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Does Armour Slow You Down in Elden Ring? Unveiling the Equip Load System

Yes, armour absolutely slows you down in Elden Ring. The weight of your equipped armour, combined with the weight of your weapons and other items, contributes to your character’s Equip Load. This stat directly impacts your movement speed, roll speed, and invincibility frames during dodges. Understanding the Equip Load system is crucial for creating an effective build and navigating the treacherous Lands Between. Mastering this system will allow you to survive in Elden Ring.

Understanding Equip Load in Elden Ring

The Equip Load is a stat that represents the total weight of everything your character is currently wearing and wielding. This includes your armour (helm, chest piece, gauntlets, and leggings), weapons, shields, and even your talismans. The game displays your Equip Load as a fraction, with your current total weight on the left and your maximum possible weight on the right. Exceeding certain thresholds of your maximum Equip Load will drastically affect your character’s mobility.

The key to managing your Equip Load lies in understanding the different weight categories and their consequences:

Light Load (Under 30%): This provides the fastest roll speed, covering the most distance and granting the most invincibility frames. It allows for extremely agile movement, making it ideal for builds that rely on dodging and quick attacks.
Medium Load (30% – 69.9%): This offers a good balance between protection and mobility. Your roll speed is still relatively quick, and you maintain a decent number of invincibility frames. This is often considered the sweet spot for many builds.
Heavy Load (70% – 99.9%): This significantly impacts your mobility. Your roll speed is much slower, and you have fewer invincibility frames, making it harder to evade enemy attacks. While you gain increased protection from heavier armor, the reduced agility can be a major disadvantage.
Overload (100% or more): This results in a “fat roll,” a slow and cumbersome dodge with virtually no invincibility frames. Movement speed is also severely reduced. Playing with an Overload is generally not recommended unless you have a specific strategy in mind.

The Poise Factor

While managing your Equip Load for optimal mobility is crucial, it’s also important to consider Poise. Poise is a stat that determines how resistant your character is to being staggered by enemy attacks. Heavier armor generally provides more Poise, allowing you to withstand more punishment without being interrupted during your actions. Balancing Equip Load and Poise is key to creating a resilient and effective character.

Tips for Managing Equip Load

Increase Endurance: Leveling up your Endurance stat directly increases your maximum Equip Load, allowing you to wear heavier armor without sacrificing mobility.
Equip Load-Boosting Talismans: Certain talismans, such as the Erdtree’s Favor and Great-Jar’s Arsenal, significantly increase your maximum Equip Load, giving you more flexibility in your armor choices.
Optimize Your Equipment: Carefully consider the weight of each piece of armor and weapon you equip. Experiment with different combinations to find the best balance between protection, Poise, and mobility.
Ditch Unnecessary Items: Regularly review your inventory and discard any unnecessary items to reduce your overall weight.

The Importance of Armour Sets

While Elden Ring doesn’t offer set bonuses in the traditional sense, wearing a complete armour set can still be beneficial. Certain armour sets offer unique effects, such as the Black Knife Set, which muffles your movements, making you harder to detect by enemies. Additionally, some helmets can provide stat boosts or enhance specific types of damage.

Black Knife Set

As mentioned earlier, The best light armor set in Elden Ring is the Black Knife Set. Aside from offering solid protection and being easy for any character to equip due to its low weight, it also allows its wearer to move around in complete silence.

Bull-Goat Set

Then the Bull-Goat Set is the best choice in that regard. Again, it’s easy to miss this armor since it requires a specific set of triggers in the Volcano Manor but the effort is worth it. The armor boasts a whopping 100 poise and is one of the highest physical damage mitigation in Elden Ring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Armor and Movement in Elden Ring

Does wearing heavier armor always mean better protection in Elden Ring?

Not necessarily. While heavier armor typically offers higher physical defense and Poise, it also increases your Equip Load, potentially hindering your mobility. It’s crucial to balance protection with agility.
How much does armor actually matter in Elden Ring?

Armor provides protection and Poise, but its impact is somewhat limited. Enemies in Elden Ring hit hard, and even a substantial amount of armor might only change a three-hit kill to a four-hit kill.
What is considered “heavy” Equip Load in Elden Ring?

An Equip Load between 70% and 99.9% is considered heavy. This will significantly slow down your roll speed and reduce your invincibility frames.
Can I upgrade my armor in Elden Ring?

Unfortunately, no. Elden Ring does not allow you to upgrade your armor. The stats of an armor set remain constant throughout the game. However, you can upgrade shields.
Is it worth wearing heavy armor in Elden Ring?

It depends on your playstyle. If you prioritize protection and Poise over mobility, then heavy armor can be a viable option. However, be prepared for slower movement and less effective dodging.
How do I know if my armor is “good” in Elden Ring?

A “good” set of armor depends on your specific needs and build. Consider factors such as damage reduction, Poise, weight, and any special effects the armor provides.
What makes you faster in Elden Ring?

Maintaining a Light Load (under 30%) provides the fastest roll speed and greatest agility. Leveling up Endurance also increases your maximum Equip Load, allowing you to wear heavier gear without sacrificing mobility.
Why am I walking slowly in Elden Ring, even without walk mode toggled?

This could be due to an enemy inflicting a slowdown effect that hasn’t worn off properly, or simply due to your Equip Load being too high.
What is the best class to start with in Elden Ring if I want to wear heavy armor?

Classes with high starting Strength and Endurance, such as the Hero, are well-suited for wearing heavy armor.
Do helmets have special effects in Elden Ring?

Yes, some helmets offer special effects, such as increasing specific stats or enhancing certain types of damage. For example, The White Mask is a lighter than most other helms in Elden Ring, and even offers an amazing effect with players who utilize a bleed build.
What is the best light armor set in Elden Ring?

The Black Knife Set is often considered the best light armor set due to its solid protection, low weight, and ability to muffle movements.
What does the Black Knife armor do in Elden Ring?

The Black Knife Set muffles your movements, making you harder to detect by enemies. This can be extremely useful for stealthy playstyles.
What is the optimal Equip Load percentage in Elden Ring?

Around 60% to 69% Equip Load is a good spot to aim for when choosing armor to ensure the highest defense possible without Heavy rolling.
What is the lightest weapon in Elden Ring?

The Cipher Pata is the lightest weapon in the game, with a weight of zero.
Are heavy attacks worth using in Elden Ring?

Yes, heavy attacks are generally stronger than light attacks, but they are slower and consume more stamina. Charged heavy attacks can often be the most efficient way to maximize damage in a single hit.

Final Thoughts

The Equip Load system in Elden Ring adds a layer of strategic depth to character building. By understanding how your armor affects your movement and combat capabilities, you can create a build that perfectly suits your playstyle. Whether you prefer the agility of a light roll or the resilience of heavy armor, mastering the Equip Load is essential for success in the Lands Between. To further your understanding of game mechanics and their impact on learning and behavior, consider exploring resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Does Armour slow you down in Elden Ring?