Dark Souls 2: The 5 Best Armor Sets In The Game (& 5 Worst)
During The Phantom of the Opera, co-owner Firmin experiences a series of disasters and bad decisions that result in his leading lady temporarily quitting, his chorus girls all terrified, a madman blackmailing his cast, and the murderous history of the theatre echoing up again. Because of these issues, the public becomes curious and sells out his next show. Firmin remarks to himself, "Have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit!"
Dark Souls 2 was the absolute king of scandals as far as this franchise goes. Like a stick of licorice, players either loved or hated it.
The armor became a focal point of this love/hate. The sets were better off taken apart and used individually, which made all of the min/max players look like they got dressed after a romp through the dumpster of a Spirit store after Halloween. Other gamers sacrificed the best stats for using a whole armor set to look cohesive. This article compiles the results of the discovery process in the field of which sets worked and did not work, both visually and functionally.
10 BEST: Alonne Captain Set
No, the set does not have any pants. Or shoes. Or gloves. There are only two pieces to this "set." Maybe set isn't an appropriate term. Accessories, perhaps? Putting terminology aside, it's understandable that the player might not want to engage in a conversation with one of the game's memorable NPCs with their undergarments exposed.
So why is this on the best list? Well, aside from the pieces looking great with those dueling dragons, they are actually quite transferrable. The stats are fantastic, so players can use their favorite equipment in other slots and still look phenomenal in the torso and head.
9 WORST: Brigand Set
"I love the way it looks when my character fights these ridiculously powerful bosses, I just wish I had a piece of gear that makes my elbows look fluffy and massive," said no Dark Souls 2 player ever. Yet some designers saw fit to grant that unwished wish.
On top of the ridiculous looking joints, the statistics on this gear are unforgivable. The elemental defense is poor and, for being medium armor, the physical defense is on par with some of the lighter armors in the game.
8 BEST: Aurous Set
This heavy-looking armor set is surprisingly mobile. The Aurous Set is well-rounded on defense and when paired with a couple of of the game's best rings, it's a tempting choice for all players that come across it. Plus, the spikes add height!
This is a controversial selection for one reason only; this armor set has a transparent alternative that some players love to walk around in. But isn't there a warning story about a prideful man and invisible clothing? The furry underwear in this game is not nearly flattering enough to justify the resulting embarrassment.
7 WORST: Lion Mage Set
"Trashion" is a relatively recent fashion crave where the wearer buys new clothing that already has rips, stains, and missing threads at the time of purchase. It's a legitimate art in the world of modeling and it's only growing in popularity.
The problem here is that this armor set does not commit to the look. The top and the bottom look shredded enough, but the pristine gold bracelets add an element of class to a look that is lacking in classiness entirely. Imagine using one of the beautifully-crafted and equally effective weapons from this game looking like this!
6 BEST: Heide Knight Set
This is perhaps the most iconic armor in Dark Souls 2 and rightfully so. The imagery is that of a white knight, shot by arrows, and pressing on despite the pain. If that's not a metaphor for the gameplay of this franchise, then nothing is.
Armor this cool can't be crafted, like in The Elder Scrolls VI: Skyrim, but it can be uncovered. And when it is located, the player will notice a huge boost in defensive capabilities immediately. Two different helmets have the "Heide" label, so be ready to customize!
5 WORST: Faraam Set
The Faraam Set is insanely heavy for how it looks. And while it has the physical defense to justify that problem, the elemental defense is total trash. When moving in a suit of armor this slow, the elements are pretty much guaranteed to land. A fair amount of gamers would like to ask the folks at FromSoft what they were thinking with statistics like these.
Everything above the waist has no style complaints, but below the buckle, nothing makes sense. Are those blue jeans? Are those smushed up cowboy boots? And why no teal and silvery-white when the rest of the outfit is silvery-white?
4 BEST: Havel's Set
Sometimes players have a build that demands the biggest, heaviest armor in the game. When they finally acquire it, they hold their breath in anticipation. With a whole character build revolving around this armor, will it be any good?
Luckily, there is fantastic news to the tanks out there, Havel's Set is statistically just fine and its look really reflects the style of play. With extra chains dangling from all over the place and a sleek metallic polish, no gamer will be disappointed with this walking cannonball. The character will be looking as good as the beautiful landscapes they come across.
3 WORST: Gyrm Set
The Dukes of Hazzard was an American comedy and action television series that delighted audiences from 1979 until 1985. One personality from the show was the infamous Daisy Duke, who sported some short jeans that were additionally trimmed until they were a little too short for grandma's comfort.
Enter Dark Souls 2 in 2014 with the Gyrm Set, a suit of heavy armor, a solid Viking-style helmet, and...Daisy Duke's signature cutoff jean shorts. Combine this with the choice to also give the set some biker gloves and the result is the most confusing combination of armor in the entire game.
2 BEST: Vengarl's Set
When slogging through some of the ugly areas that the Dark Souls series has to offer, it helps to have a roguish look; someone who isn't afraid to get dirty and slimy. It's even better when these smudges and smears can enhance the effect of grime.
The Vengarl's Set looks like a fantasy hunter's dream-come-true. The character looks stylish wearing a bear pelt, complete with the animal's head over the face. The layer of chainmail under this makes the armor stand out even more. The cherry on top is a physical defense that is better than most heavy armors in the game.
1 WORST: Smelter Demon Set
Any fan of the game knew it was only a matter of time before this entry came up. And here it is, the infamous Smelter Demon Set. The statistics are horrible for a clunky piece of armor and the exposed midriff is a baffling choice. But forgive all of that and it is still the worst armor in the game.
The helmet is a pair of horns with a puckered orifice in the center for the face. There's no getting around this not-so-thinly-veiled similarity to a posterior portion of the human anatomy. This armor will be the...*ahem*...butt of jokes for years to come.
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