Range. These are large, red-leaved trees that aren’t to be mistaken with hot spring trees.
Each of these disciples are fairly fierce and have their own gimmick combo. A common similarity they have is that they use a seven-strike combo attack. Watch out when any of them raise their katana without a glint, this is how they start their seven-strike combos.
Defeating a disciple will drop a Minor Charm, this mission alone will get you five more to add to your collection.
Duel Among The Graves
You’ll find a Dueling Tree just south of Shikotsu River and west of Lake Shikotsu in the Yotei Grasslands.
The disciple her uses a lot of dashes with his attacks, allowing him to cover a lot of ground quickly. Though what makes him unique among the disciples is his ability to use a disarming strike.
You’ll receive Takezo’s Charm of the Unrelenting Warrior for defeating him.
Takezo’s Charm of the Unrelenting Warrior
Deal bonus damage while at low Health.
Duel Before the Mountain
There is a Dueling Tree on the western edge of the Yotei Grasslands. It’ll be near the White Dye House and the Yotei River.
The Disciple that resides here uses a katana and a yari. His unique combo is that he has a blue glint katana attack where he thrusts quickly three times in a row.
When you see him hold his katana with two hands, sword parallel to the ground, and legs wide, that’s when he’ll thrust three times.
You’ll receive Takezo’s Charm of Renewed Determination for defeating him.
Takezo’s Charm of Renewed Determination
Earn a minor amount of Spirit when taking damage from an enemy.
Duel in the Marshlands
A short trip west of Saito’s Training Fortress is where you’ll find a Dueling Tree. It’s at the southwestern tip of the Tomamu Marshlands.
The disciple here is the most unpredictable as he uses normal, blue glint, and red glint attacks at unconventional angles. He also uses paired kama which are easier to deal with as he lacks any special combos with this.
He uses half-swording techniques where he’ll grip his blade for a three combo attack. This particular combo hurts, so dodge or parry when he has a blue glint and holding his blade.
You’ll receive Takezo’s Charm of Bracing Victory for defeating him.
Takezo’s Charm of Bracing Victory
A Killing Staggered enemies earns a minor amount of Health.
Duel Among Ruins
At the northeast corner of Tokachi Range, you’ll find a Dueling Tree next to Niikappu Falls. You can follow Niikappu River upstream and you’ll run into it.
This disciple uses a yari and a katana but favors the yari. He doesn’t have any special combos, but the tricky part is parrying his yari attacks.
Many of his yari attacks are delayed, so get a feel for his movements by dodging them then parrying them once you get understand his movements.
You’ll receive Takezo’s Charm of the Stout Heart for defeating him.
Takezo’s Charm of the Stout Heart
Increase potency of the Heal Technique by a major amount.
Duel Beneath Red Leaves
In the northwest corner of Tokachi Range is a Dueling Tree. The entrance is found at the bottom of some cliffs that you’ll need to squeeze through. Follow the path to find a lone red tree where the disciple waits.
This disciple follows the philosophy of “Spin to Win” and will perform a series of three spin attacks that both hurt and cover distance. Watch out for the blue glint as he holds his sword over his left arm, he’s going to spin attack when he does this.
You’ll receive Takezo’s Charm of Bold Deflection for defeating him.
Takezo’s Charm of Bold Deflection
Parrying inflicts a major amount of additional Stagger damage.
Meet Takezo the Unrivaled
After defeating all of Takezo’s Disciples, a vagabond will appear and talk to Atsu. He tells her that Takezo will meet her at the Dueling Tree down the river, towards the sea.
Return to the Dueling Tree where you talked to Ugetsu the Storyteller and started this quest. Sit on a stump near the campfire to wait for Takezo.
After a cutscene, follow Takezo towards the shore and into an arena. Now it’s time to face off against Takezo the Unrivaled.
Battle Against the Master
This fight will be broken up into two phases. He is here to test you to see if you are worthy of learning his secret technique.
Phase One
For the first phase, Takezo will only use a katana. His attacks are very similar to how his disciples attacks. He’ll use the triple thrust combo and attack at unconventional angles.
He strikes fast and hits hard, but it shouldn’t be anything you can’t handle as his disciples had similar moves. Spirit Attacks are a great way to get in some damage as they’re unblockable and will interrupt him.
Phase Two
After a cutscene, Takezo will use an oar as a Yari and may swap to his katana. Like the disciple from the ruins, Takezo’s Yari attacks will be delayed and have different parry timing. Study and dodge his movements, then parry when you have a feel for them.
When Takezo gets low on health, you’ll get a prompt that you can now use Takezo’s Dual Slash move for 1 Spirit. Press R2+⭘ to use this ability and end the duel.
After a cutscene, Takezo will ask that you master his five teachings and meet him at the top of the world. This will complete the quest and Takezo will await you at the top of Mount Yotei for the next mission, “The Five Teachings“.
