Skyrim | Light Armor vs. Heavy Armor
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When deciding between Light and Heavy Armor in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, there are a plethora of factors to consider. First off, check out what the high level armor sets look like. It doesn’t matter if you have the greatest armor ever created if you hate how it looks. Some “endgame” armors include Daedric, Dragonscale, Dragon Plate, and Nightingale.
Armor Rating
If you’re worried about endgame armor rating, both the best light armor and best heavy armor can reach the armor rating cap. Of course, before you get to them, the heavy armor greatly out-does light armor sets in this. If you’re playing a melee character, or any build where you anticipate you’ll be hit a lot (pretty self-explanatory), go for heavy. If you’re planning on not using a shield or restoration spells on a regular basis, heavy armor could save your life.
Stealth
This is the main difference between heavy and light armor – light armor always has an advantage in this category. Perks like Muffled Movement (noise from armor is reduced by 50%) can help a bit, but never fully make heavy armor more viable than light for sneaking. Therefore, if you’re using a sneak archer or assassin build, light armor is definitely the way to go.
Weight/Speed
Until you get the perk Conditioning (Heavy Armor 70), heavy armor will weigh far more and also slow you down. If you’re an “endgame” player, then the weight and speed difference between the armors is negligible, but if you’re concerned about being agile early on, you may prefer the light armor. If you want to strafe a lot, getting to Heavy Armor 70 can be very arduous.
Perks
The best perks in the Light Armor tree include Wind Walker (stamina regenerates 50% faster in all light armor) and Deft Movement (10% of avoiding all damage). Heavy armor has Tower of Strength (50% less stagger time in all heavy armor) and Reflect Blows (10% chance of reflecting melee attacks). Reflect Blows is obviously better than Deft Movement, as it’s the same thing, except you damage your opponents. Wind Walker vs. Tower of Strength is something you’ll have to decide for your own build. For example, wind walker would be pretty much useless for a pure mage (except for sprinting), and Tower of Strength would be impractical for an archer.
Role-playing
It’s your own game, so you can decide what to do. If it seems ridiculous for your character to be able to swim with fully Daedric Armor, or to be able to tank with Glass Armor, then plan accordingly. You could give yourself a challenge and use a light-armored warrior, or a heavy-armored assassin. You could even mix it up and use both armor types, forgoing both perk trees (although I sorta recommend against that). Don’t give up your enjoyment of Skyrim to min/max a “perfect” character; be weary of growing too overpowered. Unless that’s your kinda thing – I wouldn’t blame you. Basically, *cliché* blah blah *cliché*…. Have fun!
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Thanks for the info, John, I didn't know that! I'm using the light armor as well, it just doesn't feel quite right sprinting around at full speed in plate armor :P
Aye, I can imagine light armor being the most favoured by RPers, as they can be mobile and be protected by the few threats in their environments. Heavy RPers however will use Heavy Armor if they're city guards, mercenaries, and all that thing. ^_^
Some good info in here, ttocs. And some good advice, too! One of my characters actually switches between heavy armor and robes, if you can believe that, so you might want to include a note about what robes do for you...or, don't do, rather.
Thanks juice! I actually have switched between armor and robes too, but not very frequently (I don't really delve into enchanting, so the robes provided some stats I needed from time to time). I think that's about the only use they have (they may be more useful with Magic Resistance perk in the Alteration tree), but I'm not really sure. If I come up with enough info to add into the article, I'll do so - thanks for the heads up!
Well written as usual. I prefer light armor in every aspect: look, Mobility and awesome perks.
I have finished the game the first time and only used the heavy armour and I have to say that there is no better way then to have a reinvorced inchanted Daedric armor with a daedric axe and shield to finish the game in style. but the other armour that is also a good choice is the dragon armour or the glass armour set. happy hunting.
i made deadric better
Something I do on my Mage files is use robes with enchanted heavy armour. Gets me good mAgic, plus a workable amount of armour rating. Otherwise, I use thieves guild armour quite a bit. Never really coulld get into using heavy armour.
Thanks al though I do still find myself using potions and healing spells a lot despite wearing plated armore
With the right perks in alteration you can get an armor rating of 400 with maxed Mage armor perk and the ebony flesh spell also with dragon flesh spell I believe that's what it's called it may be dragon hide I'm not sure im on the train ATM but I digress anyway the latter spell gives you a 15 I believe chance to avoid physical damage this is only possible if you rock no armor so it's really only a choice for mages and the like but just thought I'd add it seeing it hasn't come up
JohnGreasyGamer Level 7 Commenter 5 months ago
Very nice Hub, as always. I'd also like to add that right at the beginning you're thrown into one of two major questlines - one being the main, and the other the political side of the game.
I mention this because the Stormcloaks and Human Nazis--, sorry, Empire provide different sets of enchanted armor through their questlines. The Stormcloaks will give you light armor, and the genocidal campaigners will give you Heavy armor.
I went for light armor, and though it's seen as the less durable armor, it's kept me alive and running wild. ^_^