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Body armor is the primary Armor slot in Crimson Desert, providing the highest defense values of any equipment slot. There are 17 body armor pieces in the game, covering the torso in cloth, leather, and plate variants. Many body armor pieces also grant special effects such as faction disguises, lightning resistance, and health regeneration. Body armor also has the most Abyss Core slots of any armor slot, making it the most customizable piece of equipment. Some body armor pieces also affect movement speed, with lighter pieces generally offering better mobility.
Body armor follows the same three-tier material system used across all armor slots. Each material type determines the base defense range and the crafting materials needed for Refinement:
Cloth Armor: Lower defense (2 to 5) but sometimes includes useful secondary effects. Crafted with Cloth Pieces and Fleece.
Leather Armor: Moderate defense (3 to 12) with frequent lightning resistance bonuses. Requires hides and bones from hunting.
Plate Armor: Highest defense values (4 to 13). Requires ores from mining. There is no equipment weight penalty in Crimson Desert, so plate armor does not reduce movement speed.
The following table lists all 17 known body armor pieces in Crimson Desert, sorted by base defense. DEF values shown are base stats before Refinement upgrades. The table includes movement speed levels, Abyss Core slot counts, and reinforcement bonuses where confirmed. Prices are listed in Silver or Contribution Coins where applicable.
Icon | Name | Type | DEF | Resistance | Special Effect | Price | Source | Move Speed | Core Slots | Reinforcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Cloth | 2 | None | None | Unknown | Unknown | Lv.1 | Unknown | Unknown | |
 | Cloth | 2 | None | Unknown | Unknown | Lv.1 | Unknown | Unknown | ||
 | 3 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | None | Starting equipment | Kliff starting gear | Unknown | 3 | Unknown | ||
 | Cloth | 3 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | Hernand Castle Disguise | 3.00 Silver | Vendor | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
 | Cloth | 3 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | ||
 | 3 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | Black Bear Disguise | Starting equipment | Damiane starting gear | Lv.0 | Unknown | Defense +5 | ||
 | 3 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | Starting equipment | Damiane starting gear | Lv.0 | Unknown | Defense +5 | |||
 | 3 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | None | 3.48 Silver | Calphade Tailor Shop | Unknown | 3 | Unknown | ||
 | Plate | 4 | None | None | 5.82 Silver | Unknown | 3 | Unknown | ||
 | Cloth | 5 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | Bleed Bandits Disguise | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
 | Plate | 5 | None | None | 21 Contribution Coins | Lv.1 | 3 | Unknown | ||
 | Plate | 6 | None | None | 6.18 Silver | Vendor | Unknown | 3 | Unknown | |
 | 7 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | Civilian Disguise | 23.74 Silver | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |||
 | Plate | 8 | None | None | 7 Contribution Coins | Unknown | 3 | Unknown | ||
 | 12 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | None | Starting/Crafting | Lv.1 | 3 | Unknown | |||
 | 12 | Lightning Res Lv.1 | Demenissian Disguise | Starting/Crafting | Unknown | 3 | Unknown | |||
 | Plate | 13 | None | Health Regen, Pet Trust Gain | 9.56 Silver | Vendor | Unknown | 3 | Unknown | |
Chest Armor | 4 | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||
None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||
Camouflage | 7 | Lv.1 | Bee Swarm Immunity | Not available from merchants | None | None | None | 10 | ||
Chest Armor | 10 | None | Daze Immunity | None | None | None | None | None | ||
Chest Armor | 10 | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||
None | None | Lv. 1 | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||
None | None | Lv. 1 | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||
None | None | Lv. 1 | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||
Plate | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | 10 | ||
Chest Armor | 3 | None | None | None | None | Lv. 1 | None | None | ||
Plate | 13 | None | None | 12.65 Silver | None | None | None | 10 levels | ||
Cloth | 3 | None | None | None | None | Lv.2 | 2 (pre-slotted) | None | ||
5 | Lv.1 | None | None | None | None | None | 10 | |||
10 | Lv.1 | None | None | None | Lv.1 | None | None | |||
7 | Lv.1 | None | None | None | None | None | None | |||
Plate | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | ||
Plate | 14 | Ice Lv.7 | None | None | Misthard Cave (Demeniss) | Lv.2 | None | None | ||
9 | Lightning Lv.1 | Demenissian Faction Disguise | None | Damiane starting equipment | 0 | None | None |
Body armor defense values range from 2 to 13 across the 17 available pieces. The Solas Plate Armor leads the pack at 13 defense and is the only body armor with special effects (Health Regen and Pet Trust Gain) on a plate piece. The Blackwing Leather Armor and Demeniss Elite Uniform Leather Armor tie for second at 12 defense each, both available through Damiane's storyline or crafted at the Blacksmith. The Bolton Plate Armor at 8 defense offers a solid mid-tier option purchasable with Contribution Coins from the Hernand Contribution Shop.
At the lower end, cloth armor pieces like the Scholastone Uniform and St. Halssius Priest Attire sit at just 2 defense. These pieces sacrifice protection for utility, since both grant unique effects (movement speed bonus and faction disguise, respectively). Most starting leather armor pieces cluster at 3 defense, making early upgrades to the Canta Plate Armor (6 DEF) or Camouflage Outfit (7 DEF) a significant step up.
Eight of the 17 body armor pieces grant disguise effects that let the player blend in with specific factions. Disguises prevent hostile NPCs from attacking on sight and are required for certain infiltration missions and story quests. Wearing a disguise does not reduce the player's combat effectiveness, so there is no mechanical penalty for equipping one beyond a potentially lower defense value.
Icon | Disguise Effect | Use Case | |
|---|---|---|---|
Black Bear Disguise | Blend in with Black Bear faction members | ||
Infiltrate bandit camps without triggering hostility | |||
Civilian Disguise | Pass as a civilian in restricted areas | ||
Demenissian Disguise | Infiltrate Demeniss faction territory | ||
Hernand Castle Access | Required to enter Hernand Castle for story quests and exploration | ||
Blend in with the Jackals mercenary group | |||
Bleed Bandits Disguise | Pose as a member of the Bleed Bandits faction | ||
Disguise as a priest of St. Halssius |
The Hernandian Attire stands out from the other disguise pieces because its effect is not a traditional disguise. Instead, it grants physical access to Hernand Castle, which is gated behind this specific armor piece. Players who skip purchasing it will be locked out of Castle exploration, several side quests, and collectible items until they acquire it.
Body armor with a refinement gauge can be upgraded through 10 levels at the blacksmith in Hernand. Each level increases the base defense stat. Most body armor pieces feature three Abyss Core slots, the highest of any armor slot. This makes body armor the most customizable equipment piece for socketing additional stat modifiers.
Reinforcement bonuses vary by armor piece. The Ashclaw Leather Armor and Jackals' Leather Armor both provide a Defense +5 reinforcement bonus when fully upgraded. Other armor pieces have reinforcement bonuses that are still being documented by the community. Players should prioritize reinforcing their highest-defense armor first, as the flat defense increase from reinforcement becomes more impactful on pieces that already have strong base stats.
Body armor is obtained through several distinct channels. Understanding these is useful for planning equipment progression:
Starting Equipment: Kliff begins the game with the Ynitium Leather Armor. Players who unlock Damiane as a playable companion receive the Ashclaw Leather Armor, Jackals' Leather Armor, Blackwing Leather Armor, and Demeniss Elite Uniform Leather Armor through her storyline.
Vendors: The Hernandian Attire, Weasel Leather Armor, Unyielding Warrior's Plate Armor, Canta Plate Armor, Camouflage Outfit, and Solas Plate Armor can all be purchased from shops across Pywel. Prices range from 3.00 Silver for the Hernandian Attire to 23.74 Silver for the Camouflage Outfit.
Contribution Shops: The Hernand Ceremonial Guard Armor (21 Coins) and Bolton Plate Armor (7 Coins) are bought with Contribution Coins from the Hernand Contribution Shop. Contribution Coins are earned through quests and community activities.
Crafting: The Blackwing Leather Armor and Demeniss Elite Uniform Leather Armor can also be crafted at a Blacksmith. Crafting requires specific materials gathered through hunting and mining.
Quest Rewards and Faction Items: Some armor pieces like the Bandit Cloth Armor, Scarlet Blades Cloth Armor, and St. Halssius Priest Attire are obtained through specific quest lines or faction interactions. The Scholastone Uniform is tied to the Scholastone area.
For Kliff players, the natural armor progression follows this rough path:
Ynitium Leather Armor (3 DEF) is the starting set. It works for the opening hours but should be replaced as soon as possible.
Unyielding Warrior's Plate Armor (4 DEF, 5.82 Silver) from the Calphade Equipment Shop is an affordable early upgrade.
Canta Plate Armor (6 DEF, 6.18 Silver) is a small step up available from vendors.
Camouflage Outfit (7 DEF, 23.74 Silver) from the Back Alley Shop provides solid defense plus a Civilian Disguise for stealth play.
Bolton Plate Armor (8 DEF, 7 Contribution Coins) from the Hernand Contribution Shop is a strong mid-game option.
Solas Plate Armor (13 DEF, 9.56 Silver) is the endgame goal. Its Health Regen and Pet Trust Gain effects on top of the highest defense make it the best general-purpose body armor in the game.
Damiane players have a different path. Her starting gear includes the Blackwing Leather Armor (12 DEF) and Demeniss Elite Uniform Leather Armor (12 DEF), which are already near the top of the defense range. Damiane players can focus on Refinement upgrades rather than purchasing new armor.
Several body armor pieces belong to matching equipment sets that span multiple armor slots (headgear, body, cloaks, gloves, and footwear). Wearing a complete matching set grants set bonuses that boost specific stats such as stamina regeneration or elemental resistance. Collecting matching pieces across all five armor slots maximizes these bonuses.
Icon | Set Name | Other Matching Slots | |
|---|---|---|---|
Bolton | Bolton Plate Helmet, Bolton Plate Gauntlets, Bolton Plate Greaves | ||
Canta | Canta Plate Helmet, Canta Plate Gauntlets, Canta Plate Greaves | ||
 | Demenissian | Demeniss Elite Uniform Leather Gloves, Demeniss Elite Uniform Leather Boots | |
Hernand Ceremonial Guard Helm, Hernand Ceremonial Guard Gauntlets, Hernand Ceremonial Guard Greaves | |||
Scholastone Cap, Scholastone Gloves, Scholastone Shoes | |||
Solas | Solas Plate Helmet, Solas Plate Gauntlets, Solas Plate Greaves | ||
Unyielding Warrior's Plate Helmet, Unyielding Warrior's Plate Gauntlets, Unyielding Warrior's Plate Greaves | |||
Ynitium | Ynitium Leather Helmet, Ynitium Leather Gloves, Ynitium Leather Boots |
Players who want to collect full sets should note that some sets like Solas and Bolton are available from vendors, while the Demenissian set is tied to Damiane's storyline. The Hernand Ceremonial Guard set is purchased entirely with Contribution Coins from the Hernand Contribution Shop.
The Solas Plate Armor has the highest base defense (13) of any body armor and is the only piece with Health Regen and Pet Trust Gain effects. It should be a top priority for players seeking maximum protection.
Disguise armor is not always the strongest defensively, but keeping a set available for infiltration missions saves time and avoids unnecessary combat. Consider carrying one disguise set in your inventory even if you do not wear it regularly.
The Hernandian Attire is unique because it grants access to Hernand Castle, which is required for certain story quests and exploration. Purchase it early (only 3.00 Silver) to avoid backtracking.
Body armor pieces with three Abyss Core slots provide the most opportunities for stat customization. The Solas Plate Armor, Bolton Plate Armor, and Blackwing Leather Armor all have three slots.
The Camouflage Outfit at 7 defense with Lightning Res Lv.1 and a Civilian Disguise is one of the best mid-game options. Despite its high price (23.74 Silver from the Back Alley Shop), its combination of decent defense, resistance, and stealth utility makes it versatile.
When playing as Damiane, prioritize the Blackwing Leather Armor or Demeniss Elite Uniform Leather Armor. At 12 DEF each, they are the strongest leather options and come as starting equipment through her storyline.
There is no equipment weight penalty in Crimson Desert. Plate armor does not reduce movement speed, so there is no reason to avoid heavy armor unless you need a specific disguise or resistance effect.
Body armor pieces have different movement speed levels. The Blackwing Leather Armor, Hernand Ceremonial Guard Armor, Scholastone Uniform, and St. Halssius Priest Attire all have Movement Speed Lv.1, while the Ashclaw Leather Armor and Jackals' Leather Armor sit at Movement Speed Lv.0.
Nine body armor pieces have been confirmed with 3 Abyss Core slots, including the top-tier Solas Plate Armor, Blackwing Leather Armor, and Bolton Plate Armor. If maximizing stat customization is a priority, focus on armor with 3 core slots.
