Best Armors in Fallout 3: Top 10 Armors and Locations

With numerous choices of armor available, making a single choice for an ideal character is a major problem for most players. But do not worry, below I will recommend my picks of best armors that you can consider for numerous playthroughs of Fallout 3.

Best Armors Comparison

Here is a comparison table of my best armor. Each stat can be sorted to view the highest and lowest values, which has been done for your convenience:

No.	Armors	Best for	DR	Item HP	Weight	Value
10	Sherrif’s Duster	Best Costume Armor.	5	150	3	35
9	Armoured Vault 101 Jumpsuit	Best Early-Game Armor.	12	100	15	180
8	Wanderer’s Leather Armor	Best Defensive Armor.	24	150	15	160
7	Outcast Recon Armor	Best Stealth Armor.	28	400	20	105/180(outcast version)
6	Combat Armor	Best Armor for Survival.	32	400	25	390
5	Enclave Hellfire Armor	Best Armor for Heavy Combat.	50	2000	40	1000
4	Chinese Stealth Armor	Best Assassin Armor.	28	400 999400 (sim version)	20	500
3	Ashur’s Power Armor	Best Armor for Fashion & Defense.	40	1000	45	739
2	Tesla Armor	Best Heavy Armor.	43	1500	45	820
1	Winterized T-51b Power Armor	Best Survival Armor.	45	9,992,000 / 1000 (cut version)	40	1000

Related: Fallout 4 Best Armor

10. Sherrif’s Duster

Best Costume Armor.

Attribute	Value
DR	5
DT	0
Item HP	150
Effects	Charisma +1 Small Guns +5
Weight	3
Value	35
Repair	Merchants
Variants	Paulson’s Outfit
Editor ID	OutfitLucasSimms
Form ID	00020429

Sheriff’s Duster Stats Table. 

The Sherrif’s Duster is a unique armor set consisting of a duster and a Sherrif’s hat. The duster provides 5 Damage Resistance, and the hat offers 1.

1. To obtain it, find Lucas Simms, the sheriff of Megaton.
2. Avoid destroying Megaton before acquiring it.
3. Alternatively, pickpocket Lucas Simms to obtain the armor without violence.
4. Place a high-damage resistance item in their pocket, save, and reload the game to see them wearing the gear.
5. This method is more efficient than killing for the armor.

9. Armoured Vault 101 Jumpsuit

Best Early-Game Armor.

Attribute	Value
DR	12
DT	-
Item HP	100
Effects	Energy Weaons +5 Small Guns +5
Weight	15
Value	180
Repair	Merchants
Variants	-
Editor ID	-
Form ID	00034121

Armoured Vault 101 Jumpsuit Stats Table. 

As a beginner player, one must always get an Armoured Vault 101 Jumpsuit. This is because this armor comes with great Damage Resistance abilities that can significantly improve the beginner players who keep dying during the battle.

Armoured Vault 101 Jumpsuit is decent apparel that can enhance your protection level for the character while offering sweet apparel effects. 

Apart from the looks and added bonuses, the Armoured Vault 101 Jumpsuit is also an easily obtainable item. You can get this armor in two ways. 

1. You can either steal the armor from the Moira Brown in the Megaton if you are that barbaric.
2. Or you can show some empathy and follow the quest guidelines and make her reward your character with this armor.
3. For the latter, all you need to do is to introduce yourself to her at the store named “Craterside Supply”.
4. After starting the conversation, she will remember your character from Vault 101 and will ask about your life in the vault.
5. After telling her your experience of the lifestyle in the vault, she will reward you with this unique item without breaking her trust.

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8. Wanderer’s Leather Armor

Best Defensive Armor.

Attribute	Value
DR	24
DT	-
Item HP	150
Effects	Small Guns +10
Weight	15
Value	160
Repair	Leather Armor
Variants	-
Editor ID	ArmorWanderersLeather
Form ID	00C7C54

Wanderer’s Leather Armor Stats Table. 

Leather armor has always been a top entry in the series, and that is why I would always go for this armor set for an ideal defense in the game. It offers a decent early-game defense that paves the way for the survival of your character through some of the intense battles. 

Since, entry-level players will rely on Small Guns like pistols, acquiring this armor may allow them to gain a significant boost in the gameplay.

1. To get this unique piece of armor, all you need to do is to head down to the hostile area of Roosevelt Academy.
2. Go to the east of the Academy where you can find a Wanderer guarded by dogs.

This process indeed involves a clash with the Wanderer and the guard dogs. But this fight is paying off after you loot the body for Wanderer’s Leather armor.

7. Outcast Recon Armor

Best Stealth Armor. 

Outcast Recon Armor

Attribute	Value
DR	28
DT	-
Item HP	400
Effects	Sneak +5
Weight	20
Value	105/180 (outcast version)
Repair	Reacon Armor
Variants	Composite Reacon Armor
Editor ID	ArmorReacon
Form ID	0003064D (Regular version) 000645EC (Outcast version) xx00160F (Stealth version)

Outcast Recon Armor

The Outcast Recon Armor is a unique and highly effective set originally intended as an under-armor for the T-45D Power Armor. 

Acquiring this rare armor depends on your dialogue choices with Sentinel Lyons during the main storyline. If you make the right choices, she may reward you with the Outcast Recon Armor.

1. To obtain it, complete the main quest “Finding the American Dream,” which leads you to the Citadel and Lyon’s Pride.
2. After a dialogue about G.E.C.K., Sentinel Sarah Lyons may offer you a choice between Power Armor and Recon Armor.
3. Opt for the Outcast Recon Armor and complete the quest for Lyons.

Also check: Fallout 4 Best Weapons

6. Combat Armor

Best Armor for Survival.

Combat Armor

Attribute	Value
DR	32
DT	-
Item HP	400
Effects	-
Weight	25
Value	390
Repair	Combat armor Ranger battle armor Rivet City security uniform Talon combat armor Tenpenny security uniform
Variants	See Variants
Editor ID	ArmorCombat
Form ID	00020420 000CB5EF (shellshocked)

Combat Armor Stats Table. 

Combat Armor is a readily available standard armor that provides solid protection against both energy and ballistic damage. It’s a popular choice due to its high stats and appealing appearance.

During the mid-game and even into the late game, many players prefer to use Combat Armor for its exceptional damage protection. 

While Combat Armor doesn’t provide any special skill bonuses, its high Damage Resistance compensates for this. If you’re looking for Combat Armor with skill bonuses, consider the Ranger Combat Armor.

1. You can obtain Combat Armor by defeating Smugglers throughout the wasteland.
2. A guaranteed way to acquire it is by dealing with Stockholm.
3. You can either kill him or use reverse pickpocketing to exchange a higher-stat item for his Combat Armor.
4. Alternatively, you can purchase it from merchants like Tulip, Moira Brown, or Crow.

5. Enclave Hellfire Armor

Best Armor for Heavy Combat.

Enclave Hellfire Armor

Attribute	Value
DR	50
DT	-
Item HP	2000
Effects	Strength +1 Fire Resistance +30 Radiation Resistance +15
Weight	40
Value	1000
Repair	Enclave Hell-Fire armor
Variants	-
Editor ID	DLC03ArmorEnclave
Form ID	xx001081

Enclave Hellfire Stats Table. 

Bethesda’s focus on power armor sets Fallout games apart, enhancing the player’s abilities and gameplay experience. The Enclave Hellfire armor, introduced in the Fallout 3 Broken Steel DLC, stands out for its impressive stats and unique effects.

1. To obtain this armor, you need the Broken Steel DLC or the GOTY edition of the game.
2. You can find it on Enclave Hellfire soldiers in the Capital Wasteland and Broken Steel areas.
3. Acquiring it involves a direct confrontation, as you’ll need to defeat one of these troopers to loot the armor.
4. Another option is to infiltrate Enclave Outposts and Camps, stealthily eliminate a soldier, and steal their armor.
5. Fortunately, the Enclave Hellfire armor is easy to repair, so you can maintain its condition even after a few battles.

Similar Reads: Best Power Armor in Fallout 4

4. Chinese Stealth Armor

Best Assassin Armor.

Chinese Stealth Armor

Attribute	Value
DR	28
DT	-
Item HP	400 999400 (sim version)
Effects	Standard version: +15 Sneak +5 Stealth Field (when crouching) Sim Version: +5 Sneak
Weight	20
Value	500
Repair	Reacon Armor
Variants	-
Editor ID	-
Form ID	xx00C18F xx003A02 (sim version)

Chinese Stealth Armor Stats Table. 

The Chinese Stealth Armor, available in the Operation: Anchorage expansion pack, offers 28 Damage Resistance, +15 Sneak skill, and +5 Stealth Field when crouching, turning the character invisible.

You must complete the Operation: Anchorage storyline to obtain this unique armor.

3. Ashur’s Power Armor

Best Armor for Fashion & Defense.

Attribute	Value
DR	40
DT	-
Item HP	1000
Effects	+1 Luck +1 Charisma +1 Strength -1 Agility +10 Radiation Resistance
Weight	45
Value	739
Repair	T-45d power armor and variants T-51b power armor
Variants	-
Editor ID	-
Quests	Free Labor
Form ID	xx006852

Ashur’s Power Armor Stats Table. 

Ashur’s Power Armor is a highly stylized variant of the T-45d Power Armor that is extremely decent in looks as well as stats.

Do not let your mind underestimate the abilities of this Power armor because of its rusty look. When it comes to the armor with the highest stats, Ashur’s Power armor ranks higher on the list. 

1. Once again, you will have to get this armor from Ashur’s body by killing it.
2. But I would recommend considering the reverse pickpocketing strategy only after completing the Free Labor quest with Ashur.

2. Tesla Armor

Best Heavy Armor.

Attribute	Value
DR	43
DT	-
Item HP	1500
Effects	+10 Energy Weapons +20 Radiation Resistance
Weight	45
Value	820
Repair	Tesla Power Armor
Variants	-
Editor ID	-
Form ID	0006B464 0008F571 (Tesla pack only)

Tesla Armor Stats Table. 

Tesla Armor is another addition to the best armor that aids the players in dodging damage from higher-level enemies. This is because things may escalate quickly as you proceed further in the game, and enemies are much stronger to take down.

These enemies are always trying to strike your character. Meanwhile, Tesla Power armor ensures a high degree of protection for players.

1. Acquiring the Tesla armor will be a cumbersome task.
2. To get your hands on the Tesla Armor, you will have to kill Enclave Soldier or consider a reverse pickpocketing strategy.
3. These strategies are not ideal because it is not easier to kill or steal an item from the Enclave Soldier undetected.
4. If you are lucky you can find one or two Enclave Soldiers outside Enclave Headquarters.
5. Here you can easily take them down to loot off the Tesla armor from their dead bodies.

1. Winterized T-51b Power Armor

Best Survival Armor.

Attribute	Value
DR	45
DT	-
Item HP	9,992,000 / 1000 (cut version)
Effects	+25 Radiation Resistance
Weight	40
Value	1000
Repair	none / T-45d power armor (cut version)
Quests	Operation: Anchorage! You Gotta Shoot 'Em in the Head (glitch)
Variants	T-51b power armor
Editor ID	-
Form ID	xx001F09 (sim version) xx00C18D (cut version)

Winterized T-51b Stats Table. 

Last but not least, Winterized T-51b is another addition to Operation: Anchorage that offers players a unique-looking Power armor. Since it is part of the DLC, both mid to higher-level players can seek and acquire this armor.

This Power armor pushes the limits of defense and adds huge damage protection for players.

This variant features snow camouflage with US livery, designed for post-apocalyptic warfare. It’s an endgame item in the Operation: Anchorage DLC. Complete the DLC’s storyline, exit the simulation, and talk to Protector McGraw. Visit the VSS Armory to claim the Winterized T-51b Power Armor.

Alternative Armor Sets

• Metal Armor: Too rare and offers less protection than other options.
• Raider Armor: Common, but offers the weakest protection.
• Recon Armor: Decent, but Outcast Recon Armor is better.
• Leather Armor: Weaker protection than the Wanderer’s variant.
• Power Armor: While powerful, it’s slow and noisy, hindering stealthy playstyles.

What Would I Recommend?

For a versatile player focused on raw protection, I’d recommend Combat Armor. It’s common, easy to repair, and offers the best defense outside of Power Armor. Pair this with the Combat Helmet for maximum protection and you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

If you’re the type who loves Power Armor, the Enclave Hellfire Armor is the way to go. You’ll need the Broken Steel DLC, and it’s tough to obtain, but once you’ve got it, you’ll be a walking tank with fire resistance and stat boosts to boot.