Armor set is one of the most vital elements in a player’s build in Elden Ring. While the real weapon takes precedence over an armor set, players will still have a hard time in the countries between countries if they do not pair their armor correctly with their overall building. There are several categories that armor sets can be divided into. It is clear that there are sets that are compatible with melee and magic characters. However, there are also specific pieces of armor that simply look visually better than others or are more advantageous to acquire in the early or late game of the Elden Ring. If you are looking for the best armor sets in the Elden Ring, read below to see the strongest fits for each category.
Best Melee Armor Set
We start this list with some armor sets tailored for melee characters. These sets do not have to be the heaviest or provide the best protection, but they will provide the most benefits for players who have a melee weapon.
Radahn’s set
Most Elden Ring players have probably seen the famous red-haired helmet from General Starscourge Radahn by now. Radahn is a demigod located in the Caelid region, but it is not a mandatory match for players to continue in the Elden Ring. If players choose to take on Radahn and defeat him, they can return to the Roundtable Hold, talk to Finger Reader Enia, and purchase Radahn’s full armor set.
For balanced melee combat, it is difficult to find a stronger armor set. Radahn’s set offers great protection and balance, along with it not being too heavy.
Dike onion set
Are you tired of being defeated time and time again by the Crucible Knights? Well, during the later part of the Fire Ring, players have the opportunity to wear the armor set from the enemy who keeps killing them. The Crucible Ax set is a fantastic, yet heavy, armor set that players can use after beating two Crucible Knights in Azuria Hero’s Cave outside Leyndell.
Compared to Radahn’s set, the Crucible Ax set is heavier but provides better overall protection. This includes having some defenses against magic attacks that can save players’ lives during some parts of the game.
Veterans set
This is without a doubt the top melee armor in the Elden Ring. The veteran’s set has a first class balance, with a maximum of 70 with the complete set equipped, and physical defense. If players really go for a build in all melee but still want to stay something light, this is the armor set to choose.
Unfortunately, it cannot be unlocked until players defeat Commander Niall at Fort Sol in Giants Mountain Peaks and then talk to Finger Reader Enia. This is one of the last places players will visit in the Elden Ring, but the veteran’s set is worth the wait.
Best magic armor set
If players have decided to go with a magic-oriented building, then they would like to use one of these armor sets above everything else in the Elden Ring.
Queen of the Full Moon Set
If the Elden Ring players decided to work their way through the battle for the Raya Lucaria Academy, they will immediately recognize the armor set. It’s the one that Rennala wears and has some of the best magic defenses and focus and vitality boosts in the game. This set also increases the player’s intelligence state by three points, provided they are wearing the cap.
To acquire this armor set, defeat Rennala and then visit Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold. The whole set costs 31,000 Runes.
Spellblade set
The Spellblade set is not as powerful as the Queen of the Full Moon armor set, but players can acquire it much more easily and it gives a boost to the Glintstone Ashes of War. However, this comes at the expense of not increasing harm to witchcraft or intelligence statistics. The Spellblade armor is perfect for those who do not want to fight against Rennala or want to make great use of Glintstone Ashes of War, such as the Glintstone Phalanx.
This armor set is acquired through Sorcier Rogier and promotes Rannis questline. Players can start Rannis’ quest, return to Rogier at the Roundtable Hold, talk to him multiple times, and then find his armor set left for consumption.
Blackflame monk set
The Blackflame Monk set is more tailored to magical characters who want the most protection possible, while keeping their Equip Load light. This armor set provides some of the best overall protection, both in the physical and magical state. It also gives a decent boost to vitality and focus, while weighing just 27 pounds in total.
Players can loot the Blackflame Monk set by entering the Divine Tower of Caelid and going into the basement to defeat the Blackflame Monks. The armor set drops one piece at a time by defeating these enemies.
Best early game armor set
The early game Elden Ring can be a difficult time for players trying to get out of their starting armor. Fortunately, there are a few sets that players can loot within the first few hours of the game.
Royal Remains Set
Royal Remains has without a doubt become the most popular armor set in the Elden Ring thanks to its appearance and simplicity to procure. It also has some great stats, offers great physical and magical protection and does not weigh that much. When worn together, the armor set also slowly rebuilds the player’s HP.
The Royal Remains set can be acquired by visiting the Albinauric village and talking to Albus disguised as a pot. Talking to Albus will give players the Haligtree Secret Medallion (right) and trigger a match with Ensha the next time players visit the Roundtable Team. Defeating Ensha and reloading the Roundtable will give players the Royal Remains set if they look outside Olfnir’s room.
Twinned Armor Set
This armor set unlocks before the Royal Remains set and offers even better protection, robustness, balance and vitality. However, it is also heavier and does not have the HP refill effect. The Twinned Armor set is the one worn by D, which players first encounter in Limgrave or at Roundtable Hold. If players plunder this set in the early game of the Elden Ring, it will definitely be the best overall armor set that players have come across.
To add it to the inventory, players can either kill D the first time they see him in Limgrave, or advance Fia’s questline at Roundtable Hold. Fia is the NPC who gives a hug on the bed. Once players have received two hugs, Fia will give them a dagger belonging to D. Return it to D and reload the Roundtable Team. Enter the room past Hewg, the blacksmith to find D dead and his armor set lying on top of him.
Cleanrot set
The Cleanrot Armor Kit is superior to the Twinned Armor Kit in all stats except Vitality. It’s also heavier, which players must take into account if they want to stay under Heavy Equip Load. This armor set can actually be found faster than Twinned Armor, but it requires a lot more work.
Players must defeat Cleanrot Knight enemies in Caelid. Defeating these enemies will drop the armor pieces one by one. Of course, the Caelid enemies in the early game are among the toughest in the Elden Ring, so this will be no picnic. To find Cleanrot Knights, players can look inside the Aeonia Swamp or inside the War-Dead Catacombs. However, the War-Dead Catacombs only become available after beating Radahn.
Best light armor set
There is a piece of light armor in the Elden Ring that stands out from the rest, which we have highlighted below.
Malenia’s set
Malenia, Blade of Miquella is one of the toughest demigods in the Fire Ring. Defeating her at Haligtree will certainly provoke lots of rage for most players, but the end result is worth it. After defeating Malenia, players can purchase her armor set from Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold.
The armor set weighs only 20 pounds, but offers decent magic and physical protection, immunity, robustness and vitality. Malenia’s armor is also one of the most beautiful in the entire Elden Ring.
Best Heavy Armor Set
On the flip side, if players are looking to be an absolute tank and do not care about Max Equip Load, then these heavy armor sets are perfect.
Lionel’s set
Perhaps the most famous of the heavy armor sets is Lionels. Players will encounter Lionel during the midgame of the Elden Ring, but can not plunder his armor set until much later. This armor set provides some of the best physical protection in the game. It also has almost 80 poise, over 230 robustness and decent magic defenses too. Of course, all this comes at the expense of weight; Lionel’s set weighs just over 50 pounds.
To put on Lionel’s looks, players can venture into Leyndell, the Royal Capital, and head to the Lower Capital Church Site of Grace. Inside this room there will be a bed with Lionel’s armor put on.
Bull-goat set
The final armor set on this list is the heaviest of them all. The Bull-Goat armor set, which comes in at a full 63 pounds, is for those who really want to strike blows from any boss in the Elden Ring. While it’s almost impossible not to be to Heavy Equip Load while using this set, players gain the benefit of having the best physical defense and balance in the class. However, the other stats are not as high as Lionel’s set, which is why the Bull-Goat set is not as popular.
To acquire this set, players must defeat the Great Horned Tragoth after saving Patches’ lives. Once you save Patches, move his quest line until he’s at Volcano Manor. During this time, players will have concluded an assassination contract for Lady Tanith. After talking to Patches at the mansion, he will send you to kill Tragoth. If players succeed, they will loot the Bull-Goat set.
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