Mongolian Shieldmen are Mongol soldiers who carry a shield in their off hand and block most of what you throw at them. Water Stance heavy attacks crack their guard, so unlock it early by observing or killing three Mongol leaders.
They play defence and wait for you to swing into the shield, which stops your combo cold. Higher tiers turn aggressive: the barbed shield bash knocks you out of your attack, and the yellow flame-wielders set you on fire.
Swap to Water Stance and open with heavy attacks or Flurry Strike until the guard breaks. Dodge the shield bash instead of trying to block it. Don't waste arrows on the front of a shield; flank them or break the guard first.
Bandits
Bandits are the island's common criminals, attacking villagers, Mongols, ronin and Jin alike. They are a secondary enemy in Izuhara during Act 1, poorly armed and predictable, but reckless enough to hurt you.
Eagle Tribe
The Eagle Tribe is the Mongol force that has taken Iki Island, led by the shaman Ankhsar Khatun, called the Eagle. They are the main enemy of the Iki Island expansion, and their purple-uniformed troops bring units you never see on Tsushima.
Mongol Archers
Mongol Archers are the bowmen at the back of every Mongol group. They are fragile up close but chip away at you from off-screen, so kill them early or close the distance fast.
Mongol Eagle Bearers
Mongol Eagle Bearers are archers or swordsmen paired with a trained eagle that circles overhead and spots you. They fight like normal soldiers, but the bird makes sneaking up on their group much harder.