What Exactly is the Knight Armor for Ashley?
The Knight Armor is a special, unlockable costume for Ashley Graham in the Resident Evil 4 remake. When equipped, it provides her with complete invincibility. She cannot be damaged or killed by enemies, and most importantly, she can no longer be picked up and carried away by Ganados. This single perk transforms gameplay, especially on higher difficulties or during speedruns. Instead of being a character you must constantly protect, Ashley becomes a helpful, albeit noisy, medieval tank. When enemies try to grab her, they simply stumble back, giving you a perfect opening to attack. It essentially removes the escort mission element from the game, allowing you to focus purely on combat and exploration.
Step-by-Step Guide to Unlock Ashley’s Knight Armor
Unlocking this powerful gear isn’t as simple as finding it in a treasure chest. It’s a reward for proving your skill. Follow these steps precisely to add it to your collection.
Step 1: Complete the Game on Hardcore Mode
The primary requirement is to beat the main story of Resident Evil 4 on Hardcore difficulty at a minimum. You cannot unlock the armor by playing on Assisted or Standard modes. Hardcore mode presents a significant challenge, with more aggressive enemies, less ammunition, and higher damage taken. You must complete all chapters, from the initial village encounter to the final boss fight.
Step 2: Achieve an ‘A’ Rank
Simply completing Hardcore mode is not enough. You must do it with an ‘A’ rank. In the RE4 remake, your rank is determined by your total completion time. To secure an A rank on Hardcore, you need to finish the entire game in under 10 hours. This requires a focused playthrough, minimizing unnecessary backtracking and efficiently dispatching enemies.
- Plan Your Route: Know where you need to go next to avoid wasted time.
- Manage Inventory: Keep your inventory organized to minimize time spent in menus.
- Save Strategically: Use saves to avoid replaying long sections if you die.
- Skip Cutscenes: Skipping all skippable cutscenes will save a significant amount of time.
Step 3: Purchase from the Extra Content Shop
After you have successfully completed the game on Hardcore with an A rank, the Knight Armor will become available for purchase. Navigate to the Main Menu and select ‘Bonuses’, then go into the ‘Extra Content Shop’. Here, you will find the Knight Armor listed under Ashley’s costumes. It costs 2,000 Challenge Points (CP) to unlock. You earn CP by completing various in-game challenges, and a full Hardcore playthrough will likely grant you more than enough points for this purchase.
| Unlockable Reward |
Requirement |
| Ashley Knight Armor |
Finish Hardcore mode with an A Rank (under 10 hours) |
| Chicken Hat |
Finish Hardcore mode with an S+ Rank |
| Handcannon |
Finish Professional mode without using bonus weapons |
| Cat Ears (Infinite Ammo) |
Finish Professional mode with an S+ Rank |
| Chicago Sweeper |
Finish Professional mode with an A Rank |
How to Equip the Knight Armor
Once you’ve purchased the armor from the Extra Content Shop, you need to equip it to use it in-game. You can do this before starting a New Game+ or loading a saved game. From the Main Menu, go to ‘Main Story’ and select the save file you wish to play. You will be taken to a pre-game lobby where you can select Leon’s and Ashley’s costumes. Navigate to Ashley’s outfits and select ‘Armor’. The change will be active for that entire playthrough.
Benefits of Using Ashley’s Armor
So, is going through the trouble of a 10-hour Hardcore run worth it? For most players, absolutely. The benefits are significant and can fundamentally change how you approach the game.
- Total Invincibility for Ashley: This is the biggest advantage. No more ‘LEON, HEEELP!’ moments when you’re busy fighting off a horde of enemies.
- Easier S+ Rank Attempts: The armor makes achieving an S+ rank on Professional difficulty much more manageable, as you don’t have to worry about Ashley’s health or position.
- Stress-Free Exploration: You can explore for treasures and complete side quests without the constant need to babysit.
- Makes Trophies/Achievements Easier: Certain achievements, like ‘Minimalist’ (only using knives and handguns) or ‘Frugalist’ (not using a merchant), become simpler when your partner is invincible.
Conclusion – How to Unlock Ashley Knight Armor in RE4: A Guide
Unlocking Ashley’s Knight Armor in the Resident Evil 4 remake is a badge of honor. It requires you to master the game on Hardcore mode and complete it within a challenging time limit. By finishing the campaign in under 10 hours to get that A rank, you can purchase this game-changing costume from the Extra Content Shop. The investment of time and effort pays off immensely, providing a stress-free and powerful advantage for all your future playthroughs, trophy hunting, and attempts at securing that coveted S+ rank on Professional. Now that you have the knowledge, it’s time to jump in and earn that armor.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I unlock the Knight Armor on Standard difficulty?
No, the Knight Armor for Ashley can only be unlocked by completing the main story on Hardcore or Professional difficulty with an A rank or higher.
Does using the Knight Armor disable achievements or trophies?
No, using the Knight Armor or any other bonus unlockable does not disable your ability to earn achievements or trophies in the Resident Evil 4 remake.
How much does the Knight Armor cost?
Once the unlock criteria are met, the Knight Armor costs 2,000 Challenge Points (CP) in the Extra Content Shop, found under the ‘Bonuses’ menu.
Do I need to start a New Game+ to use the armor?
You can use the armor on any new game or New Game+ file. You can select it from the ‘Extras’ tab in the costume menu before starting your game.
