Below is a fine selection of armor, chosen mainly for potency in different situations. A few offer additional bonuses if a full set is worn. As you can see, for the very best armor around, you’re going to need to become supremely competent in Smithing and Enchanting, and craft your own equipment.
Learn more: read the Top 10 Inventory Items: Enchantments
Get your copy of the Skyrim Legendary Guide today!
10. Vampire Royal Armor (Light): Body
Enchantment: Magicka regenerates 125% faster.
Location: [DG.09] Castle Volkihar Ruins.
For the Battlemage with a penchant for the stylish (and blue-glowing) look of a Vampire’s most impressive armor, this helps recover magicka with increased haste.
9. Guild Master’s Armor (Light): Full Set
Enchantment: Carrying capacity increased by 50 points.
Location: Complete Thieves Guild Quest: Under New Management.
Carry off the look of a master thief along with the Guild Master’s Boots (better Pickpocketing), Gloves (better Lockpicking), and Hood (better prices). Stylish and sneaky!
8. Archmage’s Robes (Light): Body
Enchantment: All spells cost 15% less to cast, +50 magicka, and magicka regenerates 100% faster.
Location: Complete College of Winterhold Quest: The Eye of Magnus.
You won’t be happy with the armor rating (zero), but for true mages who utilize all schools of magic, there’s nothing better to wear into battle.
7. Ancient Shrouded Armor (Light): Full Set
Enchantment: Increases Poison Resistance by 100%.
Location: Complete Dark Brotherhood Quest: The Feeble Fortune.
For the assassin about town, wearing the Boots (Muffle), Cowl (better Archery) and Gloves (double Sneak damage) of the same type is an excellent reward.
6. Nightingale Armor (Light): Full Set
Enchantment: Increases your Stamina by 20, 30, or 40 points. Increases Frost Resistance by 15, 30, or 50%.
Location: During Thieves Guild Quest: Trinity Restored.
This leveled armor is most helpful to assassins; for additional boosts, wear a complete set of Nightingale Armor, along with Boots (Muffle), Gloves (better Lockpicking and One-Handed), and Hood (Illusion costs less magicka).
5. Deathbrand Armor (Light): Full Set
Enchantment: Increases your Stamina by 15 for each Deathbrand item you wear.
Location: Complete Solstheim Side Quest: Deathbrand.
Wear this as a set for better-than Daedric Armor, along with Boots (increased carry capacity), Gauntlets (better Dual-wielding), and Helm (Waterbreathing, +100 Armor when worn as a set).
4. Ahzidal’s Armor (Heavy): Full Set
Enchantment: Enemies who strike you with a melee attack have a small chance of being paralyzed.
Location: Complete Solstheim Side Quest: Unearthed.
Although rated the same as Steel Plate, there are some fine enchantments available if worn along with Ahzidal’s Boots (Waterwalking), Gauntlets (Wards), Helm (Conjuration and Rune), and Rings (Spells).
3. Miraak’s Robes (Light): Full Set
Enchantment: Absorb 15% of the magicka from Dragon Breath and spells. Chance on hit to spawn a tentacle explosion.
Location: Complete Dragonborn Main Quest: At the Summit of Apocrypha.
Another mage’s favorite when combined with Miraak’s Gloves and Boots, allowing your spell absorption to reach 25%. Don’t forget the bonus tentacle-writhing, too!
2. Dragonscale Armor (Light): Full Set
Enchantment: None. Armor 41, Weight 10.
Location: Randomly found, crafted, or bought.
If you’re using Light Armor, and you’re at the pinnacle of Smithing and Enchanting, the very best armor available to you is Dragonscale.
1. Daedric Armor (Heavy): Full Set
Enchantment: None. Armor 49, Weight 50.
Location: Randomly found, crafted, or bought.
If you’re using Heavy Armor, this is the stuff to aim for when creating the finest protection. Improve and augment it at the forge and arcane enchanter.
