The world of Ghost of Yotei is filled with secrets, hidden duels, and legendary warriors. Among them, Black Night Kubo stands as one of the most mysterious and rewarding bounty targets in the game. Unlike standard enemies who roam freely across Yotei’s sprawling landscapes, Black Night Kubo must be summoned through a ritual—requiring the right outfit, location, and sequence of actions.
This guide provides everything you need to find, summon, and defeat Black Night Kubo, including strategies, locations, requirements, and post-battle rewards. Whether you’re a completionist or a lore enthusiast, this walkthrough ensures you won’t miss this epic side quest.
🎯 Who Is Black Night Kubo in Ghost of Yotei?
Black Night Kubo is a legendary duelist and bounty target whose name echoes through Teshio Ridge’s folklore. According to the in-game bounty board, he was a killer dressed in black who haunted the area long before any fox spirit appeared. Kubo is known for his honor-bound fighting style and the chilling calm he maintains during combat.
Unlike ordinary enemies, Kubo doesn’t spawn automatically. You must trigger his duel through a specific summoning ritual tied to both your armor color and your bounty activation. Players who manage to summon and defeat him will be rewarded with:
- 🥷 Black Night Kubo’s Mask – A rare cosmetic armor piece symbolizing mastery and mystery.
- 💰 750 Coins – A significant in-game currency reward to fund upgrades or purchases.
🏮 Step 1: Accept the Black Night Kubo Bounty at Red Crane Inn
Your first move is to visit the Red Crane Inn, located within the Teshio Ridge region. This inn acts as a central hub for side missions and bounty hunts.
- Enter the Red Crane Inn.
- Locate the Bounty Board—usually beside the staircase or main hall.
- Accept the bounty titled “Black Night Kubo.”
Once accepted, your in-game map will automatically mark a general location hinting toward Kubo’s presence near Sentinel Forest. Without activating this bounty, no amount of searching or summoning will make him appear.
📝 Pro Tip: Before leaving the inn, speak with Kojiro, the bounty broker. He often drops small hints about Kubo’s location, fighting style, and lore.
⚔️ Step 2: Equip or Dye a Full Black Armor Set
Here’s the most crucial requirement: Black Night Kubo will only appear if you’re dressed in black armor. The game uses color symbolism as part of its summoning mechanic, making this a unique quest condition.
You have two ways to achieve this:
- Option 1: Equip a full armor set that is naturally black or dark gray.
- Option 2: Visit a dye merchant to recolor your armor using black dye.
🧵 Where to Find Black Dye
Head to the Black Dye House in western Teshio Ridge. The merchant there sells multiple shades of black and gray armor dyes, along with black-themed accessories. Dye your armor until the dominant tone is black.
Without black armor, interacting with the summoning spot won’t trigger anything. The ritual simply won’t respond, even if every other condition is met.
🛡️ Suggested Armor Sets:
- Shadow Ronin Armor
- Midnight Sentinel Set
- Obsidian Samurai Gear
Once you’re equipped in full black, prepare for the journey to Sentinel Forest.
🌲 Step 3: Locate the Black Night Dueling Ring in Sentinel Forest
The duel with Black Night Kubo takes place in Sentinel Forest, within the heart of Teshio Ridge. It’s a calm yet eerie region filled with bamboo groves, fallen leaves, and abandoned shrines — the perfect setting for a samurai duel.
Follow these navigation steps:
- From Red Crane Inn, travel northeast until you reach the outer edge of Sentinel Forest.
- Keep an eye out for a circular clearing — the dueling ring. You’ll notice small lamp posts, bamboo clusters, and a corpse lying beside a straw mat or wooden blocks.
- Approach cautiously. This area is often shrouded in mist, symbolizing the presence of a restless spirit or duelist.
🗺️ The dueling ring lies slightly south of the forest’s heart, close to a small cliff edge. Look for torches or dim lanterns — they mark the ritual site.
🔔 Step 4: Perform the Summoning Ritual for Black Night Kubo
Once at the clearing, it’s time to initiate the ritual. This is where the magic happens — or, rather, the fight begins.
🪵 Ritual Steps:
- Stand beside the straw mat or wooden prayer blocks near the corpse.
- Interact with them (depending on your platform, press the “interact” or “examine” button).
- Your character, Atsu, will perform a brief “clapping” motion or strike the blocks to call forth the duel.
If you are wearing black armor and have accepted the bounty, the screen will fade slightly, wind will pick up, and Black Night Kubo will appear in a short cutscene.
If nothing happens:
- Double-check your armor color — it must be majority black.
- Ensure the bounty is active in your quest log.
Once conditions are met, Kubo manifests in a swirl of black mist, unsheathing his sword in silence. The duel begins.
⚔️ Step 5: Battle Strategy – How to Defeat Black Night Kubo
Black Night Kubo is not a mere brute-force opponent. He fights with precision, parries, and punishes recklessness. Think of him as the “mirror samurai” — he tests your patience and mastery of timing.
🩸 Combat Breakdown:
Attack Style:
Kubo uses traditional kenjutsu-inspired combos — two to three deliberate slashes followed by a stance change. He may occasionally feint or dash before striking.
Tactics to Win:
- Master the Parry:
Time your guard perfectly when he attacks. A successful parry opens him up for a heavy counter. - Punish His Recovery:
After each combo, he pauses briefly. Use this window to unleash heavy attacks or posture-breaking moves. - Dodge Sideways, Not Backward:
His red-flash attacks are lunges — side-step them instead of retreating. - Use Guard-Break Weapons:
If Kubo enters a defensive stance, switch to a Kusarigama, War Fan, or Heavy Blade to shatter his guard. - Stay Calm:
Don’t chase or spam attacks. The fight is about rhythm, not aggression. Wait for his mistakes and punish them efficiently.
🧘 Pro Tip: Keep stamina and focus balanced. Don’t waste energy early — his second phase includes faster slashes and deceptive footwork.
💎 Step 6: Claim the Rewards
Once Black Night Kubo falls, the mist clears, and silence returns to Sentinel Forest. Approach his body to collect your rewards:
- 🎭 Black Night Kubo’s Mask – A rare, black lacquered mask symbolizing dominance in one-on-one combat.
- 💰 750 Coins – Delivered instantly to your inventory.
Finally, return to Kojiro, the bounty broker at Red Crane Inn, to officially turn in the bounty. He’ll acknowledge your victory and grant your full payout.
🗨️ Kojiro may also reveal hidden lore, mentioning that Kubo was once a protector of Teshio Ridge before becoming consumed by darkness — adding emotional depth to your victory.
🌌 Lore Behind Black Night Kubo (Optional Reading)
For lore enthusiasts, Kubo’s backstory is rich with mystery. Long before the events of Ghost of Yotei, he served as a guardian samurai of the Teshio Ridge clans. After a betrayal and massacre at his lord’s estate, Kubo vanished into the woods, donning black armor as a symbol of his eternal mourning.
His spirit now challenges worthy warriors to a final duel, seeking redemption through honorable defeat. The fact that he only appears when the player wears black armor is symbolic — it shows a reflection of his sorrow and the darkness he once embraced.
🔁 Tips for Replaying the Duel
- You can revisit the dueling ring even after defeating him. However, Kubo does not respawn unless a New Game+ cycle is active.
- The Black Night Mask can be equipped on any armor set for aesthetic customization.
- Defeating Kubo on higher difficulty levels increases the coin reward slightly (up to 900 coins).
🧭 Why You Should Complete This Bounty
Aside from the rich rewards, the Black Night Kubo bounty is one of the most atmospheric side quests in Ghost of Yotei. It blends exploration, combat mechanics, and visual storytelling seamlessly. Completing it not only strengthens your character but also deepens your understanding of the world’s lore and moral complexity.
❓ FAQs: Finding and Defeating Black Night Kubo
Q1. Where can I find Black Night Kubo in Ghost of Yotei?
Black Night Kubo appears at the Black Night Dueling Ring inside Sentinel Forest, located northeast of Red Crane Inn in the Teshio Ridge region.
Q2. Why isn’t Black Night Kubo spawning for me?
You must meet two conditions:
- Accept the bounty from Red Crane Inn.
- Equip a full black armor set before interacting with the summoning spot.
Q3. What rewards do I get for defeating Kubo?
You receive Black Night Kubo’s Mask, 750 coins, and access to lore through Kojiro once the bounty is turned in.
Q4. Can I refight Black Night Kubo?
Only in New Game+ mode. After completing his bounty in a standard playthrough, he won’t respawn.
Q5. What’s the best armor or weapon to use?
Use a fast-parry katana or guard-breaking weapon like the Kusarigama. A black armor set with balanced stats works best.
Q6. Does Kubo have any elemental weaknesses?
No elemental vulnerabilities are confirmed, but critical parries and stagger attacks are effective across all builds.
Q7. Is this bounty optional?
Yes, but it’s one of the most rewarding side quests for both lore and gameplay benefits.
🏁 Conclusion
The Black Night Kubo bounty in Ghost of Yotei is a perfect blend of challenge, mystery, and reward. By following the correct steps — accepting the bounty, donning black armor, and performing the summoning ritual — you can experience one of the game’s most atmospheric duels.
Victory against Kubo isn’t just a test of skill; it’s a symbolic act — bringing peace to a tormented warrior’s soul and proving your worth as the true Ghost of Yotei.