Rise of the Ronin: Best Combat Styles and How To Unlock Them

Rise of the Ronin, Team Ninja’s action-adventure game has already impressed with its extensive fighting system and rich cast of characters. Featuring more than 15 different combat styles to learn, players unlock and work on their fighting skills to survive the violent late 19th century Japan depicted in the game.

Unlocking all Combat Styles

Rise of the Ronin is a rewarding yet challenging journey to unlock the full complement of combat styles. A style is associated with a specific type of weapon, ranging from the swift dual swords of the Niten Ichi-ryu to the ferocious Odachi of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu.

But to unlock these styles of combat, players must first defeat some key bosses or complete certain character-driven questlines. This is how to unlock the different combat styles in the game:

Paired Swords:

• Kyoshin Meichi-ryu: Defeat Juzo Inayama
• Ichi-ryu: Niten Ichi-ryu: Can be learned from Genzui Kusaka
• Tennen Rishin-ryu: Can be learned from Toshizo Hijikata

Odachi:

• Shinto Munen-ryu: Beat Punch-Drunk Kanta (learned from Shinpachi Nagakura)
• Nodachi Jigen-ryu: Strengthen relationship with Gonzo
• Jigen-ryu: Can be learned from Toshimichi Okubo
• Yagyu Shingake-ryu: (Learn from Yoshinobu Tokugawa)
• Tennen Rishin-ryu: Learn from Isami Kondo (
• Shinto Munen-ryu: Can be learned from Shinpachi Nagakura

Greatsword:

• Hoshin-ryu: Beat Temple-Crasher Yosuke, (Can be taught by Koto Nakazawa)
• Tennen Rishin-ryu: Defeat Gennai Inoko, Can be learned from Isami Kondo

Saber:

• US Training: Defeat Grigori the Immortal, Can be learned from Matthew Perry

Blade of Oxtail:

• Kiheitai Style: Kill Green-Eyed Sanzaemon (Learn from Shinsaku Takasugi).

Bayonet:

• Kiheitai Style: Defeat Shirodayu Shirame, Can be learned from Hirobumi Ito

Polearm:

• Hokushin Itto-ryu: Learn from Sana Chiba: How to beat Wild Tiger Mio
• Shinto Munen-ryu: Can be learned from Shinsaku Takasugi
• Hayabusa-ryu: Can be learned from Yasusuke Sawamura

Katana:

• Hokushin Itto-ryu: Befriend Ryoma Sakamoto
• Tatsumi-ryu: Befriend Yukichi Fukuzawa
• Shinto Munen-ryu: Befriend Kogoto Katsura
• Yagyu Shingake-ryu: Befriend Shinsaku Takasugi
• Tennen Rishin-ryu: Befriend Soji Okita
• Mugai-ryu: Befriend Hajime Saito
• Hayabusa-ryu: Befriend Yasusuke Sawamura

Spear:

• Hozoin-ryu: Can be learned from Aritomo Yamagata

Taking the time to unlock these combat styles is key because each one has its very own playstyle and skill set. Those who stick to a few particular styles may struggle against the game’s more challenging challenges while those who spread out their skillset will cope much more easily with adjusting to different situations.

The Best Combat Styles

So many styles to pick from, it can be confusing for players to determine what are the very best in Rise of the Ronin. But after extensive analysis and playtesting, several styles have stood out for damage output, flexibility, and overall effectiveness.

Oxtail Blade – Kihetai Style

The Oxtail Blade’s Kihetai style is a revelation, combining fast, acrobatic moves with slashing attacks. The “fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee” mentality of the style means players can burst in and out of combat quickly and dish out heavy hits while avoiding retribution. The combos flow easily in the Kihetai style and are a good fit for players who value offensive ability as well as defensive mobility.

Greatsword – Hoshin-ryu

Greatswords in Rise of the Ronin are notoriously cumbersome and unwieldy to use. But the Hoshin-ryu combat style turns the greatsword into a lightweight but deadly weapon. Combining leaping attacks and devastating smashes, Hoshin-ryu gives greatsword users a flexibility and destructive potential not matched by other styles.

Bayonet – Kihetai Style

The Kihetai style is another versatile option that can be used outside the Oxtail Blade and is also a good fit for the Bayonet. Combining rifle and naginata- style sweeping strikes, the Kihetai Bayonet style provides a ranged-to-melee playstyle that can elude opponents. A three-round burst attack further increases the lethality of the Kihetai Bayonet.

Polearm – Hayabusa-ryu

For the Polearm weapon class, Hayabusa-ryu combat style is the clear winner. Its sweeping effects and fast combos make it an excellent choice for facing multiple enemies or staying away from foes. The flashy, acrobatic moves also make the Hayabusa-ryu among the most visually stunning styles.

Odachi – Yagyu Shinkage-ryu

The Yagyu Shinkage-ryu combat style is best for players who want the sheer power and reach of the Odachi. This style focuses on quick vertical slashing attacks that can be effective against many opponents. The Yagyu Shinkage-ryu’s defensive strengths are also a decent complement to many of the other boss-exclusive fighting styles found in the game.

Paired Swords – Niten Ichi-ryu

Paired Swords ‘Niten Ichi-ryu combat style is a revelation, channeling the great swordsman Miyamoto Musashi in a classic Japanese style. By striking with both blades at once, players can produce a burst of strikes and spend less time locked in animations. This increased responsiveness allows Niten Ichi-ryu users to react to opponents’ motions more effectively and exploit openings.

Katana – Mugai-ryu

For those who appreciate the rigor and grace of the Katana, the Mugai-ryu combat style is a great option. Like the Gikei-ryu, however, Mugai-ryu gives players more freedom with their attacks and allows for more calculated strikes without being overly confined by animations. Mugai-ryu players can even channel the blind swordsman Zatoichi with the right outfit choices.

Spear – Jitokuin-ryu

The Spear is a potent weapon in Rise of the Ronin, and the Jitokuin-ryu combat style is a great complement to its reach and versatility. Jitokuin-ryu emphasizes broad, ranged attacks that are best suited to large groups of enemies. The style is also a solid option for solo matches due to its fluid movements and strong counterattacks.

Learning the Combat Styles

Complete access to the many different battle styles is no simple feat in Rise of the Ronin, though the payoff is worth the effort. Players are going to be much better ready to experience the game’s array of challenges by diversifying their skillset and testing out various playstyles.

Whether it’s the quick, aerial Kihetai style, the heavy vertical strikes of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, or the precision of Mugai-ryu, each style has its own path to victory. In case you take the time to enjoy each style’s weaknesses and strengths, players will appreciate the breadth and nuance of the combat system.

Finally, it comes down to which fighting styles to master in Rise of the Ronin – what works for you and your playing style. But by looking around and trying the whole spectrum, players will undoubtedly find their own special fighting styles that will serve them well in the game’s dangerous world.