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Best Armor Tier List

All 153 armor pieces ranked by defensive value

This tier list ranks every armor piece in Crimson Desert by defense rating and special effects. Armor is grouped by equipment slot and scored relative to the best in each category. Pieces with special effects receive a bonus in the ranking.

Checked against update 1.14 (July 16, 2026)

Armor stats have not been rebalanced since launch, so existing rankings still hold. Updates 1.12 and 1.13 added 50+ new armor pieces — including five boss sets and Damiane-only gear — and they are now included in this tier list with their verified stats.

Tier S
Tier A
Tier B
Tier C

Headgear

41 pieces

S
Unyielding Hero's Plate Helm

Daze Immunity; 1 Abyss Gear socket (includes Vitality I) Max Defense 17 when fully refined.

DEF 7
S
Red Rider's Plate Helm

Daze Immunity; 1 Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 17 when fully refined.

DEF 7
S
Sentinel of Trust Helm

1 locked Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 17 when fully refined.

DEF 7
S
Steelmaw Plate Helm

1 locked Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 17 when fully refined.

DEF 7
S
Frostcursed Plate Helm

Daze Immunity

DEF 5
S
Bobfett Plate Helm

Daze Immunity; 1 Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 18 when fully refined.

DEF 5
S
Silent Conqueror Plate Helm

1 locked Abyss Gear socket; dyeable Max Defense 18 when fully refined.

DEF 5
S
Feral Sentinel Helm

1 locked Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 18 when fully refined.

DEF 5
A
Carta Plate Helm

Daze Immunity

DEF 4
A
Grotevant Plate Helm
DEF 5
A
Kairos Plate Helm
DEF 5
B
Black Bear Gas Mask

Brimstone Immunity

DEF 3
B
Canta Plate Helm

Tinnitus Immunity

DEF 3
B
Ferman Plate Helm

Daze Immunity

DEF 3
B
Boren Leather Helm

1 Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 16 when fully refined.

DEF 3
B
Blackwing Mask
DEF 4MOV 1
B
Bolton Plate Helm
DEF 4
B
Northern Fighter's Plate Helm
DEF 4
B
Flame Knight's Plate Helm

Roar Nullification

DEF 2
B
Rabbit Leather Mask

Daze Immunity:+2 Trust Gain

DEF 2
B
Scarlet Blades Gas Mask

Confusion Immunity

DEF 2
B
The Ashen's Plate Helm

Daze Immunity; 1 Abyss Gear socket (includes Composure I) Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 2
B
Knight of Carnage Plate Helm

Daze Immunity; 1 Abyss Gear socket (includes Shockward I) Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 2
B
Besnet Plate Helm

Daze Immunity; 1 Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 2
B
Sentinel of Tenacity Helm

1 locked Abyss Gear socket Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 2
B
Jackals' Leather Helm
DEF 3MOV 1
B
Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom
DEF 3
C
Arkhan Leather Helm
DEF 2
C
Beltran Plate Helm
DEF 2
C
Boren Leather Headgear
DEF 2
C
Grace Plate Helm
DEF 2
C
Hartmann Plate Helm
DEF 2
C
Helm of Ignition
DEF 2
C
Mortain Plate Helm
DEF 2
C
Unyielding Warrior's Plate Helm
DEF 2
C
Visione

Allows your character to view memory fragments

DEF 0
C
Dark Ringleader's Cloth Helm
DEF 1MOV 1
C
Hernandian Crown
DEF 0
C
Labrak Cloth Headgear
DEF 0MOV 1
C
Rivellon Cloth Headgear
DEF 0MOV 1
C
Rueconec Cloth Cap
DEF 0MOV 1

Chest Armor

55 pieces

S
Lightning Bolt Plate Armor

Attack Speed +2; Lightning Resistance +7 (game8 list values)

DEF 14
S
Scorchflame Plate Armor

Critical +2; Fire Resistance +7 (game8 list values)

DEF 14
S
Frostcursed Plate Armor
DEF 14MOV 2
S
Demenissian Grand General Plate Armor

3 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Shockward I, Fortification I, Aegis I) Max Defense 37 when fully refined.

DEF 11
S
Plate Armor of the Shadows
DEF 13
S
Kairos Plate Armor

Daze Immunity

DEF 10
S
Blackwing Leather Armor
DEF 12MOV 1
A
The Ashen's Plate Armor

3 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Aegis II, Aptitude I, Vitality I) Max Defense 39 when fully refined.

DEF 8
A
Unyielding Hero's Plate Armor

3 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Vitality I, Stamina Transference, Flameward I) Max Defense 39 when fully refined.

DEF 8
A
Knight of Carnage Plate Armor

3 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Disarm I, Vitality I, Fortification I) Max Defense 39 when fully refined.

DEF 8
A
Red Rider's Plate Armor

3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 39 when fully refined.

DEF 8
A
Grotevant Plate Armor
DEF 10
A
Vildyne Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 30 when fully refined.

DEF 7
A
Oak Barrel Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 30 when fully refined.

DEF 7
A
Huskall Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 30 when fully refined.

DEF 7
A
Valnos Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 30 when fully refined.

DEF 7
A
Blinding Arrow's Light Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 30 when fully refined.

DEF 7
A
Greymane Light Armor

3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 30 when fully refined.

DEF 7
B
Demenissian Uniform Leather Armor
DEF 9
B
Solas Plate Armor
DEF 9
B
Bolton Plate Armor
DEF 8
B
Stein Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 31 when fully refined.

DEF 5
B
Blacksmith's Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 31 when fully refined.

DEF 5
B
Lonely Bomb Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 31 when fully refined.

DEF 5
B
Camouflage Outfit
DEF 7
B
Leather Armor of the Fallen Kingdom
DEF 7
B
Besnet Cloth Armor

Movement Speed Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 19 when fully refined.

DEF 4MOV 1
B
Frenoa Plate Armor

3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 41 when fully refined.

DEF 4
B
Duskmoon Cloth Armor

Movement Speed Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 19 when fully refined.

DEF 4MOV 1
B
Canta Plate Armor
DEF 6
C
Grave Robber's Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 32 when fully refined.

DEF 3
C
Devan's Cloth Armor

Movement Speed Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 20 when fully refined.

DEF 3MOV 1
C
Mardain Leather Armor

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 32 when fully refined.

DEF 3
C
Martial Artist's Cloth Garb

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 32 when fully refined.

DEF 3
C
Rovenia Cloth Armor

Movement Speed Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 20 when fully refined.

DEF 3MOV 1
C
Rivenheim Cloth Armor

Movement Speed Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 20 when fully refined.

DEF 3MOV 1
C
Duskfang Leather Armor
DEF 5
C
Hernand Ceremonial Guard Armor
DEF 5MOV 1
C
Scarlet Blades Cloth Armor
DEF 5
C
Ziggurat Leather Armor
DEF 5
C
Martial Monk's Cloth Robe

Movement Speed Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Fortification I, Aegis I, Vigor I) Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 2MOV 1
C
Sermena Cloth Armor

Movement Speed Lv 1; 3 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 2MOV 1
C
Northern Fighter's Chain Mail
DEF 4
C
Unyielding Warrior's Plate Armor
DEF 4
C
Ashclaw Leather Armor
DEF 3MOV 1
C
Bandit Cloth Armor
DEF 3
C
Blinding Arrow's Leather Armor
DEF 3
C
Dark Ringleader's Cloth Armor
DEF 3MOV 2
C
Hernandian Attire
DEF 3
C
Jackals' Leather Armor
DEF 3
C
Matana Leather Armor
DEF 3
C
Nibrak Cloth Armor
DEF 3MOV 1
C
Weasel Leather Armor
DEF 3
C
Ynitium Leather Armor
DEF 3
C
Scholastone Uniform
DEF 2MOV 1

Gloves

29 pieces

S
Dark Ringleader's Leather Gloves
DEF 5ATK 12MOV 1
S
Frostcursed Plate Gloves
DEF 5ATK 17
S
Scorchflame Plate Gloves
DEF 5ATK 12
S
The Ashen's Plate Gloves

2 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Destruction I, Bloodbane I) Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 4ATK 10
A
Demenissian Uniform Leather Gloves
DEF 4ATK 13MOV 2
A
Fluttering Radiance Plate Gloves
DEF 4ATK 15
A
Hernand Ceremonial Guard Gloves
DEF 4ATK 17
A
The Helms' Plate Gloves
DEF 4ATK 15
A
Counterweight Leather Gloves

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; 2 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 16 when fully refined.

DEF 3ATK 1
B
Blackwing Leather Gloves
DEF 3ATK 13MOV 2
B
Canta Plate Gloves
DEF 3ATK 13
B
Grotevant Plate Gloves
DEF 3ATK 18
B
Kairos Plate Gloves
DEF 3ATK 18
B
Plate Gloves of the Fallen Kingdom
DEF 3ATK 13
B
Unyielding Hero's Plate Gloves

2 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Beastbane I, Insight I) Max Defense 19 when fully refined.

DEF 2ATK 11
B
Ator's Will Leather Gloves
DEF 2ATK 13
B
Bolin Leather Gloves
DEF 2ATK 13
B
Dallaban Leather Gloves
DEF 2ATK 12MOV 1
B
Demeniss Elite Soldier Plate Gloves
DEF 2ATK 11
B
Ironwilled Guardian's Leather Gloves
DEF 2ATK 13
B
Pavis Leather Gloves
DEF 2ATK 13
C
Jester Leather Gloves
DEF 1ATK 9MOV 2
C
Melvin Leather Gloves
DEF 1ATK 11
C
Northern Fighter's Leather Gloves
DEF 1ATK 9MOV 2
C
Sunset Reed Cloth Gloves
DEF 1ATK 11
C
Ynitium Leather Gloves
DEF 1ATK 11
C
Knight of Carnage Plate Gloves

2 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Destruction I, Insight I) Max Defense 17 when fully refined.

DEF 0ATK 12
C
Martial Monk's Cloth Gloves

Attack Speed Lv 3→4; 2 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Swift II, Insight I) Max Defense 12 when fully refined.

DEF 0ATK 8
C
Honorary Greymane Cloth Gloves

Attack Speed Lv 3→4; dyeable Max Defense 12 when fully refined.

DEF 0ATK 8

Footwear

24 pieces

S
Plate Boots of the Shadows
DEF 7ATK 16
A
Unyielding Hero's Plate Boots

2 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Bloodbane I, Rend I) Max Defense 21 when fully refined.

DEF 4ATK 10
A
Frostcursed Plate Boots
DEF 5ATK 17
A
Odeck's Protector Plate Boots
DEF 5ATK 16MOV 1
B
Demenissian Uniform Leather Boots
DEF 4ATK 13MOV 1
B
Hernand Ceremonial Guard Boots
DEF 4ATK 17
B
Hungering Fang Leather Boots
DEF 4ATK 16MOV 1
B
Scholastone Boots
DEF 4ATK 15MOV 1
B
Unyielding Warrior's Plate Boots
DEF 4ATK 10
B
Knight of Carnage Plate Boots

2 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Malicebane I, Shatter II) Max Defense 19 when fully refined.

DEF 2ATK 11
B
Lightning Bolt Plate Boots

Health +0.2/s regeneration; Swim Speed Multiplier 2.0

DEF 2ATK 11
B
Canta Plate Boots
DEF 3ATK 13
B
Grotevant Plate Boots
DEF 3ATK 18
B
Kairos Plate Boots
DEF 3ATK 18
B
Solas Plate Boots
DEF 3ATK 18
C
The Ashen's Leather Boots

Lightning Resistance Lv 1; Critical Rate Lv 1→2; 2 Abyss Gear sockets (includes Vigor II, Aegis I) Max Defense 18 when fully refined.

DEF 1ATK 10
C
Grey Wolf Leather Boots
DEF 2ATK 13
C
Helms' Leather Boots
DEF 2ATK 12MOV 1
C
Lauques Leather Boots
DEF 2ATK 11MOV 2
C
Woodbrock Leather Boots
DEF 2ATK 11MOV 2
C
Martial Monk's Cloth Boots

Movement Speed Lv 2→3; 2 Abyss Gear sockets Max Defense 12 when fully refined.

DEF 0ATK 9MOV 2
C
Hernandian Banquet Leather Boots
DEF 1ATK 9MOV 1
C
Sein Leather Boots
DEF 1ATK 11
C
Ynitium Leather Boots
DEF 1ATK 9MOV 1
View Full Armor Database

How We Rank Armor

Armor is scored primarily by defense value. Pieces with special effects (like increased stamina recovery or damage reduction) receive a 15% bonus to their effective score. Each slot is ranked independently — compare headgear against headgear, not against chest armor.

Armor FAQ

What is the best armor in Crimson Desert?
The best armor depends on your slot needs. Check each slot's S-tier for the highest-rated piece. Armor with special effects often outranks pieces with slightly higher raw defense.
Do special effects matter for armor ranking?
Yes. Armor with special effects receives a ranking bonus because effects like damage reduction, stamina recovery, or movement speed bonuses provide significant combat advantages beyond raw defense.
Can I upgrade armor?
Yes, armor can be enhanced at blacksmiths using materials. Upgrading increases defense and may improve special effect values.