Dark Souls 3 Best Armor: Top 10 Armors Ranked

Having the perfect armor will assist you greatly in your fight against various foes, especially bosses. There are tons of options for you to choose from. Do not worry, as I will help you through the best choices of armor.

While you can mix and match various armor sets, this guide will take a look at the complete set and rank them. At the end of the day, the armor depends on the player’s choice but some options are better than others. 

Comparison Of My Best Armor Picks

Here is a comparison table of my best Armor in Dark Souls 3 . Each stat can be sorted to view the highest and lowest values, which has been done for your convenience:

No.	Name	Best for	Physical Resistance	Strike	Slash	Thrust	Magic	Fire	Lightning	Dark	Bleed	Poison	Frost	Curse	Poise
1	Catarina Set	Best Armor for Strength Build.	40.5	30.9	41.1	39.2	25.8	27.8	32.6	28.7	184	141	141	85	43.8
2	Xanthous Set	Best Armor for Poison Resistance.	18.6	16.6	17.9	17.9	26.0	12.3	25.1	25.6	97	130	114	95	9.6
3	Gundyr’s Set	Best Armor for Overall Defense.	32	27.1	36.7	30.7	25.5	26.4	25.3	25.5	198	144	144	144	53.3
4	Dragonscale Set	Best Armor for Fire Defense.	25.0	21.8	23.6	19.9	19.2	25.1	14.1	19.2	124	111	112	78	24.7
5	Exile Set	Best Armor for Bleed Resistance.	32.3	31.3	31.2	29.3	26.9	30.6	26.5	28.2	226	171	143	114	44.5
6	Leonhard’s Set	Best Armor for Dexterity Build.	19.9	21.8	19.4	20.4	25.3	26.8	20.6	17.2	93	128	142	128	12.1
7	Wolf Knight Set	Best Armor for High-Mobility Builds.	23.7	20.5	23.8	16.0	22.8	26.8	11.4	20.4	112	76	83	83	16.1
8	Alva Armor Set	Best Armor for High Mobility and Dodging.	25.8	20.6	25.8	24.7	19.0	23.6	19.0	22.1	145	88	93	55	23.9
9	Undead Legion Set Iron	Best Armor for Frost Resistance.	22.1	22.3	12.8	19.3	27.1	27.9	28.3	22.5	101	130	161	109	10.6
10	Dragonslayer Set	Best Armor for Strength and Quality Builds.	35	25.8	36.7	38.3	22.1	25.8	30.7	29.3	188	125	138	64	44.4

Comparison Table. 

1. Catarina Set

Best Armor for Strength Build.

Physical Resistance	40.5
Strike Defense	30.9
Slash Defense	41.1
Thrust Defense	39.2
Magic Defense	25.8
Fire Defense	27.8
Lightning Defense	32.6
Dark Defense	28.7
Bleed Resistance	184
Poison Resistance	141
Frost Resistance	141
Curse Resistance	85
Poise	43.8
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	40.7

Catarina Set Stats Table. 

The Catarina Set, a series staple, offers effective stats despite its appearance. Ideal for strength-based characters, it bolsters poise but is weak against Curse and Strike damage.

You can obtain it from Patches in the Cathedral of the Deep or, for a more soul-saving option, complete Siegward of Catarina’s questline, finding his armor in Yhorm the Giant’s boss room, adding depth to the lore. Completing Siegward’s questline is enjoyable and emotionally resonant.

2. Xanthous Set

Best Armor for Poison Resistance.

Physical Resistance	18.6
Strike Defense	16.6
Slash Defense	17.9
Thrust Defense	17.9
Magic Defense	26.0
Fire Defense	12.3
Lightning Defense	25.1
Dark Defense	25.6
Bleed Resistance	97
Poison Resistance	130
Frost Resistance	114
Curse Resistance	95
Poise	9.6
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	17.5

For Dark Souls 3 mages, this set is a popular choice due to its excellent balance of defense and elemental resistance. Be cautious, though, as it lacks physical attack protection.

To obtain this set, deliver the Xanthous Ashes to the Shrine Handmaid. You can find the ashes in Irithyll Dungeon, usually during your exploration.

3. Gundyr’s Set

Best Armor for Overall Defense.

Physical Resistance	32
Strike Defense	27.1
Slash Defense	36.7
Thrust Defense	30.7
Magic Defense	25.5
Fire Defense	26.4
Lightning Defense	25.3
Dark Defense	25.5
Bleed Resistance	198
Poison Resistance	144
Frost Resistance	144
Curse Resistance	144
Poise	53.3
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	40.0

Iudex Gundyr Stats Table.

The Iudex Gundyr set earns its place in my armor list. After defeating this introductory boss and unlocking Firelink Shrine, players can purchase this armor. It provides solid defense and remarkable poise, preventing frequent stagger from enemy attacks.

A side note: This armor pays homage to Demon’s Souls, which received a PS5 remake, making it familiar to Souls veterans.

4. Dragonscale Set

Best Armor for Fire Defense.

Physical Resistance	25.0
Strike Defense	21.8
Slash Defense	23.6
Thrust Defense	19.9
Magic Defense	19.2
Fire Defense	25.1
Lightning Defense	14.1
Dark Defense	19.2
Bleed Resistance	124
Poison Resistance	111
Frost Resistance	112
Curse Resistance	78
Poise	24.7
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	23.7

Dragonscale Stats Table. 

Why Did I Choose Dragonscale Set?

The Dragonscale Set is your best bet if you want to resist fire damage while you try to beat your opponents.  The armor has several unique characteristics and capabilities that make it a formidable addition to your arsenal.

[/su_note]

The Dragonscale set, once belonging to the formidable Nameless King, considered Dark Souls 3’s toughest base game boss, comes with distinct characteristics. After defeating this optional boss, you can purchase his striking armor from the Firelink Shrine’s Handmaid.

In terms of lore, this armor carries deep significance, representing the first-born son of Gwyn, the Lord of Cinder.

It excels in fire defense due to its dragon-scale construction but falters against lightning-based damage, ironically matching the Nameless King’s primary attack method.

5. Exile Set

Best Armor for Bleed Resistance.

Physical Resistance	32.3
Strike Defense	31.3
Slash Defense	31.2
Thrust Defense	29.3
Magic Defense	26.9
Fire Defense	30.6
Lightning Defense	26.5
Dark Defense	28.2
Bleed Resistance	226
Poison Resistance	171
Frost Resistance	143
Curse Resistance	114
Poise	44.5
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	42.3

Despite its less appealing appearance, this set compensates with exceptional stats and effectiveness. It offers robust defense against all elements and is particularly effective against bleeding damage.

Obtaining this set early in the game is possible after defeating the Exile Watchdogs duo near Farron Keep. It’s an ideal choice for strength-focused characters due to its impressive elemental resistances and stats.

6. Leonhard’s Set

Best Armor for Dexterity Build.

Physical Resistance	19.9
Strike Defense	21.8
Slash Defense	19.4
Thrust Defense	20.4
Magic Defense	25.3
Fire Defense	26.8
Lightning Defense	20.6
Dark Defense	17.2
Bleed Resistance	93
Poison Resistance	128
Frost Resistance	142
Curse Resistance	128
Poise	12.1
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	16.6

A personal favorite among the best armors is Leonhard’s, with a design reminiscent of Bloodborne’s attire. Acquiring it can be a bit lengthy via Leonhard’s questline or by dueling him at Firelink Shrine, though he’s a formidable opponent.

Regardless of your choice, you’ll obtain his mask and can later purchase the complete set for 10,500 souls from the Shrine Handmaid.

This set perfectly complements a dexterity build, enhancing the use of Dex weapons like katanas.

7. Wolf Knight Set

Best Armor for High-Mobility Builds.

Physical Resistance	23.7
Strike Defense	20.5
Slash Defense	23.8
Thrust Defense	16.0
Magic Defense	22.8
Fire Defense	26.8
Lightning Defense	11.4
Dark Defense	20.4
Bleed Resistance	112
Poison Resistance	76
Frost Resistance	83
Curse Resistance	83
Poise	16.1
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	21.4

Recognizable as the legendary Knight Artorias’s armor, the Wolf Knight Set in Dark Souls 3 boasts rich lore and an exceptional weight-to-defense ratio. Perfect for high-mobility builds, it offers reliable protection and a striking appearance.

To obtain it, progress through the game, defeat Oceiros, and enter the Untended Graves.

At the Firelink Shrine, you can purchase the set from the Handmaid for 46,000 souls, provided you’ve already defeated the Abyss Watchers.

8. Alva Armor Set

Best Armor for High Mobility and Dodging.

Physical Resistance	25.8
Strike Defense	20.6
Slash Defense	25.8
Thrust Defense	24.7
Magic Defense	19.0
Fire Defense	23.6
Lightning Defense	19.0
Dark Defense	22.1
Bleed Resistance	145
Poison Resistance	88
Frost Resistance	93
Curse Resistance	55
Poise	23.9
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	22.0

The Alva Armor Set, returning from Dark Souls 2, combines aesthetics and low weight, making it ideal for high mobility and dodging. It offers decent poise given its weight class and can be seamlessly combined with other armor pieces for a pleasing look.

To find this set, start from the Distant Manor bonfire in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, head right, and descend towards Irithyll Dungeon. After an encounter with Alva near the stone bridge, defeat him and proceed to the dungeon.

Inside the room with large prison cells, you’ll find his armor set in the corner.

9. Undead Legion Set

Best Armor for Frost Resistance.

Physical Resistance	22.1
Strike Defense	22.3
Slash Defense	12.8
Thrust Defense	19.3
Magic Defense	27.1
Fire Defense	27.9
Lightning Defense	28.3
Dark Defense	22.5
Bleed Resistance	101
Poison Resistance	130
Frost Resistance	161
Curse Resistance	109
Poise	10.6
Icon Durability	-
Icon weight	18.6

If you’ve faced the Abyss Watchers, you will immediately recognize this armor. This is the armor that they wear when battling you. Players that are going for the dex build will want to equip this set to get the most benefits.

You can purchase this aesthetically pleasing armor from the Shrine Handmaid for 31,000 souls after defeating the Abyss Watchers. While it is on the pricey end, you will not regret getting this armor.

10. Iron Dragonslayer Set

Best Armor for Strength and Quality Builds.

Physical Resistance	35
Strike Defense	25.8
Slash Defense	36.7
Thrust Defense	38.3
Magic Defense	22.1
Fire Defense	25.8
Lightning Defense	30.7
Dark Defense	29.3
Bleed Resistance	188
Poison Resistance	125
Frost Resistance	138
Curse Resistance	64
Poise	44.4
Icon Durability	450
Icon weight	35.7

Iron Dragonslayer Stats Table.

At the top of my list, I have the Iron Dragonslayer set, which becomes available in the Ringed City DLC. It’s renowned for its stunning appearance and is arguably the game’s best-looking armor.

Perfect for quality or strength builds, especially with straight swords or greatswords, this armor offers exceptional poise and defense. It’s a popular choice for those wanting to cosplay as Guts from Berserk’s Fantasia Arc.

What makes it exceptional is its blend of various armor elements, enhancing overall performance. To acquire it, defeat the Dragonslayer Armor in the swamp of the Ringed City.

Why Others Were Not Chosen

Here are some other armors that didn’t make the cut for me:

• Painting Guardian Set: Although easy to obtain, it doesn’t improve your survivability.
• Mask of the Father: Once a popular piece of armor, it has become less impressive after its stats were changed.
• Gold-Hemmed Black Set: Obtaining this armor gets you into a boss fight.
• Crimson Set: Has pretty mediocre attributes.
• Great Lord Set: Has no impressive bonuses that might help you in battle.
• Hollow Thief Set: Doesn’t have respectable attributes, and is quite difficult to obtain.
• Black Knight Set: Quite impressive, but made available later on in the game.
• Lord’s Blade Set: It isn’t worth killing the NPC to obtain this armor.

My Recommendation

Personally, I am a fan of the Nameless King’s set but the other armors on here are also ones I would recommend not only because they are just very good fashion souls but also because they have good resistances and values to back them up.

I went through each armor while keeping usability and fashion in mind. Hence, these are the top 10 I would recommend. Any others would be less useful utility-wise.

As a Souls veteran, I only dress for fashion so if you want to use a build then I would recommend the Easterner’s Helm + Nameless King’s Chest + Desert Pyromancer Gloves (or any gloves that cover the entire arm) + Lorian’s Leggings. This is what I like to rock in each playthrough.

Up Next:

• BEST Dark Souls 3 Infusions Ranked.
• Best Dark Souls 3 Mage Builds.
• Best Spears In Dark Souls 3.