The fate of ancient Japan in the Bakumatsu period is up in the air, and players will play a vital role in how events will unfold as part of the action in Rise of the Ronin, Team Ninja's offering of intense combat and open-world exploration. However, that burden is not just yours alone to shoulder, as there will be plenty of allies and enemies alike joining the occasion.
And while players will be doing their best to cut down all who stand in their way, those who stand alongside you are valuable allies. These relationships can be developed further to bring additional benefits beyond just another blade beside you. For players hoping to understand all about bond levels and how to improve relationships with alliesin Rise of the Ronin, this guide is for you.
Rise of the Ronin - All Editions & Pre-Order Bonuses
Rise of the Ronin has two distinct editions, but it can be challenging to pick one.
All Bond Levels in Rise of the Ronin
After the initial hours of the game, Rise of the Ronin will introduce the first AI companion that can join players in missions. Following that, any new characters introduced throughout the story could potentially form a relationship with the player, resulting in a number of benefits. This could be buffs during missions, gifts in the form of new equipment, and even Rare Skill Points and improved Combat Styles.
Such relationships will begin with the Acquainted level, which will then be followed by Friendly, Inseparable, and finally Fated. The last level is required for the characters whose players would want to start a romantic relationship, so there are always upsides to improving your bond levels in Rise of the Ronin.
How to Improve Bond Levels in Rise of the Ronin
There are various ways in which bond levels between characters can be improved in the game, and it doesn't always have to involve high stakes as part of the story.
Mission Companions
For certain story missions, players can bring up to two allies to help with the fight. By completing the objectives with your chosen ones, relationships with these allies will be strengthened at the end of everything. With the Testament of the Soul allowing missions to be replayed, this can be the simplest way of improving your bond levels while chasing more XP and equipment.
Having Conversations
Throughout Rise of the Ronin, there will be conversations and choices with various characters. Oftentimes, there will be several dialogue choices to choose from. If you hope to improve your bond levels, aligning yourself with a specific character and echoing their thoughts is always advisable. During your downtime, it is also possible to speak to different NPCs and learn more about them, which can provide a small boost, too.
Giving Gifts
Another option available when speaking to characters outside of missions is the ability to give them gifts. Gifts can be bought through vendors, found in the world, or given as mission and activity rewards. Different characters will have different tastes, and the more effective gifts will be indicated with a heart shape on the menu. Match those to the characters you want to get close with, and your bond levels will improve much more significantly.
Do note that there is a cooldown period between every gift-giving opportunity, so make sure you give several of the best gifts at once to make the most of it.
Sparring at the Dojo
For those who love fighting, another great benefit from sparring in the dojo is the big boost in bond levels it can provide, as long as players are capable of achieving high scores. Each fight at the doko has four ranking levels that can be reached, and by hitting the Master ranking, there are excellent rewards up for grabs, including bond level improvements. With the opportunity to both hone your martial and social skills, it is a no-brainer choice.
Rise of the Ronin
- Platform(s)
- PS5
- Released
- March 22, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
