Ghost of Tsushima: All Armor Sets, Ranked (2024)

Playing as a samurai in Ghost of Tsushima, it’s essential to be wearing the proper armor. After Jin Sakai starts the game on Komoda Beach, his armor becomes completely ruined, leaving it up to players to find the proper equipment to upgrade.

There are numerous armor set options, ranging in stats for all kinds of play styles. These armor sets are obtained through various Tales in the game, either Mythic or Character-based.

When considering armor, it’s important to keep the statistics of the armor in mind, both when the set is acquired and as it’s upgraded. Plus, the way armor looks is also considered – after all, the way a samurai presents himself is as important as his skill with the blade.

With that in mind, these are all armor sets for your next playthrough of Ghost of Tsushima, ranked on what’s best overall.

11 Traveller’s Attire

For Those Who Love Exploration

The Traveller’s Attire is ideal for players who live and breathe exploration, as this armor set focuses on just that. Obtained from the first merchant Jin speaks to after the Prologue, the Traveller’s Attire is the first armor set that many players receive, replacing the broken armor.

There are no statistics to help with combat with this attire, as it focuses on finding Artifacts and clearing more Fog of War from the map.

When first obtained, travelling clears an additional 10 percent of Fog of War, and the controller will vibrate within 30m of an Artifact. As it’s upgraded, it switches, clearing 60 percent of Fog of War and will vibrate within 60m of an Artifact. The ability to track Artifacts with Guiding Wind doesn’t change.

This armor isn’t really useful early in the game for players trying to tackle the story, especially since it doesn’t provide any benefit in combat. Most of the time, players find themselves using it after they’ve already beaten the game and are doing all the additional collectibles.

However, when it is being used for exploration, it genuinely shines, enriching the world and the players’ experiences.

10 Fundoshi

Hilarity When Sneaking

The Fundoshi is a surprising, yet hilarious armor set that players can obtain after completing all 18 Hot Springs (called Onsen in Japanese) on the main island of Tsushima. There are an additional two hot springs on Iki Island, but they won’t count toward this piece.

The Fundoshi (traditional Japanese underwear for men) is, surprisingly enough, a stealth armor set, as running and sprinting no longer create noise. There’s only one upgrade available for the armor, and adding it reduces enemy detection speed by 40 percent.

This hilarious set is good for players trying to stealth quickly – emphasis on quickly. It allows Jin to completely sprint up behind an enemy and assassinate them, then bolt to the next target without making a single sound.

Plus, it’s also just genuinely funny to have Jin be a menace while literally wearing no clothes. It adds an extra layer of disrespect to the Mongols – but honestly, after seeing what they do to innocents in the game, the disrespect is deserved.

And of course, it gives a nice view of Jin's booty, which his own voice actor is a fan of.

9 Samurai Clan Armor

Jin’s Old Reliable

The Samurai Clan Armor is a gift born from a tragedy. It’s given to Jin by Lady Masako, originally belonging to her late son, Shigesato, who died on Komoda Beach without knowing he would perish with the rest of his clan.

This armor set focuses on defense and endurance, by gaining Resolve with every hit taken (starting at 15 percent, and caps out at 45 percent after all five upgrades).

When first obtained, it also increases health and reduces damage by a Moderate amount. As it’s upgraded, it will reduce damage by a Major amount and increase health by a Colossal amount.

This set is ideal for those who are newer to the game and are getting used to combat, especially before players increase their health and Resolve with onsens and bamboo strikes. It makes it harder to fall in combat, which is especially great on harder difficulties.

It’s a standard armor set, nothing fancy to write home about, but it’s sturdy and reliable, which is perfect for war.

8 Gosaku’s Armor

Excellent For Boss Fights

The natural upgrade for players that have improved their combat ability is Gosaku’s Armor, which is obtained after completing the Mythic Tale, The Unbreakable Gosaku, in Act II. This Tale requires Jin to save the various farmsteads that are under attack, and six different locations will give him a key to the armor.

This armor set is focused on combat, specifically offensive combat, since the Gosaku’s Armor’s augments are for Staggering enemies and the damage they will receive after being Staggered.

When first obtained, this armor offers a Moderate increase to health and Stagger damage, and killing a Staggered enemy restores 10 percent of health. By the time it’s fully upgraded, it provides a Colossal increase to health, a Massive increase to Stagger damage, and killing a Staggered enemy restores 20 percent of health.

This set is ideal for players that run head-first into combat and like to cause problems for their enemies, knocking people prone and throwing them off balance. Playing aggressive in this armor means playing to win, and that’s exactly what Jin will do.

7 Ronin Attire

A Great Early Stealth Option

The Ronin Attire is an excellent early option for stealth-centred players. Given as a gift by Ryuzo during the Blood on the Grass Tale, the Ronin Attire is also one of the few sets that doesn’t change in appearance as it’s upgraded, maintaining a clean, simple look – all that changes is the straw hat itself.

While it unfortunately doesn’t blend Jin in among the Straw Hat Ronin after they turn rogue and side with the Mongols, but it does help with stealth overall. It’s augmented to assist in quiet assassinations, perfect for players that like to analyse Mongol territory and pick off enemies one by one.

When it’s first obtained, the Ronin Attire reduces enemy detection speed by 10 percent, grants a Moderate increase to Melee damage, and after leaving pampas grass while crouched, enemies will be much slower to detect you. As it’s fully upgraded, enemy detection is reduced by 30 percent, enemies will be significantly slower to detect Jin leaving pampas grass, and Melee damage is increased by a Massive amount.

Apart from this, it’s also got some of the best dyes in the game, allowing for countless customisation options for that perfect Kurosawa-esque aesthetic. With Jin being the last of Clan Sakai, he’s practically a ronin already, the first step towards him fully embracing the Ghost.

6 Kensei Armor

Empowering Ghost Weapons

The Kensei Armor is a reward for those who completed the Mythic Tale The Six Blades of Kojiro, which is without a doubt the best Mythic Tale in the game. With epic duels and stunning visuals, this armor is great for those who want to augment their stealth and their tools.

When it’s first acquired, it grants a Massive increase to resolve gains (which increases after fully upgrading to 40 percent), Ghost Weapons deal additional damage (which also increases to 40 percent), and striking enemies with ghost weapons causes them to deal less and receive more damage (which increases to 50 percent at the fifth and final upgrade).

The tools of the trade offer a wide selection of options for gameplay and stealth, with certain Mongol Territories offering bonus objectives that require players to use certain Ghost Weapons.

Plus, as the Ghost Weapons themselves are levelled up, this damage continues to increase and spread to more enemies, creating absolutely lethal scenarios that would have enemies wishing for the Tanto blade instead.

5 Mongol Commander’s Armor

Nobody's Going to Know

It’s not always war and death in Ghost of Tsushima – sometimes, wacky hijinks ensue, and in this case, it’s in the form of a near-seamless disguise. After all, if you can’t beat them, join them – or at least join them long enough to stab them in the back.

The Mongol Commander’s Armor, obviously, disguises Jin to look like a Mongol, which massively reduces Mongol detection speed while out of combat. It also provides a Major increase to health and reduces all damage by a Major amount. Both of these, when fully upgraded, increase to a Massive amount.

This set is obtained after completing the Tale Fit for the Khan, which would require Jin to liberate Kawachi Whaling village, Morimae Brewery, General Dogshin’s Mining Camp and General Bartu’s camp.

What’s unique about this is that Jin doesn’t even have to wear the helmet in order to maintain anonymity with the Mongols. He could wear a Straw Hat, a headband, or even the Sakai Clan Armor Helmet, and the Mongols wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

It’s obtained a bit late in the game to have too much use, but it’s incredibly entertaining and worth using after beating the game.

4 Tadayori’s Armor

An Archer’s Ideal Set

Tadayori’s Armor was once worn by an archery legend, Tadayori Nagao, who was gifted this armor set by Hachiman, the god of war himself. So, when Jin completes the Mythic Tale The Legend of Tadayori, he’s able to claim this armor set as his own.

Finding Tadayori’s Rest is no small feat, as it requires players to hunt down vibrant purple flowers and follow the trail. Even once they arrive at one of the prettiest spots in the game, Jin has to duel that last of clan Nagao, a descendant of Tadayori going by the name Kaede. Believing that Jin is a thief, she duels him until she quickly learns that he’s a genuine samurai. Afterwards, she grants her blessing for him to wear this armor.

Tadayori’s Armor is focused entirely on augmenting archery, which is great for those going with a more Sneak Archer build like they’re playing Skyrim. Plus, as different types of arrows are unlocked, the options expand along with it.

When finally found, this armor initially grants a 15 percent increase (45 percent when fully upgraded) to reloading and nocking speeds, increases Concentration time by one second (three seconds when fully upgraded) and allows headshots to restore 25 percent of the Concentration meter (which increases to 50 percent after fully upgrading).

This armor is great for those that are skilled with the bow and arrow, whether it be with the Half Bow or the Longbow. Plus, as players run into archery challenges, this armor makes it all the easier to complete in ease.

3 Sakai Clan Armor

The Tragic Samurai Legacy

Obtaining the Sakai Clan Armor is a momentous occasion for Jin, a turning point in the game and an overall achievement. Worn by Jin’s father, Kazumasa, and kept in good condition by Yuriko, this armor is obtained while completing the Tale Ghosts from the Past.

The Sakai Clan Armor is a threat to enemies all across Tsushima, focusing on offensive combat manoeuvres and Standoffs and terrifying nearby enemies. Since it’s the only armor that augments Standoffs, it’s the only way to complete the trophy All in the Wrist.

When first obtained, this armor offers a Moderate increase to Melee damage and to health, and increases the Standoff Streak by 1, with winning a Standoff having a 15 percent chance to Terrify nearby enemies. When it’s fully upgraded, it provides a Massive increase to Melee damage, a Colossal increase to health, and increases the Standoff Streak by 2, with a 25 percent chance to Terrify nearby enemies.

This armor makes Jin an absolute monster while out in open combat, living up to the demonic legend of his father behind. Plus, at the Shrine of Ash on Iki Island, a new dye can be unlocked inspired by Kratos from God of War, which only adds to the intimidating image.

2 Sarugami Armor

Absolutely Lethal Parry Windows

The Iki Island DLC offers two new Mythic Tales, The Legacy of Kazumasa Sakai and The Legend of Black Hand Riku. The latter must be completed in order to obtain the Sarugami Armor, which is one of the deadliest armor sets in the game.

By providing power through recklessness, the Sarugami Armor augments parrying and Resolve gains, making Jin a powerhouse in combat.

When first acquired, all Resolve gains are increased by a Small amount, perfect parry and perfect dodge windows are increased by a Small amount, and regular parry is disabled, which turns perfect parry into a chain of two attacks. When fully upgraded, all Resolve gains are increased by a Colossal amount, the perfect parry and perfect dodge windows are increased by a Major amount, and the perfect parry chain is increased to three attacks that also blind enemies.

Combined with a charm that increases the perfect parry window and suddenly, Jin can’t take a single hit, no matter how early or late the reaction is, it’s almost always a perfect parry or a perfect dodge. Combined with a blinding streak, and suddenly players are untouchable.

1 Ghost Armor

An Iconic Gift From an Old Friend

The best armor set in the game is, without a doubt, the iconic Ghost Armor. As Jin embraces his identity as The Ghost in the Tale From the Darkness, he receives this armor as a final gift from the recently deceased Taka, Yuna’s brother.

This Armor is optimal for assassinations and combat with the Ghost Stance, which is the coolest Stance in the entire game. It’s a great combination of multiple play styles, which is an incredible reflection of Jin’s growth throughout the game.

When this set is first gifted, it reduces enemy detection speed by 25 percent (50 percent when fully upgraded), reduces the number of kills needed to enter the Ghost Stance by one (increases to two with full upgrades), and kills have a 15 percent chance to Terrify nearby enemies (raised to 40 percent when fully upgraded).

The Ghost Armor isn’t gifted until rather late in the game, but it’s well worth the wait, and well worth replaying the story on New Game+. Overall, this set is a go-to for most players, simply because it’s unbeatable.

6 Images

6 Images

Ghost of Tsushima

Action

Adventure

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:88%

Platform(s)

PC , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5

Released

July 17, 2020

Developer(s)

Sucker Punch

Publisher(s)

Sony

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity

How Long To Beat

25 Hours

X|S Optimized

no

Metascore

83

Number of Players

2-4

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

Steam Deck Compatibility

Unsupported

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Cross Save

yes

Cross-Platform Play

PC, PS4 & PS5