As a Tarnished who has wandered the Lands Between for years, I can say with certainty that finding the perfect armor is a journey in itself. While the world is overflowing with options for every build imaginable, from glinting heavy plate to flowing sorcerer's robes, one set has always captured my warrior's heart with its formidable look and legendary resilience: the Banished Knight Set. In my travels, I discovered there isn't just one, but two distinct versions to hunt down—the Altered and the Unaltered—each with its own story and method of acquisition. This is my personal account of securing both.

When I first set my sights on this iconic heavy armor, I needed something that wasn't just effective but also matched the grim, honorable aesthetic I sought for my character. The Altered version became my initial target. I remember the process vividly. The most reliable, if repetitive, farming spot is deep within the foreboding Stormveil Castle. I would fast-travel to the Rampart Tower Site of Grace, my heart already pounding with anticipation.

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From there, I'd turn, push through the doorway, and descend the ancient, spiraling stone staircase. Waiting below was always a solitary Banished Knight, clad in the very armor I coveted. Each encounter was a tense duel in those cramped lower halls. Victory didn't always yield a prize. Many times, I'd defeat him only to receive runes and disappointment. When that happened, I had my routine: a quick fast-travel to a nearby site of grace to reset the world, then back to the Rampart Tower to try again. Patience was key. Piece by piece—the helm, the armor—the Altered set came together. It's worth noting that the greaves and gauntlets for this set are the same as for the superior version, a small consolation during the grind!

But every Tarnished who wears the Altered set soon hears whispers of its more powerful counterpart. The Unaltered Banished Knight Armor is not something you stumble upon early. My pursuit for it marked a significant milestone in my journey, as it required me to reach the frigid, end-game region known as the Mountaintops of the Giants. The air grows thin, the enemies fiercer, and there, clinging to the edge of the world, lies Castle Sol.

This leg of the hunt required a different strategy. I made my way to the Castle Sol Rooftop Site of Grace. Before engaging, I always made sure to boost my luck. I'd munch on a Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot or slot the Silver Scarab Talisman, praying to the Greater Will for better item discovery 🍀. Preparation is half the battle in the Lands Between. From the grace site, I'd sprint south to a specific ledge overlooking a lower courtyard.

my-quest-for-the-banished-knight-armor-in-elden-ring-a-tale-of-two-versions-image-1 Below, a Banished Knight patrolled, his armor untainted and full. Instead of charging in, I found it far safer to use a longbow. A single arrow was enough to draw his ire. In a flash of ghostly light, he would teleport right to my position on the ledge—a terrifying but efficient way to force the engagement on my terms. After a fierce fight, I'd return to the Site of Grace to rest and reapply my item discovery buffs, being careful not to fast-travel away and lose them. This cycle repeated until, finally, the majestic, unaltered chest piece dropped.

Here are the core differences between the two sets that I experienced firsthand:

  • Availability: Altered is an early-game farm in Stormveil. Unaltered is a late-game farm in Castle Sol.

  • Defense: The Unaltered armor provides significantly higher damage negation and poise.

  • Appearance: The Unaltered version features a iconic flowing blue cloak, while the Altered version removes it for a cleaner, plated look.

  • Alteration: You cannot change one into the other at a Site of Grace or with Boc the Seamster. They are fundamentally separate loot drops.

Securing both sets felt like completing two chapters of the same epic. The Altered set was my companion through the struggles of Limgrave and Liurnia, a testament to early perseverance. The Unaltered set became my badge of honor for conquering the game's greatest challenges, its cloak billowing in the ashen winds of the final battles. For any fellow Tarnished setting out on this hunt, remember: the path to true fashion and function in Elden Ring is paved with repetition, strategy, and a little bit of luck. May your item discovery be high, and your drops be plentiful!