Epic Armor Comparison

[Irinis]

Well, I was looking at the various armors and robes and such to choose one to go for on my Diva build. But, there was no such guide!

So I'm making one.

Items taken from the Static Loot thread and DDO wiki.
Another great reference: Searchable DDO item database.

Robes
Light Armors
Medium Armors
Heavy Armors
Docents
Miscellany

Each section will list all epic items for that section, then review each below - with a comparison to other endgame nonepic armor such as DT.

[Irinis]

Robes

Diabolist's Robe: Devil Assault (Chronoscope): INT+7, Epic Conjuration Focus (+3), Summon Monster IX CL20 (3x), Blue Slot, Colorless Slot
Illusionist's Garb: Carnival: Prismatic Spray 5 Charges (CL:10 Recharged/Day: 5), Intelligence +7, Epic Will Save +3, Greater Illusion Focus, Blue Slot
Ironweave Robe: VON: Armor Bonus +8, Wizardry VI, Greater Magnetism VIII, Superior Spark IX, Blue Slot
Red Dragonscale Robe: VON+Gianthold: Armor Bonus +8, Superior Fire Resistance, Eternal Fire, Superior Combustion VIII, Superior Fire Lore, Fire Guard, Incineration Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Robe of Dissonance: Red Fens: Greater Sonic Resistance, Soundproof, Superior Potency VI, Spell Resonance, Blue Slot
Robe of Fire: Sands: Greater Evocation Focus, Superior Combustion VI, Fire Resistance, Incineration Guard, Superior Inferno IX (CL:1, 3/3 rest), [Exclusive], Blue Slot
Robe of Shadow: Special Event - Mabar: Spell: Nightshield [CL:14,5/Day], Superior Nullification IX, Superior Void Lore, Superior False Life, Greater Necromancy Focus, Boon of Undeath
Vulkoorim Dervish Robe: Sands: Armor Bonus +6, Greater Fire Resistance, Efficient Metamagic - Maximize II, Disintegration Guard, Blue Slot

Compare to:
DT Robe/Vestments
Icy Raiment - (Robe) Dodge Bonus +4, Protection +4, Resistance +3
Black Dragonscale Robe: Armor +5, Wizardry V, Greater Acid Resistance, Greater Evocation Focus
Blue Dragonscale Robe: Armor +5, Potency VII, Greater Arcane Lore, Spell Penetration VII, Greater Lightning Resistance
White Dragonscale Robe: Armor +6, Shield (CL:1, 3/rest), Moderate Fortification, Protection +4, Greater Cold Resistance


MOAR DETAILS:


Illusionist's Garb
Prismatic Spray 5 Charges (CL:10 Recharged/Day: 5), Intelligence +7, Epic Will Save +3, Greater Illusion Focus, Blue Slot
Found in: Phiarlan Carnival
Review: The devs changed it!
Verdict: Hmmm, swappable with Diabolist...

Vulkoorim Dervish Robe
Armor Bonus +6, Greater Fire Resistance, Efficient Metamagic - Maximize II, Disintegration Guard, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: Not bad. Comparable to a DT, blue slot gives it some flexibility, although colourless AND blue would make it a much-sought-after item BETTER than equivalent DT. As it is, epic item grind for basically... DT.
Verdict: Worth making for certain builds.

Robe of Fire
Greater Evocation Focus, Superior Combustion VI, Fire Resistance, Incineration Guard, Superior Inferno IX (CL:1, 3/3 rest), [Exclusive], Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: Oh wow I can grind an epic version of Robe of the Phoenix and put something other than FF on it! (Really needs a colourless slot in addition to the blue.)
Verdict: Sounds silly but is actually a minor win.

Robe of Dissonance
Greater Sonic Resistance, Soundproof, Superior Potency VI, Spell Resonance, Blue Slot
Found in: Red Fens
Review: Hey they changed it! Soundproof seems awesome for certain quests. Can't be updated yet if you still have the old one kicking around.
Verdict: Cool

Diabolist's Robe
INT+7, Epic Conjuration Focus (+3), Summon Monster IX CL20 (3x), Blue Slot, Colorless Slot
Found in: Devil Assault
Review: Ummm, caster heaven robe? I think maybe. Is it pretty too?
Verdict: Wow

Ironweave Robe
Armor Bonus +8, Wizardry VI, Greater Magnetism VIII, Superior Spark IX, Blue Slot
Found in: Vault of Night
Review: Very pretty graphics. Very non-useful stats, unless the Devs redo the whole spell list in the game. Also, obviously supposed to be a caster robe but AC is useless for casters. Hey look it has a blue slot!
Verdict: *headdesk*

Robe of Shadow: Special Event - Mabar: Spell: Nightshield [CL:14,5/Day], Superior Nullification IX, Superior Void Lore, Superior False Life, Greater Necromancy Focus, Boon of Undeath

Red Dragonscale Robe
Armor Bonus +8, Superior Fire Resistance, Eternal Fire, Superior Combustion VIII, Superior Fire Lore, Fire Guard, Incineration Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Vault of Night (but base item must be made in Gianthold)
Review: Useful for melees and casters. Great item and worth the grind.
Verdict: omg

[Irinis]

Light

Demon Scale Armor: Sands: +6 Scale Armor, Electricity Absorption 20%, Acid Absorption 15%, Cold Absorption 15%, Fire Absorption 15%, Improved Lightning Resistance, Proof Against Poison, Blue Slot
Duelist's Leathers: Special Event - Crystal Cove: Three tiers of leather armor, see details
Kundarak Delving Suit: VON: Mithral Chainshirt (AB:11, MDB: 7, SF: 20%), Silent Moves (competence +5 to Move Silently), Search +15, Spot +15, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Mummy Wrappings: Sands: +6 Padded, Fearsome, Immunity to Fear, Disease Immunity, Negative Energy Absorption 20%, Blue Slot
Red Dragonhide: +6 Light Armor (AB:10, MDB:7, ACP:0, SF:5%) Superior Fire Resistance, Eternal Fire, Superior Combustion VIII, Superior Fire Lore, Fire Guard, Incineration Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Silken Mail: Sands: +6 Mithral Chainmail (MDB: 5): Move Silently +15, Axeblock, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Utility Vest: Carnival: +6 Leather (AB:8, MDB:8, SF:10%), Dexterity +6 (still?), Exceptional Intelligence +2, Disable Device +20, Open Lock +20, Greater Nimbleness (no skill penalty), Blue Slot
Vulkoorim Fighting Leathers: Sands: +6 Leather (+8 Armor, MDB 8): Greater Fire Resistance, Attack Bonus +4, Hide + 15, Sneak Attack +3, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot


Compare to:
DT Leather (Ugly! Go robe instead!)
Black Dragonhide: +5 Leather Armor (AB:8), Disable Device +13, Search +13, Ranged Alacrity 10%, Greater Acid Resistance
Blue Dragonhide: +5 Leath Armor (AB:8), Potency VII, Greater Arcane Lore, Spell Penetration VII, Greater Lightning Resistance
White Dragonhide: +5 Leather Armor (AB:8), Shield (CL:1, 3/rest), Moderate Fortification, Protection +4, Greater Cold Resistance


MOAR DETAILS:


Utility Vest
+6 Leather (AB:8, MDB:8, SF:10%), Dexterity +6 (still?), Exceptional Intelligence +2, Disable Device +20, Open Lock +20, Greater Nimbleness (no skill penalty), Blue Slot
Found in: Phiarlan Carnival
Review: You don't have to craft Kundarak goggles, just keep using Tharne's, or that Haste clicky one. Slot saver. DEX+6 is fairly useless as most rogues would be going for a DEX+7 item so it would be better if it had another slot.
Would love to see something like this in an epic docent as well.
Verdict: Nice

Mummy Wrappings
+6 Padded, Fearsome, Immunity to Fear, Disease Immunity, Negative Energy Absorption 20%, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: Would have preferred a colourless slot instead of Disease Immunity/Fearsome, but this is a decent epic item. The neg energy absorption makes it. Could work for some builds.
Fearsome can be ANNOYING sometimes though!
Verdict: Alright

Silken Mail
+6 Mithral Chainmail (MDB: 5): Move Silently +15, Axeblock, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: A good basic epic armor, can be used by any build that uses light armor. DT will be situationally better for many builds.
Verdict: Nice

Demon Scale Armor
+6 Scale Armor, Electricity Absorption 20%, Acid Absorption 15%, Cold Absorption 15%, Fire Absorption 15%, Improved Lightning Resistance, Proof Against Poison, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: Poison immunity instead of a colourless slot hurts this armor. Improved Lightning Resistance on an epic item, not even Greater?? You've gotta be kidding me. However, the absorption stuff is sweet.
Verdict: Coolbeans but not win

Vulkoorim Fighting Leathers
+6 Leather (+8 Armor, MDB 8): Greater Fire Resistance, Attack Bonus +4, Hide + 15, Sneak Attack +3, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: Sneak attack +4 or +5 would eliminate the need for a better sneak attack item, freeing goggles (or cloak) for something else. +3 doesn't quite cut it. However the attack bonus is great for many builds and +3 sneak attack is better than none if that's all you can fit in. Better than most equivalent DT.
Verdict: Nifty!

Epic Duelist's Leathers (Tier 1) - +5 Leather Armor: +7 AC, +10 Max Dex, Upgradeable - Tier 1, Feat: Mobility, Superior Nimbleness, Balance +15 (competence), Attack Bonus +2, +3 AC Dodge bonus, BtA, ML:20, [1200 Copper, 600 Silver Doubloons, 35 Stolen Diamonds]

Epic Duelist's Leathers (Tier 2) - +6 Leather Armor: +8 AC, +12 Max Dex, Upgradeable - Tier 2, Feat: Mobility, Epic Nimbleness, Balance +15 (competence), Attack Bonus +2, +3 AC Dodge bonus, BtA, ML:20, [70 Stolen Diamonds, 50 Stolen Emeralds, 500 Green Dragonshards]

Epic Duelist's Leathers (Tier 3) - +6 Leather Armor: +8 AC, +12 Max Dex, Tier 3, Feat: Mobility, Epic Nimbleness, Balance +15 (competence), Attack Bonus +2, +4 AC Dodge bonus, Blue Augment Slot, BtA, ML:20, [100 Stolen Diamonds, 80 Stolen Emeralds, 1000 Green Dragonshards, 1 Greater Nimble Trinket]

Kundarak Delving Suit
Mithral Chainshirt (AB:11, MDB: 7, SF: 20%), Silent Moves (competence +5 to Move Silently), Search +15, Spot +15, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Vault of Night
Review: Best AC light armor. Its probably the 1st or 2nd most widely used epic light armor (with the vulkoorim leathers), and is in more people's ideal gearsets (vulkoorims are used as a bridge item for most people). Its ac potential is identical to the red dragonscale leather armor, which makes it the only armor of any type (docent, light, med or heavy) that isn't outclassed by red armor in its type for armor class.
Verdict: Junts says WIN so it's a win

Red Dragonhide
+6 Light Armor (AB:10, MDB:7, ACP:0, SF:5%) Superior Fire Resistance, Eternal Fire, Superior Combustion VIII, Superior Fire Lore, Fire Guard, Incineration Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Vault of Night (base item in Gianthold)
Review: Second best AC light armor and super cool.
Verdict: WIN


Missing:

I would love to see a Twilight Mithral Chainmail with neg energy absorption, deathblock, sneak attack +4 or +5, and colorless and blue slots. Maybe when we start getting epic Necropolis quests my wish will come true.

[Irinis]

Medium

Marilith Chain: Sands: +6 Chainmail, Taint of Evil, Seeker +10, Shatter +10, DR 5/Good or Lawful, Evil Guard, Blue Slot
Tourney Armor: Sands:+6 Mithral Full Plate (+13 Armor, MDB 4): DR 5/Adamantine, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Stinkpelt's Hide: Sands: +6 Hide Armor: Charisma -1, Exceptional Constitution +2, Constitution +7, Proof Against Poison, Cloudkill 3/day, Blue Slot
Deneith Heavy Chain: Sentinels: +6 Chainmail (Armor Bonus 15, MDB 1): Life Shield, DR 5/Epic, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Cavalry Plate: Special Event - Crystal Cove: Three tiers of ML20 armor, see details

Compare to:
DT Breastplate
Black Dragonscale Armor: +5 Breastplate (AB:11), Heal (CL:14, 1/rest), Greater Acid Resistance
Blue Dragonscale Armor: +5 Breastplate (AB:11), Potency VII, Greater Arcane Lore , Spell Penetration VII, Greater LIghtning Resistance
White Dragonscale Armor: +5 Breastplate (AB:11), Shield (CL:1, 3/rest), Moderate Fortification, Protection +4, Greater Cold Resistance


MOAR DETAILS:

Marilith Chain
+6 Chainmail, Taint of Evil, Seeker +10, Shatter +10, DR 5/Good or Lawful, Evil Guard, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: Seeker +10? Sign me up! (Why oh why medium armor and not light? *cry*) Warchanters without evasion will love this one come update7.
Verdict: BOOYAH!

Tourney Armor
+6 Mithral Full Plate (+13 Armor, MDB 4): DR 5/Adamantine, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: A nice basic epic armor. More armor, more dex bonus, no taint of evil. Not a bad item but obviously nothing special here either.
Verdict: Alright

Stinkpelt's Hide
+6 Hide Armor: Charisma -1, Exceptional Constitution +2, Constitution +7, Proof Against Poison, Cloudkill 3/day, Blue Slot
Found in: Sands of Menechtaurun
Review: After adding all that constitution you still need proof against poison? O.O
Exceptional CON+2 is available on the Claw set, with a huge bonus to damage as well. Not really worth going for in this armor but might be worth making if you already have everything you need for it. Cloudkill can be used to grab aggro. Could work for some builds and gear setups but better stuff is available.
Verdict: Surprisingly meh

Deneith Heavy Chain
+6 Chainmail (Armor Bonus 15, MDB 1): Life Shield, DR 5/Epic, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Sentinels of Stormreach
Review: Quite nice, equivalent to the docent. No taint of evil, usable by quite a few tanky builds. Too bad it's only in medium.
Verdict: Lovely

Epic Cavalry Plate (Tier 1) - +6 Fullplate: +16 AC, Upgradable - Tier 1, Mithral, Demonic Shield, Greater False LifeGreater False Life: Grants the wearer +30 maximum hit points., DR 3/Chaotic, Resistance +5, BtA, ML:20, [1200 Copper, 600 Silver Doubloons, 35 Stolen Diamonds]

Epic Cavalry Plate (Tier 2) - +6 Fullplate: +16 AC, Upgradable - Tier 2, Mithral, Demonic Shield, Superior False LifeSuperior False Life: Grants the wearer + 40 maximum hit points., DR 3/Chaotic, Resistance +5, BtA, ML:20, [70 Stolen Diamonds, 50 Stolen Emeralds, 500 Green Dragonshards]

Epic Cavalry Plate (Tier 3) - +6 Fullplate: +16 AC, Tier 3, Mithral, Demonic Shield, Superior False LifeSuperior False Life: Grants the wearer + 40 maximum hit points., DR 5/Chaotic, Resistance +5, Blue Augment Slot, BtA, ML:20, [100 Stolen Diamonds, 80 Stolen Emeralds, 1000 Green Dragonshards, 1 Greater Stalwart Trinket]

[Irinis]

Heavy

Full Plate of the Ringleader: Carnival: +6 Full Plate (AB: 14, Max Dex: 1, ACP: 5, SF: 35%), Persuasion, DR 5/-, Radiance Guard, Blue Slot
Vambraces of Inner Light: Sands: +6 Full Plate (AB:15, MDB:1, ACP:-5, SF: 35%), Charisma +7, Command, Superior Radiance VIII, Radiance Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Frozen Plate: Red Fens: +6 Full Plate (Armor:14, MDB:1, ACP:-5, SF:35%): Freezing Ice Guard, Greater Cold Resistane, Cold Absorption - 20%, Blue Slot
Infested: Devil Assault: +6 Heavy Armor (AB:8, MDB:1, ACP:-5, SF: 35%), Greater Disease Guard, Spell Resistance (25), Heavy Fortification, Demonic Shield, DR 5/Good, Blue Slot
Stonemeld Plate: VON: +6 Full Plate (AB: 15, MDB: 1, AP: -5, SF: 35%), DR 5/-, Stoneskin 5/day (CL:20), Earthgrab Guard, Blue Slot
Red Dragonplate: VON: +6 Heavy Armor (AB:16, MDB:2, ACP:-3, SF:30%), Superior Fire Resistance, Eternal Fire, Superior Combustion VIII, Superior Fire Lore, Fire Guard, Incineration Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot

[Irinis]

Docents

Blademark's Docent: Sentinels: +6 Docent, Life Shield, DR 5/Epic, Reinforced Plating +2, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Diabolist's Docent: Devil Assault: +6 Docent?, INT+7, Epic Conjuration Focus (+3), Summon Monster IX CL20 (3x), Blue Slot, Colorless Slot
Docent of Grace: VON: +6 Docent, Dexterity +7, Balance +15, Tumble +15, Immunity to Slippery Surfaces, Reinforced Plating +2, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Docent of Shadow: Special Event - Mabar: Spell: Nightshield [CL:14,5/Day], Superior Nullification IX, Superior Void Lore, Superior False Life, Greater Necromancy Focus, Boon of Undeath
Red Dragonscale Docent: VON: +6 Docent, Reinforced Plating +3, Superior Fire Resistance, Eternal Fire, Superior Combustion VIII, Superior Fire Lore, Fire Guard, Incineration Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot

Verdict: These are all good. I guess because there's so few different epic docents they didn't bother to make terrible ones.

Compare to DT, still useful.
Compare to Quorforged Docent of Battle: Dreaming Dark (upgraded): +5 Docent, Reinforced Plating +2, Constitution +6, Will Save -2, Superior False Life, Toughness [ML:18, BTC]
Docent of Defiance will still see quite a bit of use in certain builds of course. But these epic docents are worth making.

[Irinis]

Miscellany

[phalaeo]

Add Robe of Fire to the robes section.

[Angelus_dead]

For usefulness, it should also include the best non-epic similar items, like Icy Rainment and specific Dragontouched.

[Irinis]

Taking a break from editing this for a bit, if you see any errors or omissions please post!

[Irinis]

Added some comparison items to Robes and Light Armors. Edited epic Medium Armors for details, Heavy and Docents up next.

[Irinis]

The kundarak light armor is the best ac light armor in the game. It's widely used by /2 rogue intimitanks. It also has two augment slots. Its probably the 1st or 2nd most widely used epic light armor (with the vulkoorim leathers), and is in more people's ideal gearsets (vulkoorims are used as a bridge item for most people). Its ac potential is identical to the red dragonscale leather armor, which makes it the only armor of any type (docent, light, med or heavy) that isn't outclassed by red armor in its type for armor class.

The utility vest has no redeeming value as an ac item (it already has greater nimbleness, so its max dex can't be improved with an augment like any of the others, including the KDS), no significant statistical bonuses (6 dex is on a wide vareity of other items that builds that would use it are already using) and provides you with the sole advantage of being able to save time swapping to instantaneous swap items (eg goggles). If you're not wearing it full time, it has an equip timer and is inferior to the variety of other epic items that provide rogue skills (kundarak goggles, sandstorms, tharnes, etc).

Yes, the vest is that bad, and the KDS is that much better. You don't spend your entire body slot (a place you can be getting dragontouched effects, dr or other useful stuff) saving yourself 15k platinum in +15 rogueskill items, unless you want to be a reallym, really bad rogue.

Review updated. I r noob.

[Kintro]

Red Dragonscale Robe
Armor Bonus +8, Superior Fire Resistance, Eternal Fire, Superior Combustion VIII, Superior Fire Lore, Fire Guard, Incineration Guard, Colorless Slot, Blue Slot
Found in: Vault of Night (but base item must be made in Gianthold)
Review: Useful for melees and casters. Great item and worth the grind. (More useful for splashed casters than pure ones as it raises the caster level of fire spells which can't be raised higher than 20 anyway.)
Verdict: omgchans!

You're thinking of the helm which adds to caster level.

[Irinis]

Oh you're right, d'oh. Thanks.

I can't believe nobody corrected me for leaving Red Dragonhide out of light armor!

[Irinis]

Updating now for Upd8.

[Irinis]

Updated with special event items and put some things in alphabetical order. Will link first post to the searchable item database but will maintain this list as a quick reference of ALL epic armors.

[LolWutRoflstomped]

Epic Duelist's leathers give 6 more AC then KDS or Red Scale. Why do you say KDS is better in your comparison..?