TL;DR
- Ghost of Yotei features over 70 skills across four distinct combat categories
- No respec system exists – skill choices are permanent and require careful planning
- Skills are unlocked exclusively through Altars of Reflection found in the world
- The Growth menu allows continuous tracking of unlocked skills and future planning
- Strategic skill selection becomes crucial due to the irreversible nature of upgrades
Ghost of Yotei continues the legacy of cinematic samurai action that Sucker Punch established with Ghost of Tsushima, while introducing significant mechanical innovations to the combat system. The original title captivated players with its Kurosawa-inspired storytelling and the dynamic interplay between honorable samurai combat and stealthy shinobi tactics.

This spiritual successor follows similar design principles but carves its unique identity as what many describe as “Kill Bill meets Feudal Japan.” Players control Atsu, an experienced shinobi who embodies the lethal precision of a true ronin, moving through environments with deadly efficiency.
Atsu possesses an extensive arsenal of techniques that players can progressively unlock, enabling diverse playstyle customization ranging from honorable warrior approaches to cunning stealth strategies. However, unlike many modern open-world games that offer flexible skill respec systems, Ghost of Yotei implements a more deliberate progression approach that demands strategic foresight.
- Ghost of Yotei offers more than 70 unlockable skills through Altars of Reflection.
- Players can unlock these skills among the Onryo, Melee, Revenge, and Wolf categories.
- Respec is unavailable in Ghost of Yotei as of now.
The skill acquisition system in Ghost of Yotei operates through dedicated Altars of Reflection, which serve as the exclusive method for unlocking new combat abilities. These sacred locations are strategically placed throughout the game world, often requiring exploration of enemy strongholds or consultation of in-game maps for location.
When players discover an altar, they must perform a respectful bow by swiping down on the touchpad, which triggers the skill interface. This ceremonial approach to skill acquisition reinforces the game’s thematic emphasis on deliberate progression and martial discipline.

The four primary skill categories offer distinct combat specializations: Onryo focuses on supernatural abilities and ghost weapons, Melee enhances direct combat proficiency, Revenge provides counter-attack and defensive techniques, while Wolf skills emphasize stealth and assassination capabilities.
Players maintain continuous access to their progression through the Growth menu, which displays all currently unlocked skills and available upgrade paths. This persistent visibility enables strategic planning for future skill acquisitions and build optimization throughout the gaming experience.
Does Ghost of Yotei Allow You to Respec Skills?
The definitive answer is No, you cannot Respec Skills in Ghost of Yotei. This represents a significant departure from the free-flow skill system featured in Ghost of Tsushima, where players could freely allocate skill points at any time during gameplay.
This design choice creates permanent consequences for skill selection decisions, transforming character building from a flexible experimentation process into a carefully considered strategic commitment. Unlike games that permit skill resetting through in-game currency or specific items, Ghost of Yotei maintains an irreversible progression system.
The absence of respec functionality means players must approach skill selection with long-term planning in mind. Each altar encounter represents a pivotal decision point that shapes Atsu’s combat capabilities for the remainder of the playthrough.
While this limitation may disappoint players accustomed to the flexibility of modern open-world RPGs, it introduces an additional layer of strategic depth. The permanent nature of skill choices encourages players to consider their preferred combat style early and commit to a coherent development path.
The developers have intentionally designed the progression system to create a sense of accomplishment and ownership over Atsu’s martial development. Finding each altar becomes not just about acquiring new abilities, but about making meaningful choices that define your unique version of the character.
Given the permanent nature of skill selections in Ghost of Yotei, players should adopt strategic approaches to maximize their combat effectiveness throughout the entire game.
Early Game Prioritization: Focus on foundational skills that enhance core combat mechanics. Prioritize abilities that improve survivability and damage output in your preferred combat style before investing in situational or specialized techniques.
Category Specialization: Rather than spreading skill points thinly across all four categories, consider specializing in two complementary skill trees that synergize with your playstyle preferences.
Exploration Efficiency: Systematically clear enemy strongholds and consult available maps to maximize altar discovery rates. Each missed altar represents lost progression opportunities that cannot be recovered later.
Build Cohesion Planning: Before visiting an altar, review your current build in the Growth menu and identify which skills will provide the greatest combat synergy.
For players struggling with skill selection decisions, our Class Selection Guide offers valuable insights into creating balanced character builds, even across different gaming genres.
The progression system’s design encourages multiple playthroughs with different skill specializations, allowing players to experience varied combat approaches while mastering the game’s nuanced mechanics.
Did you successfully master the skill system in Ghost of Yotei? Share your strategic approaches and preferred builds in the comments below!
Action Checklist
- Thoroughly explore each region to locate all Altars of Reflection
- Plan your skill tree specialization before first altar encounter
- Focus on core combat skills early, then branch into specialized abilities
- Regularly consult the Growth menu to track progression and plan future upgrades
- Complete enemy strongholds systematically to ensure no altars are missed
No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » Can You Respec Skills in Ghost of Yotei? Understanding Ghost of Yotei's skill system and why respec options are unavailable
