Revision 9

Overview

Armor in Crimson Desert is split across five equipment slots: headgear, body armor, cloak, gloves, and boots. Each slot contributes its own base defense value, and most pieces come with secondary bonuses like attack power, movement speed, elemental resistance, or critical rate. Because there are no set bonuses in Crimson Desert, you should always equip whichever individual piece gives the best stats for each slot rather than committing to a complete matching set.

This guide ranks the strongest armor options at every stage of the game, walks through each slot's top picks with verified stats, and explains how to maximize your survivability through Abyss Gears and the refining system. Whether you are running a Sword and Shield tank setup, a Longsword combo build, or a ranged Bow configuration, the armor recommendations below apply equally. What changes between builds is which Abyss Gears you slot into your armor, not the armor itself.

Armor Slot Breakdown and Abyss Gear Sockets

Each armor slot has a different maximum number of Abyss Gear sockets. Knowing these limits is essential for planning your defensive loadout. Cloaks, rings, earrings, and necklaces cannot accept sockets at all.

The total cost to fully unlock all sockets across every armor piece is 105 Silver. You can add sockets at any Witch using the Create Socket function. When choosing between two armor pieces with similar base stats, always prioritize the one with more open sockets, since the long-term value of extra sockets far outweighs small differences in base defense.

Best Armor by Slot (Tier Rankings)

The following tables rank the top armor pieces in each slot based on verified defense values and special effects. Pieces with useful special effects like immunities or movement speed bonuses are ranked slightly higher than their raw defense numbers alone would suggest. These rankings draw from the Pywel tier list, Game8, and community testing.

Best Headgear

The Frostcursed Plate Helm and the Plate Helm of the Shadows are tied for the strongest headgear at 5 DEF each, with both providing Daze Immunity. For early game, the Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom deserves special attention because its pre-loaded Momentum core gives a 35% boost to Turning Slash damage, which is an enormous damage increase during the opening chapters.

Best Body Armor

The Frostcursed Plate Armor leads all body armor at 14 DEF with Ice Resistance Lv 7, making it the best chest piece for raw defense and cold-region exploration. The Plate Armor of the Shadows is a close second at 13 DEF, and its Petrification Immunity is extremely valuable in late-game encounters where petrify attacks can end a fight instantly. Both pieces have 3 Abyss Gear sockets, which is the maximum for body armor. For pure fire content, the Scorchflame Plate Armor ties the Frostcursed at 14 DEF but trades ice resistance for Fire Resistance Lv 7.

Best Gloves

The Frostcursed Plate Gloves offer the highest combined DEF + ATK total of any gloves at 5 DEF and 17 ATK. They come pre-loaded with Frostward I and Aegis I, giving you immediate defensive bonuses. For an offensive alternative, the Sunset Reed Cloth Gloves have lower defensive stats but unlock the Slashing Reed skill, making them a strong pick for players who prioritize combat variety.

Best Footwear

The Plate Boots of the Shadows are the best boots in the game at 7 DEF and 16 ATK, with a rare +10% Skill XP bonus that accelerates progression. Odeck's Protector Plate Boots are the strongest boots you can get early on, thanks to their pre-loaded Aegis II (damage reduction) and Haste I (movement speed) gears. These can carry you from the mid-game deep into the late chapters without needing a replacement.

Best Cloaks

Cloaks cannot accept Abyss Gears and instead provide fixed elemental resistance or utility bonuses. Your choice of cloak should depend on the region you are exploring or the boss you are fighting.

The Plate Cloak of the Shadows provides Fire Resistance Lv 7, more than double what most other cloaks offer. Swap to it before entering volcanic or fire-themed areas. For cold regions, the Frostcursed Plate Cloak with Ice Resistance Lv 5 is the go-to choice. The Golden Greed Plate Cloak stands out as the only cloak with 14 DEF, which is far higher than any other option, though it lacks elemental resistance.

Early Game Armor (Chapters 1 to 3)

The first few hours of Crimson Desert offer several strong armor pieces that you can pick up for free from treasure chests hidden behind waterfalls and inside caves. None of these require boss kills or quest completions, making them ideal for new players who want a quick power boost before tackling the first major story battles.

Canta Plate Set (Starter Armor)

Upon arriving in Hernand Town, the vendor Rhett (next to the Smithy) sells the complete Canta Plate Set. This provides a balanced foundation across all four armor slots with boosts to attack damage, defense, and attack speed. The Canta Plate Helm's Tinnitus Immunity is situationally useful in certain early encounters. This set is a safe purchase if you want to fill every slot before heading out to explore.

Plate Armor of the Shadows (Free Early Pick)

Three pieces of the Armor of the Shadows set can be picked up without fighting a single enemy. The chest piece (13 DEF with Petrification Immunity), the cloak, and the boots are all hidden in treasure chests in the Argent Peaks and surrounding areas of Hernand. These pieces are significantly better than anything sold by the Hernand blacksmiths, and they cost nothing. Getting the chest piece only requires finding the cave next to the Everfrost Watchtower and lighting a brazier to open the door.

Fallen Kingdom Set

Fallen Kingdom Set is a leather set found throughout the Hernand region. The standout piece is the Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom (3 DEF, Lightning Resistance Lv 1), which comes with a pre-loaded Momentum core that gives +35% Turning Slash damage. If you only pick up one piece from this set, make it the helmet.

Dark Ring Leader Set

Dark Ring Leader Set is found in hidden treasure chests behind waterfalls west and northwest of Hernand Castle. Use the Stab skill to propel Kliff through the falling water. The combination of movement speed, spirit regeneration, damage reduction, and ice resistance makes this an excellent all-around set for the opening chapters.

Mid-Game Armor (Chapters 4 to 6)

Once you progress through Chapters 3 to 6, the Contribution Shops and boss drops open up significantly better armor. The mid-game is where your equipment starts to define your survivability, so upgrade as soon as new pieces become available.

Blackwing Leather Set (Crowcaller Drops)

The Blackwing Leather Armor drops from defeating Crowcaller during the Chapter 5 quest, Black and White. The chest piece (12 DEF, 3 Abyss Gear sockets, Lightning Resistance Lv 1) is the crown jewel of early-to-mid game chest armor. The Blackwing Leather Mask (4 DEF, Movement Speed +1) drops from the same fight, giving you two strong pieces from a single boss encounter.

The remaining Blackwing pieces are found in the field: the Leather Cloak in a chest in Pororin (Grace Estate), the Leather Gloves in a hidden room in the Sanctum of Penitence (stand near the golden coffins to crack the floor), and the Leather Boots at the House of Healing roof area. The full set provides solid Lightning Resistance and Critical Rate bonuses that work well with unarmed builds.

Contribution Shop Armor (Hernand)

The Contribution Shop inside Hernand Castle sells plate armor in exchange for Contribution Points, earned by completing faction quests and bounties. The Bolton Plate Armor (8 DEF, 3 Abyss Gear sockets) is available for 7 Contribution Points and serves as reliable transitional chest armor until the Blackwing or Shadows pieces become available.

Odeck's Protector Plate Boots

Found in a treasure chest inside the Sanctum of Temperance, Odeck's Protector Plate Boots (5 DEF, 16 ATK, Attack Speed +1, Movement Speed +1) come pre-loaded with Aegis II and Haste I. They outclass the Canta Plate Boots in every category and can comfortably carry you into the late chapters.

Late-Game and Endgame Armor (Chapters 7+)

The strongest armor in Crimson Desert is found in the later chapters and post-story content. These pieces have the highest base defense, maximum Abyss Gear sockets, and powerful passive bonuses that define your character's survivability at the hardest difficulty.

Plate Armor of the Shadows (Full Set)

The Shadows set is widely regarded as the best overall armor set in the game. The full black plate set offers excellent defensive stats, status immunities, and scales well from mid-game all the way through the endgame. Each piece comes with Refinement 3 out of the box.

The chest piece's Petrification Immunity alone makes the Shadows set worth pursuing. In late-game encounters, petrify attacks can end a fight instantly if you are not immune. The boots provide a rare +10% Skill XP bonus that accelerates progression in the endgame. You can collect the chest, cloak, and boots without any combat, making this set partially accessible even before you tackle Chapter 6.

Frostcursed Plate Set

The Frostcursed Plate Set is located entirely in the Demeniss region and offers some of the best ice resistance in the game. All five pieces are found in caves, waterfalls, and sanctums across northern Demeniss. You can collect the entire set through exploration alone, without any boss fights, as long as you have the Stab and Blinding Flash abilities unlocked.

This set is essential for extended time in Demeniss or any other ice-heavy area. The chest piece's 14 DEF and Ice Resistance Lv 7 make it the best body armor in the entire game by raw defense. Consider mixing the Frostcursed Cloak with the Shadows body armor and boots for a hybrid loadout that covers both ice resistance and status immunities.

Recommended Collection Route

1. Mistshard Cave (northernmost, chest piece)

2. Sanctum of Expiation + Chattering Rocks (adjacent locations, cloak + helm)

3. Lunar Spirit Grotto + Well of Tragedy (Denn River cluster, gloves + boots)

Scorchflame Plate Set

The Scorchflame set is the fire-resistance counterpart to the Frostcursed set. It can be collected entirely through exploration in the Demeniss region. The chest piece ties the Frostcursed at 14 DEF with Fire Resistance Lv 7 and Critical +2. The Scorchflame Plate Cloak provides Fire Resistance Lv 3, and the Scorchflame Plate Gloves at 5 DEF offer solid defense for their slot. This set is a strong choice when heading into volcanic areas or fighting fire-element bosses.

Golden Greed Plate Set

The Golden Greed set is a special five-piece plate collection found exclusively in Tashkalp and the Red River region. It stands out for its high refinement potential (4 slots per piece) and strong raw stats. The boots pack 20 ATK and 5 DEF, some of the highest attack power on any footwear in the game.

The Golden Greed set's Refinement 4 slots mean you can boost its base stats significantly with Refinement Stones from Tashkalp. The cloak at 14 DEF is the single highest-defense cloak in the game. Keep an eye out for destructible walls and waterfalls in the Red River and Serkis Estate regions, as almost every major waterfall hides a secret.

Abyssal Dragon Armor

The Abyssal Dragon Armor (also called the Mecha Dragon Armor) is the ultimate endgame armor set. It is crafted at Grimnir's Kuku Shop in Hernand using materials gathered from the Abyss. Obtaining this set requires completing a significant portion of the endgame content, including entering the Abyss and visiting the Nest of Valor. The defense stats on this set surpass every other option in the game, and its visual design is one of the most striking in Crimson Desert.

Unique Armor with Special Effects

Several armor pieces carry special passive effects that go beyond raw stats. These pieces are worth tracking down regardless of your build because their effects provide unique utility that normal armor cannot replicate.

The Pirate King Hat stands out as the single most useful utility helmet in the game. Its treasure detection works in every region and makes finding hidden chests significantly easier. Many players keep it in their inventory and swap to it while exploring, then switch back to a higher-defense helmet for combat. Because the helmet slot only has 1 Abyss Gear socket, the stat loss from using the Pirate King Hat is relatively small.

Defensive Abyss Gear Recommendations

This section covers only defensive Abyss Gears suitable for armor slots. For attack-oriented gears (Critical, Attack Speed, etc.), see the weapon-focused build guides. The goal with armor Abyss Gears is to maximize your effective hit points and reduce incoming damage.

Recommended defensive loadout: Stack Fortification gears across all available armor sockets as your baseline. Fortification gears can stack, so having Fortification III in every open slot gives you a massive flat defense increase. Fill remaining sockets with Aegis II or III for damage reduction.

• Chest (3 slots): Fortification III + Fortification III + Aegis III

• Gloves (2 slots): Fortification III + Aegis II

• Boots (2 slots): Fortification III + Haste II (or Aegis II for maximum tankiness)

• Helmet (1 slot): Fortification III

Refinement Strategy

The refining system lets you upgrade any piece of armor at a blacksmith. Refinement levels range from 1 through a maximum that varies by item, with each level increasing the item's base stats. However, the material costs jump sharply after Level 4.

The Level 4 Rule

Refine every piece of armor to Level 4 at minimum. Levels 1 through 4 require only basic crafting materials (iron, leather scraps, cloth), which are cheap, abundant, and easy to farm from regular enemies and gathering nodes. The stat increase from Level 0 to Level 4 is dramatic and represents one of the single largest power spikes available in the early-to-mid game.

Starting at Level 5, the blacksmith stops asking for iron and begins demanding Abyss Artifacts, which are the same currency used to unlock skills in your character's skill trees and increase your base Health. Because Abyss Artifacts are a shared resource with your character's progression, pushing armor beyond Level 4 creates a direct trade-off: every Abyss Artifact spent on refinement is one you cannot spend on a new combat skill or a Health increase.

The community consensus is clear: refine all armor to Level 4, then stop. Spend your Abyss Artifacts on skill unlocks and Health upgrades first. Only push refinement past Level 4 once you have unlocked all the skills you need and have a comfortable Health pool.

Refinement Priority Order

1. Chest armor (biggest defense increase per level due to highest base DEF)

2. Boots (second highest base DEF in most sets)

3. Gloves (moderate DEF increase)

4. Helmet (lower base DEF but still worth refining for the flat stat boost)

5. Cloak (refine last; cloaks provide resistance bonuses more than raw DEF)

Refinement Preview

Before investing materials, open your inventory, press Inspect on the item, and select Refinement Information. This shows the exact materials and stat increases for every level ahead of time, so you can plan your material farming before visiting the blacksmith.

Visual Customization and Gear Extraction

Crimson Desert does not have a traditional transmog system. The armor you equip is the armor your character displays. However, the game provides a workaround through the Abyss Gear extraction system.

If you find a piece of armor with excellent Abyss Gears but you prefer the look of a different piece, visit a Witch and select Extract Abyss Gear. This removes the Abyss Gear from the source armor and places it into your inventory at no cost. You can then embed that extracted gear into whichever armor piece you prefer wearing.

• Extraction is free: There is no silver or material cost to pull an Abyss Gear out of any piece of equipment.

• Embedding costs silver: Slotting an extracted Abyss Gear into a new piece of armor costs silver, but the amount is modest.

• Creating sockets costs silver: If your preferred-look armor does not have enough sockets, visit a Witch and select Create Socket. This is limited by the slot's maximum socket count.

Dyehouse Color Customization

The Dyehouse lets you change the colors of your equipped armor. You can target individual sections within each piece, such as the main surface, cloth inlays, accent trim, and metal hardware. This gives you some control over your character's overall appearance even if you are locked into a specific armor piece for stat reasons.

General Armor Tips

• When choosing between two armor pieces with similar base stats, always pick the one with more Abyss Gear sockets. The long-term value of extra sockets far outweighs small differences in base defense.

• Keep the Pirate King Hat in your inventory at all times. Swap to it while exploring, then switch back to your combat helmet before engaging enemies.

• Carry multiple cloaks. Keep an ice-resistant cloak (Frostcursed Plate Cloak) for cold regions and a fire-resistant cloak (Plate Cloak of the Shadows or Scorchflame Plate Cloak) for volcanic areas. The Golden Greed Plate Cloak's 14 DEF is the best option when elemental resistance is not needed.

• Refine all five armor pieces to Level 4 before pushing any single piece to Level 5. A balanced Level 4 set is stronger than one Level 6 piece and four Level 2 pieces.

• Check every waterfall. Many of the best early and mid-game armor pieces are hidden in caves behind waterfalls throughout Hernand and Demeniss. Use the Stab skill to break through the water.

• Mix and match sets freely. There are no set bonuses in Crimson Desert, so combine individual pieces from different sets for the best stats in each slot.

• The Stab and Blinding Flash skills are required for many armor locations. Make sure to unlock these abilities before starting a collection run.

• Any wall with a slight shimmer or distinctive crack is destructible. Get into the habit of using Force Palm on suspicious architecture in dungeons and ruins.