Unleash Your Power: The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Early Game Armor Sets in Elden Ring

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Twinned Knight Set

Kaiden Set

Knight Set

Scaled Armor Set

Vulgar Militia Set

Lionel's Armor Set

Godrick Soldier Set

Banished Knight Set

Royal Remains Set

Carian Knight Set

In Elden Ring, players have access to a vast selection of armor sets, weapons, and skills catering to various playstyles. These items possess distinct statistics that can enhance a player's offensive or defensive abilities. Armor pieces can be discovered throughout the Lands Between, either as drops from mobs or within chests.

The initial stages of the game pose significant challenges, as players must familiarize themselves with mechanics and contend with formidable mobs while lacking reliable armor or weapons. While acquiring exceptional armor proves particularly advantageous in Elden Ring compared to other FromSoft games, it is equally important to prioritize finding the most potent weapon.

Updated June 29, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: When it comes to obtaining superior armor in Elden Ring, players have a multitude of options available right from the outset. There are certain armor pieces that players should strive to acquire as quickly as possible for a smoother early game, although some may be more easily obtained than others. It is important to note that this list does not encompass the starter gear that players can obtain by selecting different classes, such as the Raging Wolf set. Instead, the following armor sets are regarded as some of the finest early armors in Elden Ring, regardless of the player's initial class choice. However, acquiring these Elden Ring armor sets is not a task for the faint-hearted – while it is technically possible to obtain the Carian Knight set early on, be prepared to experience numerous deaths along the way.

10 Twinned Knight Set

The Twinned Knight set, worn by D, Hunter of the Dead, offers significant defensive enhancements but comes with the trade-off of increased weight and a distinct appearance. The combination of depicting the wearer and another as a unified entity in this suit of armor gives it a blend of classical and metallic appeal. However, the protrusion of an entire body from its side may not be to everyone's liking.

Where To Get The Twinned Knight Set

To acquire the Twinned Knight set early in the game, players need to head towards D, Hunter of the Dead, and Summonwater Village right from the beginning. Defeating the Tibia Mariner is crucial before having a conversation with D in Roundtable Hold. This will allow players to progress further in his questline. As the questline unfolds, D will eventually request the player to return a dagger to Fia. By engaging in dialogue with both characters in a back and forth manner, players will successfully complete the quest and be rewarded with the Twinned Knight set as their armor.

9 Kaiden Set

How To Get the Kaiden Set

The Kaiden, a group of sellswords and horsemen, can be encountered by players throughout the Lands Between. They can be particularly spotted near the northern bridge of Lake Agheel in Limgrave. These horsemen not only drop their distinctive Nordic-inspired armor set but also wield enormous curved swords, providing players with a sturdy defense right from the start of their journey in Elden Ring.

8 Knight Set

The Kaiden armor set can only be obtained by defeating the Kaiden Sellswords, which are commonly found in Limgrave. To increase your chances of obtaining it, consume a Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot, although be prepared for a considerable amount of time and effort due to the random nature of drops. This set consists of a helmet, chest piece, wristguards, and leg armor.

Opt for the armor if you can only purchase a single piece, as it offers superior defensive capabilities compared to the rest of the Knight set. Moreover, despite its simplistic design, it possesses a decent aesthetic. Elden Ring introduces the Knight set early in the game, granting access to all players as soon as they reach Roundtable Hold.

Where To Get Knight Set

Located in the hallway adjacent to the balcony, just a short distance away from Gideon Ofnir's study, players will encounter the Twin Maiden Husks. These non-playable characters remain stationary but function as vendors with a selection of basic items available for purchase. In order to expand their inventory, they accept Bell Bearings as a form of currency. However, it is worth noting that acquiring the finest early game armor in Elden Ring, tailored specifically for Tarnished players, does not require any Bell Bearings.

The entire set will cost a few thousand runes – the Helm, Greaves, and Gloves all cost 3000 each, and the Armor costs 4,500, for a total of 13,500 Runes to purchase all four.

7 Scaled Armor Set

The Scaled Armor Set boasts some of the highest defensive stats among heavy sets in Elden Ring. However, obtaining this armor early requires careful planning of your route. Unlike the Knight Set, which can be found relatively early in the game, the Scaled Armor set can only be acquired through the questline in Elden Ring's Volcano Manor. While most players encounter this questline around the midway point of the game, completing Rya's short questline in central Liurnia can expedite your progress towards obtaining the Scaled Armor Set.

Where To Get Scaled Armor Set

Upon recovering her necklace, Rya will rendezvous with the Tarnished, who awaits her at the entrance to the Altus Plateau. Together, they will seamlessly teleport to the esteemed Volcano Manor. It is within these sacred grounds that the quest may commence, with a grand reward of the formidable Scaled Armor set bestowed upon those who succeed in vanquishing their inaugural foe.

6 Vulgar Militia Set

: In the vicinity of the coliseum-like structure, located northeast of the Gatefront Ruins, players will come across an invasion sign pertaining to Old Knight Istvan. The elimination of this non-playable character not only advances the Volcano Manor questline but also entitles players to obtain his entire set as a reward. This principle applies to all targets within the Volcano Manor - by eliminating their designated target, players can acquire the corresponding attire.

The Vulgar Militia set is easily accessible early on in the game when visiting the Third Church of Marika. Although not the most impressive armor set for the beginning stages of Elden Ring, it excels in providing substantial Immunity bonuses that prove invaluable when combating the game's peskiest foes, preventing the harmful effects of poison damage.

Where To Get Vulgar Militia Set

If players want to embark on world exploration prior to progressing through the story, it is recommended that they acquire this set. However, it is advisable to replace the Vulgar Militia set as soon as more superior armor sets become available.

5 Lionel's Armor Set

The Lionel Armor set offers solid initial protection against physical damage, especially Slash and Pierce damage, making it suitable for early gameplay if players can handle its weight. However, as is the case with most early armor sets, players should aim to upgrade to a lighter and more advanced set as soon as possible. Nonetheless, its impressive Robustness rating of 99 can greatly benefit novice players at the beginning stages.

Where To Get Lionel's Armor

The Lower Capital Church in Leyndell is where players can find Lionel's Armor, specifically the chest piece, which can be located near the Site of Grace. It will be positioned on a bed for easy retrieval. However, it is important to note that players may encounter numerous trash mobs during their journey to this location, unless they choose to utilize Elden Ring mods that enhance the gameplay and simplify the overall experience.

4 Godrick Soldier Set

The Godrick Soldier set is highly coveted in the early stages of Elden Ring and can be acquired with relative ease from the commencement of the game. This armor not only offers fundamental attributes but also boasts impressive defensive capabilities despite its considerable weight. Moreover, the Godrick Soldier set is known to endure even beyond the realm of Limgrave. By defeating a sufficient number of Godrick Knights, players will eventually obtain all the pieces necessary to complete the formidable Godrick Soldier set.

Where To Get Godrick Soldier Set

In Limgrave, players will encounter the Gatefront Ruins, a path leading to Stormveil Castle and the Stormhills, home to numerous Godrick Soldiers and a formidable giant. Exercise caution when engaging this party of Godrick soldiers, as adopting the aggressive playstyle of Dark Souls in Elden Ring may not always yield successful results and they can easily overpower you if you become too arrogant.

Traveling eastward, there are ruins occupied by an abundance of Godrick soldiers and a particularly troublesome knight. To enhance your chances of obtaining valuable items, utilize Silver-Pickled Fowl Feet or boost your Arcane level.

3 Banished Knight Set

This set offers a slightly heavier option compared to other early-game armor sets. It provides 39.3 Physical Damage Negation and effectively defends against Magic damage as well.

In addition to its impressive stats, the Banished Knight set also boasts a stylish appearance. It adds a touch of Elden Bling, elevating the otherwise mundane selection of equipment available at the beginning of the game.

How To Get The Banished Knight Set

​​​​​​​The Banished Knight armor set is obtained from killing the same Banished Knight repeatedly in Stormveil Castle.

The Banished Knight can be easily defeated, but if the player is having trouble, they will probably need to upgrade their armor set before reaching Stormveil Castle. Stormveil Castle is filled with numerous hidden secrets, treasures, and exciting side quests.

2 Royal Remains Set

This particular set enhances the player's HP, gradually restoring it over time. As a result, it provides sustained capabilities during battles, making it an ideal choice for individuals who enjoy taking on boss fights and dungeons alone. Additionally, the set features an aesthetically pleasing design, particularly its skull-like helm, which instills fear in the trash mobs encountered in the Lands Between. With a remarkably low weight of 25.3, it also offers exceptional Damage Negation and Resistance abilities.

How To Get The Royal Remains Set

To obtain the Royal Remains set, players need to complete a short quest in the Village of the Albinaurics and its subsequent event. What some new players may not be aware of in Elden Ring is that significant portions of the game can be skipped to promote exploration. This means that players can access the Albinauric Village early on by bypassing Stormveil Castle entirely. After wrapping up their tasks in the village and conversing with Albus, players should return to the Roundtable Hold to confront an unexpected enemy. Defeating this foe will cause them to drop the Royal Remains set in its usual spawn location.

1 Carian Knight Set

How To Get the Carian Knight Set

The Carian Knight set is the optimal choice for players in Elden Ring who aim for a lightweight yet highly protective armor during the early stages of the game. With its weight of 23.5, players can maintain their agility and swift evasion maneuvers during battles without any hindrance. Additionally, this set offers commendable Damage Negation and Resistance attributes, effectively leveling the playing field while navigating the vast Lands Between.

The Carian Knight Set is located in the graveyard of the Academy of Raya Lucaria, making it accessible to early-game players who are facing difficulties. Despite the absence of a boss battle, players should not underestimate the challenges ahead, as there are more enemies present than initially anticipated. The graveyard is situated at the beginning of the Raya Lucaria legacy dungeon, where adversaries will not simply allow the Tarnished to pass without confrontation.

Elden Ring is available on Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, as well as PC.