The best armor sets in The Elder Scrolls Online

The Elder Scrolls Online gives you hundreds of different armor sets to research, collect, and — if they fit your build — equip. Whether you’re a spell-slinging Sorcerer, greatsword-wielding Dragonknight, or cloaked Nightblade, there’s an armor set that’s ideal for your playstyle. Figuring out what that is, however, is no easy task.

Not only are there three different classes of armor — Light, Medium, and Heavy — but different armor sets in each class confer a variety of bonuses. That means there isn’t a linear hierarchy for gear. Instead, you’ll need to carefully consider your needs and choose between a few top-tier armor sets.

Best armor sets in ESO for Necromancers

ESO Necromancer casting a spell. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

This class is without a doubt one of the most unique, as it gives you the ability to raise the dead and build an army to do your bidding. Necromancers also have a bit of healing prowess, making them a fun class to play solo. There are plenty of different ways to build out a powerful Necromancer, but one of these armor sets should fit your playstyle:

Hunding’s Rage: Equip two or four items to increase Weapon Critical. Three items will confer a Maximum Stamina bonus, with five items granting all previous bonuses along with improved Weapon Damage. Hunding’s Rage can be crafted, although it requires knowledge of six Traits.
Law of Julianos: Equip two or four items to increase Spell Critical. Three items will confer an additional Maximum Magicka bonus, while five items will increase Spell Damage. This armor set can be crafted and requires knowledge of six Traits.
Mother’s Sorrow: Equip two items to increase Maximum Magicka. Subsequent items in the set will increase your Spell Critical, maxing out at five equipped items. This is an Overland Set that can be found in Deshaan by completing Delves, Public Dungeons, World Bosses, and Dark Anchors.

Best armor sets in ESO for Sorcerers

Sorcerer in ESO channeling lightning. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are a few sets of Light armor that augment Sorcerer’s penchant for DPS. Most builds rely on Magicka as their attribute of choice, and there are three armor sets in particular that you’ll want to look into. Like most armor sets in ESO, you’ll receive a larger benefit the more items you manage to equip.

Mother’s Sorrow: Equip two items to increase Maximum Magicka. Subsequent items in the set will increase your Spell Critical, maxing out at five equipped items. This is an Overland Set that can be found in Deshaan by completing Delves, Public Dungeons, World Bosses, and Dark Anchors.
Zaan: Equip one item to increase Spell Critical. Equip two items to gain a chance of summoning a beam of fire that deals Flame damage after hitting an enemy with a Light or Heavy attack. This set can be found at Scalecaller Peak after defeating its Dungeon Boss and through boxes purchases by Pledge Masters at Undaunted Enclaves.
Law of Julianos: Equip two or four items to increase Spell Critical. Three items will confer an additional Maximum Magicka bonus, while five items will increase Spell Damage. This armor set can be crafted and requires knowledge of six Traits.

Best armor sets in ESO for Wardens

ESO Warden entering combat. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wardens are a versatile group of warriors that use their natural surroundings to fend off threats. Calling forth massive beasts to do your beckoning is the main draw of the class, but there are plenty of other spells and abilities at your disposal to heal, buff, or throw DoTs on your enemies. Both Magicka and Stamina builds are viable for Wardens, meaning there are several “best armor sets” for this class, depending on your specific build.

Mother’s Sorrow: Equip two items to increase Maximum Magicka. Subsequent items in the set will increase your Spell Critical, maxing out at five equipped items. This is an Overland Set that can be found in Deshaan by completing Delves, Public Dungeons, World Bosses, and Dark Anchors.
Perfected Arms of Relequen: Equip two or four items to increase Weapon Critical. Equip three times to gain Minor Slayer. Max out the armor set with five items, and you’ll increase Maximum Stamina, and your Light and Heavy attacks will deal additional Physical Damage to enemies. The Perfected Arms of Relequen armor set can be found in Cloudrest as part of the Mini-Trial in the Summerset Chapter.
Ring of the Pale Order: It’s not quite an armor set, but it’s a boon to just about every Warden build in ESO. This lone Mythic item restores 20% of damage dealt as Health but prevents you from being healed by anyone but yourself. Its effect is reduced by 4% for every ally you are grouped with. The Ring of the Pale Order is a Mythic item obtainable through Scrying.

Best armor sets in ESO for Nightblades

Nightblade in the shadows in ESO. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Most Nightblades are crafted around DPS — although both Magicka and Stamina builds are completely viable. Regardless of if which direction you go, you’ll probably be looking at Medium armor sets in ESO that provide a decent amount of defense while still boosting your attribute of choice.

Mother’s Sorrow: Equip two items to increase Maximum Magicka. Subsequent items in the set will increase your Spell Critical, maxing out at five equipped items. This is an Overland Set that can be found in Deshaan by completing Delves, Public Dungeons, World Bosses, and Dark Anchors.
Kinras’s Wrath: Equip two or four items to increase your Weapon Damage. Equip three items to increase Weapon Critical. Equip the max number of five items to boost your Light and Heavy Attack damage by applying Burning Heart to your target. This stacks up to five times, and with five stacks, you’ll also be granted Major Berserk, and nearby allies will earn Minor Berserk. Kinras’s Wrath can be found in Black Drake Villa.
Hunding’s Rage: Equip two or four items to increase Weapon Critical. Three items will confer a Maximum Stamina bonus, with five items granting all previous bonuses along with improved Weapon Damage. Hunding’s Rage can be crafted and requires knowledge of six Traits.

Best armor sets in ESO for Templars

ESO Templar in a cathedral. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

You’ll typically be slotted into the healer role as a Templar, although plenty of folks run them as a source of DPS in Dungeons and Trials. Because of this wide variety of playstyles, you’ll need to pay close attention to which armor set you opt for — if you’re healing, look for the usual Light armor sets, but if you’re opting at DPS, you can go with something a bit heavier. In fact, some of the above Nightblade sets work well for DPS Templars.

Mother’s Sorrow: Equip two items to increase Maximum Magicka. Subsequent items in the set will increase your Spell Critical, maxing out at five equipped items. This is an Overland Set that can be found in Deshaan by completing Delves, Public Dungeons, World Bosses, and Dark Anchors.
Law of Julianos: Equip two or four items to increase Spell Critical. Three items will confer an additional Maximum Magicka bonus, while five items will increase Spell Damage. This armor set can be crafted and requires knowledge of six Traits.
Sentinel of Rkugamz: This two-piece armor set grants additional Healing Done with one item slotted. Slot both helm and shoulders, and you’ll summon a Dwemer spider when healing yourself or an ally that heals and restores Magicka/Stamina for you and nearby party members. This armor set drops after killing monsters in the Darkshade Caverns I.

Best armor sets in ESO for Dragonknights

ESO Dragonknight dual wielding axes. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dragonknights often run Heavy armor sets in ESO, as they usually fall into the tank role and need to withstand brutal attacks from all directions. But thanks to ESO‘s highly customizable builds, there’s a chance you’d be better off with Medium armor in certain DPS builds.

Perfected Arms of Relequen: Equip two or four items to increase Weapon Critical. Equip three times to gain Minor Slayer. Max out the armor set with five items, and you’ll increase Maximum Stamina, and your Light and Heavy attacks will deal additional Physical Damage to enemies. The Perfected Arms of Relequen armor set can be found in Cloudrest as part of the Mini-Trial in the Summerset Chapter.
Kinras’s Wrath: Equip two or four items to increase your Weapon Damage. Equip three items to increase Weapon Critical. Equip the max number of five items to boost your Light and Heavy Attack damage by applying Burning Heart to your target. This stacks up to five times, and with five stacks, you’ll also be granted Major Berserk, and nearby allies will earn Minor Berserk. Kinras’s Wrath can be found in Black Drake Villa.
Ebon Armory: Equip two or three items to increase Maximum Health. Equip four items for increased Healing Taken, and max out with five items for another Max Health boost for both you and nearby group members. This armor set is dropped in the Crypt of Hearts I and Crypts of Hearts II Dungeons.