This guide covers the 5 best heavy armor sets in LotF 2023 and tips for using each one effectively, as well as how to find them!

Top 5 Best Heavy Armor Sets in Lords of the Fallen 2023

Choosing the right armor set in Lords of the Fallen can make or break your character build. Heavy armor offers the best protection against enemy attacks but also comes with drawbacks like increased equip load and slower dodge rolls. Whether facing hordes of demons or challenging powerful bosses, heavy armor provides the protection needed to withstand punishing attacks in Lords of the Fallen. While heavier armor restricts your maneuverability, it allows you to take hits that would easily kill a lightly armored character. In this guide, we will discuss the top 5 best heavy armor sets in the game and how you can leverage their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses.

1. Calcatrix Armor

The Calcatrix set is found very early in the game and remains a viable option even in late-game areas. It provides excellent physical defense while keeping the equip load low enough to maintain medium rolls. Each piece gives armor, vitality, and resistance. The chest piece also boosts equip load, counteracting the set's overall low weight.

Calcatrix allows players new to LoF to familiarize themselves with heavy armor without being burdened by its handling penalties. Its resistance also makes it well-suited to many early bosses. Farm Calcatrix warriors in the Fortress of Arans to collect the full set. With its balanced stats, Calcatrix remains a solid all-rounder set even after finding heavier options.

How To Find Calcatrix Armor: Found early in the Fortress of Arans area. Farm the Calcatrix warriors patrolling outside and inside the fortress to collect the full set. Individual pieces have a decent drop rate, so collecting the set doesn't take long.

2. Trinity Armor

While heavier than Calcatrix, Trinity armor boosts physical defense to new heights. Found in Volcanic Ravine, each glowing blue piece increases armor and vitality significantly over similar-level light sets. Trinity also features better fire and lightning resistance than most heavy armor.

Trinity's higher equip load means fat rolling instead of medium, so you'll need to invest points in Endurance. However, its amazing mitigation against physical and elemental damage more than makes up for the mobility loss. Trinity remains a top-tier choice against melee enemies throughout the entire game. Just be wary of bosses with slow, telegraphed attacks to avoid getting caught in long recovery animations.

How To Find Trinity Armor: Head to the Volcanic Ravine region, accessible after defeating the first boss. Farm the Trinity enemies - large golems made of rock and flames. Check in particular the area right before the Ravine Tower bonfire, where several Trinity enemies respawn reliably. The full set may take a while to collect from random drops.

3. Mystic Armor

Appearing crystalline and ornate, Mystic armor offers high magic defense alongside physical mitigation. Found in Etherwood, each piece focuses more on mana reserves than stats like vitality. Mystic is thus best used by battlemage builds that rely on both weapon skills and spells.

Mystic's lower equip load than Trinity allows medium rolls when optimized. It also provides high resistance against fire, ice, lightning, and magic damage - invaluable against late-game elemental bosses and enemies. Just be aware of Mystic's lower armor ratings; it works best when paired with a shield or when fought at range using spells.

How To Find Mystic Armor: Found in the Etherwood region, accessible after completing Volcanic Ravine. Farm Mystic patrons - floating magical enemies - throughout Etherwood. The Mushroom Tree bonfire site has several patrons near it for repeat farming. Like Trinity, RNG can require many runs to collect the whole Mystic set.

4. Judgement Armor

One of the heaviest full sets, Judgement armor projects an intimidating aura befitting its name. Pieces are earned by defeating bosses, making this an end-game goal for dedicated tank builds. Judgement boosts vitality and armor more than any other heavy set while also increasing strength.

Judgement's immense defenses come at the cost of heavy equip loads. Plan to two-hand weapons and focus on blocking rather than dodging with this set. It turns the player into a near-unstoppable juggernaut though, able to facetank all but the strongest blows. Judgement remains the pinnacle of heavy armor protection long after completing the main story.

How To Find Judgement Armor: Pieces are rewards for defeating tough late-game/NG+ bosses. No direct farming - just progress through the game and boss rush modes. Acquiring the full set requires beating multiple playthroughs.

5. Atlas Armor

Forged from the remains of a colossal cursed being, Atlas armor splits the difference between offense and defense. It was designed not only to withstand tremendous damage but to deal damage of its own through built-in weapon skills.

Found in various Ng+ areas, Atlas armor increases strength and vitality on par with Judgement while also boosting skill damage. Unlike other heavy sets, it focuses on boosting a specific weapon skill over general armor levels. Atlas thus enhances specialized builds centered around chosen skills. Its lighter weight also permits medium rolls for its high defenses.

Overall, Atlas armor makes for a hybrid damage-soaking tank. Whether bashing foes with shield skills or cleaving them with two-handed weapons, this adaptive set enhances both roles.

How To Find Atlas Armor: Pieces found throughout NG+ and boss rush modes in random rare drops. Farming powerful late-game enemies or bosses is the best way to try and slowly collect the Atlas set over time.

Mastering Heavy Armor

To get the most out of heavy armor overall, invest skill points into Endurance for stamina and equip load. Equip load-boosting accessories like Blessed Bracers also help offset weight. Consider two-handing weapons for their damage bonuses and replace dodging with blocking using a shield.

Manage stamina well during fights by blocking sparingly and only dodging when absolutely necessary. Make the most of recovery frames after attacks by enemies to heal safely. Against fast enemies, create distance before drinking potions. With practice, heavy armor can transform players into seemingly indestructible juggernauts.

Lords of the Fallen offers heavy armor sets suitable for all stages and styles of play. From modest defensive options like Calcatrix to massive immunity grants like Judgement, experiment to find your preferred protection-to-mobility ratio. With smart leveling, equipment selection, and tactical thinking in boss fights, heavy armor tanks can overcome any challenge the game presents.