Onryo armor upgrades are story‑locked

The Onryo armor doesn’t use the normal crafting loop. You start the game wearing it with no special perks, and it powers up only as you advance the main story. Progressing Main Tales and taking down major targets from the Yotei Six triggers automatic rank ups—there’s nothing to buy and nowhere to turn it in.

On the map, Main Tales are marked with a golden ginkgo leaf. Completing those milestones quietly bumps the armor’s tier and strengthens its fear‑focused kit.

Why “follow the golden ginkgo leaf to upgrade” sometimes shows nothing

That message is pointing you back to a tracked Main Tale, not to an armorer or a collectible trail. If you don’t see the golden ginkgo path in the world, you likely haven’t set a main objective.

  • Open the map and highlight a Main Tale (or a Revenge target) so it’s actively tracked.
  • Use the Guiding Wind to reach that objective.
  • Finish the mission or eliminate the target; the armor rank applies automatically after the milestone.
Tip: If you’ve been doing bounties or free exploration for a while and the armor hasn’t moved, jump back onto the main thread until the next rank triggers.

Onryo armor effect progression (what actually changes)

Each rank makes the same core behaviors more reliable and more punishing for enemies. The armor’s identity is built around spreading fear, amplifying damage against panicked foes, and occasionally calling in your wolf when terror hits the crowd.

Stage Effect changes How it progresses
Base No special effects; standard protection only. Starting equipment.
Early ranks Kills with Spirit Attacks or thrown melee have a small chance to terrify nearby enemies. Terrified enemies take a moderate damage increase. The wolf can sometimes appear when enemies are terrified. Complete early Main Tales; defeat initial major targets.
Mid ranks The chance to terrify on Spirit/throw kills improves from minor to moderate. Wolf appearances become more frequent when fear spreads. Continue through the central story beats; remove more members of the Yotei Six.
Late ranks Wolf appearance chance becomes high during terror. Terrified enemies take a large damage increase. Reached after late‑game main milestones.

Cosmetics evolve alongside ranks, so the set’s look changes as you push the story forward.

Onryo vs. other body armors

Armor Upgrade method Where it happens Costs
Onryo armor Automatic ranks from main story milestones (including Yotei Six targets). Nowhere—granted on mission completion. No coins, no materials.
Most other body armors Manual upgrades per level. At the armorer (e.g., Ginji at inns). Coins and materials; dyes cost flowers (cosmetic).
Note: The armorer still handles visual dyes for armor and sells upgrades for non‑Onryo sets, but he does not rank up Onryo’s special effects.

Fastest way to rank Onryo up

  • Prioritize Main Tales when you want the next bump; detours won’t move this set.
  • Track a main objective so the golden ginkgo path appears and ride the wind straight to it.
  • Focus on missions tied to the Yotei Six—those targets gate key milestones.

The takeaway is simple: track a Main Tale, follow the wind, and finish the mission. The armor will catch up to your story, no shopping list required.