Longbow

The half bow kills men. The longbow kills men wearing helmets, which is a different and much more useful problem to have solved.

The longbow is the reward for the Mythic Tale The Curse of Uchitsune, found in the Izuhara region — not something Sensei Ishikawa hands over. It is a legendary bow said to be cursed, and mechanically it is the answer to armoured Mongol troops: it pierces armour and lands headshots on helmeted warriors that the half bow simply cannot.

The trade is draw speed. It is markedly slower than the half bow, so it is a planning weapon rather than a reflex one — you pick the target, you take the time, and you are rewarded with a kill that would otherwise have cost a fight.

Completing the same tale also unlocks the ability to fire Explosive Arrows from it, which turns the longbow from a precision tool into a way of removing a cluster of troops at range.

The armour-piercing answer. The inability to crouch while aiming is the trade — you are visible for as long as you hold it.

• The Curse of UchitsuneMythic Tale — awards this

• Shadow of The SamuraiMain Tale — the walkthrough calls for it

Weapons and tools are improved through the skill trees, spending Technique Points earned as your Legend rank rises. Legend itself comes from tales — main and Mythic Tales give the largest steps, side tales, liberated settlements and cleared encounters the smaller ones.

1. 01Hear the ballad of Uchitsune from a travelling musician in the Izuhara region to start the Mythic Tale.
2. 02Follow the tale to Mount Hiyoshi and complete its stages.
3. 03Finish the tale to receive the longbow and the Explosive Arrow ability.