Almost every player wants to go after the biggest and shiniest weapon in Remnant: From the Ashes, ignoring some of the most important pieces of gear — the armor. Providing the defensive base and combining with a long list of unique perks, different armor sets can set a player up with the missing piece for their gameplay puzzle.
RELATED: Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting Remnant: From The Ashes
With the huge array of enemies and bosses players will have to face throughout the game, it should be one of the most important tasks on the checklist. Luckily, Remnant doesn't punish its fans with long and arduous grinds in order to get their gear — picking the right set and planning for the best abilities can take a player from good to great quickly.
Updated August 5, 2021 by Tom Bowen: With the price of Remnant: From the Ashes now beginning to fall and a free next-gen upgrade available to all players, there's never been a better time to check out Gunfire Games' fantastic action RPG. As new players will quickly discover though, choosing the right armor set can have a huge bearing on how things play out, with weight, set bonuses, and resistances all needing to be taken into account. Though there are plenty of things to consider and a whole lot of sets to choose from, some armor sets in Remnant: From the Ashes are arguably a whole lot better than others.
10 Scrapper
Base Armor Value: 57
Armor Value At +20: 414
Total Weight: 41
Armor Set Bonus: Challenger – Increases damage dealt to enemies within 5 meters by up to 30% while also reducing damage taken by 15%.
A close-range armor set that works well with players who like to get right into the action, the set rewards high-risk plays that will put the character in the line of fire. While this is a good pick for the excitement factor, the Scrapper set will be especially hard to navigate when players are starting out.
If the Scrapper archetype isn't chosen, then the set will have to be purchased from Rigs. After settling into the set and powering through the first stages of the game, more melee and short-range weapons become available and open up the possibilities for those admirably reckless few.
9 Bandit
Base Armor Value: 35
Armor Value At +20: 370
Total Weight: 17
Armor Set Bonus: Freeloader – Increases the amount of ammo acquired on pickup by 25% while also providing a 35% chance of replacing spent bullets when the set is complete.
The opposite of the Slayer Set, Bandit armor is more beneficial for volume shooters that overwhelm enemies with a barrage of strikes. Granting a chance to recoup ammo as it hits the target, not only does it save ammo, but it also provides so much more.
A 25% increase in ammo picked up lets players be a little more reckless with their shots, making it perfect for suppressive fire or weapons with huge magazines that need a lot of shots to take enemies down. Getting hold of the set isn't easy though, with players needing to first get the Pocket Watch from Mud Tooth and then take it to Brabus at the Depot.
8 Hunter
Base Armor Value: 42
Armor Value At +20: 384
Total Weight: 21
Armor Set Bonus: Sharpshooter – Increases ranged and weakspot damage by up to 20% and also reduces bullet spread by 20%.
Those players that are confident in their aim should seriously consider equipping a hunting rifle and this armor. Not only does it provide a 25% increase to one of the most vulnerable mechanics in the game, but the Hunter set also builds upon any weapon's built-in weak spot modifier.
RELATED: The Best Weapons In Remnant: From The Ashes
Given that the ranged weapon already gets a 20% boost, a ranged weak spot shot can start to significantly amplify what one shot can accomplish. Adding any kind of stack multiplier will turn this into one of the biggest damage dealers in the game. With that in mind, it's definitely worth choosing the Hunter archetype or purchasing it from Rigs at some point during a playthrough.
7 Elder
Base Armor Value: 194.4 (+9)
Armor Value At +20: 382
Total Weight: 21
Armor Set Bonus: Believer – Dragon Hearts increase damage dealt by allies within 40 meters by up to 30% for 30 seconds. There's also a 25% chance that a Dragon Heart will not actually be consumed.
The star set for those that like to hunt in packs, the Elder armor provides a major boost for the entire team, as its set bonus causes Dragon Heart to increase the total damage dealt by allies in close vicinity, and even gives the player a 25% chance at not consuming the item.
Even though it doesn't focus on the player's stats, a 30% increase for all allies will end up being a much bigger benefit in the long run. With that in mind, it's definitely worth completing the Ravager Shrine Event on Yaesha to obtain it.
6 Cultist's
Base Armor Value: 43
Armor Value At +20: 386
Total Weight: 22
Armor Set Bonus: Blood Pact – Increases weapon mod duration by up to 100%.
Even though the Cultist's set is the most casual design of the armor list, it's also one of the best sets in the beginning stages of the game and is therefore a great armor to get from Ace. Any build that uses mods in the setup will relish the fact that it continuously recharges mod power over time, so even if players choose a different archetype, it's worth purchasing from Rigs at some point.
It will also increase the duration of the mods. Combined with other pieces of gear, the benefits it can add to any weapon will far exceed any downside present in the armor, especially considering the length of time it can extend the mod, doubling the time any effect is active.
5 Labyrinth
Base Armor Value: 58
Armor Value At +20: 416
Total Weight: 49
Armor Set Bonus: Power Surge – Increases total weapon mod damage by up to 50% while also refunding 10% of mod power on each use.
While the Labyrinth set doesn't boost the actual weapon's damage, it takes the mods to the next level. It increases mod damage up to 50%, and it will also restore 10% of the power to the mod allowing for a lot more usage.
Taking it to Adventure Mode, players will have to get the Cryptolith Sigil from the Iskal Queen, then take it to the Cryptolith and use it 3 times to open the portal to the Labyrinth set. Besides being one of the most unique-looking sets in the game, this also adds some serious importance to the much-overlooked mods.
4 Ossesus
Base Armor Value: 56
Armor Value At +20: 412
Total Weight: 38
Armor Set Bonus: Bloodlust – Increases ranged and melee damage by up to 35% after initial damage is dealt to an enemy and melee speed and fire rate are increased by 5%.
This piece focuses on using speed to get the job done, increasing the total damage dealt after hitting the same enemy consecutively. With a possible 10 stack, this armor would work best against slow bosses or those the player can zone in on.
It also increases the melee speed by 5, making that important 10 stack all the more achievable. The damage increase will be welcome when the character uses lighter weapons to get the hits in. Players will first need to buy all of Wud's secrets before they can get their hands on the Osseus set though.
3 Slayer
Base Armor Value: 194.2 (+8)
Armor Value At +20: 406
Total Weight: 34
Armor Set Bonus: Assassin – Reloading increases damage by up to 30% for ten seconds and reload speed is increased by 10%.
The ruler of the one-shot play, the Slayer set increases the total damage done after a reload, taking the big power of single-shot weapons and ramping it up a notch. It takes guns like shotguns and snipers to the next level, giving a 10-second limit after reload to deliver a devastating shot.
RELATED: The Best Games To Play If You Like Remnant: From The Ashes
This is only helped by the 10 percent cut that it gives to reload time, a crucial mechanic that usually takes the longest when it comes to one-shot weapons. To get their hands on the set, players will need to give the Guardian's Heart to the Iskal Queen in Corsus.
2 Radiant
Base Armor Value: 235 (+9)
Armor Value At +20: 438
Total Weight: 59
Armor Set Bonus: Momentum – Critical hits increase crit chance and crit damage by up to 3% and weapon recoil is reduced by 15%.
One of the heaviest options in the game, the Radiant set will need some accessories to make it perform at its peak. Increasing speed and focusing on critical hits will make the armor shine. There's a possible stack up to 10 that raises both the chance of a hit and the damage done.
The recoil being reduced is also a big component, letting those condemning hits find their mark. Though it can be one of the best pieces in the game, Radiant needs other moving parts to put it into top-tier territory. The grieves and protector can be purchased from the Stuck Merchant, but players will have to seek out the Radiant Visage in Yaesha's Guardian Shrine.
1 Void
Base Armor Value: 70
Armor Value At +20: 440
Total Weight: 63
Armor Set Bonus: Power Transfer – Standing aim movement increases by 25% while players also gain a damage boost or damage reduction of up to 25% depending on whether they are inflicting or sustaining damage.
The Void armor is one of the most versatile pieces in the game, shifting from offensive to defensive depending on how the battle's going for the player. If all hits are avoided for 5 seconds then the armor stacks and increases damage from all sources, and as soon as a hit is taken it then flips to damage reduction.
The Void set is a favorite among players because of its automatic shift, letting the player focus on gameplay rather than mechanics. It will cost 2500 scrap at Rohm at the Monolith and only becomes available once the wall puzzle is completed.
NEXT: Remnant: From The Ashes – Alternative Boss Kills
