Skyrim: Best Armor Sets & How To Find Them (2024)

While the novice ​​​​​Skyrim player attends to the swords, axes, and spells, it takes patience and knowledge to obtain a good set of armor. Not only does it vastly reduce the damage taken in a battle, but the best armors also come with an array of interesting perks that will carry players to victory.

Sure, you can use whatever Skyrim armor sets you find. That works until you eventually stumble across an enemy that strikes straight through it. We all want armor that will protect us long-term, but a great design along the trim doesn't hurt, either. The best sets also come with the hardest hunts and searches to obtain them and their powers. In the end, the effort is worth it for one of these magnificent battle suits. This article details where to find all the best sets.

Updated July 13, 2024 by Quinton O'Connor: We've tossed in some extra context on how to acquire several of these great sets.

16 Dawnguard Heavy Armor

Dawnguard is a must-have expansion to Skyrim's base game, as it adds a bunch of new gameplay concepts along with a whole new story to go through. The DLC also has its fair share of unique equipment, including the amazing Dawnguard Heavy Armor.

In terms of sheer looks, there are not many sets that can beat the Dawnguard Heavy Armor. Users of heavy armor who want their Dragonborn to look as awe-inspiring as possible should definitely get this armor for themselves.

Where To Find The Dawnguard Heavy Armor

The Dawnguard Heavy Armor set can be found on members of the Dawnguard. Alternatively, if players don't want to kill innocents, then it can be bought from Gunmar instead.

15 Glass Armor

Users of light armor should definitely go for the Glass Armor set at one point. Not only is it a powerful and valuable armor set only overtaken by a few others, but it also looks absolutely brilliant.

Where To Find The Glass Armor

The entire set can be crafted with a high Smithing skill. Alternatively, players can find a complete set in both Northwatch Keep and the Thalmor Embassy.

14 Dragonscale Armor

Another piece of light armor that you will have a great time with is the Dragonscale Armor. The fact that dragons play a huge role in the world of Skyrim means that you are bound to enjoy a bunch of positive effects from this brilliant armor set.

Where To Find The Dragonscale Armor

You can craft this armor if you have a high Smithing stat. Alternatively, it can also be found as an extremely rare loot.

13 Stalhrim Light Armor

The Dragonborn expansion pack allowed players to explore the lands of Solstheim. Players who loved the tales of Bloodmoon in Morrowind were bound to have a great time with this expansion pack, which introduced the Stalhrim Light Armor as well.

While this armor isn't mind-blowing by any means, there's a certain appeal to this set that we can't resist.

Where To Find The Stalhrim Light Armor

Post level 35, this armor set will become a rather common piece of loot that players can get at any time. Of course, if you don't want to wait that long, then try crafting it instead.

12 Elven Armor

The Elven Armor is beloved by many fans due to its unique and amazing look. If you are roleplaying an elf, consider this set the best one for the entire game. It looks pretty good on other races, too. (We still think Morrowind's spin on Elven armor is rad, but this is still quite nice for a more broad-fantasy look!)

Where To Find The Elven Armor

This armor appears as low as level 12, but don't let that distract you from its effectiveness in combat. The armor can also be crafted or found in either Northwatch Keep or the Thalmor Embassy.

11 Blades Armor

The order of the Blades specialty armor - if it's fit for a dragon slayer, it'll work for you. The Blades set is the highest-rated faction armor in the game, giving you a unique steel look and comparable stats to carry you through the game.

Where To Find The Blades Armor

You can find this armor by joining the order of the Blades. This becomes the default armor. Make sure to take any wanted items off before you join, or they'll be gone forever.

10 Ebony Armor

One of the strongest armors in the game, the Ebony set can protect against most regular blows and becomes a huge asset in drawn-out combat.

Where To Find Ebony Armor

Unenchanted pieces of armor will start to pop up on your regular travels as soon as you hit 32. The general goods store or blacksmith is a good place to start.

If you'd like the more powerful, enchanted armor, the Ebony Warrior is a good place to start. He'll show up once you're level 80 and basically ask for a warrior's death, beat him in the Velothi Mountains, and win. Behind the town of Falkreath, Angi's camp has a full set at higher levels too.

9 Nightingale Armor

For some of the most aesthetically pleasing light armor in the game, the Nightingale set has the right amount of intricacy without sticking out like a sore thumb. There's also the added bonus of keeping its weight pretty low with a solid defense in case you run into any sticky situations.

It will benefit the illusion specialist the most, giving a heavy discount to the spells. Made for stealthy combat, it will be easy to sneak up on your enemy with its quietening perks.

Where To Find The Nightingale Armor

You receive the armor after joining the Nightingales in the ''Trinity Restored'' quest. You'll want to hold out until level 32 to get the maximum power.

8 Ancient Shrouded Armor

This set is a twist on the regular Dark Brotherhood gear; when you have the full set, it is much easier to fulfill your assassin fantasy. Poison resistance goes up along with your sneak damage. If you prefer attacking from long range, have no fear; bow damage also goes up 35 percent when wearing the set.

Where To Find The Ancient Shrouded Armor

If you want this set, you'll have to finish the Dark Brotherhood side quest. This can only be accomplished when you've assassinated the son of the emperor's security. Once the quest is accepted, visit the Hag's End. In the secret room, you will find the set.

7 Falmer Heavy Armor

Lighter than the heaviest armors with all the same defensive stats, you are free to get into heavy sword fights without the fear of being weighed down. If there's a skilled blacksmith with the Advanced Armors perk, it can easily become one of the strongest sets roaming the land.

Where To Find The Falmer Heavy Armor

Getting this incredible armor by loot isn't an easy task, having to clear the Mzinchaleft Depths before coming to the locked golden gate. A knack for lockpicking will come in handy as it's a master lock.

6 Dragonplate Armor

One of the notorious armor sets that dominate the world of Skyrim, the Dragonplate set is beloved for a reason. With a lighter weight, this armor has some of the best-weighted stats in the game.

Where To Find Dragonplate Armor

For anyone looking to jump straight into it, level 40 is when the armor starts appearing in the regular world. Crafting is possible at a lower level but will require a nose to the grindstone. A level 100 smith is needed to create the armor, and you'll also need quite a few fallen dragons under your belt.

5 Guild Master's Armor

Once you put the set on, it's time to go to work. This leather light armor set has a base armor value of 72. Your carrying capacity is increased by 50 points. Pickpocketing and lockpicking become 35 percent easier, too. Not a bad combination when you have loot to horde. Even when deciding to be an honest customer, prices become 20 percent better.

Where To Find The Guild Master's Armor

Thieves are quite often looking for the fastest way to the prize. This armor takes a little more grit as you have to complete all the Thieves Guild quests and return it to its once-great state. Only then can you accept the quest ''Under New Management'' and become Guild Master.

4 Blackguard's Armor

In what is almost an insult to the Thieves Guild's armor set, the Blackguard's Armor set is a flat-out improvement on the Guild Master's set. It's a leather light armor set with a base armor value of 72 and shares all the same enchantments.

Unlike the Guild Master set, it has a slightly lower weight and better enchantment stats. The carry capacity increase, lockpicking bonus, Pickpocket bonus, and Price boost are 50, 40, 40, and 25, respectively.

Where To Find The Blackguard's Armor

The set is part of the Dragonborn DLC. You first need to complete the "Taking Care Of Business" quest for the Thieves' Guild. Talk to the armorsmith in Raven Rock, Glover Mallory. He will tell you about Esmond Tyne in the Castle Karstaag Caverns, initiating the "Paid In Full" quest.

Complete this quest to gain access to Glover's basement, where the Blackguard's armor set is in a display case.

3 Deathbrand Armor

This gorgeous armor isn't just pretty - it's also an incredibly effective shield. It will give you a boost in both stamina and carrying capacity. If you find yourself near water will find it all the more helpful as you get 60 seconds of water-breathing ability.

Where To Find Deathbrand Armor

Instead of getting the whole set in one, you will need to scour the coast in search of the legendary pirate king's armor. You'll have to accept the ''Deathbrand'' quest beforehand to make the chests appear and complete one of the best sets in Skyrim.

2 Ahzidal's Armor

While this set isn't particularly impressive on paper, it comes with a unique set of abilities that are rarely found otherwise. The most useful enchantment means any enemy that attacks physically has a chance of being paralyzed. Another is you absorbing 50 percent of the Magicka that's shot at you; who needs defense when you have all these perks?

Where To Find Ahzidal's Armor

The only place to acquire the enchanted armor is in the quest ''Unearthed''. Once you have all the pieces, you can unlock the fortify enchantment perk that makes the set even stronger.

1 Daedric Armor

The highest-rated armor in all the land, though it comes with a complicated price. It will come as no shock that your intimidation option becomes 10 percent more likely while adorning the armor.

Where To Find Daedric Armor

Daedric armor is only found in chests of boss fights after you pass level 49 (unless you slay a legendary dragon.) Finding unenchanted pieces in the wild is rare, even once you pass the level barrier. Killing Daedra is the only surefire way to find the hearts required to forge the armor, and it still requires that players have a level 90 blacksmithing skill.