Is Ebony the Best Armor in Skyrim? A Deep Dive into the Dark Arts of Defense
Ebony armor, with its sleek, dark appearance, is a favorite among many Skyrim players, but is it truly the best? The short answer is: no, Ebony isn’t the absolute best armor in Skyrim, but it’s an excellent choice and a top-tier contender, especially for its aesthetics and ease of acquisition compared to Daedric. While Daedric armor boasts a slightly higher armor rating, and Dragonplate armor offers a lighter alternative with nearly identical protection, Ebony provides a fantastic balance of defense, weight, and the cool factor. Its accessibility, obtainable at a reasonable smithing level, makes it a practical goal for many players who want a powerful and stylish set of armor without excessive grinding. The “best” armor ultimately depends on your play style, preferences, and character build.
Ebony: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Ebony armor in Skyrim is renowned for its unique look and impressive defensive capabilities. It’s a heavy armor set crafted from ebony ore, a rare and valuable material found throughout Skyrim. To forge it, you’ll need a smithing skill of 80 and the Ebony Smithing perk. While the Ebony armor isn’t the very peak in stats like the Daedric armor, it remains a reliable choice for the majority of players.
Why Ebony Might Be Right For You
Here are a few reasons why Ebony armor remains a popular and excellent choice for Dragonborns:
- Aesthetics: Let’s face it, the black, imposing look of Ebony armor is undeniably cool. Many players prioritize aesthetics, and Ebony delivers in spades.
- Balance: Ebony offers a great balance between armor rating and weight. It’s heavy, but not as heavy as Daedric, making it a bit more forgiving for characters with lower stamina.
- Accessibility: Reaching the smithing level required to craft Ebony armor is achievable without excessive grinding, unlike acquiring Daedric materials.
- Enchanting: Ebony armor, like all armor sets in Skyrim, can be enchanted to further enhance its defensive capabilities or provide other beneficial effects.
Diving Deeper: Comparing Ebony to Other Armor Sets
To truly understand Ebony’s place in the Skyrim armor hierarchy, let’s compare it to some of the other top contenders:
Ebony vs. Daedric
Daedric armor is statistically the strongest heavy armor in Skyrim. It offers the highest base armor rating. However, it is significantly heavier and requires a higher smithing skill (90) and the Daedric Smithing perk. Obtaining Daedra Hearts, the necessary ingredient for crafting Daedric armor, can also be a challenging and time-consuming process. Many players find Ebony a more accessible and practical option without sacrificing a huge amount of defensive power.
Ebony vs. Dragonplate
Dragonplate armor is another late-game heavy armor option. While it has a slightly lower armor rating than Ebony, it is lighter. This makes it a good choice for characters who prefer to move quickly and manage their stamina carefully. It requires a smithing skill of 100 and the Dragon Armor perk. The bones and scales are commonly found when doing certain main story quests.
Ebony vs. Glass
Glass armor is a light armor set known for its aesthetic appeal and relatively light weight. However, its armor rating is significantly lower than Ebony. Glass armor is a good option for characters who prioritize mobility and stealth, but it won’t provide the same level of protection as Ebony.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Ebony the strongest armor in Skyrim?
No. Daedric armor has the highest base armor rating, followed closely by Dragonplate. However, the differences are relatively small, especially when armor is improved through smithing and enchanting.
2. Is Ebony better than Dragonplate armor?
It depends on your priorities. Ebony armor has a slightly higher base armor rating, but Dragonplate armor is lighter. If you value mobility and stamina management, Dragonplate might be preferable. If you want the highest possible armor rating (even if by a little), Ebony wins.
3. Is Ebony armor worth it?
Absolutely! Ebony armor offers a great balance of protection, weight, and aesthetics. It’s a fantastic choice for players who want a powerful and stylish armor set that is relatively easy to acquire.
4. How do I get Ebony armor in Skyrim?
You can craft Ebony armor at a forge once you reach a smithing skill of 80 and unlock the Ebony Smithing perk. You’ll need ebony ingots, which can be obtained by mining ebony ore or purchasing them from blacksmiths. It can also be found as loot at higher levels.
5. At what level does Ebony armor start appearing in Skyrim?
Ebony weapons and armor begin to appear in leveled lists around level 30. This means you may start finding them as loot, or they may be sold by merchants.
6. Is Ebony armor heavy?
Yes, Ebony armor is classified as heavy armor. This means it will encumber your character more than light armor, affecting your stamina and movement speed.
7. Can I improve Ebony armor?
Yes! You can improve Ebony armor at a grindstone using ebony ingots. Improving your smithing skill will allow you to improve the armor to higher levels (e.g., “Fine,” “Superior,” “Exquisite,” “Flawless,” “Legendary”).
8. What is the best enchantment for Ebony armor?
The best enchantments for Ebony armor depend on your character build and play style. Popular choices include enchantments that increase health, stamina, magicka, resistances (e.g., fire resistance, frost resistance, shock resistance), or weapon damage.
9. Is there a unique Ebony armor set in Skyrim?
While there isn’t a named Ebony armor set with unique stats, you can create unique sets by enchanting different pieces of Ebony armor with specific enchantments. Some players would count the Ebony Mail as a unique piece, as it is a unique Daedric Artifact that resembles Ebony armor.
10. Is Ebony better than Elven armor?
Yes, Ebony armor is significantly better than Elven armor in terms of armor rating. Elven armor is a mid-tier light armor, while Ebony armor is a top-tier heavy armor.
11. Can the Ebony Warrior defeat me even with Ebony Armor?
The Ebony Warrior is one of the toughest opponents in Skyrim, and is only encountered once the player reaches level 80. His high level, powerful gear, and resistance to magic make him a formidable adversary. Wearing Ebony armor will help, but you’ll also need a strong weapon, good strategy, and possibly some potions or enchantments to come out on top.
12. Where is the best place to mine Ebony ore in Skyrim?
One of the most well-known locations for mining Ebony ore is the Gloomreach Mine in Eastmarch. There are other smaller veins scattered throughout the world.
13. Is Ebony armor better than Stalhrim armor?
Stalhrim armor is another option for heavy armor users, introduced with the Dragonborn DLC. Both are excellent choices, and the “better” one depends on your specific build. Stalhrim is lighter and benefits from frost enchantments.
14. What skill tree benefits Ebony armor the most?
The Heavy Armor skill tree directly enhances the effectiveness of Ebony armor. Perks like Juggernaut, Well Fitted, Tower of Strength, Conditioning, and Reflect Blows will make you a formidable force while wearing heavy armor.
15. How does smithing skill affect Ebony armor?
A higher smithing skill allows you to improve Ebony armor to higher quality levels (e.g., “Fine,” “Superior,” “Exquisite,” “Flawless,” “Legendary”). This significantly increases its armor rating and makes it more effective in combat. Also make sure to take the Ebony Smithing perk as you level it.
The Verdict: Ebony – A Champion’s Choice
While not statistically the absolute best, Ebony armor is a fantastic choice in Skyrim for those who want a balance of protection, style, and accessibility. Its striking appearance, solid defensive capabilities, and relatively easy acquisition make it a popular and effective option for Dragonborns throughout their adventures. Whether you’re facing down dragons, battling bandits, or exploring ancient ruins, Ebony armor will serve you well. Remember to consider your play style, character build, and personal preferences when choosing your armor. There’s also a huge community of video game scholars studying topics like this, and you can find out more at the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org). Ultimately, the best armor is the one that suits your needs and makes you feel like a true champion of Skyrim.