Picking armor inAssassin’s Creed Shadowsisn’t just about style; it’s about how you want to play. Want to stay quiet in the shadows? There’s gear for that. Prefer kicking down the front door with apowerful katanawith no fear? You’ve got plenty of options. Each set ofarmor in ACScomes with its own perks, and while some sound great on paper, only a few actually make a big difference when you’re out in the field.
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Whether you are playing as Naoe or Yasuke, there’s roughly fifty armors you can lay your hands on, so figuring out which ones are worth your time becomes tricky. Let’s break them down for you.
10Elegant Samurai Outfit
More Posture Damage
The Elegant Samurai Outfit rewards you for holding your adrenaline instead of spending it right away. For every full adrenaline bar, Yasuke deals 20% more posture damage. That means the longer you hold back, the harder you hit when it’s time to break your enemy’s guard.
When it comes to finding the Elegant Samurai Outfit, you’ll need to visit the Megalithic Vault up in the Yamato region, just northeast of Izumi Settsu. Once you reach the vault, the armor’s waiting in a chest; no gimmicks, just exploration.
9Master Archer Outfit
More Damage from Ranged Weapons
The Master Archer Outfit is perfect for those who love to fight from a distance. With this armor, you’ll see a heavy damage boost to yourranged weaponswhen you’re not in combat. This makes it great for sneaky sniping, picking off enemies before you even get close to them.
To find the Master Archer Outfit, you will have to head over to Tsuruga Castle in the Wakasa region. The outfit is locked away in a Legendary Chest in the northern part of the castle. But before you can claim it, you’ll have to take down two tough Samurai Daisho who guard the area. Once you’ve handled them, the chest is all yours.
8Noh Masterstroke Costume
Nearby Enemies Contract Status Effects
With the Noh Masterstroke Costume, when you kill someone who’s already poisoned, bleeding or otherwise suffering from a status effect, that same effect starts to build up on enemies nearby. And you don’t need to spray poison all over the place.
Hit one target with a dart, let them stew for a bit, then finish them off. That kill ends up “infecting” others around them with the same affliction buildup. This armor pairs well with gadgets or weapons that apply effects like poison or burn.
7Legendary Onna-musha Kosode
Slide in and Disrupt Enemy’s Rhythm
If you’re the type that loves hit-and-run tactics, or just enjoy messing with enemy positioning, the Legendary Onna-musha Kosode would perfectly fit you. With this light armor, you may crash-slide into enemies and interrupt whatever they are doing.
You’ll need to head to Uda Matsuyama Castle in the Yamato region and take out some Samurai Daisho to find the Legendary Onna-musha Kosode. If your style leans toward quick movement, disrupting enemies and controlling the flow of a fight, this armor is a solid choice.
6Last Dance of the Onryo Robe
Cheat Death
The Last Dance of the Onryo Robe is not as elegant as the Master Assassin Gear, but it does its job well, especially when you want a bit of a safety net in tough fights. With this robe, you don’t have to worry about dying for about eight seconds. That’s a handy lifesaver when things go wrong.
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You can find this robe in a Legendary Chest located at the Grave of the Three Emperors. To get there, head east from Shattered Coast to Onyu Pass in the Wakasa Province. The chest is tucked away behind a building in a small stone alcove.
5Destroyer Samurai Armor
Enemies Attacks Got Nothing on You
With the Destroyer Samurai Armor, Yasuke can endure more hits without being staggered or knocked off balance. This allows him to maintain offensive pressure even when under assault. The Destroyer Samurai Armor is particularly useful when facing multiple enemies, as every hit they land on you will barely move you.
You must complete the “Fighting for the Cause” quest before you can get the Destroyer Samurai Armor. This mission is set in the Hibuse Fudo Temple, where Yasuke confronts Kimura Kei, a formidable Templar adversary.
4Defense Master Clothing
Parry and Heal
If you’re the kind of player who likes to stay calm under pressure and parry at the right moment, the Defense Master Clothing’s got your back. After you land a clean parry, you get a short window. Land a hit during that window and Yasuke heals a bit (around a tenth of his total health).
You’ll find this gear tucked away in Himeji Castle over in the Harima region. It’s not just lying around, though. You’ve got to clean house by taking down five tough-as-nails Samurai Daisho roaming the area. Once they’re out of the picture, a Legendary Chest opens up, and that’s where the armor waits.
3Yurei-Walker Robes
Enemies Go Deaf
If you want to stay out of sight and out of earshot, just put on the Yurei-Walker Robes. It helps you move more quietly through hostile areas. It’s particularly helpful when you’re dealing with tightly packed enemy camps or patrolling guards who react to the sound of footsteps, gear movement or climbing.
To be clear, the Yurei-Walker Robe doesn’t mute all noise, but it narrows their detection range when you make noise. For example, if you sprint across a wooden floor or drop down from a ledge, there’s less chance they’ll notice unless they’re very close. That gives you more time to reposition, take cover or line up a silent takedown without rushing.
2Master Assassin Gear
Removes Two Extra Health Bars
You can only get this armor late in the game. You have to finish the “Out of the Shadows” quest before you can get your hands on the Master Assassin Gear. This light armor has a deep red color scheme with dragon patterns and a samurai-style shoulder piece. It fits Naoe’s vibe without being overdone.
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This armor removes two extra health bars when you assassinate an enemy. That’s on top of the standard damage from a normal stealth takedown. So if a guard has three health segments, and you land a clean assassination, they’re out cold. No backup, no scuffle, just done.
1Protector’s Armor
Parry Unstoppable Hits
You know those big, flashy enemy moves that usually bypass your guard and slam right through you? With Protector’s Armor on, Yasuke doesn’t have to just dodge or eat the hit, he can meet it head-on and parry it like any regular strike.
But then, Protector’s Armor is not some magic shield that makes you invincible. You still have to time your parry right. It opens up new options in fights that would normally force you into defense or retreat. If you’re already the kind of player who leans into parrying and likes to control the tempo of battle, this armor just smooths out the rough edges – making those “unfair” attacks more manageable.
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