Armor, Clothing and Weapon Sets


 * "Weapons, armor, skills .. There are endless possibilites."

Arisen and pawns in Dragon's Dogma can equip a wide variety of weapons, armor and clothing, with equipment available suitable for every vocation, environment and encounter.

This article lists the matching armor, clothing and item sets that can be found, bought and worn.

Overview
A full armor set consists of two items of clothing, upper and lower; armor for the head, upper body, arms, and lower body; plus a cape, and the relevant weapons. Almost all clothing and armor items in Dragon's Dogma form some part of a set of matching items - in some cases the set only consists of clothing, or armor, or a partial clothing/armor set; other armor items may be downgraded parts, or elements of a better quality armor, and cost respectively less.

Armor is usually restricted to certain vocations, corresponding to its normal function, some wearable items may be restricted by sex - though a matched set looks correct any combination of allowable armor and clothing can be worn.

Armor sets are often indicated by similarity of names, such as the Chimeric Armor; other sets are not as obvious but can be recognised by similarity of appearance, or by an overall matching design when worn together. Generally all items of a set have the same or complementary secondary properties (eg items of a Chimeric have sleep and/or poison resistance, amongst others). Similarities in secondary properties, or in the raw materials, or other properties described for the armor give clues as to whether it is complementary to another in a set.

Additionally some weapons and shields have been specially designed to match a specific armor set - for example the Beserk manga tribute set of Swordsman Armor has an appropriate sword Thousandlimbs; there are other examples, eg the warrior armor Hero's Armor matches perfectly in look and function with the longsword Iraklis.

Some armor and clothing sets are supplied as 'one pieces', such as the Nameless Armor or Caretaker's Garb; their individual elements are not available separately, and the set replaces all the wearer's clothing and armor. Weapons and shields are always separate items.

Additionally rings can be worn that usually grant addition protection, or sometimes special skills - one ring can be worn in Dragon's Dogma, in the expansion Dark Arisen two rings can be worn.

Vocations
Vocations form a spectrum of physical and magical defense needs of armor - in the sequence : Warrior > Fighter > Mystick Knight > Strider > Assassin > Ranger > Magic Archer > Mage ~ Sorcerer, the properties of the armor generally worn show physical defense decreasing and magical defense increasing. This is often accompanied by a transition from metal to leather and then to cloth materials.

Very Heavy Armors are ideal for Warriors, Heavy Armor for fighters. Mystik Knights often eschew metal armors for replacements with full leather or heavy cloth in order to maximise magick defense - the replacement of metals with natural materials makes these armor of Medium Weight. Striders and Rangers have similar requirements for Light Armors; they need good mobility but still require physical defense. As Striders work at closer range than Rangers their armor requirements are usually a little greater; some medium armors may also meet their needs.

Assassins favor stealth and strong attack over defense - as such light/medium armors with good mobility are needed - their ideal sets oft completely omit defense on some parts of the body - an Assassin exists to strike others not be struck. Additionally their armors are usually dark, giving cover at night.

Magick Archers require armors somewhere between the needs of Striders and Mages - magic use requirements favor armors without iron. Mages and Sorcerers have much the same armor requirements - that is none - their clothing focuses on protection from weather, debilitations, and other curse and stifling protections; their armors incorporate charms that enhance the flow of magic.

Armor progression
The Arisen begins the game in traditional Cassardi Fisherman's garb, following the Dragon attack a replacement Plebian set set are provided - these are suitable for fisherfolk, but not for adventurers, and fresh Arisen should seek to find more and better equipment at the earliest opportunity. Some early items such as Wooden Bands function primarily on hope.

Early game armors and equipment is generally of basic quality, undyed and of the simplest construction, and cheapest, commonest materials. The Arisen's new pawn will arrive in such a set of equipment after completing the quest Call of the Arisen. Shields and weapons are of wood and iron, cloths of cheap cloth, armor is of leather, or consists of incomplete parts of better sets. Most enemies in the game, excluding goblins will be better equipped and protected. Early game armors are usually intended for the three core vocations.

Mid game armors are found on general sale at Gran Soren - full armor sets become available, as do undergarments that protect from more than just the weather. Sets such as the Iron Armor Set (fighters), Leather Armor Set (strider) and Scholar's Set (mage) are as good as most other people in Gransys have, and if continually upgraded should serve well in most situations. Weapons are of good quality and some have permanent enchantments. Specialised armors for the advanced vocations become available in the mid game.

End game armors are rarer, more expensive and better made than what the majority of the inhabitants of Gransys will ever wear, even the Duke's own guard. They incorporate rare metals and leathers, strange enchantments, and can only be found in the distant dungeons of Gransys, or obtained under special license. An Arisen should hope to have some equipment of this kind before finally facing the Dragon. Armors that are specialised for hybrid vocations appear towards the end game.

Post game armors can only be got after the defeat of the Dragon - they are found outside the world of Gransys in The Everfall - the armor sets found in the everfall are suited to the hybrid vocations. The final word is the Abyssinal Armor, that can be only got by defeating the greatest of Dragons, and is equipable by all. No better armors exist in Gransys.

In Dark Arisen, even more powerful equipment can be got by purifying cursed items found on Bitterblack Isle.

Very Heavy Armor
Very heavy armor types are suited and designed for use by warriors. As a consequence the armors generally have full frontal protection, and often fully protect the rear as well - as the warrior has no shield both the hands are fully protected. In fitting with its function heavy armor usually incorporates a large amount of iron or other metal; with metal being unsuited to magical purposes most heavy armors have poor magical resistance, though specific resistance to a particular archmagick may be imbued in manufacture. A typical very heavy armor is a full plate iron suit, and for ideal protection should be worn with armoured undergarments, such as full chain mail, or scale male vest.


 * Bronze Armor Set : - a low cost heavy armor that requires full chain unders for full protection - initially weak to lightning, and when upgraded resists skill stifling.


 * Chaos Armor Set : a perfect match for the Dragon's Flight war-ax like longsword - initially weak to all archmagicks except dark, when upgraded strong dark resistance plus resistant to blind and petrification.


 * Chimeric Armor Set : the Beastly Mantle completes this set, and the Steel Urchin matches - in keeping with the Chimera this armor represents strong resistance to Sleep and Poison is provide by this set. Made of metal, not chimera!


 * Crimson Armor Set : a red armor to the design of the Chimeric set, the spiked warhammer Bloody Thistle is the matching weapon. As with the Chimeric set the resistances are those to which a Gorechimera might inflict.


 * Grisly Armor Set † : a powerful armor only found in the Everfall, resistant to the debilitations poison, sleep and curse.


 * Gryphic Armor Set : a high quality and expensive armor, modelled on the mighty griffin, with appropriate strong resistances to Lightning, Thundershock and Torpor. The longsword Gryphic Victory should complete the set.


 * Hero's Armor Set : the long sword Iraklis is a perfect match for this set. Good resistance to holy light, as well as skill stifling and cursed.
 * Nameless Armor Set, a Voldoan armor, with average defences, and some Dark resistance, and strong resistances to Blind, Possession, and Curse.


 * Royal Guard Armor (replica) - a replica of a very heavy guard armor as worn by Gran Soren knights - the replica has reasonable defenses for a heavy armor with good resistance to sleep and lowered strength. Real guards generally carry a Broadsword and Gran Soren Shield


 * Voldoan armor (male only), another Voldoan armor, worn by Julien, of average quality, resistant to some Lightning with strong resistances to Possession, Poison and Skill Stifling. Threaded Cudgel and Wizard's Vizard are Julien's weapons.


 * Steel Armor Set : in the design of the Bronze set plus additional elements, with all aspects of physical defence improved at a cost in weight. Resistances is primarily to lowered defence, with no weaknesses. (The magickal Solar Armor uses the same design as the steel cuirass, but with protection little better than the Bronze).

Heavy Armor
Heavy armors best suit fighter classes. Like very heavy armors they give good frontal protection; the rear less so. To save weight and enhance mobility full protection may be limited to the more sensitive or exposed areas. Because fighters work with a shield on one arm only one hand requires protection from the worn armor, and this is reflected in the armor design. As with heavier armors the preponderance of metal in the suit makes for poor magic resistance. Full chain or half chain undergarments are good choices to complete a heavy armor set.


 * The basic Barbarian Armor consists of over 95% leather : it is made up of simply sitched leathers and gives a basic fighter armor with fire and basic (poison, torpor, sleep) debilitation resistances. The Fur Greaves (or better Thick Fur Greaves) may be worn for further poison resistance, plus some protection from the cold. (For Barbarians 'going commando' or native with goblinfolk Skull Belts contain the non-hide parts of the Hide Armor - elements which contribute much of the magic resistance of the armor, but little to its defence.) Appropriate weapons are the Feather-Light Pelta (or similar), and Trusty Sword - both are available in fire enchanted versions. Higher level Barbarian armors combine elements of the Scale Armor Set with metal armors incorporating horns.


 * Iron Armor Set † : the red Paladin's Mantle completes this set. A standard fighter armor. The armor gives resistances to both fire and sleep.


 * Meloirean Armor Set : the dark blue Dragon Knight's Cloak (or to a lesser extent the lighter blue Adventurer's Cloak) is the appropriate matching cloak for this set. A similar design to the Iron armor set, but with better materials and a higher design. The low cost Metal Greaves are the same design as the boots for this armor.
 * The Dragon Knight's Helm (Barreled Helm is a lesser wingless version) can be used as an upgrades to the designs found in the Iron and Meloirean Armor sets.


 * Swordsman Armor Set : the design is like that of a fighter armor, though the matching blade is the longsword Thousandlimbs. A good quality armor at least the equivalent of the Meloirean set.


 * White Hawk Armor Set : good quality armor, the appropriate sword is the White Hawk's Talon - there is no matching shield.

Medium Armor
Medium armors can offer the best combination of defence, mobility of all the armor types, with physical resistances as good as some heavy armors. Medium armors may use composites, or non-metallic materials to achieve their defence - the typical low iron content of medium armors gives much better magic resistance than heavier counterparts. Suitable for active dagger users, mystic knights and assasins primarily.

Useful undergarments for a medium armor include reinforced fabrics such as gambeson, or the padded jerkins. The jerkins are are padded cloth undershirts, often with iron reinforcements - in increasing quality they are Quilted Jerkin, Brigandine Jerkin and the Crimson Jerkin - they are suitable for most any melee vocation.


 * The Light Iron Armor Set : this set incorporates borderline light and medium components. Made of leather reinforced with metal strips in the Chainmail Skirt and the matching Iron Manicae - these armors give excellent physical and magickal protection for their weight and cost.


 * The Downcuffs & Cuisses are solid boots and cuisses - the boots of which form the basis of the better Leather Ocreae, and are also incorporated into some lighter armors, such as Nimble Cuisses.


 * Captain's Armor Set : Mercedes' armor, suitable for light fighter classes, with Lustrous Targe and Silver Rapier as weapons.


 * Duke's clothing - heavy well defended clothing set, with excellent resistance to both holy and dark magic, as well as other debilitations - its high piercing and striking resistance give it greater protection than other armor sets of similar strength.

Surcoats
Included here in medium armors are the surcoats - a surcoat can refer to an overcoat for an armor set, designed to offer just weather protection, and carry an insignia or other heraldry - more advanced surcoats are heavy fabric coats incorporating other armoured elements sewn in, like a form of scale mail. Surcoats in Dragon's Dogma tend to be of the more advanced type, with basic weather protection offered by capes.

Although they generally have good physical (and magickal) defense, Surcoats are not suitable for the sort of battering a full metal armor can endure - as such a large shield is the best protection in combination with these armors - and together the surcoats can be considered the basis of specialized Mystick Knight armors. A full set also incoporates hand armors that competely protect the arms and hands, such as the full length Leather Gloves, plus a similarly protective leg armor, such as the Over-Knee Boots. Such sets are generally low in percentage of metal, giving high magic resistance, though finer sets may use high quality metals.


 * Plain Surcoat Set : a base quality set that appears to have been constructed out of household items and fabrics rather than being any sort of proper armor - the equally "homemade" Wooden Wall completes the set.


 * Grand Surcoat Set : a set suitable for trained knights, in dark blue.


 * Royal Surcoat Set : a very high quality set designed for royal guards in a bright deep red.


 * Savan's Surcoat Set : a combination of the Divine Surcoat, Shadow Gauntlets and Shadow Greaves (Exotic High Boots are alternatives) can be used by sword wielding vocations - this combination was used by the Arisen Savan.

Scale and Hide Armor
One alternative source of raw materials for medium armors are the skins of giant beasts, or other high quality leathers - these can give protection as good as steel, without the negative magickal effects. Generally they are either light or medium armors.


 * Assembled Armor and Clothing Set : the main pieces are constructed from the skin of a giant, a partial armor set of light weight lacking torso and head armors - resistant to fire, ice and poison.


 * Scale Armor Set : not scale mail but literally Hydra scale, the entire set is restricted to those vocations which can wield a sword. Gives resistances to the debilitations a hydra might inflict, plus some lightning resistance. Other beast based armor pieces complement this set, such as the Cyclops Veil. †


 * Dragonhide Set : gives resistances to fire, holy, and cursed. The combination with the Dragonscale Arm and Red Dragon Scale restricts use to warriors and mystick knight - its design suggests use by shield users only. The bracers are restricted to bow users only. The Dragonspulse Circlet increases this set's natural resistances.


 * Heresy Armor Set : An armor for spellcasters, made of the scales of Dragons.


 * Abyssinal Armor Set : a animal scale like armor of unknown origin, but much like the Ur-Dragon that must be fought to obtain it, has resistances to all elements and debilitations except holy. The Nebula Cape and one of the Ur-Dragon reward masks completes the set. †

Light Armor
Light armors are the armor of the bow user - they give reasonable protection with low weight and high mobility. Typical light armors are fashion from leather pieces and strips, padded fabrics, and involve a lot of stich work (eg Leather Protector or Padded Armor). Alternative forms of light armor are like cut down version of half plate, offering metal plate protection to only the most critical areas. (eg Weak Guard, or Iron Lorica) - in general many light armor pieces are a mish-mass of different elements, with a focus on mobility, not overarching design - nevertheless some matching sets can be found.


 * Emissary Armor Set : the full set can only be worn by bow and magick bow users - strong lightning, skill stifling and torpor resistance.


 * Golden Lion Set : a high quality armor improving on the "Lion" set, suitable for all bow users, with excellent defences and 100% resistances to skill stifling and petrification.


 * The Leather Armor Set : a good low cost and widely available matching set for bow and dagger users is with fire and torpor resistance. Various version and upgrades of this basic leather armor can be found or bought.


 * Red Leather Armor Set : a good quality leather armor, improving on the standard leather set, with resistances to fire, lightning and torpor.

Many light armors combine different elements of other armors :




 * The Hunter's Jacket body piece contains linked ring reinforcement incorporated into several cloth layers - this forms the basis of a number of improved bow user torso armors, usually with the addition of bronze shoulder protectors and other elements.
 * "Lion" Armor Set : a high quality armor set with fire, holy, skill stifling and lowered strength resiliencies.
 * Flutter Padding and Padded Armor add additional lower body protection in metal reinforced strips and cloth layers respectively; the below waist armor in both adds ice resistance to these armors
 * Archer's Culottes combine elements of Padded armor and Chestguard.
 * Bronze Lorica uses the lower body elements of the Flutter Padding in reduced form.
 * Leather Jacket uses the shoulder pieces of the Leather Protector, with iron plated protection for the chest.
 * The Chestguard is improved by the addition of the below waist armor of the Leather Protector to make a Weak Guard.
 * The Archer's Culottes combines the chest protector of the Chestguard with the below waste protection of the Padded Armnor.


 * .. and so on

The Loricas increase in quality from the Bronze Lorica to Iron Lorica to the Dark Lorica.

The Hunter's Clothing Set (with potent skill stifling resistance) or Light Chain Clothing Set are suited as undergarments for light armor, amongst many other options.

Bow users
Bow user's armor is almost always light armor - because release of an arrow requires free hand dexterity a bow user's arm armor is specialized - it can be of several types:
 * 1) A cut down glove freeing one hand to enable agile use of the bow, these include Bandit's Glove, Red Leather Glove, and Black Leather Gloves.
 * 2) A bracer protecting only the lower arms, for example the Novice's Bracers, Iron Bracers and Burnished Bracers.
 * 3) A guard that protects only the wrists, they often have good magic protection and are suited for Magick Archers - these included the Bronze Bangles, Jade Bangles and Gleaming Bangles.
 * 4) A full arm armor that covers the entire arm, excluding the hands, for example Assembled Sleeves.

For the sets specifically for Magick Archers see § Magick Archer sets.

Assassin Armor
Most assassin specific armors include dark magic resistance, and dark in color. Assassin armor pieces are usually light and generally suited to all daggerists, and some items to sword using vocations.


 * Monomi Armor Set : an 'assassin' armor for bow and dagger users, with total resistance to blindness and poison when fully upgraded, weak to the archmagicks except ice.


 * Twilight Armor Set : only found in the Everfall, and restricted to Assassins and Rangers in the whole. Strong dark and dark related resistances - to torpor, blindness and curse. The Marshal's Bracers are a good complement.

Other dark based wearables include  Black Gaiters, Denim Hosen, or Evening Tights; Assassin's Breeches, Dark Over-Knee Boots,  Dusk Shoes or Gloaming Shoes; Brigandine Jerkin; Assassin's Armguards, Talismanic Beads, Darkened Gloves, Bandit's Glove; Assassin's Mask,  Skulker's Mask or Bandit's Mask;  and Ebon Neck Wrap - most have blindness resistance as well or sometimes sleep or curse. The underclothes of the Swordsman's Armor are also suited to an assassin, though the rest of the set is specifically restricted from use by the same vocation.

The Lamellar Jacket should make a good assassin torso armor, or more generally for any bow class.

Spellcaster Robes and Armor


Overclothing pieces for spellcasters offer similar protection to heavy work or outdoor wear - they are typical heavy coats, hoods, and leather boots and gloves. Metal is usually avoided - instead the armor may incorporate rare natural products or charms or talismans woven into its fabric to increase magick defense, or protection against debiliations.

In the Dragon's Dogma Official Design works there are several styles of spellcasrter robe : the "Missionary Robes" (monk), the "Crimson Robe" series (sorcerer), the "Dalmatica" series (see Magic Archer armors), the "Magician's Surcoat" type (magician), and the Animinstic Robe series (animist).


 * Ancient Armor Set : resistant to most debilitations, but not archmagic


 * Heresy Armor Set : fire, curse and petrification resistance.


 * Scholar's Set : a whitish set of spellcasters garb of reasonable quality with resistances to fire, torpor and importantly, silence.


 * Wizard's Set † : a dull purplish set, of similar make to the Scholar's set, with non-dark or holy elemental Archmagick resistance, and strong resistances to anything that might diminish the wearers ability to cast magic.


 * The deep red Cardinal Surcoat is the last word in spellcaster's surcoat - it does not have matching items, but the Alchemical Set improves on the design of the lesser surcoat accessories, and is also predominately red.



Much of the general mage and sorcerer clothings do not form matching sets of any kind. However they do form approximate sets of steadily increasing quality, with some commonality :


 * Low Level : Shabby Robe with Tunic, Faerie Hood, Leather Shoes Blue Longkilt,  Silver Bands,  Leather Bandings
 * Mid Level : Missionary's Robe with Cotton Tunic, Verdant Hood, Red Longkilt, Runic Bangles Bandit Stalkers
 * High Level : Sage's Robe with Forest Tunic, Twilight Hood, Purple Longkilt, Golden Wristbands, Iron Bandings

There are also tunic like robes :
 * Low level : Healer's Robe; accessoried by Laced Leggings, and Leather Circlet
 * Mid level : Animistic Robe; with Brown Laced Leggings, and a chestguard, and accessoried with the Feather Cape, Dragon Band and Tiger Bangles † - an outfit suited for magicians that would be one with all animals.
 * There is no high level form - the design continues in the Divine Surcoat suitable only for Mystik Knights and other sword users.

Additionally there is a group of similar loose draped robes in yellow, crimson and cyan which improve in the order Recluse's Robe < Crimson Robe < Matte Robe. Items such as the Laurel Circlet, Alchemickal Bangles, the Scale Greaves, and a chestguard are similar - overall the set seems suitable to much warmer climes, or one that dwells in a temple.

There are a wide variety of circlets and bands suited to the magic user - the most potent of which is the Diadem; more weatherproof protective headwear improves in magick defense in the order : Faerie Hood < Verdant Hood < Wizard's Helm < Twilight Hood < Autumn Hood < Archwizard's Helm.

Those interested in becoming or impersonating a Salvation member can choose the Set of Salvation Robes, together with a dark enchanted weapon such as Stagnant Surge.

Magick Archer sets
Magick Archers in general can wear the widest range of all vocations, being able to wear all bow users and most spellcaster wear. A specialized Magic Archer set consists of a spellcasters upper armor, arm bracers suitable for bow use, plus light weight but partially armored greaves. The sets can usually also be worn by sorcerers seeking additional physical defense.


 * The Novice's Armor Set is a very early Magick Archer set - the complete set only wearable by magic archers - this set barely improves on the standard Cassardian wear. It


 * Raptor Armor Set † - an unusually designed set of items based on the patterns of feathers of birds of prey - suitable for Magick Archers and also wearable by Sorcerers - with modifications the set can also be worn by Mages.


 * Holy Armor Set - to the design of the Raptor set, but with holy protections - the finest set for the magick archer.

General Wear


Some clothing and armor items are not best suited to the dangers of the outside world, lacking the protection required for true dangers - they would be suitable for travellers or workers. Though they can be incorporated into armor sets they give little advantage over other item either in terms of defence, or protection from spells, diseases or curses. However they do have a low weight and are inexpensive.

The cloth trousers increase in order: Cotton Hosen < Urban Hosen < Alchemickal Hosen - they are best suited to spellcasters. There are also more durable work trousers, suitable for bow and other melee classes - these increase in durability in the order Denim Hosen ~ Worker's Pants < Laborer's Breeches. An alternative form of leg clothing are wrappings - these improve roughly Leather Bandings < Bandit Stalkers < Iron Bandings (in magic) and Yellow Gaiters < Twisted Leathers  < Black Gaiters (in strength). Short trousers include Cassardi Trousers, Short Pants, Fine Cassardi Hosen, and Brown Leathers - all of much the same quality.

Tunics are very simple loose overvests. They improve in the order : Tunic < Cotton Tunic < Forest Tunic.

Other sets include the Set of Lady's Garb, Set of Servant's Garb, Set of Caretaker's Garb and Set of Jester's Motley, and Forest Tunic Set all have defences suitable only for work wear, but are light in weight. The Prisoner's Rags are barely suitable for any purpose.

A number of matching common day underclothes can be obtained, most have limited use, or are easily bettered by more expensive specialized equipment.

Cassardian clothing

 * See Cassardi armor and clothing

The Cassardi Adventurer's Set consisting of Cassardian work wear has three quarters the defence of half chain, and with a limited amount of fire and poison resistance when upgraded; add a Plebian Shirt from the Plebian Set to better complete the set, as well as some possession resistance. The better made and heavier Fine Cassardi clothing set can replace the undergarments for some additional holy resistance. Add the Farewell Set to fully equip a Caasardian for adventures - these add even more resitance to fire and poison. Also from Cassardis are the Fisherman's Garb - general fisherfolk's wear - the Arisen's Fisherman's tatters damaged by the Dragon is of the same make.

Armored Clothing


A number of undergarments are armoured themselves.

The "vests" are scale mail upper clothings suited to the most active physical fighters - compared to the full chain equivalents they are slightly better armor, though not in magic, with lower weight. Their qualities and weights improve from Faded Vest, to Iron Vest to Silver Vest. Some bandits wear a form of gold scale mail, probably a vain attempt to carry their wealth on their person - such mail has not been seen for sale in Gran Soren. The final word in scale mail is the otherworldly Abyssinal Outfit which adds better magick resistance at reduced weight.

Chainmail is a fabric made of interlocking metal rings, each smaller than a gold piece - chainmails and related metal ring and thread reinforced clothing form a spectra of armor choices from heavy to light, depending on the extent of use of the armoring material.


 * Full Chain Set : complemented by the optional Chain Coif. For full protection - essential for warrior armors and recommended for fighters. All have an initial minor weakness to lightning, and gain a slight resistance to ice when upgraded.


 * Silver Chain Set : the silver equivalents of the iron full chain; they are slightly better, heavier and give better resistances - adding holy and curse protection.


 * Partial Chain sets are suitable for all physically based vocations, especially when reduced weight is required :
 * Half Chain Hosen : similar to full chain clothing, except only the frontal arc is protected
 * Light Chain Clothing Set : the Braided Hosen and Chainmail Bracers form a pair - Braided Hosen are an improved form of half chain with better magic resistance - a good option for medium armor underleggings; Chainmail Bracers are to the same design as braided hosens. They are marked as suitable for bow users, but also well suited heavier armor wearers. Good magick defence and a strength boost make these common items a wise choice.


 * Two good reinforced coats are available - the Riveted Coat and the Trooper Outfit - the Trooper outfit has practically the same defence as a the full iron chainmail equivalent, with one fifth the weight - it is an excellent choice for all melee vocations. The Plated Coat takes the armored coat into high quality armors - adding further defence, plus some chain protection - its weight corresponding increases a great deal. All are good supplements to the partial upper body protection of the partial plate oft worn by fighters.


 * The torso chestplates also give strong physical defence. They increase in quality from Leather Chestguard to Hard Leather Plate to Silver Chestplate. The Marshal's Bracers combine chestplate and bracers.

At the lowest end of the scale of armored underclothing as garments such as the Braided Shirt which is reinforced with iron strands, or the reinforced jerkins (see § Medium armor) - though these are little better than better quality shirts.

Bandit Armors
Male bandits rarely wear expensive armors - some are fond of masks. The face masks increase in defense from Bandit's Mask to Gossip's Mask to Dragonroar. Male bandits also favour hoods such as Guardian's Hood or Incognito Mask. Armor pieces rather than full sets are the norm, bone and animal scale and skin are also favoured over polished steel. When iron is worn, it will often be blackened. Some bandits have acquired high quality pieces such as darkened versions of the Raptor cuisses.

The Westron Labrys bandits favor any red armor, including items of the Sultry Set, and the unisex Red offensive armor set. Other red female armor items include Crimson Robe, Berserkin, and Flame Skirt. Fighters of this troop make good use of the Striker's Greaves (and the cheaper reduced armor version, Iron Boots), which together with Assailant's Bracers give lightning, torpor and lowered strength resistance, plus a strength boost from the full price versions.

Goblin armor
Faded Vest plus Skull Belts forms the basis of many a goblin army's armor plans. Goblins may carry a spike club similar to the mace Thousand Troops, and possibly a Round Shield, but nothing better. Goblins also make use of two Iron Shields as a makeshift armor. Hobgoblins can carry a form of black Cutlass, plus a Pelta, may wear shoulder protection akin to a Feral Cape, as well as faded vest, skull belts, and other scavenged iron armor pieces.

Skeletons and undead †
Skeleton armor often consists of varying quanties of usually iron armor (any light fabric will have long since rotted away) - Fighters wear rusted parts approximating to the Heavy Iron Armor Set or similar such as Iron Cuisses (or Budget Greaves), Steel-Toed Boots), Iron Armguard, Iron Helm ( a version of the Horned Helm minus horns may also be worn), Sectional Iron Plate, or Sectional Armor - a rusted Chestguard, is also a possibility; better armored skeletons get scale mail, in appearance like that of the Faded Vest; they carry old Wooden Shields and Iron Swords, rarely anything better. Skeleton warriors (Skeleton Knights) wear much the same, but more complete sets, and often wield a Lifetaker longsword. †

The elite Skeleton Lords wear a decayed version of the Chimeric Armor Set, but with something akin to a Tattered Mantle - their weapons are ancient Knight's Honors, their swords are unique.

Spellcasting skeletons wear decayed version of the Wizard's Set or may wear rotted Hide Armor. † They wield staffs like either a degraded Wooden Staff or Favored Flower depending on the extent of their powers.

Undead soldiers and warriors wear armor parts akin to the designs of the Heavy Iron Armor Set and Meloirean Armor Set, often with a dirtied Plated Coat, Chain Mail, Full Chain Hosen, or Riveted Coat. † They typically wield a Ferric Talon or Iron Sword.

Other natural materials
The Bone armors are unusual in that they give defense akin to a very heavy armor, with high physical and low magickal defense, but with much lower weight, striking resistance is poor, and the armor as a whole is restricted to either warriors or mystik knights, furthermore stagger and knockdown resistances are poor due to the low weight - the elements are the Barbarian Chief's Helm (as worn by Maul.), and a choice of Bone Plate Armor or Bone Armor - gives good resistance to lower attributes, and like many other armors worn by male bandits, has dark resistance. The experience multiplying Asura Armor appears to be made of some sort of bone.

Feral Cape and Lupine Veil are made from wolf skins. The ice resistant Direwolf Cape and Direwolf Veil are both fashioned from Direwolf pelt - the Direwolf Bow cannot be equipped by the same vocations as the Direwolf veil.

Male and female armors
Most armors can be worn by either sex, and are similar in appearance, some can only be worn by one sex. A few items have significantly different appearances betweent the male and female versions - these include: all those with chestplates -ie Hard Leather Plate, Silver Chestplate, and the Marshal's Bracers - the female versions cover only the breast, whilst the male versions cover the whole chest.

Female specific



 * Maiden's Set : a white and gold set with resistance to holy and petrification.


 * White Stockings match in terms of design with the Lady's Corset, both have silence resistance; the Noblewoman's Corset is an improved version of the corset, in red.


 * Summery Set - quality yellow fabric over garments giving fire, sleep and cursed resistances. The Summery set may be used by any vocation. The Recluse's Robe is a unisex upper armor alternative, with differences in protection.


 * Sultry Set  - high quality red fabric over garments giving resistances to fire, torpor, petrification, and sleep


 * The Berserkin, and Flame Skirt form a matching pair in pink - the Frame Plate is an element of the Berserkin.

For the more revealing female armors the standard plain cloth wrappings can be inappropriate or incongruous - the undegarments of the Cassardi armor and clothing set, or better the Fine Cassardi clothing set are more refined. Even better is the Silk Lingerie (or possibly Delta Guard) for the lower parts; for the upper the Leather Chestguard (brown) or Silver Chestplate (silver) give the least interference with other armors, whilst giving good defense.

An alternative for female believers in The Faith wishing to practice magic are the Nun's Vestments : a weapon such as Dragons Risen for sorcerers; Militant Dove and Divine Razors for magick archers; or one of the holy weapons, including Divine Axis for mages, should be appropriate.

There are a number of other full outfits : the Set of Lady's Garb, Set of Lady's Trek Wear, and the Set of Queen's Clothing - of these only the Queen's vestments gives good protection.

Other
The combination of Mummer's Wear and Minstrel's Band forms the basis of set for the budding troubadour.

Weapons
A wide variety of weapons are available for each vocation - the weakest physically in each class is the Rusted weapon version, with the "Dragon" version being amongst the strongest. In Dark Arisen further weapons can be found or purified from cursed item - some of these exceed the power of the strongest found anywhere in Gransys or the Everfall, and add enchantments not usually found, including archmagicks on the bows and longbows.

A few weapons match a specific set, most do not.

In general the longer and further one travels the better the weapons found, though there are opportunities to obtain strong equipment at an early stage. Most weapon sets have items of steadily increasing power and utility. There are also three varieties of Golden Weapons and Aneled Weapons for each primary weapon type, each one based on one of the standard designs.

For lists and descriptions of weapons of each type, including enchanted weapons, in order of power see : Swords, Shields, Daggers, Shortbows, Longbows, Longswords, Warhammers, Staves, Archistaves, Magick Bows, Magick Shields, and Maces.

Fashion Dogma
The knickname Fashion Dogma has been coined for the game - due to the time or effort spent by some Arisen ensuring their party looks their best - often at the expense of best defense.

There are no restrictions on the wearing of armor and clothing other than those of sex, and vocation - in some cases, specifically capes a mismatched cape will occlude or cause the removal of certain shoulder pieces (such as found on the Chimeric Armor) as they would be incompatible with the capes hang - this change in appearance does not affect defense. Other than that there are no restrictions on combinations.