Ghost of Tsushima Iki Island: How to beat Sao? Ghost of Tsushima guide, walkthrough

This page of the Ghost of Tsushima game guide contains the walkthrough of the Sao boss fight during The Hidden Bay Tournament on Iki Island. We explain how to defeat Sao.

Last update: 21 May 2024

This page of the Ghost of Tsushima game guide contains the walkthrough of the battle against Sao on Iki Island. This is one of the opponents you will need to defeat during The Hidden Cove Tournament. Our guide describes the unique attacks used by Sao and how to effectively damage and defeat this boss.

Sao is one of the four participants in The Hidden Bay Tournament. You should get the chance to face him after defeating the previous opponents. You need to find him near the battle arena and talk to him to challenge him to a fight.

As in all other battles, you can win by hitting Sao 5 times with a wooden weapon before he does the same.

Sao uses red attacks and he will try to blind you by intentionally touching the ground with his weapon to kick sand into your character's face. When dodging, make sure to get further away from the boss to avoid the range of his attack.

If you're blinded, Jin will be defenseless for a short while and the boss will use this to hit you.

The boss can make one or two red attacks followed up by a blue attack. The latter is the one you need to focus all your attention on. If you are using the Sarugami armor, then make sure to parry perfectly right before the blue attack hits your character. Otherwise, you can try regular parrying, but you will risk not being able to easily attack the boss.

Until the very end of the fight, Sao uses the same attack pattern and he won't surprise you with new moves.

Once you defeat all 4 champions in the arena, a cut-scene will play in which will be congratulated by the members of the raiders camp. You will also receive the rewards that we described on the Unlocking the tournament and rewards page.