Edward Kenway has a stolen ship, an expanding collection of pistols and a wardrobe that suggests piracy pays rather well. Choosing what he wears is mostly a matter of taste, but a handful of outfits offer benefits worth chasing.
Templar armour is the best all-round defensive choice in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Mayan armour is best against gunfire, while the Stealth outfit suits players who prefer to avoid open combat. For pure pirate style, the Pirate Captain outfit gets my vote.
This guide covers the original Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Unlock requirements and equipment systems in Black Flag Resynced differ. The ranking weighs usefulness, effort to unlock and how well each outfit suits Edward, with practical bonuses taking priority over fashion.
Best Black Flag Armour and Outfits at a Glance
| Rank | Armour or outfit | Best reason to wear it | Main unlock route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Templar armour | General damage protection | Collect five Templar keys and open the armour cage at Great Inagua |
| 2 | Mayan outfit | Protection from enemy gunfire | Collect all 16 Mayan stones and open the chamber at Tulum |
| 3 | Stealth outfit | Reduced detection by guards | Complete half of the Assassin contracts |
| 4 | Hunter outfit | Reduced detection by animals | Craft using a red howler monkey skin and a white jaguar pelt |
| 5 | Pirate Captain outfit | Best pirate appearance | Buy for 8,000 reales |
| 6 | Edward Kenway’s robes | Best fit for the story | Obtained through the opening story |
| 7 | Privateer outfit | Understated captain’s style | Buy for 5,000 reales |
| 8 | Crimson Cloak outfit | Affordable visual change | Buy for 3,000 reales |
The functional bonuses and standard purchase prices are documented in contemporary outfit guides. Cosmetic outfits do not provide an extra combat bonus simply because they cost more. Source: original-game outfit table.
1. Templar Armour: Best Overall
Best for: Boarding fights, fort assaults and general combat.
Templar armour reduces incoming damage by 25 per cent, making it the easiest recommendation for players who regularly end up surrounded. Its advantage applies more broadly than the Mayan outfit’s protection against bullets.
It also looks suitably expensive. Edward wearing armour taken from his enemies has a certain charm, even if the Brotherhood might prefer a quieter expression of professional disagreement.
To unlock it, progress until you control Great Inagua and complete all four Templar Hunt chains. Together with the key obtained through the story, these provide the five keys needed to open the armour cage in the manor.
The hunts take some effort, but they offer more variety than a long shopping trip across the map. For a first playthrough, this is the armour I would prioritise.
The drawback: It improves survival rather than your ability to avoid detection. You still need to counter attacks and handle enemy types properly.
2. Mayan Outfit: Best Against Gunfire
Best for: Encounters with armed guards and firing lines.
The Mayan outfit deflects bullets, giving it a particularly useful role when enemies shoot while Edward is busy fighting someone else. It feels appropriately unusual for a reward connected to the game’s ancient technology.
Unlocking it requires all 16 Mayan stones. Find the Mayan stelae, solve their alignment puzzles, collect the stones and return to the locked chamber at Tulum. Story progression controls access to some locations, so this is a reward to pursue across the campaign rather than an immediate early-game upgrade.
The official guide confirms that the stones unlock the outfit and that the Templar Hunt chains supply the keys for Templar armour. Source: Piggyback’s official guide sample.
I like the Mayan outfit as a reward for exploring. The puzzle hunt gives those island visits a purpose beyond opening another chest and politely robbing the Caribbean.
The drawback: Bullet protection does not make Edward invulnerable. Blades, falls and other hazards still matter. Its heavy appearance also feels less naturally suited to life aboard the Jackdaw than Edward’s usual clothes.
3. Stealth Outfit: Best for Assassin Missions
Best for: Infiltration, contracts and keeping guards unaware.
The Stealth outfit reduces detection by guards. That makes it a sensible choice for players who enjoy planning a route through a restricted area rather than introducing themselves with four pistols.
Complete half of the Assassin contracts to unlock it. These missions also provide useful practice with stalking zones, rooftop approaches and quiet kills.
Its value depends on your habits. Players who spend most of their time boarding ships will probably get more from Templar armour. If you enjoy clearing plantations quietly, the Stealth outfit has a stronger case.
The drawback: It offers no bullet immunity or general damage protection. Treat the detection benefit as assistance, not permission to walk directly in front of a guard.
4. Hunter Outfit: Best for Hunting
Best for: Collecting animal materials for crafting.
The Hunter outfit reduces the range at which animals detect Edward. It is a specialist benefit, but a useful one when you are gathering materials rather than fighting soldiers.
Craft it with one red howler monkey skin and one white jaguar pelt. The original game’s Hunter outfit should not be confused with the Feline Pelt outfit, which is cosmetic. Source: Black Flag outfit descriptions.
Its fourth-place position reflects practical value. If you have already finished your crafting upgrades, I would happily move it below the Pirate Captain outfit.
The drawback: The benefit is narrow. It does not make human guards less observant, and there is little reason to wear it permanently once your hunting is done.
5. Pirate Captain Outfit: Best for Pirate Style
Best for: Looking the part at the Jackdaw’s helm.
Buy the Pirate Captain outfit for 8,000 reales at a general store. It provides no gameplay bonus, but it is my favourite cosmetic choice for Edward’s life at sea.
The appeal is straightforward: it makes him look like the captain of a ship with a reputation. It suits boarding scenes, port visits and the moments when the camera gives you a proper view of Edward surveying his deeply questionable business empire.
The drawback: That money can fund practical upgrades. Early in the game, the Jackdaw’s survival deserves priority over its captain’s tailoring.
6. Edward Kenway’s Robes: Best for the Story
Best for: A first playthrough and Edward’s signature appearance.
Edward’s standard robes combine the Assassin silhouette with the belts, weapons and weathered clothing of a pirate. They suit both sides of the game remarkably well.
Obtained through the opening story, they need no collectible hunt or spending. Their lack of a special bonus matters less once you are comfortable with combat and stealth.
I would keep these for much of a first playthrough. The stronger armour sets are useful, but the default design remains one of the series’ most convincing character outfits.
The drawback: No additional protection or detection benefit.
7. Privateer Outfit: Best Understated Alternative
Best for: A restrained maritime look.
The Privateer outfit costs 5,000 reales and provides a cosmetic change without the more elaborate appearance of some later rewards.
It suits an Edward who looks vaguely respectable until someone asks where his cargo came from. For players who prefer simpler clothing, it is an appealing alternative to the Pirate Captain outfit.
The drawback: It is a style purchase. There is no combat advantage to justify buying it before equipment you actually need.
8. Crimson Cloak Outfit: Best Affordable Style Change
Best for: Adding colour without a lengthy unlock quest.
At 3,000 reales, the Crimson Cloak outfit offers a relatively accessible wardrobe change. Its colour gives Edward a more distinctive appearance while retaining the familiar Assassin shape.
It is a good choice when you want something different but have no interest in spending an evening chasing collectible icons.
The drawback: The cloak is cosmetic. A dramatic entrance remains your responsibility.
Other Outfits Worth Considering
Black Flag also includes legacy Assassin robes, reward outfits and edition-specific clothing. These can be excellent visual choices, but their original unlock routes may involve account rewards, connected features or additional content.
Ezio’s robes and Edward the Legend deserve attention if they are available in your wardrobe. Their appeal is visual rather than defensive, so choose them because you like the design.
For any account-linked or bonus outfit, check the version you own before following an old unlock guide. A requirement written for an original console release may not apply to another edition.
Which Outfit Should You Unlock First?
Prioritise Templar armour if combat is causing trouble. It offers the broadest defensive benefit and comes from a series of substantial side missions.
Choose Stealth if quiet infiltration is your favourite part of the game. Pursue the Mayan outfit gradually as you explore and open more of the map. Craft the Hunter outfit while animal materials still have a practical use.
Cosmetic purchases can wait until your essential upgrades are covered. Edward may enjoy looking wealthy, but a better coat does very little for a ship taking cannon fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mayan armour better than Templar armour?
Mayan armour is better specifically against bullets. Templar armour is the stronger general recommendation because its damage reduction is useful across a wider range of combat encounters.
Do all outfits give Edward bonuses?
No. Most change his appearance. Templar armour, the Mayan outfit, the Stealth outfit and the Hunter outfit are the important functional choices in the original game.
Does expensive clothing provide better protection?
No. The price of a cosmetic outfit does not indicate defensive strength. Buy the Pirate Captain, Privateer or Crimson Cloak outfit for the design.
What is the best-looking Black Flag outfit?
My pick is the Pirate Captain outfit for sailing and Edward’s standard robes for the story. Mayan armour is memorable, but I find it harder to picture Edward wearing it through an ordinary afternoon in Nassau.
