Armor in Ghost of Yotei is split into two roles: body armor that changes how you fight, and vanity pieces (masks and headgear) that complete a look. Body armor carries gameplay perks and can be upgraded. Masks and headgear don’t add stats on their own, but pairing them with their matching body armor grants an extra set bonus. Dyes let you recolor pieces for different looks.

There are eleven collectible body armors tied to quests and activities, plus an additional outfit awarded for visiting every Hot Spring. None of this is missable — you can clean up anything in free-roam.

All body armor and how to get each one

Armor How to get Core perks or notes
Onryo Armor Starting armor; equipped from the beginning Killing with a Spirit Attack or thrown melee can terrify nearby enemies; the wolf can appear when enemies are terrified; terrified enemies take extra damage.
Mercenary Attire Main Tale: The Oni Perks vary; check in-game details.
Nine Tail Armor Main Tale: The Kitsune Perks vary; check in-game details.
Taro’s Armor Meet Taro at a camp event; he can appear when you make camp, or at camps in early regions (commonly around Shizunai Woods in Tokachi Range) Granted as a reward after helping at his camp; perks vary.
Armor of the Undying Mythic Tale: The Undying Samurai When weapon-aligned: staggering restores health; larger Perfect Parry/Dodge window; Focus attacks can increase stagger damage.
Spider Lily Armor Mythic Tale: The Spider Lily General (Tokachi Range) Enemies can drop throwable weapons; increased stagger damage; staggering can deal splash stagger to nearby enemies.
Dragonfly Armor Side Tale: The Dragonfly Armor (Tokachi Range) Ranged-focused play; check in-game details.
Robes for Sitturaynu Side Tale: The Heart of an Ainu (Nayoro Wilds) Exploration-leaning perks when upgraded; check in-game details.
Crimson Kimono Mythic Tale: The Crimson Kimono (Teshio Ridge) Stealth-oriented perks; check in-game details.
Ginji’s Guard Armor Sensei Tale: Pride Before Tea (Oshima Coast) Perks vary; check in-game details.
Bounty Master Armor Bounty: Soma the Condemned (Oshima Coast) after progressing the Bounty Board Regular parries are disabled; large window for Perfect Parry/Dodge; Perfect Parry enables two extra counters; minor increase to Spirit gains.
Fundoshi Visit all 16 Hot Springs Bonus outfit awarded for completing Hot Springs. Not required to change combat perks.
Tip: The eleven named armors above are the set you’re working toward for the armor collection milestone. The Fundoshi is an extra reward from Hot Springs on top of that list.

Masks and headgear (vanity pieces with set bonuses)

Masks and headgear personalize your look. On their own they don’t change stats, but wearing them with their matching body armor adds a small set bonus. Dyes unlock alternative colors for both vanity pieces and body armor.

Mask How to get
Toshi the Torch’s Mask Defeat Toshi the Torch (bounty)
Bounty Hunter Mask Progress the Bounty Board
Blessing of the Wolf Mask Pre‑order bonus
Turtle Man Kamekichi’s Mask Hunt down Turtle Man Kamekichi (bounty)
The Snake’s Mask Defeat The Snake
Golden Memories Mask Details pending in-game discovery
Headgear How to get
Clan Matsumae Hat During the Junpei the Snatcher bounty, pick it up in a hideout above Boar’s Eye Cave
Bounty Legend Headband Progress the Bounty Board
Helmet of the Prideful Defeat the Undying Samurai
Lone Wolf’s Straw Hat Starting headgear

What the standout armor perks actually do

  • Armor of the Undying: Built for survivability and counterplay. When your weapon type aligns with an enemy’s, staggering them restores health. Alignment also widens the timing for Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge, and Focus attacks can add extra stagger damage.
  • Spider Lily Armor: A crowd-control brawler. You’ll deal more stagger damage, can trigger a small burst of stagger to nearby foes on a stagger, and enemies have a chance to drop throwable weapons you can immediately reuse.
  • Bounty Master Armor: High risk, high reward. Normal parries are turned off; in exchange you get much larger Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge windows. Landing a Perfect Parry grants two bonus counters, and your Spirit gain ticks up slightly.
  • Onryo Armor: Control the battlefield with fear. Spirit Attacks or thrown melee kills can terrify nearby enemies, which increases their incoming damage. Terrifying can also call in the wolf companion with a moderate chance.
Note: Some quest names and region labels can vary by localization. If an activity isn’t on your map yet, progress the main story to unlock that region, then follow wind and activity markers.

Early-game priorities that actually help

  • Want safer duels and healing in fights? Prioritize the Undying Samurai mythic tale for Armor of the Undying.
  • Prefer aggressive, frontline play? Hunt the Spider Lily General early to unlock the Spider Lily Armor’s stagger and throwable loops.
  • Confident with timing? Push Bounty Board progress to earn the Bounty Master Armor and lean into Perfect Parry windows.
  • Leaning stealth? Track down the Crimson Kimono’s mythic tale; its perks support quieter approaches and chained takedowns.

Upgrading armor, dyes, and set bonuses

Body armor can be upgraded at armorers throughout Ezo to strengthen their perks. Early on, the armorer at the Old Inn (also known as Yotei’s Shadow Inn in the Grasslands) is a reliable stop. Vanity pieces and armor can be recolored with dyes you unlock — and when you pair a mask or headgear with its matching body armor, you’ll activate an extra set bonus on top of the armor’s base perks.

Trophy checklist and cleanup

Collect all eleven body armors to satisfy the armor collection milestone. On top of those, visit all sixteen Hot Springs to receive the Fundoshi outfit as a separate reward. None of these items are missable; if you outpace your level in the story, you can come back later and finish any mythic tales, side tales, bounties, and exploration tasks to complete your wardrobe.

As you move into new regions, keep an eye on mythic tales for combat-defining sets and bounties for late-game options. The fastest path is simple: unlock the region, pick up the relevant tale or bounty, and follow the wind.