What is a ‘cancel’?
A ‘cancel’ or ‘canceling’ in Ghost of Tsushima involves interrupting or ceasing a particular animation or attack. These include bow, katana, moon stance, & way of the flame. Below you may read more details on each as well as view a link to tutorials on each cancel.
Reload
Joey Dominguez is one of the most skilled Hunters in the game. Here is his showcase of Reload Canceling with a bow.
Important Notes:
- Reload Speed % on the bow & charm will influence the speed at which you may reload
- The Hunter has innate improved/increased reload speed by default (vs other classes)
- The Weightless Spirit has innate improved/increased relaod speed by default (before accounting for the Bow or Charm property %)
Dash
Joey Dominguez showcases how to cancel the katana square attack (dubbed dash canceling due to the movement rate/speed increase when traversing the map)
Important Notes:
- Dash Cancelling is slightly faster than sprinting and enables you to avoid Fire Spirits when travelling
Moon Master (MMC)
SDK does a great job of showcasing & detailing MMC in this video. There are a few variations on ‘how’ to MMC.
Important Notes:
- It requires a Moon Katana w/ Master stance (or Legendary katana with Moon stance)
- It is a rhythmic motion to execute
- It can be done while Vanished (Assassin) without interrupting Vanish
Way of the Flame
Way of the Flame cancel allows you to gain more attacks with WotF active than if you let the animation occur.
Important Notes:
- You may use any stance (as long as WotF is a Perk on it)
- The katana needs to be “unsheathed” (otherwise it will ignite and you are unable to cancel the animation)
Ghost of Tsushima: Legends 