As Vikings tackle more and more difficult terrain in the various biomes of Valheim, they are likely to encounter more difficult fights with difficult enemies and environmental dangers that require tougher gear to withstand. Players will find this to be the case particularly when fighting the game’s five major bosses and when they first reach the Mountains biome. As players gather various resources and materials, they will be able to craft better, stronger armor, including some pieces and sets that provide important resistances, like the ability to withstand freezing temperatures or avoid getting a wet debuff in the rain.
The best armor in Valheim comes in sets with three to four individual pieces and can be mixed and matched as the player prefers. Most armor can be upgraded three times to a maximum of quality level four, and each level provides two more armor points and additional durability. With better armor, players can expect to lose about 10% of their movement speed, so it may not be a good idea to wear heavier pieces all the time. Here are the best pieces of armor currently available in Valheim and the materials required to craft them.
Armor Pieces with the Highest Stats in Valheim
Right now, the best armor in the game comes from the Padded Armor set, but this is likely to change as more updates arrive during Valheim‘s early access period. Additionally, while capes do not offer much physical protection and have an armor score of 1, the benefits and resistances they grant make them top-tier items worth crafting as soon as possible.
Players should unlock the recipes for each of these the first time they gather the last required material. For many of these pieces, that won’t happen until they reach the Mountains biome.
Padded Cuirass (26 Armor)
- 20 Linen Thread
- 10 Iron
Crafted at the Forge.
Padded Greaves (26 Armor)
- 20 Linen Thread
- 10 Iron
Crafted at the Forge.
Padded Helmet (26 Armor)
- 15 Linen Thread
- 10 Iron
Crafted at the Forge.
Lox Cape (Frost Resistance)
- 6 Lox Pelt
- 2 Silver
Crafted at the Workbench.
Wolf Armor Chest (20 Armor)
- 20 Silver
- 5 Wolf Pelt
- 1 Chain
Crafted at the Forge.
Wolf Armor Legs (20 Armor)
- 20 Silver
- 5 Wolf Pelt
- 4 Wolf Fang
Crafted at the Forge.
Drake Helmet (20 Armor)
- 20 Silver
- 2 Wolf Pelt
- 2 Drake Trophy
Crafted at the Forge.
Wolf Fur Cape (Frost Resistance)
- 6 Wolf Pelt
- 4 Silver
- 1 Wolf Trophy
Crafted at the Workbench.
Iron Scale Mail (14 Armor)
- 20 Iron
- 2 Deer Hide
Crafted at the Forge.
Iron Greaves (14 Armor)
- 20 Iron
- 2 Deer Hide
Crafted at the Forge.
Iron Helmet (14 Armor)
- 20 Iron
- 2 Deer Hide
Crafted at the Forge.
Though it is not particularly protective, players may want to keep their Troll Armor set handy as well. Each of the four pieces in the set grant a 25% Sneak bonus, allowing players to move around in stealth and build the Sneak skill more easily. This can be incredibly effective, both in combat situations and when wanting to avoid fights with enemies or tame animals like boars and wolves.
Valheim is in Steam Early Access and is available for PC.
