Best armor sets in Ghost of Yotei and how to get them

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  • The best armor for melee is the Armor of the Undying.
  • The best armor for ranged combat is the Dragonfly Armor.
  • The best armor for stealth is the Crimson Kimono.
  • The best armor for exploration is the Robes for Sitturaynu.

The best armor sets in Ghost of Yotei provide boosts to specific facets of Atsu’s combat toolkit and to different playstyles in the fight against the Yotei Six and Saito’s forces. There are a total of twelve armor sets to find as you venture across Ezo, which can leave you with a bit of decision paralysis.

Unlike most open-world games, these sets aren’t weighed down by endless lists of stats that you need to consider. Instead, they are situational and have a clear set of perks, which means the best sets depend entirely on what you’re tackling at that moment in time, and more importantly, your preferred way to play the game. We’ll walk you through the complete list of all armor and their perks, outline how to get them, and provide our top picks for the best armor in Ghost of Yotei.

Best Ghost of Yotei armor

The best Ghost of Yotei armor caters to different playstyles; as such, there’s no unambiguously “best” set. It really depends on whether you prefer lodging arrows into enemy domes, chaining perfect parries, or skulking about in tall grass before silently pouncing on foes. Here are our top peaks for different playstyles:

Best Ghost of Yotei armor for melee combat – Armor of the Undying

Fully upgraded Armor of the Undying enhancing melee combat in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Armor of the Undying. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “A curse passed on, an armor that stays death. Choose the right weapon, recover what is lost.”
  • Focus: Melee – Weapon alignment, stagger, parry, dodge, and Focus Attacks.
  • How to get: Complete The Undying Samurai quest in Ishikari Plain.
Upgrade TierPerks
Armor of the Undying I– If weapon aligned, staggering enemies restores a minor amount of health.
– If weapon aligned, the window to perform Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge is increased by a minor amount.
– If weapon aligned, Focus Attacks have a minor chance to increase stagger damage.
Armor of the Undying II– If weapon aligned, staggering enemies restores a major amount of health.
– If weapon aligned, the window to perform Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge is increased by a minor amount.
– If weapon aligned, Focus Attacks have a minor chance to increase stagger damage.
Armor of the Undying III– If weapon aligned, staggering enemies restores a major amount of health.
– If weapon aligned, the window to perform Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge is increased by a moderate amount.
– If weapon aligned, Focus Attacks have a minor chance to increase stagger damage.
Armor of the Undying IV– If weapon aligned, staggering enemies restores a major amount of health.
– If weapon aligned, the window to perform Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge is increased by a moderate amount.
– If weapon aligned, Focus Attacks have a moderate chance to increase stagger damage.

For my money, nothing tops the Armor of the Undying as the best Ghost of Yotei armor for melee combat; it also looks absolutely gorgeous with the Summit’s Snow or the Grave Maker skin equipped. 

Aesthetics aside, it taps into weapon alignment. This is a mechanic that we advise using liberally to take down different enemy types. The set restores health when you stagger enemies, increases the perfect parry and perfect dodge window when you’re weapon aligned, and makes Focus Attacks more likely to stagger – balanced, effective, lethal.

Now, if you fancy yourself a bit of a sword-wielding wizz, the Bounty Master Armor is another viable choice for the best Ghost of Yotei armor for melee. The set disables regular parries, meaning you need to pull off perfect parries every time, though the window for those is increased to compensate a little. The upside of all this is that you can follow up perfect parries with up to three additional counterattacks to make short work of enemies. Your Spirit also recharges much faster.

Best Ghost of Yotei armor for ranged combat – Dragonfly Armor

Fully upgraded Dragonfly Armor boosting ranged attacks in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Dragonfly Armor. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “Dajiro’s armor, before forgoing the name Lord Furuya. A note reads: “May your arrows fly with the speed of a dragonfly.”
  • Focus: Ranged – Arrow damage/range/reload speed and concentration.
  • How to get: Complete The Dragonfly Armor quest in Tokachi Range.
Upgrade TierPerks
Dragonfly Armor I– Fully drawing your bow creates a brief timed glint. Firing an arrow during the glint empowers your shot, moderately increasing its damage and range.
– Firing an empowered arrow grants a minor amount of concentration.
– Increases arrow reload by a moderate amount.
Dragonfly Armor II– Fully drawing your bow creates a brief timed glint. Firing an arrow during the glint empowers your shot, majorly increasing its damage and range.
– Firing an empowered arrow grants a minor amount of concentration.
– Increases arrow reload by a moderate amount.
Dragonfly Armor III– Fully drawing your bow creates a brief timed glint. Firing an arrow during the glint empowers your shot, majorly increasing its damage and range.
– Firing an empowered arrow grants a moderate amount of concentration.
– Increases arrow reload by a moderate amount.
Dragonfly Armor IV– Fully drawing your bow creates a brief timed glint. Firing an arrow during the glint empowers your shot, majorly increasing its damage and range.
– Firing an empowered arrow grants a moderate amount of concentration.
– Increases arrow reload by a major amount.

If melee isn’t your thing and you much prefer the relative safety of plucking a bow from a distance, then the Dragonfly Armor is top of the pile as the best Ghost of Yotei armor for ranged combat. It empowers arrows, increasing their damage and range, when you fire them at just the right time (it’s much easier than it seems, aided by a telegraphed glint). 

Any empowered arrow also tops up your concentration – the arc meter on the HUD that, when full, lets you trigger slow motion. Lastly, the set drastically boosts reload speed when fully upgraded, allowing you to fire off shots in quick succession. Pair it with the Charm of True Aim and Charm of Archer’s Fortune, and you’re laughing.

Best Ghost of Yotei armor for stealth – Crimson Kimono

Fully upgraded Crimson Kimono armor enhancing stealth abilities in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Crimson Kimono. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “A kimono stained red with blood. Imbued with a mother’s love to shroud its wearer from danger.”
  • Focus: Stealth – assassinations and enemy detection.
  • How to get: Complete The Crimson Kimono myth quest in Teshio Ridge.
Upgrade TierPerks
Crimson Kimono I– Chain assassinations can be performed with Kunai (max 1 Kunai thrown).
– Enemy detection is reduced by a major amount.
– Kusarigama assassinations can be unleashed from further away. The distance is increased by a minor amount.
Crimson Kimono II– Chain assassinations can be performed with Kunai (max 2 Kunai thrown).
– Enemy detection is reduced by a major amount.
– Kusarigama assassinations can be unleashed from further away. The distance is increased by a minor amount.
Crimson Kimono III– Chain assassinations can be performed with Kunai (max 2 Kunai thrown).
– Enemy detection is reduced by a massive amount.
– Kusarigama assassinations can be unleashed from further away. The distance is increased by a minor amount.
Crimson Kimono IV– Chain assassinations can be performed with Kunai (max 2 Kunai thrown).
– Enemy detection is reduced by a massive amount.
– Kusarigama assassinations can be unleashed from further away. The distance is increased by a major amount.

You might be tempted to opt for the Nine Tail Armor for your stealth needs, but the Crimson Kimono is a better option because it’s best suited to staying undetected while deep in enemy territory.

First, the armor grants enemy detection, making it perfect for clandestine incursions into enemy camps. It also enhances your assassinations by allowing you to use Kunai in chain assassinations, keeping the whole murder-y process a bit quieter to avoid enemy detection. 

It also extends the range of the Kusarigama assassination, making it a more versatile and, again, less conspicuous option to take down enemies undetected.

Best Ghost of Yotei armor for exploration – Robes for Sitturaynu

Player viewing the fully upgraded Robes for Sitturaynu armor in Ghost of Yotei gear menu
Ghost of Yotei Robes for Sitturaynu. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “Made by huci to help a lost hunter find their way.”
  • Focus: Utility – Exploration, point of interest discovery, and resource collection.
  • How to get: Complete The Heart of an Ainu tales quest in the Nayoro Wilds.
Upgrade TierPerks
Robes for Sitturaynu I– Fireflies and controller vibrations guide you to Altars of Reflection when you are within a 55m distance.
– Golden Birds can lead to Shamisen Songs and Sumi-e Painting locations.
– Flowers have a minor chance to be automatically collected when riding through white flower trails or stealthing through tall grass.
Robes for Sitturaynu II– Fireflies and controller vibrations guide you to Altars of Reflection when you are within a 100m distance.
– Golden Birds can lead to Shamisen Songs and Sumi-e Painting locations.
– Flowers have a minor chance to be automatically collected when riding through white flower trails or stealthing through tall grass.
Robes for Sitturaynu III– Fireflies and controller vibrations guide you to Altars of Reflection when you are within a 100m distance.
– Golden Birds can lead to Shamisen Songs, Sumi-e Painting locations, Pillars of the Fallen, and Dye Merchants.
– Flowers have a minor chance to be automatically collected when riding through white flower trails or stealthing through tall grass.
Robes for Sitturaynu IV– Fireflies and controller vibrations guide you to Altars of Reflection when you are within a 100m distance.
– Golden Birds can lead to Shamisen Songs, Sumi-e Painting locations, Pillars of the Fallen, and Dye Merchants.
– Flowers have a major chance to be automatically collected when riding through white flower trails or stealthing through tall grass.

Having a tough time tracking down optional activities, skins, and points of interest across Ezo? Pop on the Robes for Sitturaynu, and birds will guide you to Shamisen Songs, Sumi-e Painting locations, Pillars of the Fallen, and Dye Merchants. Your controller will also rumble when you’re near Altars of Reflection and Ainu Items, ideal if you’re looking to complete every aspect of Ghost of Yotei. Nothing beats it for the crown of best Ghost of Yotei armor for uncovering Ezo’s many secrets. 

Lastly, the Robes for Sitturaynu will automatically hoover up flowers when you’re galloping through white flower trails or slinking through tall grass. You can then use the flowers to buy skins from merchants across Ezo, useful if you’re a completionist.

All Ghost of Yotei armor sets and how to get them

Here are all the Ghost of Yotei armor sets and how to get them. We’ve also listed each upgrade tier and the perks you unlock for each one.

Onryo Armor

Player displaying the fully upgraded Onryo Armor with spirit attack bonuses in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Onryo Armor. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “The infamous armor of the vengeful ghost hunting the Yotei Six.”
  • Focus: Onryo – Terrified status effect.
  • How to get: Default starting armor.
Upgrade TierPerks
Onryo Armor II– Killing an enemy with a Spirit Attack or a thrown melee weapon has a minor chance of terrifying enemies.
– The wolf has a moderate chance to appear when enemies are terrified.
– Terrified enemies take increased damage by a moderate amount.
Onryo Armor III– Killing an enemy with a Spirit Attack or a thrown melee weapon has a moderate chance of terrifying enemies.
– The wolf has a moderate chance to appear when enemies are terrified.
– Terrified enemies take increased damage by a moderate amount.
Onryo Armor IV– Killing an enemy with a Spirit Attack or a thrown melee weapon has a moderate chance of terrifying enemies.
– The wolf has a major chance to appear when enemies are terrified.
– Terrified enemies take increased damage by a moderate amount.
Onryo Armor V– Killing an enemy with a Spirit Attack or a thrown melee weapon has a moderate chance of terrifying enemies.
– The wolf has a major chance to appear when enemies are terrified.
– Terrified enemies take increased damage by a massive amount.

Bounty Master Armor

Fully upgraded Bounty Master Armor enhancing perfect parries in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Bounty Master Armor. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “A hunter seeks challenge. A killer seeks precision. A bounty is won.”
  • Focus: Melee – Perfect Parries and Spirit Gain.
  • How to get: Complete the Soma the Condemned Bounty in Yotei Grasslands.
Upgrade TierPerks
Bounty Master Armor I– Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge windows are increased by a minor amount, but regular Parries are disabled.
– A Perfect Parry enables 2 additional counterattacks.
– All Spirit gains are increased by a minor amount.
Bounty Master Armor II– Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge windows are increased by a major amount, but regular Parries are disabled.
– A Perfect Parry enables 2 additional counterattacks.
– All Spirit gains are increased by a minor amount.
Bounty Master Armor III– Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge windows are increased by a major amount, but regular Parries are disabled.
– A Perfect Parry enables 2 additional counterattacks.
– All Spirit gains are increased by a massive amount.
Bounty Master Armor IV– Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge windows are increased by a major amount, but regular Parries are disabled.
– A Perfect Parry enables 3 additional counterattacks.
– All Spirit gains are increased by a massive amount.

Taro’s Armor

Player viewing the fully upgraded Taro’s Armor focused on survival in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Taro’s Armor. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “An armor for the resilient survivor. Assembled by Taro from the fallen of Ezo.”
  • Focus: Utility – Spirit, health, and resistance to Fire and Cold.
  • How to get: Obtained from Taro after clearing your first enemy camp.
Upgrade TierPerks
Taro’s Armor I– All Spirit gains increased by a minor amount when graced with a cooking bonus.
– Maximum health increased by a minor amount.
– Fire and Cold damage reduced by a moderate amount.
Taro’s Armor II– All Spirit gains increased by a moderate amount when graced with a cooking bonus.
– Maximum health increased by a minor amount.
– Fire and Cold damage reduced by a moderate amount.
Taro’s Armor II– All Spirit gains increased by a moderate amount when graced with a cooking bonus.
– Maximum health increased by a moderate amount.
– Fire and Cold damage reduced by a minor amount.
Taro’s Armor IV– All Spirit gains increased by a moderate amount when graced with a cooking bonus.
– Maximum health increased by a moderate amount.
– Fire and Cold damage reduced by a major amount.

Spider Lily Armor

Fully upgraded Spider Lily Armor increasing stagger damage in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Spider Lily Armor. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “The armor of a general, lost to grief. All enemies fall to its bloodthirsty intent.”
  • Focus: Onryo – Stagger damage and enemy throwable weapon drop rate.
  • How to get: Complete The Spider Lily General myth quest in Tokachi Range.
Upgrade TierPerks
Spider Lily Armor I– Enemies have a minor chance to drop throwable weapons.
– Stagger damage inflicted by melee weapons increases by a minor amount.
– Staggering an enemy has a minor chance of dealing minor Stagger damage to nearby enemies.
Spider Lily Armor II– Enemies have a moderate chance to drop throwable weapons.
– Stagger damage inflicted by melee weapons increases by a minor amount.
– Staggering an enemy has a minor chance of dealing minor Stagger damage to nearby enemies.
Spider Lily Armor III– Enemies have a moderate chance to drop throwable weapons.
– Stagger damage inflicted by melee weapons increases by a moderate amount.
– Staggering an enemy has a minor chance of dealing minor Stagger damage to nearby enemies.
Spider Lily Armor IV– Enemies have a moderate chance to drop throwable weapons.
– Stagger damage inflicted by melee weapons increases by a moderate amount.
– Staggering an enemy has a moderate chance of dealing moderate Stagger damage to nearby enemies.

Mercenary Attire

Player showcasing the fully upgraded Mercenary Attire armor set in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Mercenary Attire. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “A versatile outfit that hides both dust and blood.”
  • Focus: Utility, stealth, and melee – thrown weapon damage, Sake, and Spirit gain.
  • How to get: Complete the Belly of the Beast main story quest in Ishikari Plain.
Upgrade TierPerks
Mercenary Attire I– Thrown melee weapons deal increased damage by a minor amount and grant a minor amount of Spirit.
– Assassinating an enemy has a moderate chance of dropping Sake.
– Drinking Sake grants a minor amount of additional Spirit.
Mercenary Attire II– Thrown melee weapons deal increased damage by a moderate amount and grant a moderate amount of Spirit.
– Assassinating an enemy has a moderate chance of dropping Sake.
– Drinking Sake grants a minor amount of additional Spirit.
Mercenary Attire III– Thrown melee weapons deal increased damage by a moderate amount and grant a moderate amount of Spirit.
– Assassinating an enemy has a guaranteed chance of dropping Sake.
– Drinking Sake grants a minor amount of additional Spirit.
Mercenary Attire IV– Thrown melee weapons deal increased damage by a moderate amount and grant a moderate amount of Spirit.
– Assassinating an enemy has a guaranteed chance of dropping Sake.
– Drinking Sake grants a major amount of additional Spirit.

Nine Tail Armor

Player inspecting the fully upgraded Nine Tail Armor for stealth in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Nine Tail Armor. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “Worn by the shinobi haunting Teshio Ridge. Designed for stealth and cunning.”
  • Focus: Stealth and utility – Quickfire weapons and enemy detection.
  • How to get: Obtained during the Blood in the Snow Kitsune main story quest in Teshio Ridge.
Upgrade TierPerks
Nine Tail Armor I– Quickfire weapon damage and duration of status effects inflicted on enemies are increased by a minor amount.
– Assassinating enemies has a minor chance of granting 1 Quickfire ammo.
– Enemy detection is reduced by a minor amount.
Nine Tail Armor II– Quickfire weapon damage and duration of status effects inflicted on enemies are increased by a moderate amount.
– Assassinating enemies has a minor chance of granting 1 Quickfire ammo.
– Enemy detection is reduced by a minor amount.
Nine Tail Armor III– Quickfire weapon damage and duration of status effects inflicted on enemies are increased by a moderate amount.
– Assassinating enemies has a minor chance of granting 2 Quickfire ammo.
– Enemy detection is reduced by a minor amount.
Nine Tail Armor IV– Quickfire weapon damage and duration of status effects inflicted on enemies are increased by a moderate amount.
– Assassinating enemies has a minor chance of granting 2 Quickfire ammo.
– Enemy detection is reduced by a moderate amount.

Ginji’s Guard Armor

Character equipped with Ginji’s Guard Armor offering bullet defense in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Ginji’s Guard Armor. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “A prototype crafted by Ginji, the armorer, to protect its wearer from incoming gunfire.”
  • Focus: Defence – Tanegashima and defense against incoming bullets.
  • How to get: Acquired during the Pride Before Tea sensei quest in Oshima Coast.
Upgrade TierPerks
Ginji’s Guard Armor I– Increases Tanegashima reload speed by a minor amount.
– Blocking deflects incoming bullets.
– Incoming projectiles inflict less damage by a major amount.
Ginji’s Guard Armor II– Increases Tanegashima reload speed by a moderate amount.
– Blocking deflects incoming bullets.
– Incoming projectiles inflict less damage by a major amount.
Ginji’s Guard Armor III– Increases Tanegashima reload speed by a moderate amount.
– Blocking deflects incoming bullets and grants a minor amount of Spirit.
– Incoming projectiles inflict less damage by a major amount.
Ginji’s Guard Armor IV– Increases Tanegashima reload speed by a moderate amount.
– Blocking deflects incoming bullets and grants a minor amount of Spirit.
– Incoming projectiles inflict less damage by a massive amount.

Fundoshi

Character wearing the Fundoshi armor for silent movement in Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Fundoshi. Image credit: Tom Bardwell for VideoGamer
  • Description: “At the cost of warmth, running and sprinting no longer create noise.”
  • Focus: Stealth – Enemy detection.
  • How to get: Rest at all the Hot Springs across Ezo.
Upgrade TierPerks
FundoshiReduced noise and enemy detection when running and sprinting.

FAQs

How do you upgrade Ghost of Yotei armor?

All armor sets other than the Onryo Armor are upgraded by visiting Ginji the Armorer in major settlements across Ezo. The Onryo Armor, on the other hand, is upgraded by completing main story revenge quests

How many armor sets are there in Ghost of Yotei?

There are a total of twelve armor sets to find and unlock.

What is the best armor in Ghost of Yotei?

The Armor of the Undying, the Dragonfly Armor, and the Crimson Kimono.

About the Author

Tom Bardwell

Tom is guides editor here at VideoGamer.

Ghost of Yotei

  • Platform(s): PlayStation 5
  • Genre(s): Action Adventure

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