UNLOCK THE BEST ARMOR IN GHOST OF YŌTEI—AND DOMINATE EZO LIKE A TRUE ONNA-MUSHA.

Struggling to cut through the Yōtei Six? Atsu’s ultimate gear awaits: The Bounty Master Armor, a parry godsend that turns perfect dodges into multi-kill frenzy. Our guide spills every step—from bounty grinding to secret upgrades—plus tips on the Crimson Kimono for stealth slayers and Undying set for early-game invincibility. One equip, and you’re unstoppable.

Ready to forge your legend? Dive into the full guide.

Parry pro or stealth ghost? What’s your go-to set? ⚔️❄️

In the unforgiving wilds of Ezo, where blizzards bury secrets and the Yōtei Six carve vengeance into the snow, armor isn’t just protection—it’s Atsu’s lifeline to survival and supremacy. Ghost of Yōtei, Sucker Punch’s frost-forged sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, expands the gear system with 13 outfits, each a tapestry of perks tailored to parries, stealth, or raw stagger power. But amid the haiku-haunted tundras and Ainu-inspired villages, one question echoes from fox dens to volcanic springs: What’s the best armor? Spoiler: It depends on your playstyle, but the Bounty Master Armor reigns supreme for combat virtuosos, while the Crimson Kimono cloaks stealth assassins in shadow. Released on PS5 to 5 million first-week sales, Yōtei refines Tsushima’s formula—no missables, all unlockable post-game, and upgrades that turn rags into relics. Below, we dissect the top sets, step-by-step unlocks, and upgrade paths to arm Atsu for her 40-60 hour odyssey of orphaned fury. Whether you’re chaining assassinations or perfect-parrying avalanches, this guide ensures your blades bite deeper than the northern wind.

The Best Overall: Bounty Master Armor – Parry Perfection for Vengeance Incarnate

Hailed as “the ultimate risk-reward masterpiece” by IGN, the Bounty Master Armor is Yōtei‘s crown jewel for aggressive fighters. It disables standard parries but balloons Perfect Parry windows, granting three counterattacks on flawless timing—stack it with the Charm of Futsunushi for stagger chains that mow down bandit hordes like wheat. Fully upgraded, it adds “Bounty Echo,” where kills drop extra coin and spirit orbs, fueling endless rampages. Ideal for standoffs atop Yōtei’s peaks, where one mistimed block means death.

How to Unlock:

Grind Bounties Early:

Head to the Old Inn near Yōtei’s Shadow (unlocked in Chapter 1). Clear the initial three bounties from Kojiro the Broker—simple ronin hunts in the Grasslands yielding 500 coin each.

Trigger the Special Quest:

After 10 total bounties (mix side tales for variety), Kojiro unveils “The Cursed Renegade: Soma the Condemned.” Track the marker to Lake Jozan in Ishikari Plain (northeast of the inn).

Boss Fight Prep:

Stock kunai and smoke bombs; Soma’s dual-wield katanas demand dodges over blocks. Unlock Perfect Parry via the Vengeance Tree (costs 2 skill points from early haiku shrines).

Claim the Prize:

Defeat Soma in a lakeside duel (use fire arrows to stagger his guard). Loot the armor from his corpse—Ugatsu the storyteller rewards bonus coin and a haiku journal entry.

Upgrades and Perks: Visit Ginji the Armorer at inns or campsites (summon via Wolf Pack menu). Costs escalate: Level 1 (500 coin, 10 metals) extends parry window by 20%; Level 3 (2,000 coin, 50 metals, 5 spider lilies) unlocks triple counters and mask cosmetic. Dye options? Blood-red for intimidation, aurora-blue for Ainu flair. Pro Tip: Pair with Tanegashima rifle for ranged setups—parry into headshots for “Echo Finisher” executions.

Stealth Supreme: Crimson Kimono – Shadow Assassin’s Silk

For ghost runs through bandit camps, the Crimson Kimono is unmatched. It boosts chain assassinations to five kills (with Kunai equipped), silences footsteps in snow, and grants “Veil Step”—a dash that leaves illusory decoys. Upgraded, it adds group stagger on pounce kills, perfect for clearing outposts without alerting the Yōtei shaman’s crows. GameSpot dubs it “stealth elevated to art form.”

How to Unlock:

Progress to Tokachi Range:

Available mid-Chapter 2, after the Oni revenge quest (around hour 15). Speak to the exiled poet in a hidden bamboo grove southeast of the range’s hot spring.

Side Tale: The Dragonfly’s Whisper:

Complete three stealth-focused errands—eavesdrop on Yōtei patrols, sabotage supply carts, and assassinate a lone scout. Rewards lead to the poet’s cache.

Retrieve the Kimono:

Infiltrate a fog-shrouded shrine guarded by Kitsune illusions (use smoke for diversions). Loot from a crimson altar—triggers a haiku riddle for bonus spirit orbs.

Upgrades and Perks: Ginji’s path: Level 1 (300 coin, 8 metals) silences sprints; Level 4 (3,500 coin, 80 metals, 8 black dyes) enables decoy chains and unlocks the Fox Mask (cosmetic +10% stealth detection radius). Dye it midnight-black for nocturnal ops. Pro Tip: Stack with kusarigama for extended reach—chain five kills into a “Crimson Cascade” that stuns survivors.

Early-Game Essential: Armor of the Undying – Stagger Starter Pack

Newbies, rejoice: This set’s your shield against early blunders. It extends dodge/parry windows by 30%, boosts stagger on weapon-aligned counters (katana vs. spear, etc.), and reduces incoming damage by 15% during resolve bursts. IGN calls it “the best early-game crutch that feels earned.”

How to Unlock:

Old Inn Setup:

Clear the inn’s initial threats (unlocks vendors).

Storyteller Side Quest:

Chat with Ugatsu at the inn; he’ll spin a yarn about a “undying warrior” in Yōtei Grasslands.

Duel the Tale’s Hero:

Track to a misty meadow near Lake Jozan. Fight the armored duelist (focus parries—unlock via early skill tree).

Reward Reel:

Victory yields the armor, plus Ugatsu’s coin tip and a bonus tale entry.

Upgrades and Perks: Basic path: Level 1 (200 coin, 5 metals) adds stagger boost; Max (1,500 coin, 40 metals) unlocks “Unyielding Resolve” (revive once per outpost). Pair with default Onryo Mask for +5% alignment damage. Pro Tip: Swap weapons mid-fight to max alignment—katana shreds ronin, yari pierces archers.

Honorable Mentions: Other Top-Tier Sets for Specialized Builds

Fundoshi (Exploration God): Unlock by bathing in all 16 hot springs (Yōtei Grasslands to Oshima Coast). Perk: Silent sprints at warmth’s cost—ideal for haiku hunts. Upgrade for infinite stamina dashes; mask unlocks eternal youth cosmetic.
Robes for Sitturaynu (Ainu Mystic): Complete “The Heart of an Ainu” in Nayoro Wilds (speak to Huci, collect Ainu Items via Song of the Ainu). Perk: Spirit orb drops from rituals; upgrades via Kaeka the Weaver (no Ginji). Boosts kamuy visions for lore skips.
Nine Tail Armor (Story Powerhouse): Auto-unlocks in Kitsune questline (Chapter 3). Perk: Illusion decoys for escapes; full upgrade adds tail-whip AoE. Stealth + evasion hybrid.
Taro’s Armor (Survival Tank): Meet wandering NPC Taro in Tokachi Range (random encounters post-Chapter 2). Perk: +Health, fire/cold resist—crucial for blizzards. Upgrades for regen; bear-claw mask cosmetic.

General Upgrade Tips: Forge Atsu into a Legend

Ginji the Armorer: Summon at camps (Wolf Pack menu) for dyes (200-1,000 coin) and perks (metals from bounties, spider lilies from shrines). Full sets unlock loadout slots—own 5 for 3 swaps.
Ainu Items for Specials: Use Song of the Ainu (unlocked Chapter 2) to wind-guide to collectibles; trade to Kaeka in Husko Kotan for mystic upgrades (no coin needed).
NG+ Perks: Replay with curse masks for permadeath thrills; bounties scale for endless farming.
Playstyle Synergies: Bounty Master + Futsunushi Charm = parry god. Crimson + Kunai = assassination chains. Undying + alignment swaps = early stagger machine.

With Yōtei‘s GOTY buzz (9.2/10 Metacritic), these armors aren’t just gear—they’re Atsu’s soul forged in frost. From the Old Inn’s humble bounties to Yōtei’s storm-swept climax, unlocking them transforms revenge into revelation. Equip wisely, wanderer: Ezo’s winds whisper, but your blades must roar. For more Ghost of Yōtei guides—from haiku riddles to fox puzzles—stay tuned. The north awaits your legend.