The Elden Ring community considers Magic as the game's easy mode with overpowered spells like Comet Azur and other ranged options. Unfortunately, that goes both ways. Enemies that use Magic or deal Magic damage in Elden Ring can often spell doom, especially for hapless Tarnished who underestimate those Burger King nerds at Raya Lucaria Academy.

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Elden Ring: Hardest Armor To Unlock

Elden Ring offers players plenty of armor to protect themselves, but some pieces are harder to track down than others.

That's why being prepared for this kind of damage usually pays. Thankfully, the game gives players tons of options when it comes to Magic-resistant gear. Some of these anti-Magic items even come in a full set and come in varying armor types for those who don't want to wear enchanted rags. So for those tired of getting figuratively sand-kicked in the face with Glintstone Pebbles, look for these armor sets.

Updated June 19, 2024 by Vlad Mazanko: Magic in Elden Ring is significantly more potent compared to older Souls games and can mean the difference between a victory or a defeat, especially against PvP opponents who heavily rely on sorcery. For this reason, acquiring the best Magic defense armor in Elden Ring becomes crucial for late-game and online play.

Magic resistance in Elden Ring is rather accessible: generally, lighter and more fragile armors provide higher Magic resistance. There's no shortage of that kind of armor. To make players' choices more specific, more Magic-resistant armor has been added to this list to ensure players won't go into Shadow of the Erdtree unprepared.

16 Noble's Set

Magic Defense: 26.1

• Location: East Windmill Pasture in Altus Plateau
• Physical Defense: 11.9
• Poise: 21
• Weight: 14.0

The Noble's set is usually only popular for its navy blue hood but it has its uses, especially against Magic attacks. While it's severely lacking in the physical mitigation department or even in Poise, it's a great armor for tanking some light but damaging Magic attacks.

This makes the Noble's set a good option for those looking to cut their weight down to a fast or light roll. It's also very easy to find. Players don't even have to fight for this armor set. They can just grab it and run away from its guards.

15 Bull-Goat Set

Magic Defense: 26.2

• Location: Defeat Great Horned Tragot in Magma Wyrm boss room in Ruin-Strewn Precipice (accept Patches' Volcano Manor quest first)
• Physical Defense: 38.5
• Poise: 100
• Weight: 63

It's definitely not the first thing that comes to mind when picking mage armor, but the Bull-Goat set goes all-in on every aspect of defense. It also cranks up the weight all the way to 63, making it the heaviest armor in the game.

Still, it's great for both tanky melee builds and tanky battlemages alike. The astronomical Poise value means players can keep attacking or casting against any Magic-user enemy. The weight problem can easily be fixed through some talismans or a Wondrous Physick Mix.

14 Mushroom Set

Magic Defense: 26.2

• Location: Lake of Rot for the helmet, Seethewater Cave in Mt. Gelmir for the rest
• Physical Defense: 12.5
• Poise: 11
• Weight: 12.1

If players can get past the goofiness of this armor, wearing it has its own rewards. Because the helmet is almost mandatory for anyone running a Poison build. The physical defense is not good and the Poise value is laughable but what is there to expect from an armor made out of fungus?

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At the very least, the Mushroom set makes for an excellent defensive countermeasure against Magically-inclined enemies in PvP or against those nerds in Raya Lucaria Academy. As an added bonus, players get to be as light as a pack of button shrooms.

13 Traveling Maiden Set

Magic Defense: 26.3

• Location: Shack of the Lofty on the frozen river in Mountaintops of the Giants
• Physical Defense: 10.8
• Poise: 21
• Weight: 11

While not the fanciest of them all, the Traveling Maiden Set is very potent armor, particularly effective against Magic and Lightning damage. Due to its very low weight, it ranks among the best armor sets in Elden Ring for elemental damage protection. Its modest appearance might not appeal to every Tarnished out there, though.

Another potential downside of this otherwise excellent set is that it's obtainable quite late in the game, only after reaching the Mountaintops of the Giants. It can be grabbed in Shack of the Lofty located on the frozen river. By this point, most players will likely have acquired several other armor sets that overshadow this simple yet effective attire.

12 Astrologer's Set

Magic Defense: 26.3

• Location: Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes
• Physical Defense: 13.0
• Poise: 24
• Weight: 13.3

Turns out players don't have to go far to look for an armor set that protects them from Magic damage. The Astrologer's starting equipment offers plenty of that sort of protection. At a total of 29 Magic defense, it's one of the highest in the game and even surpasses some heavier or more advanced armor.

But for those who don't start as an Astrologer, the Astrologer's Set can be bought from the Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes. He's the one resting by the Liurnia Lake Shore Site of Grace. Players can easily see him from the distance coming from Stormveil Castle since his campfire raises a high and visible pillar of smoke.

11 Scaled Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Defeat Old Knight Istvan near the Limgrave Colosseum as part of the Volcano Manor contract quest
• Physical Defense: 31.0
• Poise: 71
• Weight: 38

The Scaled set is a more serious version of the Mushroom set for those who want armor that can actually tank multiple sources of damage. It has a lot more poise and the same Magic defense. The downside? It's a lot heavier. In fact, it's one of the heaviest medium-heavy armor sets in the game.

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It's great for players who focus on their melee builds going after Magic builds but for battlemages, there are better options out there. Still, one can't deny the Elden Bling potential of this armor. It's a little rough around the edges, at least the defenses are respectable.

10 Veteran's Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia after killing Commander Niall at Castle Sol Rooftop
• Physical Defense: 35.6
• Poise: 80
• Weight: 45

One of the heaviest and most visually impressive armor sets in Elden Ring, the Veteran's Set ranks among the top choices for defense, boasting a very high Poise value despite its considerable weight. Its standout feature is the chest guard's huge, double-layered bushy cloak, which some players may find appealing. For those who prefer a different look, the armor allows for customization, including the complete removal of the oversized cape. To get this set, return to Finger Reader Enia after defeating Commander Niall in Castle Sol.

This set also pairs well with most heavy armor sets in Elden Ring, enabling players to create unique combinations. In particular, certain pieces of the Veteran's Set can seamlessly integrate with Banished Knight armor, offering a distinct blend of both styles.

9 Lionel's Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Lower Capital Church Site of Grace in Leyndell, Royal Capital
• Physical Defense: 33.6
• Poise: 86
• Weight: 50.5

Lionel's Set is one of the heaviest armor sets available in Elden Ring, weighing over 50 units. Such weight is something not every character build can afford, even though this armor provides excellent defense, especially against physical attacks. This set can be found in Leyndell, Royal Capital, exploring the building that contains the Lower Capital Church site of grace.

What sets it apart is its impressive Poise value, allowing its wearer to attack without being staggered by incoming blows. Its unique appearance includes a distinctive helmet and a bulky overall design, making it a favored choice for melee builds in PvP. The armor can also be customized to remove the cape, offering flexibility to suit different preferences.

8 Fire Prelate Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Drops from Prelate enemies (Fort Laeidd in Mt. Gelmir or Guardians' Garrison in the Mountaintops of the Giants)
• Physical Defense: 36.5
• Poise: 96
• Weight: 58.8

Very strong against Magic and Fire damage and granting extremely high Poise, the Fire Prelate Set is also very heavy and may require the use of something like the Great-Jar's Arsenal talisman to be worn by some character builds. Parts of this set are randomly dropped from Prelate enemies, with the best spots for farming being Fort Laeidd in Mt. Gelmir or Guardians' Garrison in the Mountaintops of the Giants.

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Elden Ring: 10 Best Poison Weapons, Ranked

Poison weapons are massively important tools in Elden Ring and these are the best of the lot.

This set is one of the few in Elden Ring that makes one's character appear "oversized" compared to their usual look. Some speculate that this armor's appearance is based on Dark Souls' infamous boss Executioner Smough, though there is no concrete proof of this. What is known for certain is that the Fire Prelate Set is one of the better heavy armor sets for facing bosses or enemies with dangerous Fire damage attacks.

7 Banished Knight Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Drops from Banished Knight enemies (Stormveil Castle, Castle Sol)
• Physical Defense: 35.6
• Poise: 72
• Weight: 41.6

Knight builds and melee characters aren't left behind when it comes to protecting themselves from Magical harm. The Banished Knight Set— one of the most beautiful armor sets in the game, is also a competent form of protection against Magic. It's also peak Elden Bling regardless of whether it's the altered or original version. Sure enough, the physical defense value is one of the highest in the game.

To obtain this armor, players will have to keep killing those Banished Knight enemies. They have a low chance of dropping the armor pieces along with their weapons. The fastest way to do this painstaking farm is by repeatedly killing the Halberd Banished Knight near the Rampart Tower Site of Grace in Stormveil Castle. The knight will be patrolling the floor below the initially inactive elevator.

6 General Radahn Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Starscourge Radahn
• Physical Defense: 35.6
• Poise: 72
• Weight: 41.6

For those who don't have the mental fortitude to farm the lone Banished Knight near the Rampart Tower in Stormveil Castle, this is a good alternative to the Banished Knight Set. General Radahn's Set has similar stats and an identical Magic defense value. The difference is that acquiring it is simpler and doesn't rely much on low drop rates.

Players only have to kill Starscourge Radahn and go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold. She'll be selling Radahn's armor set to the players as part of the reward for the victory against the boss fight. Of course, Starscourge Radahn is one of the semi-mandatory bosses in the game and is located in Redmane Castle to the southeasternmost tip of Caelid.

5 Queen Of The Full Moon Set

Magic Defense: 26.8

• Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Rennala, the Queen of the Full Moon
• Physical Defense: 11.5
• Poise: 16
• Weight: 11.0

Then again, some players might be having trouble with Radahn since he's a pretty tough boss. In that case, those looking for Magic defense still will be pleased to know that another (easier) semi-mandatory boss also has an armor associated with her that has high Magic defense. That would be Rennala, the Queen of the Full Moon.

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She's the main boss of the Raya Lucaria Academy area and Liurnia of the Lakes. Getting to her is simple enough and involves finding a key on the eastern side of the academy to unlock the gate barrier. After players kill Rennala, they'll have to go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold for Rennala's armor. It has poor Physical defense and poise but makes up for it with good Magic and elemental resistance.

4 Royal Knight Set

Magic Defense: 27.6

• Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree
• Physical Defense: 31.0
• Poise: 53
• Weight: 36

The Royal Knight Set is the one worn by the boss Loretta whose weaker phantom version resides in Caria Manor. There's a stronger version of her in the Haligtree area. This is a late-game area and killing this original version of Loretta will unlock the armor. Again, players will simply have to kill Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree, and go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold. She'll be selling Loretta's armor afterward.

Getting to the Haligtree area is difficult, of course. One does not simply walk there. To unlock the whole Haligtree secret level, follow this guide. It's an extensive quest that should take players around half the game to complete. There are lots of rewards there apart from the Royal Knight Set.

3 Preceptor's Set

Magic Defense: 28.6

• Location: Dropped by Seluvis after he dies in Seluvis' Rise in Liurnia of the Lakes, near the end of Ranni's questline
• Physical Defense: 12.9
• Poise: 27
• Weight: 15.9

Turns out Seluvis is also good for more than just his spells or his potion. His armor is also one of the best when it comes to defending oneself against Magic attacks. The Preceptor's Set helmet also comes with the added bonus of increasing FP at the cost of Stamina so it's a spellcaster-focused armor.

Don't even think about killing Seluvis right away after seeing him for his armor. He just teleports away. The only sure way to get the armor is by waiting for the slimeball Seluvis to die which happens at some point near the end of Ranni's questline. To finish Ranni's questline, follow this guide.

Players can keep checking for Seluvis in his tower, Seluvis Rise during this quest if he kicked the bucket. Because he'll drop his armor set along with his Bell Bearing once he's dead.

2 Lusat's Set

Magic Defense: 29

• Location: Sellia Hideaway in Caelid after finishing Sellen's questline
• Physical Defense: 15.0
• Poise: 21
• Weight: 14.3

One of the best anti-Magic armor in Elden Ring is none other than Master Lusat's robes and helmet. In addition to the Magic defense, it also boosts the Stars of Ruin sorcery which is Master Lusat's signature spell. Unfortunately, obtaining this armor set is part of a lengthy questline involving Sorceress Sellen (found in Waypoint Ruins, Limgrave). Sellen will ask players to look for Lusat and free him. Lusat's in a cave (Sellia Hideaway) north of the Church of the Plague hidden by a fake cliff wall.

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Players will have to free Lusat and finish Sellen's questline (making sure to take her side always). They'll then have to come back to Lusat's location in the Caelid cave after Sellen's questline is finished. Lusat will have dropped his armor set after that point. For more details on how to finish Sellen's questline, refer to this guide.

1 Azur's Glintstone Set

Magic Defense: 29.2

• Location: Left by Primeval Sorcerer Azur's located north of the Hermit Village in Mt. Gelmir after completing Sorceress Sellen's Questline and siding with her
• Physical Defense: 13.6
• Poise: 21
• Weight: 14.3

As with most Elden Ring armor worn by NPCs, the Azur's Glintstone Set can be obtained at one point in the game if players advance Sorceress Sellen's questline until the very end (see above). One of the rewards is this uniquely looking and rather effective wizard's set, featuring a huge crystal crown that boosts Azur spells' damage as well as their cost, and a lush black cape. Players can retrieve this armor set on a cliff north of the Hermit Village in Mt. Gelmir, where Primeval Sorcerer Azur used to be.

With such a magically-infused appearance, it's no wonder that Azur's Glintstone Set is the best armor in Elden Ring for Magical damage negation. Alongside Spelldrake or Pearldrake Talismans, it is recommended for use when facing several bosses such as Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, or Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.

Elden Ring

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

February 25, 2022

Developer(s)

From Software

Genre(s)

RPG , Action