Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has gifted fans a plethora of new features, significantly expanding the game with new locations, enemies, bosses, and items. One of the main highlights of Shadow of the Erdtree is the incredible selection of armor available to players.

Each set has its unique aesthetic, advantages, and drawbacks. Although every gear set has something special, only a few can be considered the best in the game. In this guide, we will look at the best armor sets, including their locations and features.

Shadow of Erdtree Best Armor List

Choosing the right armor set in Shadow of the Erdtree largely depends on your playstyle and the type of character you want to build. Whether you focus on defense, strength, magic, or dexterity, there's a gear set that can enhance your gameplay.

• Ascetic Set
• Warrior Set
• Gravebird Set
  
• Rellana Set
• Iron Rivet Set 
• Night Set 
• Solitude Set 
• Lady Leda's Set 
• Thiollier's Set 
• Rakshasa Set

Ascetic Set

The first set is the Ascetic Set. This gear is not only visually stunning, but also practical, especially when paired with the Horned Helmet. The Ascetic Set was worn by the ascetic warriors of Curseblade, prominently featured in the preview for Shadow of the Erdtree.

You will frequently encounter these warriors, especially in locations near Gravesite Plain. The Horned Helmet provides a slight boost to dexterity but reduces the healing effect of your Flask of Tears. To obtain this set, you need to defeat the Curseblade enemies.

Warrior Set

Next up is the Horned Warrior Set. This set is one of the first you'll come across in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. To acquire this armor, you need to defeat the Horned Warriors you meet while traveling through the new locations in Shadow of the Erdtree.

The first Horned Warrior is found just past the Small Private Altar in Belurat, Tower Settlement. Like the Ascetic Set, the Horned Helm increases your strength but reduces the effectiveness of your healing flask.

Gravebird Set

The Gravebird Set is another excellent choice, although collecting all its parts requires a bit more effort. The Gravebird Armor chest piece is located near the altar west of the Abandoned Ailing Village in Gravesite Plain. The Gravebird Bracelets can be found in the eastern part of Gravesite Plain on the way to Suppressing Pillar.

To obtain the Gravebird Anklets, you need to head to Moorth Ruins in Scadu Altus and navigate through the cave. Don't forget to grab the Gravebird Helm from the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom. This set is particularly notable for its wings and increased efficiency for jump attacks.

Rellana Set

For those playing as wizards or magic blades, the Rellana Set is an excellent choice for this playstyle. Although it doesn't directly boost magic, it provides good protection against incoming damage and has undeniable aesthetic appeal. You can purchase this set from Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold after defeating the boss Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, in Castle Ensis.

Iron Rivet Set

The next set on our list is the Iron Rivet Set, also known as the Pelt of Ralva. This set is worn by the boss Mausoleum, Red Bear, in the current DLC. To obtain it, you need to defeat him in the Northern Nameless Mausoleum, accessible through the sealed Spiritspring in Rauh Ruins Base.

The main highlight of this set is the bear helmet, which you can get by defeating Ralva in the lake northeast of Highroad Cross in Scadu Altus.

Night Set

If you ever wanted to look like Sauron from Lord of the Rings while playing Elden Ring, then the Night Set is for you. Besides its amazing appearance, this armor set offers excellent protection and is extremely lightweight.

To find the Night Set, you need to visit Bonny Gaol, an underground area accessible via the bridge south of Bonny Village in the southern part of Scadu Altus. After entering, use the lift to go down, then jump on it again to reach the highest part of Gaol, where the armor lies on a corpse.

Solitude Set

The Solitude Set is perfect for players who prefer tanky builds. This heavy armor provides excellent damage reduction and poise, with remarkable stats for focus.

You can obtain the Solitude Set early in the DLC by heading to the Western Nameless Mausoleum and defeating the Blackgaol Knight. From the Stake of Marika nearby, you can attempt this boss battle as many times as needed to get the desired gear.

Lady Leda's Set

For those who prefer a dodging playstyle, Lady Leda's Set is a great option. This armor set enhances attacks after dodges and rolls, retreats, and dash attacks. To further boost this effect, you can get talismans like Lacerating Crossed-Tree and Retaliatory Crossed-Tree from the Leda quest. Acquiring this set requires some effort, but it's worth it.

Thiollier's Set

We should also mention the Thiollier's Set, which is particularly suitable for players focusing on arcane abilities. The Thiollier's set is lightweight and increases arcane by two points — one for the mask and one for the chest piece. Obtaining this set is easy: just complete the Thiollier quest.

Death Knight Set

The Death Knight Set is located in the Darklight Catacombs on the eastern side of the map. To find it, locate the lift, go down the right stairs, and jump from the broken rail on the next stairs. Each part of this set enhances Ancient Dragon Cult skills and spells, such as Lightning Spear and dragon incantations. This set is perfect for players using these abilities.

Rakshasa Set

Finally, we must mention the Rakshasa Set in Elden Ring. Players who want to deal high damage will find this set the best among most options. However, it comes at a price: each piece of armor increases damage dealt by 2% but also makes you more vulnerable to enemy damage. This set is ideal for experienced players who master dodging, parrying enemy attacks, and reacting to boss movesets.

To obtain the Rakshasa Set and Rakshasa's Great Katana, defeat Rakshasa in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum. To get there, find the teleport coffin in Shadow Keep, float downstream from the Ruins of Unte, and jump to the Mausoleum. Using the Longtail Cat Talisman can prevent falls, which can be especially useful for this final step.

Summary

In summary, the Ascetic Set is ideal for those who value dexterity and a vibrant look, while the Horned Warrior Set offers a strength boost for early game players. The Gravebird Set is perfect for jump attack enthusiasts, and the Rellana Set suits wizards. The Iron Rivet Set is a must-have for its iconic bear helmet, and the Night Set combines aesthetics with excellent protection.

For tanky builds, the Solitude Set provides top-notch damage reduction, and Lady Leda's Set enhances dodging maneuvers. The Thiollier's Set is lightweight and boosts arcane abilities, while the Death Knight Set is perfect for players relying on Ancient Dragon Cult skills. Finally, the Rakshasa Set offers unparalleled damage for experienced players who can manage its vulnerability trade-off.