Edward Kenway spends a remarkable amount of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag soaking wet, covered in gunpowder or climbing somebody else’s house. Somehow, he still finds time to assemble a wardrobe.
Some outfits offer useful protection. Others reward exploration, hunting or side missions. Several simply let Edward look expensive while making deeply questionable financial decisions.
The distinction matters. The Mayan Outfit, Templar Armour, Stealth Outfit and Hunter Outfit provide practical benefits in the original game. Most other costumes are cosmetic.
This guide covers the original Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. “Elite outfits” is used here as a convenient description for its special and desirable costumes, rather than an official equipment tier.
Which Black Flag Outfits Have Gameplay Benefits?
If you want an outfit that changes how Edward performs, start with these four.
| Outfit | Gameplay benefit | Unlock method |
|---|---|---|
| Mayan Outfit | Deflects bullets | Complete the Mayan stone collection and open the Tulum chamber |
| Templar Armour | Reduces incoming damage by 25% | Complete the Templar Hunts and unlock the armour at Great Inagua |
| Stealth Outfit | Reduces guards’ detection rate | Complete half of the Assassin Contracts |
| Hunter Outfit | Reduces animals’ detection range | Craft using rare hunting materials |
The remaining wardrobe is largely about appearance. An impressive coat does not automatically mean better defence, however confidently Edward wears it. GameFAQs
Mayan Outfit: Best Against Gunfire
The Mayan Outfit is Black Flag’s most unusual piece of wearable equipment. Its elaborate armour gives Edward a very different silhouette from his familiar layered robes.
Its main attraction is bullet protection. If enemy marksmen are repeatedly interrupting your sword fights, this is the outfit with the clearest answer.
To unlock it, solve all 16 Mayan Stelae puzzles, collect the stones they reveal and return to the secret door at Tulum. Finding a monument is only part of the job: complete its alignment puzzle and excavate the stone before leaving. The collection culminates in opening the chamber containing the outfit.
I like this reward because it makes the archaeological detours feel worthwhile. You have crossed the Caribbean following ancient clues, and the game hands over something more useful than a database entry.
Its appearance will divide people. It is wonderfully excessive, although anyone hoping for a restrained pirate coat should probably keep shopping.
Best for: Players who find enemy gunfire more irritating than sword combat.
Templar Armour: Best for General Protection
Templar Armour is the practical choice for players whose attempts at stealth regularly end with six guards gathering around them.
Its 25% damage reduction makes it a useful defensive option when fights become crowded. Unlocking it involves finishing the four Templar Hunt questlines and opening the armour cage inside the Great Inagua manor.
The Templar Hunts also give you a reason to spend time with Black Flag’s supporting Assassins. I would pursue them for that alone, although a substantial defensive reward certainly improves the invitation.
Visually, this is one of Edward’s strongest alternatives. It feels imposing without quite reaching the Mayan Outfit’s level of ceremonial extravagance.
There is also something very Edward about acquiring clothing associated with his enemies and immediately considering whether it suits him.
Best for: Players who favour boarding actions, open combat and a little breathing room when things go wrong.
Stealth Outfit: Best for Assassin Contracts
The Stealth Outfit reduces the rate at which guards detect Edward. Its original unlock requirement is to complete half of the Assassin Contracts.
That makes it an appealing reward to pursue while working through the assassination side missions. You earn a tool that supports the activity you have already been doing.
Treat the benefit as extra tolerance, though. Keep using cover, watch patrol routes and move when guards look away. Wearing a stealth outfit should not suddenly make standing in the middle of a restricted courtyard feel like a sound plan.
For me, this outfit suits the quieter side of Black Flag particularly well. The naval battles get the attention, but there is real satisfaction in slipping through a plantation without turning it into a public incident.
Best for: Players who enjoy infiltration and want more help remaining undetected.
Hunter Outfit: Best for Gathering Crafting Materials
The Hunter Outfit has a narrower purpose: it reduces the distance at which animals detect Edward.
Crafting it requires:
- One Red Howler Monkey Skin.
- One White Jaguar Pelt.
Its perk concerns wildlife rather than human guards.
This is a useful distinction when deciding what to wear. The Hunter Outfit supports hunting trips; the Stealth Outfit supports sneaking past people. A jaguar and a plantation guard have different concerns, even if both object to Edward approaching them.
I would prioritise this outfit if you enjoy collecting your own crafting materials. If most of your time is spent sailing between forts, its benefit will naturally see less use.
Best for: Players who spend time hunting and upgrading equipment.
Feline Pelt, Shark-Hunter and Whaler Outfits
These crafted outfits sound as though they ought to come with specialised bonuses. In the original game, they are cosmetic alternatives.
| Outfit | Crafting requirement | Gameplay bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Feline Pelt Outfit | One Ocelot Pelt and one Jaguar Pelt | None |
| Shark-Hunter Outfit | One Bull Shark Skin and one Hammerhead Shark material | None |
| Whaler Outfit | Three White Whale Skins | None |
The original guide describes the hammerhead ingredient as cartilage, while some equipment lists use different material wording. Follow the recipe displayed in your crafting menu.
The Feline Pelt Outfit is the obvious choice if you like Edward’s clothing to advertise his hunting exploits.
The Shark-Hunter Outfit feels especially appropriate for a character who spends half his life at sea. Personally, I find that connection more appealing than dressing him for a formal appointment he will almost certainly miss.
The Whaler Outfit is a collection goal for players drawn to Black Flag’s harpooning activities. Pursue it because you want the appearance, rather than expecting its demanding ingredients to produce superior armour.
Officer’s, Governor’s and Explorer Outfits
These three deserve special attention because their original unlock routes involve systems beyond ordinary shopping and crafting.
| Outfit | Original unlock route | Gameplay bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Officer’s Outfit | Complete the Gibraltar mission in Kenway’s Fleet | None |
| Governor’s Outfit | Find a social treasure chest | None |
| Explorer Outfit | Earn through a community challenge | None |
These are the original requirements recorded in the game’s guide. They should not be treated as a guarantee that every reward remains obtainable through the same route on every platform today. Check your edition’s wardrobe and reward menus before committing to an old online-unlock guide.
The Officer’s Outfit offers a more formal maritime look. It suits an Edward who would like people to believe his ship has procedures.
The Governor’s Outfit leans into wealth and status. It is an amusing choice for a man whose approach to authority frequently involves climbing through its windows.
The Explorer Outfit has obvious appeal for completionists, but its historical community requirement makes it particularly important to distinguish rarity from combat usefulness.
Edward the Legend and Legacy Assassin Outfits
Black Flag also lets Edward borrow the visual identities of earlier series protagonists.
| Outfit | Original reward arrangement | Main appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Edward the Legend | Uplay reward | An alternative signature look for Edward |
| Altaïr’s Robes | Linked Uplay history from one earlier Assassin’s Creed game | The classic Assassin silhouette |
| Ezio’s Robes | Linked Uplay history from two earlier games | Renaissance flair |
| Connor’s Outfit | Linked Uplay history from three earlier games | A connection to the Kenway family |
These describe the original reward arrangements, rather than universal current instructions.
My preference here is Edward the Legend. Borrowed robes are enjoyable, but I generally want Edward to look like Edward.
Connor’s outfit has the strongest thematic connection. Ezio’s is the choice when subtlety has lost an argument with tailoring. Altaïr’s remains hard to beat if you want the simplest expression of the series’ visual identity.
Bonus Content Outfits: Captain Morgan and Stede Bonnet
Two further costumes associated with the original game’s bonus packs are Captain Morgan’s costume, linked to the Black Island Pack, and Stede Bonnet’s outfit, linked to the Hidden Mystery Pack. Their inclusion depends on the content supplied with your edition.
These are appealing wardrobe additions for players who want more overtly pirate-themed clothing.
I am especially fond of the idea of Edward wearing Bonnet-inspired attire. Bonnet’s uneasy relationship with the practical demands of piracy makes him one of the game’s more memorable figures. His clothing gets considerably fewer people into trouble than his career choices.
Are the Expensive Shop Outfits Worth Buying?
The original game’s purchasable outfits offer a straightforward alternative to special unlocks.
| Outfit | Original price | Gameplay bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Cloak | 1,500 reales | None |
| Crimson Cloak | 3,000 reales | None |
| Privateer Outfit | 5,000 reales | None |
| Pirate Cloak | 6,000 reales | None |
| Pirate Captain Outfit | 8,000 reales | None |
| Merchant Outfit | 10,000 reales | None |
| Politician’s Outfit | 12,000 reales | None |
These purchases change Edward’s appearance rather than his combat performance.
The Pirate Captain Outfit would be my pick for everyday sailing. It fits the fantasy without asking you to spend hours on a collection quest.
Early in a playthrough, though, I would put practical upgrades ahead of expensive clothes. A fine coat is enjoyable. Surviving long enough to admire it is also useful.
Which Elite Outfit Should You Unlock First?
My first target would be Templar Armour. I like its defensive role, its appearance and the fact that obtaining it takes you through substantial side quests.
Choose the Stealth Outfit first if infiltration is your favourite part of the game. Work towards the Mayan Outfit as you explore, rather than treating every stone as an urgent chore. The Hunter Outfit makes most sense when gathering materials is already part of your routine.
For everything cosmetic, follow your taste. Edward’s standard robes remain an excellent design, and there is no obligation to replace them simply because a more elaborate costume exists.
The best wardrobe is one you actually enjoy seeing for the next twenty hours. Mine would include Templar Armour for troublesome fights and a pirate coat for sailing. Edward can have a little vanity. He has certainly earned the laundry bill.
