Best Armor available?

[Grosbeak07]

I am curious to try and find out what the best 'all purpose' armor is out there. I currently use the Nightforge armor (+5 Adamantine Full Plate), but my con is on the low side and I use THF, so I'm looking for the best Armor I can get, especially as my character approaches cap.

EDIT: Also where I can find said armor (which raid, quest etc.)

[Crarites]

Full plate of the defender. Drops from the hound.

edit heh ya VOD... not enough caffiene today

[artvan_delet]

Full plate of the defender. Drops from the hound.

Full plate of defender drops from Vision of destruction. It is +5 MFP with +2 attack bonus, +4 pro, and heavy fort.
Breastplate of Destruction from the Hound (+5 MBP, +4 pro, with destruction) is also excellent.

Those are the best two for fighters, imo.

[Dexxaan]

1st Question is what is your Character Type and Stats (DEX mainly)

I´m assuming (from the current armor you are using) it´s a true Tank Armor question, since Barbarians and different builds require diferent things and also may have Armor type limitations, (Your question is HUGELY broad scoped btw )

Best Heavy Armors IMO:

* Tourney Armor (Desert): +4 Full Plate but has 2 max DEX, with Eldritch Ritual = +5...Full Plate.

* Dragon Plate (Regardless of color): See Definitive Static Thread for specifics but basically +6 Full Plate and ideal for Zero (shivers...) and Low DEX Tanks-Clerics, etc.

* Full Plate of Giants (Tempest Spine IIRC): +4 Full Plate and DR /5. (Add Eldritch for +1)

* Stonemeld Plate (VON VI): Same as above just looks way cooler and has 5x 1 min Camouflage...

* Plain Jane +5 MFP is probably the best all around Amor still. Why? MAX DEX 3; It´s not really Heavy Armor (Medium) so it can be used by Barbarians, and other classes; It also has a low ACP.

* Gleaming Adamantine Full Plate (I think thats the name): Ugly as sin, but interesting features +4 Full Plate, Adamantine (/3 DR), Command (+2 CHA skills) and Proof against Poison); also add Eldritch for another +1)

* The 2 Full Plates rewards from Silver Flame and Emerald Claw upgrades (Post Abbot) are nice but nothing major to them MAX DEX2 and SR 22, and such

And of course the Defender Full Plate from VOD. (But I have a mental block regarding this one....been outrolled by 3 times now on it) +5 Mithril Full Plate, +4 Protection, Heavy Fortification and +2 to hit)

Can´t remember anymore at this time, i´ll complete the list if I do.

Hope this helps.

[Grosbeak07]

I'm a pure fighter (I know...) Level 14 (actually a couple of ranks into 15, just haven't leveled yet).

I guess i"m an old fashioned HP and swing a large weapon tank. Since this is my first real character, I didn't know about intimidate and its usefullness when I started. Live and re-roll!

Strength is currently 27
Dex is currently 17 (with Spectral Gloves, 12 without)
Con is 15 (currenlty lacking a con item)

I have 254 HP in my birthday suit, 284 with Belt of Greater False Life.

Most of my items are pretty plain, I'm only now just starting to work on heavily equiping my character now that leveling and favor are almost complete.

[Drwaz99]

I seem to find that my Barb loves my +5 Mith FP of Axeblock. But I love DR. My fighter like the White Dragon Scale Armor. About the Full plate of the defender, to me it's only better because for the the attack bonus really(which is very nice I might add, but his thing can be almost impossible to get, but you can say the same with my Axeblock FP), unless you want to get rid of the toughness feat from the minos, then it frees up the helm slot. I also like the Centurion armor from titan as it give a nice bonus to reflex saves if you don't have a save bonus item. Plus I think it looks cool.

I didn't think the tourney armor was anything worth while. I have one and almost sold it to a vendor. I might hold onto it for a while.

[Lonewolfe]

About the Full plate of the defender, to me it's only better because for the the attack bonus really(which is very nice I might add, but his thing can be almost impossible to get, but you can say the same with my Axeblock FP), unless you want to get rid of the toughness feat from the minos, then it frees up the helm slot.


The beauty of that armor has nothing to do with the individual stats, it has to do with the slots it saves. You are combining the best armor in the game, with Heavy fort, prot 4 and a +2 to hit. That is 4 slots rolled up into the best place to put it.....the armor slot. This armor is the best item in the game. Tell me of one other item that can basically help 70% of the toons made and has NO down sides. Most named loot has something good, then ruines it by adding mod fort or something that you will have to address in another slot. This is by far the best named drop in the game! But alas, it is very hard to get....but shouldn't it be? after all, who wouldn't want it?

[Uska]

1st Question is what is your Character Type and Stats (DEX mainly)

I´m assuming (from the current armor you are using) it´s a true Tank Armor question, since Barbarians and different builds require diferent things and also may have Armor type limitations, (Your question is HUGELY broad scoped btw )

Best Heavy Armors IMO:

* Tourney Armor (Desert): +4 Full Plate but has 2 max DEX, with Eldritch Ritual = +5...Full Plate.

* Dragon Plate (Regardless of color): See Definitive Static Thread for specifics but basically +6 Full Plate and ideal for Zero (shivers...) and Low DEX Tanks-Clerics, etc.

* Full Plate of Giants (Tempest Spine IIRC): +4 Full Plate and DR /5. (Add Eldritch for +1)

* Stonemeld Plate (VON VI): Same as above just looks way cooler and has 5x 1 min Camouflage...




* Plain Jane +5 MFP is probably the best all around Amor still. Why? MAX DEX 3; It´s not really Heavy Armor (Medium) so it can be used by Barbarians, and other classes; It also has a low ACP.

* Gleaming Adamantine Full Plate (I think thats the name): Ugly as sin, but interesting features +4 Full Plate, Adamantine (/3 DR), Command (+2 CHA skills) and Proof against Poison); also add Eldritch for another +1)

* The 2 Full Plates rewards from Silver Flame and Emerald Claw upgrades (Post Abbot) are nice but nothing major to them MAX DEX2 and SR 22, and such

And of course the Defender Full Plate from VOD. (But I have a mental block regarding this one....been outrolled by 3 times now on it) +5 Mithril Full Plate, +4 Protection, Heavy Fortification and +2 to hit)

Can´t remember anymore at this time, i´ll complete the list if I do.

Hope this helps.

dont forget shiny plate or however its called gives poison proof and command and the vambrace armor

[gfunk]

I have a pure 15 fighter (an old 28point. dex 21,con25,str30) that uses the full plate of giants (dr5 is nice, and the armor is pretty good looking). The extra AC out of +5 mithril full plate doesn't seem all that significant to me yet, and it's hard to find a set which matches the full plate of giants for looks (* as Dexxan pointed out, the stonemeld is also nice looking.. its basically the same graphic as the full plate of giants but with a black hue).

The full plate of giants is a very rare drop in the tempest spine raid (the platemail of giants also drops from here and looks the same, however it is only +1 so dont mix the two sets up). You are more likely to have luck with watching the AH for a few weeks.. on our server you can sometimes steal a set for around 50k plat.

I think its a bit of a toss up between the mithril or the DR armor, however the full plate of giants can be found on the AH for generally a fifth of the cost of a set of +5 mith full plate (and you have no idea how ugly that random AH suit might be).

Part of it also depends on your fighting style... which is a bit unclear to develop these days as a pure fighter. I used to go sword&board with part time THF. AT mid/high levels i started to switch to THF. Now i am in the process of switching my feats over to TWF (can just manage the 17 base dex required for greater twf).

Needless to say, the quest for AC becomes a lot harder for a fighter without a shield (some would argue it is somewhat pointless). Also consider what supporting AC gear you have and if its worthwhile to pursue a higher AC armor at this time. (+5mith tower shield, chaos guards, chattering ring, shroud Ac insight item).

-If you are sword and board and are going for all out AC, than the +5 mith full plate is the way to go (esp if you have armor/tower shield mastery,good dex, and some of the aforementioned equipment).

-If you are THF or TWF and roll with less then mid 40ish ac then go for one of the DR armors IMO.

On a related note, your HP seems a bit on the low side for some of the higher lvl quests. At 284 hp and no evasion you will likely find things a bit dodgy in quests like shroud part 4 /5 and VOD or hound (esp if tanking). In part 5 of shroud you are going to get hit alot until you get your AC closer to 70 (which takes some very good gear and careful attention to build). On the other hand a mid 50s ac helps with some of the regular mobs, so whatever armor gets you there is probably good IMO.

My lvl 15 fighter is at 399hp, which is a bit easier to manage with a mediocre AC (usually 40ish, into the 50's with a shield). Whatever armor you get, i strongly recommend focusing on working on HP as much as possible. Get the toughness feat with enhancements, minos legens helm, and a con item (cheapest con item will be a belt, next cheapest is necklace, most expensive is ring).

[Cold_Stele]

Agree with the above - if you're TWF/THF then DR/5 going to benefit you a lot more than a few points of AC.

Totally love my Stonemeld Plate - looks very sexy.

Jinx's Vexation (+5MFP) is also pretty fine looking, but has the pesky -2 Will save.

[shane1122]

* Gleaming Adamantine Full Plate (I think thats the name): Ugly as sin, but interesting features +4 Full Plate, Adamantine (/3 DR), Command (+2 CHA skills) and Proof against Poison); also add Eldritch for another +1)

This SHOULD be one of the best plates out there as it is available in a fairly low level quest and/or can be picked up on the AH for a reasonable price. With ritual, it is +5 adamantine proof against poison of command. Problem, it is not gleaming. In fact it is uglier than just about any plate set out there. If we ever get an "appearance slot" function I expect this suit of mail to massivly increase in value.

-Shane

[sirgog]

Best defense possible: +5 fearsome mithril fullplate - you'll virtually never die with one of those on, but you'll have to chase fleeing mobs which can be very irritating and can cause some quests to take forever (Shroud 4, I'm thinking of you)


Best all-purpose: +5 mithril fullplate of any one of Axeblock, Hammerblock or Spearblock; or the Full Plate of the Defender.

[The_Phenx]

Agree with the above - if you're TWF/THF then DR/5 going to benefit you a lot more than a few points of AC.

Totally love my Stonemeld Plate - looks very sexy.

Jinx's Vexation (+5MFP) is also pretty fine looking, but has the pesky -2 Will save.

VOD Armor + Ritual + stoneskin clicky FTW Or just go oldschool and get a set of the booties from chians that give dr/3 +15% stride.

Hands down VOD armor is the best in the game ... unfortunately one of the ugliest.

White Dragonscale is next best

As long as your into ac, otherwise go nekked

[reziel_deadshot]

1st Question is what is your Character Type and Stats (DEX mainly)



* Full Plate of Giants (Tempest Spine IIRC): +4 Full Plate and DR /5. (Add Eldritch for +1)


Hope this helps.

this has changed a while back, its +1 DR 5, that is the old one, they are still around but does not drop any more., must get trade or AH. or vendor

[Angelus_dead]

this has changed a while back, its +1 DR 5, that is the old one, they are still around but does not drop any more., must get trade or AH. or vendor

You're backwards. The +4 version is the new item, which was boosted over the original +1 armor.

That was a stupid change, because it made a tradable Tempest item just as good as a bound VON item. They should at least have left it as +3 or something marginally weaker.

[Geonis]

after all, who wouldn't want it?

My "Rogue-ish" Ranged Ranger..........who's given it away, twice!!!!!!

Grrrr....*grumble* Friggin' Goggles!!! *grumble*

[reziel_deadshot]

You're backwards. The +4 version is the new item, which was boosted over the original +1 armor.

That was a stupid change, because it made a tradable Tempest item just as good as a bound VON item. They should at least have left it as +3 or something marginally weaker.

uh, i only pull the +1 out of TS, the +4 is older...

[SynfoolaCMT]

Nope. The set I pulled last week is +4. Not like my Cleric really needs it but... :P

[Tanka]

I seem to find that my Barb loves my +5 Mith FP of Axeblock.

You know at L16 your Barb DR is greater than 5, so the 5/Slashing, Bludgeoning doesn't do anything at all. Right?

Best to change that up now. One Barb I know uses Medium Black Scale armor. 1x Heal clickie and Greater Acid Resist.

[Emili]

Agree with the above - if you're TWF/THF then DR/5 going to benefit you a lot more than a few points of AC.

Totally love my Stonemeld Plate - looks very sexy.

Jinx's Vexation (+5MFP) is also pretty fine looking, but has the pesky -2 Will save.

I use jinx's on my pally and still have a high 20's will save;-) basically just negates part of her wisdom item... for a fighter I would never use it though... a Barb maybe as they have high will raged.

Also why would anyone use dr on armour on thier barb? Your barb outdr's it does it not? I have my barb in a +4 mith fp - really need to pull some +5's