Ghost of Yotei: How to Capture Leaders Alive & Secure Them

Capturing leaders sounds like a natural part of the bounty system in Ghost of Yotei. The term shows up in the game which has made some think it was possible to bring enemies in alive. The truth is simpler, and it ties back to how the game tracks its bounty system internally.

How to Capture Leaders in Ghost of Yotei

While we’ve seen some You cannot capture leaders or bounty targets alive in Ghost of Yotei, although we’ve seen some say that if you keep the leader alive long enough you can enter capture mode. However, we have not confirmed this (but it might be worth a shot). Every leader or bounty objective generally must be completed by defeating the target in combat. Once they are killed, the mission automatically counts the target as captured and complete. We’re still trying some things out to see if there really is a way to capture them alilve, but as of now, there seems to be none.

How the Bounty System Works

Bounties are posted on boards throughout Ezo. After picking one up, the target’s location appears on your map. Travel there, defeat the guards, and eliminate the marked enemy to finish the contract. When done, return to the bounty board or the local contact to collect your payment.

Upgrading techniques such as Brute Assassination or Slaughter Leader helps clear these missions faster. Slaughter Leader instantly fills your kill streak and terrifies surrounding enemies, giving you a quick way to end fights against grouped targets.

Why the Game Says “Capture”

The word “capture” in Ghost of Yotei refers to a backend system, not an actual mechanic. It is simply the internal tag that tracks mission completion once a bounty or leader is defeated. There probably was never a feature for live capture or restraints in any version of the game.

A recent update also removed the ability to decapitate bounty targets. This was a visual fix for broken animations and camera issues. The patch did not change how bounties function or how players finish these objectives.

How to Secure Leaders Quickly

Leaders are heavily guarded and often wear high-tier armor. Approach from stealth, clear nearby enemies with Chain Assassination, and use Smoke Bombs or Blind Bombs to separate the leader from their group. Once isolated, finish the target with Slaughter Leader or a clean parry counter.

Always loot the body after battle. Leaders drop rare materials like Oni Raider Mask Pieces and Rare Metals, both needed for high-level weapon upgrades. Finishing these contracts also increases your bounty rank, unlocking better targets with higher rewards.

Why Live Capture Is Not Included

Ghost of Yotei’s combat is built around lethal precision, not mercy or arrest systems. The bounty system may use the word “capture” for clarity in mission objectives, but no mode or upgrade ever allowed non-lethal captures. The entire progression loop is designed around defeating enemies, not sparing them.

Final Blurb

You cannot capture leaders alive in Ghost of Yotei. The bounty system completes once the target is dead, and the “capture” term only marks completion. The removed decapitation feature was a technical adjustment, not a gameplay change. Clear your targets, gather their loot, and claim your reward.