Outward is a notoriously unforgiving RPG, especially for newcomers. Surviving its harsh environments and brutal combat can feel overwhelming at first. To help you hit the ground running, this guide will show you how to obtain a reliable and stylish armor set right at the start of the game. While it may not be the absolute best, this set offers a solid mix of resistances and looks cool, making it a great choice for beginners.

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Why This Armor Set?

As a newcomer, you’ll quickly realize that resistances and weather conditions in Outward can significantly impact your survival. This armor set strikes a balance between practicality and appearance, providing enough protection to help you survive the early game without feeling outmatched. While some might argue that there are better options, this set proved invaluable during my first playthrough, offering reliable defense and a manageable farming process.

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Step 1: Preparing for the Farm

To start, head out from Cierzo, the starting town, and wait until nightfall. Farming the necessary materials is significantly easier at night as certain resources become more visible. Equip a lantern or a Runic Lantern if you’re playing as a Rune Mage (check out our Rune Mage guide for tips) to illuminate your path.

You’ll be farming Blue Sand, a key crafting material for this armor set. Blue Sand is randomly dropped from specific gathering spots along the beach. You’ll need a total of 10 Blue Sand to craft the full armor set:

• 3 for the Helmet
• 5 for the Chest Armor
• 2 for the Boots

Additionally, you’ll need 850 silver to cover the crafting cost. While this may seem steep early on, we’ll discuss some efficient ways to earn silver quickly.

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Step 2: Farming Blue Sand Efficiently

Head out to the beach near Cierzo at night. Blue Sand can be harvested from specific glowing spots along the coastline. While the drop rate is random, you can typically collect between 2 to 8 Blue Sand per run.

Key tips for efficient farming:

1. Avoid Combat: The enemies near the beach can be formidable early on. Simply sprint past them to focus on gathering.
2. Check All Gathering Spots: There are at least three known gathering points along the beach. Make sure to sweep the entire coast.
3. Respawn Time: While some players report that Blue Sand respawns every day, a safer approach is to rest for three days to ensure all spots have respawned.

Be cautious of ranged enemies—some have sniper-like accuracy. Stay mobile and keep an eye on your stamina.

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Step 3: Earning 850 Silver Quickly

With the Blue Sand collected, you’ll still need a substantial amount of silver. Here are two primary methods:

1. Split-Screen Glitch (Fastest Method)

• Requires a second controller.
• Start split-screen mode and create a new character.
• Drop all money from the new character, exit split-screen, and collect the silver.
• Repeat this process about 30 times to gather the required amount in roughly 20 minutes.

2. Legitimate Methods (If You Lack a Second Controller)

• Craft and Sell Potions: While the old method of selling Astral Potions was patched, you can still gather materials to craft other potions for profit.
• Loot and Sell Gear: Explore bandit camps and dungeons for weapons and armor to sell.
• Complete Early Quests: Early-game quests around Cierzo can net you a few hundred silver with minimal risk.

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Crafting the Armor Set

Once you have 10 Blue Sand and 850 silver, head to Loud-Hammer, the blacksmith in Cierzo. Hand over the materials to craft:

• Blue Sand Helmet: Strong elemental resistances and decent physical protection.
• Blue Sand Armor: Excellent overall protection with a balance of elemental and physical resistances.
• Blue Sand Boots: Completes the set with well-rounded defensive stats.

This armor offers a solid mix of resistances, making it perfect for surviving the early game’s harsh conditions.

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Conclusion: Surviving the Early Game

The Blue Sand Armor may not be the strongest in Outward, but it offers reliable defense and a manageable farming process for newcomers. Its resistances help counteract weather effects, and the set looks great to boot. Paired with a solid weapon and a bit of patience, this armor can carry you well into the mid-game.

Stay tuned for more Outward guides, and if you found this one helpful, make sure to check out our other tips and tricks to dominate this brutal RPG!