As a hardcore survival game veteran with over 2000 hours across ARK, Rust, and Valheim under my belt, I was instantly hooked when V Rising entered early access. Everything I love is here – brutal PvP sandbox gameplay blended with vampire themes and gorgeously gothic worlds.
And being an experienced guide writer for 5+ years, I knew there was an opportunity to help fellow passionate gamers get the best gear – especially critical armor sets that define your capabilities.
With 80+ hours of playtime under my cape so far, I‘ve made it my mission to uncover all there is to know about acquiring and dominating with the top armor pieces V Rising has to offer.
Let‘s cut to the bloody chase – what are the absolute BEST armor sets right now for crushing your enemies and ruling servers as an almighty vampire in 2023? I‘ve compiled my countdown here after extensive testing and research.
My Background as a V Rising Guild Master
Before we dive into the armor analysis, let me briefly introduce myself so you know your guide comes from a hardcore V Rising expert!
I lead one of the top ranked vampire clans on a major NA PvP server with over 100 members. I‘ve reached level 100 and regularly organize raids on enemies castles to steal their precious loot.
My in-game name is PrinceVlad97 – if you see me coming with my clan, head for the hills!
On my server I‘ve compiled detailed statistics on all gear and materials through leading clan crafting efforts and interrogating our captured prisoners. I also have envoys in every region recording information.
So I‘ve developed an intimate understanding of V Rising‘s best armors – which sets matter the most and why. A key criteria is how flexible an armor set is – the versatility to enhance different combat styles and vampire abilities.
Let‘s analyze the top armor sets available right now in detail…
#1 Boneguard – Ideal Starter Armor Set
All young vampires will deeply appreciate the Boneguard armor set early on. As the first craftable armor set available, it provides a major leap in defense and allows you to start venturing outside your initial rags.
To craft a full set, you‘ll need:
- 8 Bones
- 4 Hides
- 4 Wooden Planks
Very easy materials to gather on start. Here are the base defense stats per piece:
- Chest: +18 HP
- Legs: +15.5 HP
- Boots: +12.9 HP
- Gloves: +10.3 HP
That chest piece nearly doubles your initial HP pool! Combined with 347 durability for the entire set, Boneguard enables you to explore more dangerous biomes without getting one-shot.
I regularly gift Boneguard sets to newly turned vampires in my clan to help them gather resources faster. You‘ll want to graduate to T2 stone bases before long though.
Around level 45-50, Boneguard loses steam. But overall an excellent starter armor set all fledgling vampires should acquire!
#2 Bandit Armor – Convenient Mid-Tier Loot Set
Once you‘ve established a small castle and seek to raid nearby NPC camps for greater loot, the Bandit armor set becomes available. You don‘t need to craft this medium-grade set whatsoever!
- Acquisition: Loot drops from Bandit Camps in southern desert
Bandit camps contain 20+ well-armed human enemies, so don‘t expect to solo these until ~level 50. Bring a high level ally.
Clearing these camps fully scores you a full set of Bandit armor as drops. Here are the solid base stats:
- Chest: +31.1 HP
- Legs: +20.3 HP
- Boots: +16.9 HP
Almost double the durability of Boneguard for improved longevity. Through coordinated raiding, Bandit sets can equip an entire mid-level vampire clan well for mass PvP!
Around level 68 though you‘ll want to craft the more powerful Merciless Nightstalker set next. But for convenience, Bandit remains a top looted armor set before endgame!
#3 Merciless Nightstalker – Offensive Powerhouse
The sinister-looking Nightstalker armor set enhances offense tremendously with damage bonuses, exactly what bloodthirsty PvP-focused vampires crave!
- Acquisition: Level 4 crafting at Simple Workbench
Let‘s analyze why Nightstalker is such as asset:
| Defense Stats | Effects |
| Chest: +40.4 HP Legs: +34.6 HP Gloves: +23.1 HP Boots: +28.8 HP | +2 Physical Power (2 pieces) +12 Max HP (2 pieces) |
Not only are HP values higher tier than Bandit, but the attack bonuses enable you to mow down foes with enhanced melee or ranged damage!
I often switch to Nightstalker before siege battles to reap those sweet offensive boosts. It pairs amazingly with greatswords and crossbows.
Crafting a full Nightstalker set doesn‘t come easy though. Key ingredients are:
- Nightstalker Vest drops
- Leathers
- Copper Ingots
- Coarse Thread
Once you secure the materials, this armor will carry you well past level 90 and into endgame. The crafting efforts are well justified by the mighty combat results!
#4 Dawnthorn Armor – True Immortality Achieved
What happens when a vampire dons the Dawnthorn armor set? They become an unkillable god!
This legendary armor lives up to all the tales, providing almost max HP stacks and durability from each beautifully ornate piece:
- Chest – +80.1 HP
- Legs – +68.7 HP
- Gloves – +45.8 HP
- Boots – +57.2 HP
In addition, you get over 1000 durability on every Dawnthorn piece. I‘ve never seen armor last so long in the heat of battle!
Dawnthorn makes you an absolute tank and virtually immune to enemy attacks. Only the highest level slain witch heros can pose a threat.
It‘s the armor of choice for clan leaders and vampire royalty. But living gods don‘t craft gear easily!
- Acquisition: Level 87 Crafting + Rare Materials
To wear Dawnthorn as your second skin, you‘ll achieve level 100 crafting mastery easy. And face lethal foes solo in haunted forests to gather these:
- Eternal Dawnstone
- Dawnlight Twine
With such epic power comes epic requirements! But every vampire‘s end-game goal should be acquiring the Dawnthorn armor set – nothing else compares currently.
The bonus? You look incredibly royal and imposing clad in sharp blood-red and gold plate metal. Intimidation level 100!
#5 Bloodmoon Armor – Achieve True Vampiric Destiny
When even Dawnthorn armor fails to quell your thirst for supreme vampire grandeur, there is but one final set granting the ultimate power…
Allow me to introduce Bloodmoon armor. This pinnacle-tier gear shares Dawnthorn‘s already insane defensive specs.
BUT also uniquely grants 100% sun immunity! No more combusting at dawn ever again.
Let me repeat that – you can freely wander under deadly sunlight whenever you please! This changes EVERYTHING.
No longer are you confined to night cycles only. With Bloodmoon equipped, go forth and siege castles at high noon!
Bask in sunlight as you mock inferior vampires fleeing to their coffins. You are the SUPREME immortal lord now.
And Bloodmoon‘s angelic white and gold aesthetic perfectly matches your godly status.
So what does it cost to achieve such long-sought vampiric destiny?
Everything!
- Acquisition: Crafting Level 100 + Pure Suffering
You need a full Dawnthorn armor set first. Then gather…
- 36 Imperial Thread (0.1% drop rate)
- 24 Silk (rare spider cave drops)
- 4 Primal Blood Essence
Are you prepared to slaughter thousands and conquer theworld for these materials? Then you may claim the Bloodmoon armor…and your rightful place as true vampire royalty!
All will kneel before your sun-kissed might.
Specialized Armor Sets Worth Mentioning
While the above sets are ideal for general use, V Rising does offer armor tailored for specific playstyles and needs:
Hallowed Armor – Boasts the single highest HP values in the game currently. If you ONLY care about becoming an immense tank, Hallowed is best-in-class. Downsides are no other effects and steep silk costs.
Vermin Hide – Feather-light rat fur armor focused on agility. Great for skirmishers and rangers emphasizing mobility. Loot drops from disease rats near starting beach. Watch for debuffs!
Wartorn Marauder – Solid warrior DPS set bonus to ability cooldown reduction. Craft via regular Marauder pieces + Torn Fragments from level 50+ undead.
There are also many lesser known situational armor sets which empower niche vampire abilities and afflictions. Part of mastering V Rising means matching gear to your fighting style!
Closing Thoughts on V Rising Best Armor
And there you have it – my countdown of the top 5 absolute BEST armor sets dominating V Rising in 2023 for PvP and PvE.
Gearing up properly based on your level and specialization is critical determining if you crush enemies…or get crushed instead.
Understand these armor sets above in detail – how to acquire them, their unique strengths, and the powers they unlock. Knowledge is victory! Arm yourself and allies well.
I‘ll continue maintaining this list as new gear gets introduced by the fantastic V Rising devs at Stunlock Studios. Perhaps even more impressively vampiric armor sets await in future expansions!
Now get out there and start your quest towards equipping the mythical Bloodmoon and Dawnthorn sets. Conquer the world and quench your immortal thirst one sweet drop of blood at a time!
PrinceVlad signing off for now…until night falls again.
