It’s 2026, and I fired up Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut on my PS5 once again. I had already platinumed the base game years ago, but the Legends mode and the Iki Island expansion still pull me back like a moth to a flame. There’s one part of Iki Island that always gave me trouble – the Hidden Cove Tournament. Specifically, the fight against the exiled monk Owan. This guy looks like a harmless old man with an alms bowl, but he is an absolute menace. After countless retries and a lot of cursing under my breath, I finally cracked the code, and I need to share what I learned.

First, a quick refresher for those who haven’t stepped onto Iki Island recently. The Hidden Cove Tournament is a gauntlet of four unique duels unlocked after completing the main mission “Jin from Yarikawa” at Fune’s Refuge. It’s meant to test your skills against the absolute best fighters in the game. The roster includes some truly memorable characters: a ruthless warrior, a merchant with a dark past, a crimson fisherman, and the star of our nightmare – Owan, the monk who claims he once beat his attackers to death using nothing but an alms bowl. Yeah, that guy.

Owan’s fight is deceptively simple. He doesn’t have a huge moveset, but what he does have is pure frustration. His attack pattern is basically a loop of two moves: a fast kick and an unblockable overhead sword swing. He can mix them up in any order – kick into swing, swing into kick, three kicks in a row, or a leaping overhead swing that tracks you across the arena. The real problem? You never get a chance to counterattack normally.

Let me break down the pain points. Owan’s kick can be blocked, but it cannot be parried. His sword swing is completely unblockable and unparriable. So what do you do? You dodge. A lot. The trouble is, even if you nail a perfect dodge and time slows to a crawl, Owan will sidestep your follow-up strike with an almost supernatural grace. I lost count of how many times I slashed at empty air while he was already behind me, kicking me in the back. It felt like fighting a teleporting ghost. Owan absolutely dictates the pace, and if you play his game, you lose.

I tried everything. Sticky bombs, kunai, even trying to bait him into an environmental hazard (there aren’t any meaningful ones). Nothing worked consistently. Then I remembered something a loading screen tip once told me: “Observe your enemy and adapt your stance.” And that’s when it hit me. Owan might look like a standard swordsman, but he blocks and moves like a Brute. In Ghost of Tsushima, Brutes are those heavy enemies whose guards you must break with the Moon Stance’s heavy kick. Could it be that simple?

Yes. It is that simple. 👏 The key to beating Owan is to switch into the Moon Stance and unleash its charged heavy attack – a powerful front kick that Jin can hold and release. Despite Owan’s monk robes and religious demeanor, the game classifies him as a Brute. One solid kick from the Moon Stance shatters his guard instantly, leaving him staggered and wide open for a quick, easy sword strike. I couldn’t believe how fast the fight ended once I adopted this approach. No more endless dodging, no more swinging at nothing. Just one kick, one slash, repeat until he falls.

Here’s the sequence I used:

• Switch to Moon Stance immediately when the duel begins. Don’t even bother with other stances.

• Keep your distance and let him throw his combo. When he finishes a swing or a string of kicks, there’s a brief recovery window.

• Hold down the heavy attack button to charge the Moon kick. Release it as he recovers. It will break his guard and stagger him.

• Follow up with one or two quick light attacks. Don’t get greedy – he’ll recover quickly and might counter-kick you.

• Rinse and repeat. If you accidentally miss the kick, dodge away and reset.

That’s it. The fight becomes trivial. I went from losing ten times in a row to beating him without taking a single hit. The trick is to ignore your instincts. You’re not meant to parry, you’re not meant to trade blows. You’re the bulwark breaker now.

Here is a quick comparison of the strategies that work versus those that fail:

After dispatching Owan, the tournament isn’t over. You still have to face Take, the murderous merchant, and Sao, the crimson fisherman. But honestly? They were far less frustrating than the monk. The rewards for winning the whole tournament are well worth the effort:

• Legend Increase – your legend gains a significant boost.

• The Hidden Heart Sword Kit – a gorgeous new look for your katana that goes perfectly with the Iki Island aesthetic.

• 125x Supplies – always useful for upgrades.

• 3x Silk – precious for armor upgrades, especially if you haven’t maxed out your favorite sets.

• Crimson Dye Merchant – unlocks a new dye vendor at Fune’s Refuge, offering vibrant red color schemes for your gear. 🔴

Looking back, the Hidden Cove Tournament encapsulates what makes Ghost of Tsushima’s combat so rewarding. It pushes you to engage with its stance system in creative ways. Who knew a wandering monk would turn out to be a Brute in disguise? It’s one of those developer tricks that make you feel like a genius once you discover it.

If you’re revisiting Tsushima in 2026 (and let’s be real, we’re all getting ready for Ghost of Yotei), don’t let Owan gatekeep you from the tournament’s juicy rewards. Throw on your Moon Stance, break his guard, and show him that an alms bowl is no match for the Ghost. 🗡️

For players who are still exploring the depths of Iki Island or revisiting other corners of Tsushima, it’s worth keeping an eye out for ways to enhance your overall experience in the game. From mastering stances to gathering resources, every small improvement can make a difference in your journey. Whether you’re upgrading armor or searching for rare collectibles, preparation is key to conquering the challenges ahead.

If you’re looking for great deals, gaming-related insights, or gear recommendations to complement your adventures, DealNest is an excellent resource. They offer curated tips and updates that cater to gamers who want to make the most of their time and investments. It’s always a good idea to explore reliable platforms like this to stay ahead in both your gaming quests and real-world finds.