The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, developed by Bethesda, is a highly influential video game that revolutionized the gaming industry. One of the game’s main strengths lies in its extensive player customization and progression options.
Unlike previous entries in the series, Skyrim allows players to freely customize their character builds without being restricted by a class-based system. This level of freedom offers a wide range of possibilities for players to approach the game.
In the world of Skyrim, armor plays a crucial role in protecting players against various enemies. Heavy armor sets, in particular, offer superior defense compared to lighter options, although they are not suitable for stealth gameplay.
Nevertheless, heavy armor sets in Skyrim boast a wide range of unique designs, including those found in downloadable content (DLC) and the base game. For players who prefer heavy armor builds in Skyrim, there are several exceptional sets available.
Skyrim offers a wide range of impressive heavy armor sets that players can consider investing in. Here are The 25 Best Heavy Armor in Skyrim.
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The Best Light Armor Sets in Skyrim
1. Daedric Armor
The Daedric Armor is considered one of the top heavy armor sets in the world of gaming. It gives the wearer a powerful and intimidating presence. This armor has a base armor attribute of 144, and to craft a complete set, you will need 5 Daedric Hearts, 17 Ebony Ingots, and 10 Leather Strips.
Once you have reached Level 49 in Skyrim, you will have the opportunity to acquire heavy armor sets. These sets can be obtained by looting chests, looting the remains of Legendary dragons, or by purchasing them from a Dremora Merchant. By wearing this powerful armor, the Dragonborn can truly embrace their role as the hero of Skyrim.
2. Dragonplate Armor
When it comes to durability and protection against powerful blows and dragon assaults, there’s nothing quite like armor made from dragon scales. The Dragonplate Armour exemplifies this, but acquiring the necessary materials will require embarking on dragon-hunting expeditions.
By gathering 13 Dragon Scales, 6 Dragon Bones, and 10 Leather Strips, you can obtain this armor set, which provides a solid armor rating of 136.
In the world of Skyrim, there are powerful sets of heavy armor known as the Dragonplate Armor. These armor sets are even stronger than the Dragonscale Armor and can be further enhanced by using rare Dragon Bones.
However, unlike other armors, you won’t be able to obtain a complete set of Dragonplate Armor in one specific location.
3. Ebony Armor
In Skyrim, there are various heavy armor sets available. One of the notable ones is the set that ranks as the third strongest base armor in the game. Although it falls slightly behind Daedric armor in terms of power, it still holds significant defensive capabilities.
Unlike Daedric armor, this set has a more subdued and less menacing look. It might evoke a sense of nostalgia for players.
When a player reaches a smithing level of 80 in Skyrim, they can easily obtain the materials needed to craft heavy armor sets. These materials include ebony ingots, which can be found in various locations throughout Skyrim, and leather strips that can be crafted from animal hide.
One of the notable advantages of these armor sets is their ability to poison enemies, especially when combined with a suitable mask. This combination proves to be a lethal and powerful combination in combat.
4. Stalhrim Armor
Known as ‘enchanted ice’ among the people of Skyrim, Stalhrim offers an extraordinary heavy armor set. Its dazzling appearance gives the impression that it descended from the celestial skies above.
However, to create this remarkable armor, players must first complete the ‘A New Source of Stalhrim’ questline. Once this task is accomplished, the Stalhrim Armor can be crafted using 17 Stalhrim, 4 Quicksilver Ingots, and 9 Leather Strips.
Alternatively, players can also purchase the armor from various merchants such as Glover Mallory, Baldor Iron-Shaper in Skaal Village, or Halbarn Iron-Fur at Thirsk Mead Hall.
5. Orcish Armor
The Orcish Armor, worn by the Orcs in Skyrim, showcases their immense power and determination. Despite its appearance resembling Obsidian, this formidable armor set can be created using a combination of 14 Orichalcum Ingots, 5 Iron Ingots, and 10 Leather Strips.
If you’re looking to acquire the heavy armor sets in Skyrim more efficiently, you have the option to obtain them at the Orc Stronghold called Largashbur, located near the city of Riften. This stronghold is involved in the Daedric Quest related to Malacath, and you can acquire the complete set by visiting an altar dedicated to the Daedric Prince.
6. Falmer Heavy Armor
The Falmer set in Skyrim is a heavy armor set that has a base rating of 96. It is relatively lighter than Ebony armor and can be found easily as many Falmer enemies wear it. The set may not have fancy aesthetics, but it provides solid protection, especially for early stages in the game.
Although it cannot be crafted, it can be enhanced with chaurus chitin, a material dropped by various enemies in Skyrim. This makes it a useful set for players looking to level up their smithing perk tree.
7. Nordic Carved Armor
In Skyrim, there are heavy armor sets available that provide protection for the Dragonborn. However, these sets do not offer any additional benefits compared to other sets that are easier to find and do not have enchantments.
The armor rating of these sets surpasses Ebony when equipped with a shield, but the difference is not significant. Once a player reaches level 25, they have a chance of finding this armor in random loot.
Alternatively, players can choose to craft the set themselves, but this requires a substantial amount of materials, including 21 steel ingots, 5 quicksilver ingots, and 4 ebony ingots.
8. Blades Armor
The Blades Armor in Skyrim has a plain and basic design, with its appearance not offering much in terms of aesthetics. In terms of protection, it is on par with Ebony and Dwarven armor, depending on the specific piece.
However, the advantage of the Blades Armor is that it can be acquired relatively early in the game by players who are following the main quest line. This can be done by visiting Sky Haven Temple.
Although Heavy Armor Sets in Skyrim cannot be crafted, they can still be improved through upgrades. However, one significant disadvantage of the Blades Armor set is that it does not receive any benefits from smithing perks.
As a result, the set cannot be enhanced to be twice as effective as its original state. This limitation discourages many players from using it for an extended period.
Additionally, players must exercise caution when equipping the Blades Armor, as it replaces any items they were previously wearing, causing them to be permanently lost.
9. Chitin Heavy Armor
If you’re planning a journey to Solstheim, the heavy armor sets there are definitely worth checking out. Despite its unusual appearance, this armor is surprisingly light compared to other heavy armors and can be easily obtained.
You can find it in specific locations or even defeat nearby enemies who also wear it, and they shouldn’t pose a significant challenge.
Heavy armor sets in Skyrim, such as Chitin, can be crafted by players with a Smithing skill of level 30. However, to create Chitin armor, players must acquire corundrum ingots. These ingots can be found in specific caves scattered throughout Skyrim.
It can be a tedious task for players to find these caves without a guide, as some of them are unmarked and infested with enemies.
10. Ahzidal’s Armor
At first glance, Ahzidahl’s armor may not seem very impressive since its armor rating is the same as steel armor. However, this heavy armor set has enchantments that more than make up for its lack of base protection.
Wearing Ahzidahl’s armor allows players to have the ability to paralyze enemies, walk on water, absorb Magicka from incoming spells, and have a wide range for casting spells.
To obtain this armor, players simply need to complete the “Unearthed” quest, which is only available in the Dragonborn DLC.
Although it is quite expensive at 11k gold, it is still a valuable asset early in the game, especially if a player arrives at Solstheim early on.
11. Dwarven Armor
One of the best heavy armor sets for beginners in Skyrim is the Dwarven Armor. This set not only provides excellent protection but also gives an intimidating appearance to the Dragonborn. The armor appears to be made of gold and can be crafted using Dwarven metal ingots, leather strips, iron ingots, and steel ingots.
Alternatively, a full set of Dwarven Armor can be found in the Dwemer Ruin known as Nchuand-Zel in Markarth. With a base armor attribute of 104, this armor set can withstand attacks from arrows or swords.
12. Indoril Armor
Although Daedric Armor is considered the top heavy armor available in Skyrim, players who are fans of the Creation Club can enhance their gaming experience by adding the Indoril Armor set. This set offers a higher armor rating and is particularly suitable for players who have previously played as members of House Indoril in Morrowind.
Despite being a mod, the Indoril Armor set is highly favored in Skyrim due to its impressive armor stat and unique appearance. Fans of the third Elder Scrolls game will especially enjoy the opportunity to wear this armor and experience its benefits.
13. Her Hand Armor
Morrowind, a highly revered Elder Scrolls game, played a pivotal role in Bethesda’s path to prosperity and acclaim. The game’s expansive open world was revolutionary at the time, captivating players and immersing them for countless hours.
Adding to its appeal, Morrowind received a fantastic DLC called Tribunal, which introduced exciting new content to the game. Notably, the armor sets showcased in these areas were visually stunning.
For fans yearning to relive the nostalgia of Morrowind in Skyrim, the Creation Club offers an opportunity to acquire a remarkable armor set inspired by the game.
14. Golden Saint Armor
Fans of Oblivion will recognize the Golden Saint Armor, a highly sought-after set of heavy armor. In Skyrim, players can now enjoy the addition of this iconic armor through a Creation Club mod.
The Saints & Seducers Creation Club introduces a variety of new content to Skyrim, including a formidable group of bandits known as the Saints.
These bandits are equipped with an incredibly strong heavy armor set. Defeating them can be a challenging task, but the reward of obtaining this powerful armor makes the effort well worth it.
15. Steel Plate Armor
In Skyrim, there are several heavy armor sets available, with one commonly found option being the Steel Plate Armor. Players can acquire this armor easily after reaching level 18 in the game. It serves as a reliable mid-game armor choice, unless players prefer more rare and unusual armor options.
An interesting aspect of the Steel Plate Armor is that it can only be crafted if players have invested in the light armor smithing skill. Surprisingly, there are other armors in the game that also require this specific skill investment.
16. Improved Bonemold Armor
In the world of Skyrim, where magic and dragons exist, the concept of using bone as armor may seem unconventional.
However, in this fantasy realm, logic doesn’t always have to dictate practicality. That’s why the Bonemold Armor serves as a reliable set of heavy armor in the game.
If you are not satisfied with the basic armor in Skyrim, there is an upgraded version that you can obtain by completing a specific quest.
The Enhanced Bonemold Armor set is remarkably strong and can withstand numerous attacks, despite its individual components not appearing particularly formidable.
17. Falmer Hardened Armor
The Falmer Hardened Armor is a type of heavy armor found in the Dawnguard DLC of Skyrim. It is a slightly weaker version of the Falmer Heavy Armor, having the same appearance but with a lower base armor rating.
This armor can often be obtained by looting high-level Falmer enemies such as Warmongers and Shadowmasters. Unlike other armor sets, the Falmer Hardened Armor cannot be crafted but it can be upgraded using Chaurus chitin.
With a base armor rating of 78 points, this set is considered relatively weak compared to other heavy armor sets that are more easily found throughout Skyrim and in the early stages of the game.
18. Dawnguard Heavy Armor
In Skyrim, the Dawnguard DLC brings forth a fresh addition to the armor sets known as the Dawnguard Heavy armor. When players choose to align themselves with the vampire hunter faction, they will have the opportunity to acquire this new set of armor.
While the armor itself is provided upon joining the faction, the helmet must be purchased from Gunmar. Similar to other armor sets tied to factions, the Dawnguard Heavy armor cannot be created from raw materials. However, players can enhance its attributes by utilizing steel ingots for upgrades.
19. Bonemold Armor
In Skyrim, there is a set of heavy armor called Bonemold Armor. This armor was first introduced in the Dragonborn DLC. When players enter Raven Rock, they will notice that the local Redoran guards are wearing this armor.
It can also be purchased from Glover Mallory and is sometimes worn by Reavers. To craft this armor set, players need to have a Smithing level of at least 15. The materials required for crafting include bone meal, Netch leather, and iron ingots.
20. Steel Armor
Comparable to the Wolf Armor, heavy armor sets made of steel are more readily available throughout the vast lands of Skyrim. Explorers and adventurers will come across steel armor as random loot or offered by various merchants, making it relatively easy to obtain.
As an upgrade from iron armor, steel armor serves as a suitable choice for early-game players. Crafting this type of armor requires a Smithing skill level of 20 and the Steel Smithing perk.
21. Wolf Armor
The Heavy Armor Sets in Skyrim include the Wolf Armor, which is a popular choice among the members of the Companions faction. Players have the opportunity to buy this armor set from Eorlund Gray-Mane after completing the Proving Honor quest.
While the Wolf Armor may have an appealing appearance, it is not as durable as other sets like Dwarven armor. However, it still offers a decent base armor rating of 72 when worn as a complete set.
22. Imperial Armor
Heavy armor sets in Skyrim include the Imperial armor, which is a variation of iron armor. While it shares the same armor rating of 60, it stands out with its distinctive appearance.
The Imperial armor offers three different types, each determined by the choice of helmet worn by the Dragonborn.
The closed helmet type is considered the superior variant, providing the highest level of armor protection.
The Heavy Armor Sets in Skyrim mentioned here are suitable for players in the early stages of the game.
While they may not be effective beyond a few levels, they make for a solid choice as a starting armor for characters who heavily rely on heavy armor.
Crafting these sets requires the Steel Smithing perk and a Smithing level of at least 20.
23. Iron Armor
The Heavy Armor Sets in Skyrim include Iron armor, which resembles Ancient Nordic armor but is more commonly found and has its own unique appearance. This type of armor is easily accessible early in the game, with some pieces even available in Helgen right from the start.
Additionally, there is a banded version of the iron armor that offers slightly better protection, but it is still considered a beginner’s armor set in Skyrim.
Although the Dragonborn may initially wear this set at the beginning of the game, they will eventually upgrade to more advanced armor. One advantage of iron armor is that it can be crafted without requiring any specific Smithing perks or levels.
24. Steel Spell Knight Armor
The Skyrim community has had mixed feelings about the Creation Club. While the paid mods offered through this platform may have higher quality, many fans are not happy with Bethesda’s decision to monetize mods for the game.
However, there are still some fantastic content options available for players to download, such as the Spell Knight Armor set. This set adds three visually impressive armor sets to enhance the gameplay experience.
One of the top heavy armor sets in Skyrim is the Steel Spell Knight Armor. This armor not only provides great protection but also has an impressive appearance, making it a popular choice for players who value style.
To acquire this set, players need to complete the Crypt of the Heart quest, where they will find the armor during their journey.
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