In the challenging world of Dark Souls 3, choosing the right armor set can make all the difference in surviving enemy encounters. For heavy armor builds that prioritize defense over mobility, high physical damage absorption and poise are essential.
After extensive testing across multiple playthroughs, I‘ve identified the top 6 heavy sets that provide the best protection and fashion in Dark Souls 3. Here they are, ranked from my personal favorite to the very best overall.
6. Black Iron Set
Where to Find It: Defeat Knightslayer Tsorig in Smoldering Lake, then purchase from Shrine Handmaid.
Stats:
- High physical damage absorption
- Good dark damage resistance
- Decent bleed and frost resistance
- Weight – 41.0
Knightslayer Tsorig‘s armor oozes intimidation, rivaling the mighty Gundyr‘s set in sheer aesthetic appeal. In addition to great looks, it provides reliable defense against physical attacks and dark magic alongside high poise. The weight may seem excessive, but Tsorig‘s protection cannot be denied.
5. Iron Dragonslayer Set
Where to Find It: Defeat the Iron Dragonslayer in The Ringed City DLC.
Stats:
- Great physical defense
- High magic resistance
- Low curse resistance
- Weight – 46.4
Originally an empowered version of Dragonslayer Armour meant to halt the Ashen One‘s progress in The Ringed City, its armor set has formidable defensive abilities. It lacks powerful curse resistance but provides stellar protection against physical damage and spells, cementing its heavy armor status.
4. Dragonslayer Set
Where to Find It: Defeat the Nameless King in Archdragon Peak.
Stats:
- Great lightning and magic resistance
- High physical damage absorption
- Low curse resistance
- Weight – 38.6
Worn by Dragonslayer Ornstein in service of the Nameless King, this iconic armor set has remarkable magic and lightning defenses alongside solid physical protection. Its relatively lower weight makes it easier to incorporate into builds compared to other heavy sets.
3. Havel‘s Set
Where to Find It: Kill Havel at Archdragon Peak, then collect set near Stray Demon arena in Farron Keep.
Stats:
- Extremely high physical damage absorption
- Great magic and fire resistance
- High poise
- Weight – 57.0
The legendary Havel‘s set makes no compromises with its formidable stats. Offering the mightiest physical protection in the game alongside impressive elemental defenses and poise, it epitomizes the heavy armor playstyle. However, its massive weight requires extensive vitality and Havel‘s Ring to stay under 70% equip load.
2. Lothric Knight Set
Where to Find It: Located throughout Lothric Castle, drops from red-eyed Lothric Knights.
Stats:
- Excellent physical damage absorption
- Good fire and lightning resistance
- High dark damage defense
- Weight – 39.0
Emblazoned with the royal Lothric crest, this armor offers formidable protection rivaling the legendary elite knight set. In addition to stout physical defense, the Lothric Knight armor has great resistances against fire, lightning, and dark, making it a superb all-around choice. Compared to other heavy sets, its weight is relatively low as well.
1. Gundyr‘s Set
Where to Find It: Defeat Champion Gundyr in Untended Graves, exchange his soul for set.
Stats:
- Great physical damage absorption
- Extremely high bleed resistance
- Good missile protection
- Weight – 40.0
- Poise – 44
Gundyr‘s armor offers the complete package with its phenomenal physical defense, massive bleed resistance, and excellent poise to hyper armor through enemy attacks. Though relatively weighty, its protection-to-weight ratio is the best of any set here. Combined with remarkable aesthetics resembling the Irythyllian knights, Gundyr‘s set earns the top spot as the #1 pick among these heavy armors.
While the sets above provide tremendous defensive ability, they come at the cost of mobility and stamina regeneration due to high weight. By leveling the proper stats and using appropriate rings, you can negate these penalties to become an unstoppable heavy juggernaut.
Stats to Focus On
Vitality – Increases equip load to wear heavier armor while staying under 70% to avert fat rolling. Shoot for at least 30-35 points.
Endurance – Boosts stamina and equip load further. Get this to 40 points eventually.
Strength – Scales well with heavier weapons like greatswords and greathammers. Level this aggressively depending on your weapon choice.
Helpful Rings
Havel‘s Ring – Greatly increases equip load to accommodate heavy sets. Havel‘s +3 version adds a whopping 18%!
Ring of Favor – Good boosts to health, stamina, and equip load. Perfect for bulking up heavy armor tanks.
Prisoner‘s Chain – Provides vitality, endurance, and vitality for using heavy gear. Offsets the damage absorption decrease with innate armor defense.
Chloranthy Ring – Speeds up stamina recovery to continually block, attack, and dodge despite heavy equip load.
By optimizing your build as shown above, the heavy sets here allow you to laugh off lethal blows while obliterating enemies with your weapon of choice. Charge bravely into battle and claim victory!
I hope this guide gives you a detailed overview on Dark Soul 3‘s most powerful heavy armor sets and how to utilize them effectively. Let me know in the comments if you have any other great heavy sets to recommend!
