NieR Automata: character appearance - how to change? NieR Automata guide, tips
This page of the NieR Automata tutorial explains how to change your character's appearance. We show you how to put on a new outfit or set a new pod skin.
Last update: 16 August 2021
This page of the guide to the game NieR Automata explains how to change the appearance of the main characters and how to acquire different clothes. You will also find out if changing the controlled character's appearance has any real impact on the gameplay.
Basic information
In NieR Automata, you can change the appearance of the characters, but it won't affect their statistics. This simply means that all clothes in the game world are cosmetic items and thus they only change the appearance of the characters. If you want to increase the attack power of your characters, then you should focus on equipping them with better melee weapons and pods - we discussed this on the Character development and pods page.
You can obtain appearance-changing items for your characters in several ways. The most obvious method is by getting rewards for completing quests and winning battles in the arena. Cosmetic items may be among the gifts you receive. If you have the extended version of the game, you will receive a number of additional cosmetic items (e.g. 3 full outfits to unlock, new pod skins). We described the GotY version bonuses on the Game of the Yorha Edition page.
Some cosmetic items are reserved for particular characters and you will only be able to use them in chapters and scenes in which the given character is playable.
Item types that change your appearance
Items that change your character's appearance can be divided into several groups. The most important ones are:
Outfits - they allow you to radically change the entire costume of the character
Hair - you can unlock different color options
Ribbons - you can put them in your hair and they also can be different colors
Pod skins - they allow you to change your pod's color
Pod Models - they can completely change the appearance of the pod, although its properties and behavior remain unchanged
Accessories - they can change the character in some other way (the example from the screenshot showcases the option to put on a mask in the shape of a machine's head on the controlled character)
Equipping outfits and other cosmetic items
All items that affect the appearance of the character or pod are stored in the inventory. You have to select the Items and Key Items tabs. After highlighting the chosen item, select Equip (this option will only be available if the item is compatible with the current character).