Ghost of Tsushima Iki Island: The Legend of Black Hand Riku - walkthrough Ghost of Tsushima guide, walkthrough

This page of the Ghost of Tsushima guide contains the walkthrough of the mythic tale The Legend of Black Hand Riku from the Iki Island DLC (completing the tale unlocks the Sarugami armor).

Last update: 24 September 2021

On this page of the Ghost of Tsushima game guide, you will find the walkthrough to the The Legend of Black Hand Riku quest from the Iki Island DLC. You will learn how to begin the search for the Sarugami armor, where to find Minato, how to reach Black Hand Riku's hideout in the cave and how to win the battle against the boss of this mythic tale.

• Mythic tale rewards
• Unlocking the mythic tale
• Search Mount Takenotsuji for Minato
• Find the glowing water on the Northeastern Coast
• Investigate the Cave
• The Black Hand Riku boss fight
• Escape Riku's Lair

Mythic tale rewards

The main reward for completing this side quest is the Sarugami Armour which you will obtain upon defeating the Black Hand Riku boss. Its unique features include:

1. Disabling regular parries and increasing the effectiveness of perfect parries - Successful perfect parries allow you to chain 2 strong attacks instead of one. You'll be rewarded more for each perfect dodge that can deal damage to nearby enemies. After upgrading the armor at the armorer, you will be able to chain up to 3 attacks.
2. Jin can recover more mental fortitude - This applies not only to parries, but all actions that regenerate it.
3. Increasing the margin of error for perfect parries and evasions - You will succeed even if you don't press the parry or dodge button with perfect timing. You can increase the margin of error even more by upgrading the armor.

In summary - this armor is good for players who play Ghost of Tsushima well. If you have been able to parry and dodge perfectly quite often before, you will be able to take advantage of the increased margin of error to activate them more often. If you rarely manage to perform perfect moves and are average at regular parries, then this armour may end up being a "curse", as it will prevent you from performing regular parries and you will risk taking damage more often as a result.

We recommend "testing" this armor on the opponents you will encounter after defeating the boss and leaving the cave. This will allow you to decide early on whether you will be able to make perfect parries. You can also save the armor for later and try using it once it has been fully upgraded, which will increase the likelihood of successful perfect moves.

The second reward is the unique Sarugami Helmet, which doesn't have its own stats, of course.

Additionally, you will receive an average bonus to your Legend (XP).

Unlocking the mythic tale

 

You will be able to begin this tale once you have visited the Fune's Refuge location and encountered the titular Fune for the first time during the main quest A Raider's Return.

A mythic tale marker should appear within the hideout. Search the hideout's area for Kashira, who will tell you about the Legend of Black Hand Riku and the possibility of obtaining a unique treasure.

Search Mount Takenotsuji for Minato

Start by leaving the hideout by following the marker on the screen indicating the exit.

You need to head east in search for Minato. She won't be found at the very top of the mountain, although you will have to reach one of the higher areas - the screenshot above shows this location and you should surprise attack the group of enemies you find here. You don't have to hurry to free the woman.

Once the direct confrontation begins, don't forget about killing the shaman first so that he can no longer support the other enemies during the fight.

Once the battle ends and Minako is freed, talk to her to get tips on where to begin the search for Riku's treasure. Sit by the fire and wait for night to come, because moonlight will be necessary to find the secret passage.

Find the glowing water on the Northeastern Coast

You need to go to the northeast part of Iki Island, where you will have to explore a large area.

Reach the location pictured above - it can be found near one of the larger drawbridges and Jin can start climbing down here after positioning himself at the edge of the cliff. To do this, you need to find an interactive climbing point.

You need to head down carefully, lowering yourself or by constantly jumping on edges. You can also occasionally jump, preferably combined with rolling to avoid taking fall damage.

You must reach the area with shallow water. A new area to explore will appear on the map and to reach it, you will need to run, then swim north.

Your destination is the huge entrance to the Mysterious Cave from the screenshots.

Investigate the Cave

You won't encounter any opponents while traversing the cave, but you have to deal with the all-encompassing darkness. You can find flaming arrows in the caves and it's a good idea to shoot them at the baskets found along the way to permanently illuminate the nearby area.

In two locations, you have to use the grappling hook to progress further, but it's very simple - first hold the R2 trigger and then the L2 trigger.

You don't have to explore the entire cave, although if you are determined to do so, you might come across some small loot and scrolls with notes.

In the location from the screenshot, you have to jump over the water and make sure to remember to roll while landing.

Your goal is the big blue tank from the screenshot. Entering it will initiate the boss battle against Black Hand Riku - Duel in the Pit of Darkness.

The Black Hand Riku boss fight

The main problem when fighting Riku is that the boss likes to chain several different attacks. Even if Riku makes a red attack, dodging once may not be enough, because immediately after he might use, for example, a kick and a regular melee weapon swing.

Riku can also use numerous and fast blue attacks. If you haven't learned how to parry them yet, then don't forget to dodge. Even if you parry, you have to deal with the fact that the enemy will make more rapid attacks, which can deal a lot of damage to Jin.

Occasionally during the battle, you might need to duel with your katanas. You will need to quickly react to the blue attack by pressing the parry button.

There are two main strategies during this battle:

1. Play conservative. Seek out opportunities to attack Riku after he uses single attacks and dodge whenever he signals a blue or red attack.
2. Play more risky and focus on perfect parrying and dodges. Perfect parries may allow you to defeat the boss faster, but you will have a higher chance of taking damage.

Escape Riku's Lair

Fortunately, you don't have to go through the whole cave again. Look around the boss battle area until you spot a barricade, which you can destroy with the grappling hook. This will create a hole which you can use to escape outside.

Outside, you will meet Kashira, who will demand the newly found armor from your character. You will have to fight him and his men.

Jin will immediately put on the armor he just acquired and it's a good idea to use it to test out the new perfect parrying / dodging features. Parrying in particular will allow you to defeat enemies faster. If you do not feel confident or you aren't doing well, then switch back to your previous armour in your equipment. Defeating all the thugs will end this quest.