So there I was, sweaty palms gripping the controller after finally toppling the Yaksha King and finishing Chapter 5. Feeling like the absolute king of Mount Huaguo, I stumbled upon this supposedly "True Armor" set. Let me tell ya, cracking open that golden chest near the trees felt like finding buried treasure... only to pull out gear that looked like it belonged in a museum exhibit titled "Early Attempts at Metalworking." Seriously, its base stats? More like trash-tier stats. My disappointment was palpable, folks. I nearly tossed it straight into the digital bin, thinking the devs had pulled a fast one on me. Late-game gear shouldn't feel like wearing soggy cardboard! But oh, how wrong I was. This unassuming pile of pixels hides a secret sauce that turns it into an absolute unit, but only if you're willing to put in the real work. It’s the ultimate NG+ flex.

Snagging the Sneaky Set: Monkey See, Monkey Do

Okay, first things first. Where do you actually find this enigmatic ensemble? Don't get lost in the clouds!

1. Location, Location, Location: Mount Huaguo. Specifically, spawn at the Verdant Path Keeper's Shrine in the Foothills.

2. Skyward Bound: Summon your trusty Somersault Cloud. Do a slick 180-degree turn.

3. Straight Shot: Fly dead ahead. Don't get distracted by the scenery!

4. Touchdown: You'll spot a small, unassuming clearing dotted with trees. Land there.

5. Golden Goose: Head towards the slightly higher ground among the trees. Nestled right there, playing hide-and-seek, is a golden chest.

Crack it open, and voila! Your "underwhelming" starter kit awaits:

• Golden Feng-Tail Crown - Lookin' sharp, kinda.

• Gold Suozi Armor - Shiny, but feels flimsy.

• Dian-Cui Loong-Soaring Bracers - Fancy name, basic game.

• Lotus Silk Cloudtreaders - Light as air, weak as noodles.

The Big Catch: No Upgrades? Seriously?

Here's the kicker that almost made me rage-quit: You can't upgrade this armor with Yin Tiger. Nada. Zilch. Forget about pumping it full of resources like your other gear. It's stuck with those pitiful base stats... or is it?

Buried in its cryptic description was the real golden ticket:

"Each new Great Sage's Talent awakened increases the Defense of this armor set."

Mind. Blown. This wasn't junk mail; it was an invitation to the long game.

Patience is Power: Unleashing the True Beast

So, how does this magic trick work? Simple, but demanding:

• Great Sage's Talents = Your Armor's Food: Every single one of those sweet, sweet Relic perks you unlock by defeating bosses – story bosses AND that nasty secret boss lurking in Chapter 6 – doesn't just make you stronger. It directly feeds your True Armor.

• NG+ is Your Playground: Think beating the game once makes you hot stuff? Think again. This armor thrives on repetition.

  • First Playthrough: Yeah, it kinda stinks. Defense? More like 'please don't hit me'.

  • Second Playthrough: Starting to perk up. You notice you're not crumpling quite as fast.

  • Third Playthrough: Now we're talkin'! Feeling solid.

  • Fourth Playthrough: This is the sweet spot. The armor finally transforms into the absolute tank suit it was always meant to be, boasting a massive 700+ Defense. That's like wearing a fortress!

Become the Immovable Object & Unstoppable Force

But wait, there's more! The True Armor isn't meant to be worn in isolation. It craves specific buddies to unlock its ultimate "walking demigod" potential:

• Wandering Wight: This little guy complements the high-defense playstyle beautifully.

• Dark Iron Staff: This is the real game-changer. Why? Its damage scales directly with your Defense stat. The higher your Defense from the True Armor (thanks to all those Talents!), the harder this staff SMASHES. It’s synergy heaven – your toughness literally becomes your offensive power. Bonk!

Trust the Grind, Fellow Monkey

Look, I get it. Finding this armor late and seeing its initial state is a gut punch. It feels like the game is mocking you. But trust me, this is no joke. It's a meticulously crafted reward for the dedicated. The True Armor forces you to truly master the game, to face those brutal bosses again and again, not just for bragging rights, but for tangible, game-bending power. By the time you hit that fourth run, decked out in the fully realized True Armor, swinging the Defense-charged Dark Iron Staff? Bosses that once made you sweat bullets start looking like slightly annoying gnats. It’s the ultimate power fantasy payoff. So, are you ready to put in the reps?

Don't just beat the game – conquer its soul. Slap on that True Armor, grab the Dark Iron Staff, and start farming those Talents. Your future tanky, smashy self will thank you. Trust the process, fellow Monkeys!

Critical reviews are presented by Eurogamer, a leading source for European gaming news and analysis. Eurogamer's extensive coverage of action RPGs and their evolving endgame systems often emphasizes the importance of hidden mechanics and late-game rewards, much like the True Armor's unique progression in Black Myth: Wukong, rewarding players who invest time and effort into mastering every aspect of the game.