The Ultimate Guide to Dex Armor in Elden Ring: Balancing Protection and Agility
Figuring out the best armor for a Dexterity (Dex) build in Elden Ring can be tricky. While the game doesn’t offer a single, universally perfect set, the key lies in finding a balance between protection, weight, and, crucially, enough poise to avoid being staggered easily. In the context of a Dex build, which typically emphasizes speed and agility, you can’t simply wear the bulkiest armor. So, what’s the best route to take?
Generally, there isn’t one single “best” armor set. Instead, the most effective approach is to mix and match pieces from different sets to achieve the desired balance of stats. For a Dex build, aiming for at least 36 poise is a good benchmark. This amount allows you to withstand some enemy attacks without being completely interrupted. Going higher, even into the 40s, can be beneficial, especially later in the game. You’ll also want to prioritize armor that offers good resistance to physical and elemental damage, while keeping the weight manageable to maintain that crucial medium load and avoid fat-rolling. Let’s break down the details to help you find the perfect armor for your agile warrior.
Understanding the Importance of Poise and Weight
Before diving into specific armor sets, it’s crucial to understand two essential mechanics in Elden Ring: poise and equip load.
- Poise: This stat dictates how resistant your character is to being staggered by enemy attacks. Higher poise means you can take hits without your attacks or movement being interrupted. For a Dex build that relies on fast, flowing combos, maintaining poise is paramount.
- Equip Load: Your character’s weight is determined by the armor they wear and weapons they wield. If your equip load exceeds 70% of your maximum, you’ll be in a “heavy” load state, resulting in slower rolls, known as “fat rolling,” greatly hindering your maneuverability. A “medium” load (between 30-70%) provides good mobility, while a “light” load (below 30%) allows for maximum mobility at the expense of defense. Dex builds generally thrive in a medium load.
Recommended Approach: Mix and Match
Instead of relying on a single armor set, aim for a strategic mix-and-match approach:
- Prioritize Poise: The main goal is achieving at least 36 poise, but ideally 40 or higher, depending on your build.
- Balance Weight: Be conscious of your equip load and make sure you’re in a medium load.
- Choose Resistance: Select pieces that offer good physical and elemental resistance depending on the threats you face.
Top Armor Pieces for Dex Builds
While it’s difficult to name a single “best” set, here are some standout pieces and sets to consider when creating your Dex-focused loadout:
- White Reed Set: This set is often cited as one of the best Dex armor sets. The chestplate, gauntlets, and greaves provide a good balance of protection and weight. The set’s Okina Mask helmet is notable for providing an additional +3 to Dexterity, further enhancing your build.
- Ronin’s Set: This lightweight armor set provides decent protection and looks great on a Dex build. It offers good resistance to physical damage while not being too heavy, which allows for good mobility for Dex players.
- Raptor’s Black Feathers: While not a full armor set, this chest piece is highly valued for its ability to enhance jump attacks, a common strategy used with dual-wielded dex weapons, especially the curved swords.
- Altered Cleanrot Set: This set offers great physical protection and provides good poise, while still being light enough to fit on most Dexterity builds, it’s a good option when you want to add more defense.
- Bull-Goat Set: While it may seem counterintuitive for a Dex build, the Bull-Goat Set can be considered if you want maximum poise. While it is heavy, it boasts 100 poise and one of the highest physical damage mitigations in Elden Ring. It’s best used sparingly when trading blows and in PvP, and only if the heavy load is not an issue for you.
- Godrick Soldier Set: A viable early-game set that provides basic stats, high weight but good defense. If you want an easy set to get early on, this can stick with you long into your playthrough before finding better options.
Weapon Choices Matter
It is important to also consider which weapons you are wielding, as the weight of your weapons will affect the weight of your loadout. The most common weapon types for dex builds, such as katanas, daggers, claws, and curved greatswords, tend to be lighter options and pair well with the kind of armor a Dex build needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about armor and Dexterity builds in Elden Ring:
1. What is the absolute best armor in Elden Ring?
The Bull-Goat Set is generally considered the best due to its massive 100 poise and high physical damage mitigation. However, its weight makes it unsuitable for many Dex builds unless you invest heavily in Endurance or use weight-reducing talismans.
2. Is there armor that increases Dexterity?
Yes, the Okina Mask from the White Reed Set provides an additional +3 to Dexterity, making it a valuable piece for any Dex build. Also, the Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom Talisman provides another source of added dexterity.
3. Should I prioritize poise over defense in a Dex build?
Yes, poise is more crucial than pure defense for a Dex build. You can outmaneuver enemies with the right amount of poise to maintain constant attacks without interruptions, and you can use faster movement to avoid a lot of damage.
4. How much poise is enough for a Dex build?
Aim for at least 36 poise, but higher, in the 40s or 50s, is beneficial, especially later in the game. The more you get, the easier it is to trade blows with enemies.
5. Which starting class is best for a Dex build?
The Samurai class is generally recommended as it starts with high Dexterity, a katana (Uchigatana), and a longbow, setting you up perfectly for a Dex-focused build.
6. What are some good weapons for a Dex build?
Katanas, daggers, claws, and curved greatswords are all great options. The Bloodhound’s Fang, a curved greatsword, is also a fantastic early weapon to pick up.
7. How much Dexterity should I aim for?
Aim for a Dexterity level of at least 40, but you can level it higher for a bigger damage increase. The hard cap is 99 dex.
8. Does Dexterity affect casting speed?
Yes, every point in Dexterity slightly increases the cast speed of Sorceries and Incantations, which benefits certain types of Dexterity builds as well.
9. Is a pure Dex build viable?
Yes, pure Dex builds are definitely viable, offering high damage potential and excellent agility, especially against enemies that aren’t resistant to Bleed.
10. How does the Twinblade Talisman affect a Dex build?
The Twinblade Talisman boosts the final attack in a weapon combo by 20%, making it incredibly beneficial for dual-wielding Dex builds.
11. How much Endurance should I have for a Dex build?
Aim for 40 Endurance for a good balance between stamina and equip load, and to ensure that you have enough equip load to maintain a medium load.
12. Should I upgrade Strength on a Dex build?
Generally, you only need enough Strength to equip your chosen weapons and shields. Many Dex weapons scale primarily with Dexterity and won’t benefit from additional points in Strength.
13. Which is the best curved sword for Dex?
The Scimitar is a great choice due to its speed and excellent Dexterity scaling. Infusing it with bleed also greatly enhances its effectiveness.
14. What’s a good early-game bleed weapon for Dex?
The Reduvia is an excellent early-game Bleed weapon that scales well with Dexterity and Arcane. It is easily obtained early in the game.
15. Is armor important in Elden Ring?
Yes, armor does matter, but not by a huge amount. It provides protection, but you’ll want a good balance of stats. While armor can add damage mitigation, focusing on mobility and positioning is essential for a Dex build.
Conclusion
Finding the right armor for your Dex build in Elden Ring is a process of balancing protection, mobility, and poise. Instead of seeking a single “best” set, embrace the mix-and-match approach, aiming for at least 36 poise, a medium equip load, and choosing resistance based on your opponents. The flexibility of Dex builds allows you to experiment with different combinations to create a powerful and agile warrior. Remember to constantly adapt your equipment to the challenges that you face, and become the best agile fighter that The Lands Between has ever seen.