Discover everything you need to know about the best armor sets to get first early on in Crimson Desert, including how to get them.
Armor is the protective gear your character wears to reduce damage and customize stats in Crimson Desert. Armor pieces include helmets, chest armor, gloves, boots, and cloaks. Each piece contributes to your overall defense rating and provides additional stats like resistances or bonuses.
Armor isn’t just cosmetic; it affects how much damage you take and how you play. Choosing the best early game armor in Crimson Desert is crucial to surviving the tougher fights and living longer. Armor pieces also have socket slots where you can insert stat gems to customize attributes.
Best Early Game Armor Sets
Below are the best recommended early game armor sets in Crimson Desert.
1. Canta Armor Set
The Canta set is an early-game plate armor set in Crimson Desert that is available in the Hernand area and tied to the main questline progression. Its defense stats are quite high compared with most other gear in the beginning. Make sure to replace it with higher-tier sets that offer better stats, resistances, and sockets. This armor set is best for players who prefer high defense and survivability early while running the Sword & Shield builds.
The Canta Plate Armor can be purchased from the Hernand Equipment Shop after defeating Matthias in the quest For Honor in Crimson Desert. You can buy this armor set from Rhett for 6.18 Silver. After the For Honor quest, the Canta armor becomes available for purchase.
2. Bolton Armor Set
Bolton Set in Crimson Set is a heavy plate armor set that includes Bolton Plate Helm, Bolton Plate Armor, and Bolton Plate Cloak. This armor set provides higher defense at the cost of slower dodging than medium or light armor. Heavy armor is best suited for players who prefer tanking hits. It has solid defensive stats and is a noticeable upgrade over very basic starter gear. However, equipping this armor set attracts unwanted attention from guards inside a castle.
The Bolton Plate Helm, Chest Armor, and Cloak are purchased from the contribution vendor in the Hernand region. Make sure to have enough contribution currency to buy the pieces. You can buy each piece separately once you have unlocked it. After buying, equip the pieces and consider upgrading them at a blacksmith to improve the defense.
3. Hernand Ceremonial Armor Set
The Hernand Ceremonial Guard Armor is a set of plate armor pieces that has low defense and no extra resistances or special effects. Canta armor has higher defense than some contribution items in Crimson Desert. Hernand Ceremonial Guard Armor has poor stats compared with other available options.
This armor set can be purchased from Hernand Contribution Shop inside the Hernand Castle. Make sure to equip the proper attire or progress the main quest to enter without hostility. Up to 21 Contribution points are required to purchase the chest armor from the shop, so earn them first by completing faction quests.
Best Early Game Armor Pieces
Below are the best early-game armor pieces to use during the early adventure in Crimson Desert.
1. Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom
- Defense: 3
- Attack: 0
- Lightning Res: Level 1
The Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom is a unique headgear piece that comes with decent defense in Crimson Desert. It has a free Abyss Core socket and has the Momentum Abyss Core, giving +35% slash damage in combat. Wearing the Leather Armor of the Fallen Kingdom also gives a 10% increase to silver gain. It’s not endgame-level armor, but very good for early game progression.
The Leather Helm of the Fallen Kingdom is found inside a chest at the Sanctum of Benediction in the west of Hernand. You need to locate the lantern outside the structure near the stairs to find the room with this chest. Look for chests in hidden rooms or tucked behind obstacles while exploring the Sanctum of Benediction.
2. Odeck’s Protector Plate Boots
- Defense: 5
- Attack: 16
- Attack Speed: 1
- Move Speed: 1
Odeck’s Protector Plate Boots are the heavy armor boots in Crimson Desert that come with balanced defense and stats. This set’s individual pieces have higher stats than standard armor. It has two free Abyss Core sockets with an Aegis II and Haste I, reducing the effectiveness of incoming damage and increasing your movement speed. This armor piece provides the strongest early footwear stats, making it an excellent choice in the early game.
Odeck’s Protector Plate Boots are located inside the treasure chest inside the Sanctum of Temperance. You can get it from the lowest area of the Sanctum of Temperance, so make sure to explore dungeons and sanctums thoroughly.
3. Sunset Reed Cloth Gloves
- Defense: 1
- Attack: 11
- Attack Speed: 1
The Sunset Reed Cloth Gloves are a unique armor piece that unlocks the Slashing Reed skill in Crimson Desert. This armor piece also has two open Abyss Core sockets, allowing you to customize it for better stats. It has special inherent bonuses or effects that make it an excellent choice for players in the early game. This unique glove is best for players who prefer unique bonuses and build variety.
Sunset Reed Cloth Gloves can only be obtained by defeating Reed Devil during Chapter 3 while completing The Face Behind the Mask. After defeating the boss, the gloves might not immediately show up in your equipped inventory. You can find it in your personal storage box, so make sure to check it.
4. Blackwing Leather Armor
- Defense: 12
- Attack: 0
- Move Speed: 1
- Lightning Res: Level 1
Blackwing Leather Armor is a unique leather chest armor piece that comes with three Abyss Core sockets, allowing you to customize it in the early game. It comes from story progression or specific boss rewards, making them distinct in appearance. Leather armor balances mobility and protection, making it useful if you prefer agile combat.
The Blackwing Leather Armor in Crimson Desert can be gained by defeating the Crowcaller in Chapter 5 while completing Black and White quest. Collecting the rest of the Blackwing pieces makes your build stronger and defensive, letting you survive the tougher fights.
5. Plate Cloak of the Shadows
- Defense: 3
- Attack: 0
- Fire Resistance: level 7
The Plate Cloak of the Shadows is a unique cloak that has better defensive stats and resistances than other armor pieces. It has a distinctive dark look and comes with Abyss gear effects or good resistances. You can find the Plate Cloak of the Shadows from inside the Hoenmark Ruins in Crimson Desert. This ruin is located at the north of the “H” in Hernand. Before moving inside this area, collect food or armor that is resistant to ice.
Clearing the flying foes in this ruin or avoiding them by rushing towards the target spot. Go all the way to the rooftop on the left side and use the Force Palm to swap the tiles after finding a snowy brick tile. Move down into the hidden room and open the treasure chest to find the Plate Cloak of the Shadows.
