If you’ve been exploring Ashes of Creation, you’ve probably come across various armor items that can make a real difference in combat. One item that comes up often for mid-level characters is the Harvest Guard Cloak. In this guide, I’ll go over how it works, who usually wears it, and what you should know if you’re thinking about equipping one.



What is the Harvest Guard Cloak?



The Harvest Guard Cloak is a medium armor back item, classified as uncommon. Most players encounter it around level 20, and it has a maximum durability of 23, which means it will need occasional repairs if you are actively using it in combat. Its item level is 27, so it’s considered solid gear for the early to mid-game, but it’s not top-tier.



In general, this cloak is chosen for its balance of Dexterity, Max Health, Physical Power Rating, and Mitigation Rating, making it useful for classes that rely on mobility while still needing some defense.



What Stats Does It Provide?



Here’s a breakdown of the stats for the uncommon version, which is the base form most players start with:



Dexterity: 86–87



Max Health: 132–136



Physical Power Rating: 17–34



Mitigation Rating: 263–271



Most players wear the cloak for the Dexterity boost, as it helps with attack speed, evasion, and other stats that rely on agility. The Max Health and Mitigation Rating make it viable for those who want some survivability without wearing heavier armor.



If you manage to get a rare, heroic, epic, or legendary version, the stats scale up. For example, legendary Harvest Guard Cloaks can have Dexterity of 105–112, Max Health of 208–237, and Physical Power Rating up to 234, which makes them competitive even in higher-level content.



How Do Players Usually Upgrade or Improve This Cloak?



Most players focus on finding higher rarity versions rather than min-maxing the uncommon form. Here’s what to expect:



Rarity Scaling – Each tier improves multiple stats:



Rare adds some Strength, slightly higher Dexterity, Max Health, and Physical Power.



Heroic and Epic versions start to make a bigger impact, particularly for Physical Power and Mitigation.



Legendary is the most sought after if you want to maintain relevance in high-level PvE or PvP.



Durability Management – Since the cloak has 23 durability, most players repair it regularly to avoid losing stats in battle. In general, medium armor like this doesn’t break too fast, but continuous dungeon runs or PvP will require upkeep.



Practical Use – Unlike weapons, players often hold on to a cloak for multiple levels, because upgrading it slowly over time is more efficient than swapping to a different item too often.



Who Usually Wears the Harvest Guard Cloak?



The cloak’s stats make it ideal for:



Ranged DPS and Rogues – The Dexterity bonus is valuable for improving attack speed, critical chance, and evasion.



Light/Medium Fighters – Anyone who wants a balance of health and power without committing to heavy armor.



Hybrid Builds – Players who need a mix of survivability and mobility often equip this cloak until they get higher-level epic or legendary items.



In general, tanks rarely equip this because the Mitigation Rating, while decent, is lower than heavier armor options. Most tanks prioritize items with higher base health and defense stats.



How Does It Perform in Practice?



From experience, most players notice a few things when using the Harvest Guard Cloak:



Mobility vs. Protection: You can move faster and dodge attacks better than with heavy armor, but you need to be careful in large-scale PvP or elite dungeons because it doesn’t absorb as much damage.



Health Scaling: Early-game health boosts make it easy to survive small pulls or skirmishes, but later, the Max Health may feel low if you’re facing higher-level mobs.



Physical Power: The base Physical Power rating is modest, so while it helps your damage slightly, the real benefit is in the combination of Dexterity and survivability.



Most players eventually replace the uncommon cloak with a rare or epic version as soon as it drops or can be crafted. Some alsobuy Ashes of Creation gold to get the version they want faster, particularly if they’re focused on endgame progression or PvP competitiveness.



How to Decide if You Should Use It



When considering whether to equip the Harvest Guard Cloak, ask yourself:



Is my build Dexterity-focused? If yes, this cloak will directly benefit your combat stats.



Am I in mid-level content? This item is most effective around levels 20–30. Beyond that, you’ll likely need to upgrade to rare or higher.



Do I need a balance of power and survivability? This cloak is a solid choice for medium armor users who want both offense and defense without slowing down.



In general, if you are farming dungeons, running quests, or participating in small-scale PvP, the cloak provides noticeable advantages. For large-scale battles, consider combining it with other items to optimize your survivability.



Tips from Experienced Players



Track your durability – Repair before it drops too low. You don’t want stats dropping mid-fight.



Focus on upgrades – Even moving from uncommon to rare improves stats noticeably, particularly Physical Power and Max Health.



Match your build – If your character is Strength-heavy, consider a different cloak. Dex-based builds get the most out of this item.



Plan long-term – Hold on to epic or legendary versions if you find them, as replacing them too early can waste resources.



Most players find the Harvest Guard Cloak is a reliable, practical piece of gear that carries them through early and mid-game with minimal issues. Its combination of stats makes it versatile, and upgrading to higher rarity ensures it stays relevant longer.