Summary
TheDark Soulsuniverseis well-known for its large variety of nightmarish bosses, combat moves, powerful spells, and colossal weapons that can turn enemies into mush. Not to mention the amazing lore behind the game’s grim world that perfectly complements the experience of exploring every area.
There’s no denying thatDark Soulsis a very challenging franchise, which is what has kept so many players hooked on From Software’s games for over a decade. For the best chance at survival, Ashen Ones, Chosen Undead, and Bearers of the Curse must wear the right protection, and while manygreat and easily-accessible armor setscan be found throughout the Kingdoms of Lordran, Dranglaic, and Lothric, some are painfully complicated to get. Here are thehardest armor sets to unlock in everyDark Soulsgame.
Protection Type
Physical (280.7), Strike (258.2), Slash (317), Thrust (280.7), Magic (128.8), Fire (193.7), Lightning (130.3)
91
Weight
42.1
TheGiant Armor Setis worn by thegiant sentinels of Anor Londo. It has a massive size and considerable weight, which translates into superior protection, but also requires the wearer to have a high equip load capacity to avoid over-encumbrance. Unfortunately, it also impedes proper Stamina recovery, making proper dodging difficult.
This armor set can be purchased from the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo for the steep price of 26,000 souls, which might not seem like much late in the game, but can be a fortune for mid-game players. By the time players can actually afford the armor, they may have progressed beyond the need for it.
Dark Souls
Physical (171), Strike (162.5), Slash (193.3), Thrust (171), Magic (84), Fire (112), Lightning (94)
45
28.5
While most originalDark Soulsplayers start struggling as early as Blighttown, the true skill check comes in Anor Londo, when they must face the Ornstein & Smough boss duo. This relentless boss fight is a turning point for many players, as it puts all they’ve learned to the test and mercilessly shows them that they still need to improve greatly if they want to see the game’s conclusion.
Dual-boss fights are not unheard of inDark Soulsgames, but few are as challenging as this one. The easiest path to victory is by killing Ornstein first, asSmough’s giant versionisn’t as dangerous. However, if players wantOrnstein’s Armor Set, they’ll have to do things the hard way, end Smough first, and deal with the frenzied Dragon Slayer afterward. If players defeat the two bosses in this order, they’ll be able to purchase Ornstein’s Armor Set from Domhall of Zena for 27,000 Souls after the fight.
Physical (574), Strike (574), Slash (666), Thrust (574), Magic (122), Fire (135), Lightning (82), Dark (122)
60
30
ManyDark Soulsplayers know and love the oddly funny, yet sturdy design of the armor worn by the Knights of Catarina, otherwise known as Onion Knights. Siegmeyer andSiegward of Catarinaboth wear this type of armor in the franchise, and everyone in Lordran agrees that they’re great guys to hang out with.
To get theCatarina Armor Set, players will have to farm the NPC Dark Spirit Catarina Knight in the Forest of the Fallen Giants, or explore the world thoroughly to find different pieces in the following locations:
Given how many different locations must be explored, and how low Dark Spirit Catarina Knight’s drop rate is, theCatarina Armor Setis one of the hardest to fully unlock in the series.
Dark Souls 2
Physical (266), Strike (280), Slash (247), Thrust (147), Magic (235), Fire (171), Lightning (151), Dark (170)
0
1
The Monastery SetfromDark Souls2is probably the hardest armor to unlock in the game for several reasons. This armor set is dropped by a Dark Spirit Painting Guardian in Aldia’s Keep, but getting it isn’t as simple as it sounds. For starters, players must have already completed the game once and be on a NG+ run.
If that wasn’t enough, the fact that there’s only one NPC in the entire game that drops every item needed for the set, and that the items dropped can be repeated several times over, makes obtaining it a living nightmare. In fact, many players have complained online about having 10 Monastery Long Gloves, and no other piece of the set, even after hours of farming the Painting Guardian!
Physical (35), Strike (35), Slash (35), Thrust (34.3), Magic (21), Fire (21), Lightning (19)
16
22.3
TheArmor of the Sun SetfromDark Souls 3is one that many of the players who began their From Software journey early on will recognize, as it was originally worn by no other than the legendary Solaire of Astora. This sun-worshipping knight is famous for extending his arms above his head in a “Y” shape to make the “Praise the Sun” gesture.
To obtain Solaire’s iconic armor inDark Souls 3, players will first have to purchase the Tower Key from the Shrine Handmaid for a whopping 20,000 Souls (or spend a good while perfecting their parkour skills). However, the ordeal doesn’t end there; in fact, it’s just the start. Once players reach the roof of Firelink Shrine, they’ll encounter an empty crow’s nest, home toPickle Pee, Pump-a-Rum. Yes, that’s its name.
Pickle Pee will give the Ashen One rare items in exchange for dropping other items it requests. These can range from a Lightning Gem to a Twinkling Titanite or a Titanite Chunk. To get the Armor of the Sun Set, players will have to give Pickle Pee 1 Siegerbräu, a special brew made by Siegward of Catarina. There’s a total of 5 Siegerbräu in the game, and getting them requires players to follow Siegward’s quest to a tee.
Dark Souls 3
Physical (25.9), Strike (20.9), Slash (26), Thrust (24), Magic (20), Fire (23), Lightning (16.7)
21
24.3
TheElite Knight Setis one of, if not the most iconic armor set in all theDark Soulsuniverse, and it’s present in every installment of the franchise. InDark Souls 3, the armor is worn by Anri of Astora, Solaire of Astora’s compatriot. The Ashen One first meets Anri near the Halfway Fortress bonfire, right before the main area on the Road of Sacrifices. Upon meeting her and her companion, Horace the Hushed, a complex questline, which players will have to complete step by step to get the Elite Knight Armor, will begin.
Once Anri of Astora’s long questline is completed successfully, players can buy the armor set from the Shrine Handmaid for a steep 13,500 Souls. The armor is not the strongest in the game, but it looks great and offers decent protection against physical and elemental damage.
