Is There Any Point to Armour in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive

Absolutely. While you might hear whispers that armor is negligible in Elden Ring, dismissing it entirely is a mistake. Armor significantly impacts your survivability and playstyle, providing essential damage mitigation, boosting poise, and offering crucial resistances. The key is understanding how armor works and choosing pieces that complement your build and approach to the game. Ignoring armor is like leaving half your character progression on the table.

The Nitty-Gritty: How Armor Works in Elden Ring

Armor in Elden Ring isn’t just about looking cool, though let’s be honest, that’s part of the fun. It provides multiple layers of defense:

• Physical Defense: This reduces the amount of physical damage you take from various attack types (Standard, Striking, Piercing, and Slashing). Higher physical defense means less health lost per hit.

• Poise: Poise is critical for avoiding stagger. With enough poise, you can tank through weaker attacks without interruption, allowing you to maintain your offensive pressure.

• Resistances: Armor offers resistances against status effects like Poison, Scarlet Rot, Madness, Sleep, and Death Blight. Specific armor sets can significantly reduce the buildup of these debilitating effects, making certain areas or boss fights much easier.

• Weight & Equip Load: This is the trade-off. Heavier armor offers better protection but increases your Equip Load. If your Equip Load exceeds 70% of your maximum, you’ll fat roll, severely impacting your mobility and dodge effectiveness. Aim for Light, Medium, or Heavy Load based on your playstyle and Endurance stat. Light Load offers the fastest rolls and the most I-frames, while Heavy Load has slow rolls.

Armor isn’t “One Size Fits All”

The effectiveness of armor isn’t just about stacking the highest numbers possible. It’s about finding the right balance for your specific build and playstyle. For example:

• Strength Builds: Might favor heavy armor like the Bull-Goat Set for its incredible poise and damage mitigation, allowing them to trade blows effectively. However, significant investment in Endurance is required to avoid fat rolling.

• Dexterity Builds: Might prefer lighter armor sets like the Black Knife Set that offer decent protection without sacrificing mobility. This allows for faster rolls and more aggressive dodging.

• Caster Builds: Might prioritize armor that boosts specific resistances or offers utility, such as the Mushroom Set for Scarlet Rot immunity in afflicted areas.

Poise: The Underappreciated Stat

Many players underestimate the value of poise. While the damage mitigation provided by armor is valuable, poise can be game-changing, especially in PvE. Reaching key poise thresholds, such as 51, allows you to withstand most enemy attacks without being staggered, letting you continue your attacks. Higher poise values, like 100 from the Bull-Goat Set, makes you almost unshakeable by smaller enemies.

Finding the Right Armor: A Few Tips

• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try out different armor sets to see what feels best. The stats on the armor are important, but so is its weight, and your comfort with the movement and load.

• Consider the Area: If you’re heading into a swamp known for Scarlet Rot, equip armor that boosts your Robustness stat to resist the buildup.

• Mix and Match: You don’t have to wear a complete set. Combining pieces from different sets can give you the optimal balance of protection, poise, and resistances.

• Don’t Forget Talismans: Talismans can further enhance your armor’s effects, such as increasing your Equip Load or boosting your resistances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does armor matter in Elden Ring PVE?

Yes, armor makes a noticeable difference in PvE. While you don’t need to min-max it, wearing heavier armor with higher defense and poise will improve your survivability significantly. Poise is particularly crucial for weathering enemy attacks without being staggered.

What is the point of Elden Ring light armor?

Light armor prioritizes mobility and dodge effectiveness. It allows for faster rolls and more I-frames (invincibility frames during a roll). The Black Knife Set is an excellent example, providing stealth benefits in addition to decent protection and low weight.

What armor should I wear in Elden Ring?

The best armor depends on your build and playstyle. For straight-up protection and poise, the Bull-Goat Set is excellent, but it’s heavy. The Radahn Set offers a good balance of protection and weight. Experiment to find what works best for you.

What is the best armor in Elden Ring for beginners?

The Godrick Soldier Set is a good early-game option. It offers decent protection and is relatively easy to obtain. It’s a solid choice to stick with until you find something that better suits your needs.

Does armor weight matter in Elden Ring?

Yes, armor weight directly impacts your Equip Load, which affects your movement speed and dodge roll. Staying below 70% Equip Load is crucial to avoid fat rolling.

What is the strongest armor in Elden Ring?

The Bull-Goat Set is generally considered the strongest armor due to its high poise and physical damage mitigation.

What level should I stop at Elden Ring PvE?

For a purely PvE experience, you can level as much as you want. However, most players complete the game between levels 120 and 200.

What level should I stop for PvE in Elden Ring?

150 is a good target level for finishing the game. It gives you enough power to tackle most challenges while still maintaining a sense of difficulty.

How much endurance should I have Elden Ring?

The amount of Endurance depends on your desired Equip Load and weapon choices. Aim for at least 30-40 Endurance if you plan to use heavier armor and weapons. Remember though, only allocate 60 points to Endurance if you truly need it. For example, you plan on using very heavy armor and still moving quickly. For most sets, 50 will be plenty.

Can you max all stats in Elden Ring?

Yes, it is possible to max out all eight stats to level 99, but it requires a significant time investment.

Do Elden Ring enemies scale with level?

No, Elden Ring enemies do not scale with your level. You can eventually overlevel areas and bosses, making them easier to defeat.

What armor prevents Scarlet Rot?

The Mushroom Set significantly boosts your Immunity, which helps mitigate the buildup of Scarlet Rot.

What armor is weak against Elden Ring?

Heavily armored enemies are typically weak to Strike Damage. Weapons like hammers, maces, and clubs are effective against them.

What armor negates the most damage in Elden Ring?

The Bull-Goat Set offers the best physical damage mitigation in the game, along with the highest poise.

Does armor affect speed in Elden Ring?

Yes, armor affects your movement speed through the Equip Load system. Heavier armor increases your Equip Load, which can slow you down and impact your dodge roll.

In conclusion, armor is a critical component of character building in Elden Ring. It provides essential protection, poise, and resistances that can significantly impact your survivability and playstyle. Don’t underestimate its value; instead, experiment with different sets to find the perfect fit for your Tarnished.

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