Special Enemy Locations and Rewards (Hidden Bosses) - Rise of the Ronin Guide - IGN (2024)

Rise of the Ronin features several hidden bosses across the chapters referred to as special enemies in the game. These secret boss fights can be found by following rope bows on trees and can reward you with special items, unlock combat styles, and more. Ready to take on these additional bosses? Here's how you can find them all.

Jump to:

• Hidden Bosses in Yokohama
  • Martial Heir (Maita Region)
  • Expelled Student (Shibo Region)
  • Fugitive (Hiranuma-Shinden Region)
• Hidden Bosses in Edo
  • Blue-Eyed Samurai (Shiba Region)
  • Dazzling Devil (Kanda Region)
  • Sword-Wielding Felon (Senzoku Region)
• Hidden Bosses in Kyoto
  • Unarmed Adept (Karasuma Region)
  • Blood-Thirsty Villain (Shirakawa Region)
  • Spiritual Ninja (Higashiyama Region)

How to Find All Hidden Bosses

Special enemies are scattered throughout the chapters and you can find them by looking for one important thing - trees that are wrapped with bows made from rope. These typically also have white banners near them, that will hang from the trees. The rope bows are large and can be spotted from a distance, but to make it easier for you to locate them all, we've included maps for each hidden boss down below. When you see the trees, you'll want to follow the trail of rope bows and they will lead you to a cave where you'll find a unique boss each time.

Hidden Bosses in Yokohama

The bosses we've found in Yokohama are:

• Martial Heir (Maita Region)
• Expelled Student (Shibo Region)
• Fugitive (Hiranuma-Shinden Region)

Maita Region - Martial Heir

• Difficulty Level: 20+

The Maita region can be found in the southwest of Yokohama. There are three Veiled Edges in the region, with the one on the furthest right being the one you want to head for. Go north from here, toward the stream of water that runs across the north of Maita. When you reach the water and the cliff, head southwest. You'll come across a tree with white ribbons tied to it.

When you reach the second tree, you'll also arrive at the entrance of the cave where you can find the first boss. Go inside and drop down, then head south to the barricade with the red barrel near it. Use your Grappling Hook to pick up and swing the barrel, and throw it at the barricade.

Just beyond the barricade, you'll see a ladder. Climb this and enter the room with an abundance of swords stuck in the ground to find the Maita Region secret boss, known as the Martial Heir.

Defeating the Martial Heir will reward you with:

• Aisu Kage-ryu (Novice Katana Combat Style)
• White Brigade Uchigatana
• Rebel's Garb
• Warrior's Headband
• Martial Artist's Gauntlets
• Samurai's Gaiters

Shibo Region - Expelled Student

• Difficulty Level: 20+

Shibo can be found in the northern part of Yokohama. In the northwest of the Shibo region, you'll find a lake where the rope bow trees are. The closest Veiled Edge Banner is in the northwest of the Hodogaya region and will take you to a path near to the lake. Once you're there, look to the northern side of the river to find three trees with rope bows on them.

The on in the center is the one you'll want to head for. Below it, you'll find the entrance to the cave that will take you down to the Shibo region hidden boss called the Expelled Student.

Defeating the Expelled Student will reward you with:

• Black Bayonet
• Student's Kimono
• Hunter's Cap
• Leather Gauntlets
• Leather Footwear

Hiranuma-Shinden Region - Fugitive

• Difficulty Level: 20+

The Hiranuma-Shinden region can be found in the northern part of Yokohama, just below the Shibo region. Head to the eastern shore of Hiranuma-Shinden - the closest Veiled Edge Banner is the one in the northeast of the region, by the Firearm Training.

Head east from this Veiled Edge Banner and the Firearm Training until you come to the edge of the water. You'll see the tree with the rope ribbon on a rock in the water.

Drop down from the edge of the cliff to land on the beach, and look for the cave entrance directly opposite the tree in the water.

Go southwest into the cave and use your Grappling Hook to destroy the barricade with the red barrels. Make your way into the next room and drop down to face the Fugitive.

Defeating the Fugitive will reward you with:

• Eccentric's Black Iron Spear
• Stagehand's Garb
• Stagehand's Cowl
• Loyalist's Gloves
• Black Leather Boots

Hidden Bosses in Edo

The bosses we've found in Edo are:

• Blue-Eyed Samurai (Shiba Region)
• Dazzling Devil (Kanda Region)
• Sword-Wielding Felon (Senzoku Region)

Shiba Region - Blue-Eyed Samurai

• Difficulty Level: 35+

The Shiba Region can be found in the southern part of Edo. It's the It's east of Azabu, where your Longhouse will be. In the southern part of the Shiba region, you can find the Satsuma Clan Edo Estate. Use this Veiled Edge Banner, then go for the eastern edge of the land (where a Cat can also be collected). South of the Cat collectible, and right by the building, you'll see a tree with a rope ribbon around it. Drop down to the beach in the south from it. The cave can be found directly underneath the tree.

Head inside and use your Grappling Hook to destroy the barricade. Enter the next room and you'll see the Blue-Eyed Samurai waiting for you.

Defeating the Blue-Eyed Samurai will reward you with:

• Nioh-ryu (Novice Katana Combat Style)
• Mikumo Mitsutada Katana
• Yasuke's Helmet
• Yasuke's Armor
• Yasuke's Gauntlets
• Yasuke's Knee Pads

Kanda Region - Dazzling Devil

• Difficulty Level: 30+

Kanda is the region in the north of Edo, where the Military Academy and Kanda Medical School are. Using the Military Academy Veiled Edge Banner, head northwest toward the river. South of where the Cat collectible can be found, you'll see the cave along the river underneath a tree with a bow on it.

Go into the cave and follow the path, past the parasols to find the Dazzling Devil.

Defeating the Dazzling Devil will reward you with:

• Dawn Greatsword
• Kabuki Actor's Helmet
• Kabuki Actor's Garb
• Kabuki Actor's Gauntlets
• Kabuki Actor's Geta
• Gesture: Kabuki Pose

Senzoku Region - Sword-Wielding Felon

• Difficulty Level: 30+

The Senzoku region is the northernmost one in Edo. There are three Veiled Edge Banners available in the region, but if you use the one that's in the east, on top of the tower, you can look straight down to the southwest and see the trees with the rope around them, and a dock on the left.

Go over to the dock and you can find the cave entrance. Head inside and walk past the bodies. You'll come to a blocked path and water below. Jump into the water and dive down, then swim straight ahead to reach the next room. As soon as you emerge from the water, the Sword-Wielding Felon should approach you.

Defeating the Sword-Wielding Felon will reward you with:

• Bestowed Uchigatana
• Dome Kasa
• Demon's Garb
• Hide Gauntlets
• Spy's Gaiters

Hidden Bosses in Kyoto

The bosses we've found in Kyoto are:

• Unarmed Adept (Karasuma Region)
• Blood-Thirsty Villain (Shirakawa Region)
• Spiritual Ninja (Higashiyama Region)

Karasuma Region - Unarmed Adept

• Difficulty Level: 45+

In central Kyoto you can find the Karasuma region. It's north of Gojo, where your Longhouse will be. Follow the river west of Honnoiji Temple and when you reach the western border of Karasuma and the mountain of Horikawa, you can find the trees with rope bows on them. Look for the rope along the cliff face, where trees form a grate. Dive into the water and swim underneath the grate to enter the hidden cave.

When you emerge, use your Grappling Hook to climb up and into the next room. Proceed through the small doorway at the back of the cave, and into a second room where the special boss awaits.

Defeating the Unarmed Adept will reward you with:

• Ascetic's Garb
• Old Bamboo Kasa
• Rough Weather Gauntlets
• Used Geta

Shirakawa Region - Blood-Thirsty Villain

• Difficulty Level: 45+

Shirakawa can be found in the northeastern part of Kyoto. Once you're in the region, make your way to the northwestern part of the area. There's a Veiled Edge Banner near the border of Shirkawa and Gosho, close to a Horseback Archery place.

Go northwest from this Veiled Edge Banner and into the water, head along the water and you'll see the tree with the rope bow on the left. Directly opposite is the cave you'll need to enter to find this hidden boss. As you progress through the cave underneath the Mount Yoshida, you'll need to use your Grappling Hook to climb the wooden structures where bodies hang.

Go northeast along these structures to find reach the room with the Blood-Thirsty Villain.

Defeating the Blood-Thirsty Villain will reward you with:

• Immortal's Oxtail Blade
• Immigrant's Hat
• Immigrant's Garb
• Hide Gauntlets
• Qing Style Shoes

Higashiyama Region - Spiritual Ninja

• Difficulty Level: 45+

The Higashiyama region is located in the southwest of Kyoto. There are three Veiled Edge Banners in the region. If you use the central one, near the Trader and The Sanenzaka Slope and Hokanji Temple photo spot, you should head east to the center of the region and take the stairs up to the Shrine in the northeast of the region.

Once you reach the area with the Cat collectible, go behind the houses and hop over the fence. You'll land on the ground right by the large tree with the rope bow and the entrance to the cave.

Head south through the cave and you'll come to the room where the Spirital Ninja waits.

• Leviathan Uchigatana
• Hayabusa Headband
• Head Shinobi's Garb
• Spy's Gauntlets
• Spy's Gaiters