Snake Armor is the outfit worn by the Snake of the Yotei Six, and it’s included as a chest piece for players who own the Digital Deluxe Edition. It’s available from the start of the game if you have that edition. If you’re playing the standard release, plan on using other early armor options listed below.

What Snake Armor is (and isn’t)

In Ghost of Yotei, chest armor pieces provide gameplay perks and stat modifiers. Masks and headgear are cosmetic and don’t change combat performance. Snake Armor is a chest piece, but its specific modifiers aren’t documented alongside the other early-game armors. Treat it as an alternate starting option if you have Digital Deluxe; otherwise, build around the reliable early sets you can earn in-game.

Minor spoiler note: there is a cosmetic Snake’s Mask you can earn later by defeating the Snake. Masks are visual-only.

Early armor you can secure quickly

The table below focuses on chest pieces you can obtain early or through clear questlines, plus what they do. This is the most practical route if you don’t have the Digital Deluxe Snake Armor—or even if you do and want a specialized build.

Armor How to get What it does (high level)
Onryo Armor (starting) Equipped at the beginning Kills with Spirit Attacks or thrown melee can terrify nearby enemies; terrified enemies take extra damage; your wolf can appear when enemies are terrified.
Taro’s Armor Meet and help Taro in the early regions (he roams near the Old/Shadow Inn and wilderness camps) Small boost to maximum health; minor increase to Spirit gains when you have a cooking bonus; moderate reduction to fire and cold damage.
Bounty Master Armor Advance the Bounty Board until you’re sent after Soma the Condemned near Lake Jozan; defeat him Normal parries are disabled; Perfect Parry/Dodge windows become much larger; a Perfect Parry enables two extra counters; small boost to Spirit gains.
Mercenary Attire Obtained during the main tale “The Oni” (part of the Ishigaki Plain arc) Thrown melee weapons hit harder and grant Spirit; assassinations can drop Sake; drinking Sake grants a large amount of Spirit.
Nine Tail Armor Clear the Nine Tails Hideout during “The Kitsune” Moderate stealth benefits: reduced enemy detection; stronger quickfire weapon damage and longer status durations; assassinations can refund quickfire ammo.
Armor of the Undying Defeat the Undying Samurai (mythic quest) When your weapon is aligned: staggering restores health; larger Perfect Parry/Dodge window; Focus attacks can increase stagger damage.
Spider Lily Armor Enter the Mysterious Gate south of Shizunai Woods (Tokachi Range) and complete the quest Higher stagger damage; staggering can also apply stagger to nearby foes; enemies can drop throwable weapons more often.
Dragonfly Armor Complete the “Dragonfly Armor” side quest Ranged-focused: a brief glint on a full bow draw empowers your shot for higher damage and range; empowered shots grant Concentration; faster arrow reload.
Robes for Sitturaynu Finish the “Heart of an Ainu” side quest Exploration aid: guidance to Altars of Reflection within a short radius; Golden Birds can point to collectibles; flowers can auto-collect in specific situations.
Crimson Kimono Complete the “Crimson Kimono” quest (Teshio Ridge) Stealth-first: chain assassinations with Kunai; significantly reduced detection; Kusarigama assassinations can be initiated from farther away.
Ginji’s Guard Armor Finish “Pride Before Tea” later in the story Projectile defense: faster Tanegashima reload; blocking deflects bullets; incoming projectiles deal far less damage.
Fundoshi (bonus outfit) Visit all 16 Hot Springs Running and sprinting are silent, but you lose warmth. It’s a niche stealth option once you’ve completed the Hot Springs circuit.

How this stacks up against Snake Armor

Snake Armor’s inclusion with the Digital Deluxe Edition makes it a convenient early chest piece, but it isn’t required to build a strong loadout. Onryo is capable from minute one, Taro’s Armor shores up survivability for harsh weather, and early quest rewards like Spider Lily, Nine Tail, and the Undying set quickly unlock defined playstyles (stagger-heavy brawling, stealth, or high-sustain dueling). If you want a timing-focused kit, Bounty Master is one of the most transformative sets once the Soma bounty opens.

Where masks and headgear fit

Masks and headgear personalize your look. They don’t affect combat or stats. If you want the Snake’s look, the Snake’s Mask drops from defeating the Snake later in the story (minor spoiler). Additional headgear can be found in activities like Sumi-e Paintings, while many other masks come from bounties or chests. Save dyes for sets you plan to keep equipped—flowers are useful across multiple unlocks.

Upgrading armor (and one exception)

  • Most chest pieces can be upgraded at an armorer, such as Ginji at the Old Inn. Upgrades strengthen the same core perks listed above.
  • Onryo Armor is the outlier: its upgrades unlock as you progress the main story rather than through the armorer.

If you’re unsure what to level first, prioritize the set that matches how you’re actually playing—stealth routes benefit immediately from Crimson Kimono or Nine Tail, while frequent duels and counterplay favor Armor of the Undying or Bounty Master.

Quick recommendations

  • Want safer boss duels and mid-fight healing? Hunt down the Undying Samurai early for Armor of the Undying.
  • Prefer aggressive melee with crowd control? Solve the Spider Lily quest for its stagger-focused kit.
  • Comfortable with timing windows? Push Bounty Board progress to unlock Bounty Master and lean into Perfect Parries.
  • Playing stealth-first? Track down the Crimson Kimono and use its heavy detection reduction and chain tools.

If you already have the Digital Deluxe Snake Armor, wear it while you chase your first specialized set; if not, the starting Onryo plus one early quest armor will carry you comfortably. Either way, you’re a few tales away from a build that suits how you want to play.