Summary
- Lightning resistance is crucial in Elden Ring, especially against late-game enemies. Armor like the Mushroom Set and Preceptor's Set offer strong protection.
- Look out for armor sets like the Solitude Set and Gaius's Set for top-tier lightning defense, making them essential for tackling tough bosses.
- Don't underestimate the importance of the right armor in Elden Ring; sets like the Omen Set and Bull-Goat Set offer the best protection against lightning.
Contrary to popular belief, lightning can strike twice in the same place, and in Elden Ring, it can strike much more than that, especially if the enemy is a cheating spammer like those late-game dragons. Against such enemies who are intent on turning the Tarnished into lightning rods, it helps to prepare some countermeasures, and armor stands out as the most accessible among these.
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Not all armor in Elden Ring is protective, of course. In fact, one might even be surprised to learn that armor sets with the most metal parts tend to make for terrible lightning insulation. That kind of adherence to elementary-level science in Elden Ring doesn't bode well for players who want to protect themselves against one of the most troublesome damage types in the game. Thankfully, these armor sets are good exceptions.
Updated on August 12th, 2024, by Vlad Mazanko: Lightning damage has always been one of the most dangerous damage types in Elden Ring. That's why lightning-resistant armor can be a literal life-saver, especially in late-game areas, where the game has more cruel surprises involving lightning.
For instance, lightning resistance is reduced when characters are wet. Therefore, equipping armor with the highest defense and good lightning resistance stats can be a crucial countermeasure in some of the game's more difficult regions. Additional armor with the highest lightning resistance available in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has been added to the list to ensure players always have the best options available to them.
21 Queen Of The Full Moon Set
Lightning Defense: 25.1
- Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Rennala, the Queen of the Full Moon
- Physical Defense: 11.5
- Poise: 16
- Weight: 11
The 
Queen of the Full Moon Set has a ridiculous headpiece and questionable physical defense, but all that is excused once players use it against mage enemies or dragons. The Queen of the Full Moon armor boasts one of the most consistently resistant stats in the game.
For that matter, it's no slouch when it comes to protecting its wearer against magic or elemental attacks. That said, players still shouldn't expect to poise through some of the toughest and heaviest lightning attacks in the game while wearing it. On the plus side, however, the armor's low weight can allow for some incredibly fast rolls.
20 Azur's Glintstone Set
Lightning Defense: 25.2
- Location: Left by Primeval Sorcerer Azur's located north of the Hermit Village in Mt. Gelmir after completing Sorceress Sellen's questline (players need to side with her)
- Physical Defense: 13.6
- Poise: 21
- Weight: 14.3
Among the mage armors in Elden Ring, Azur's Glintstone Set is one of the best options for dealing with enemies and bosses who wield Lightning damage. This armor is particularly valued by magic builds, not only for its strong defense, but also for its striking appearance, highlighted by a large green glintstone on the helmet and several smaller ones on the shoulders. Additionally, the set's crown increases the damage of powerful spells such as Comet Azur, Glintstone Cometshard, and Comet (at the cost of increased FP).
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To obtain the Azur's Glintstone Set, players must follow Sorceress Sellen's questline, siding with her, and reach Hermit Village in Mt. Gelmir, where Primeval Sorcerer Azur rests. After completing her quest, returning to this spot will reveal the full set on a cliff.
19 Veteran's Set
Lightning Defense: 25.3
- Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold after killing Commander Niall at Castle Sol Rooftop
- Physical Defense: 35.5
- Poise: 80
- Weight: 45
The Veteran's Set is a powerful and visually striking armor set in Elden Ring, offering moderate Weight and surprisingly high Poise. Its Physical and Lightning resistances are among the highest in the game, making the Veteran's Set a reliable and valuable choice for melee builds that will likely remain relevant until the end of the game.
Interestingly, the Veteran's Set is a reward for defeating Commander Niall at Castle Sol Rooftop in the Mountaintops of the Giants, one of the strongest bosses in Elden Ring who deals significant Lightning damage. After his defeat, players will need to spend some runes to purchase this set from Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold.
18 Mushroom Set
Lightning Defense: 25.3
- Location: Lake of Rot for the helmet, Seethewater Cave in Mt. Gelmir for the rest
- Physical Defense: 12.5
- Poise: 11
- Weight: 12.1
Aside from its unforgettable looks, the 
Mushroom Set is also unique because its pieces are found separately in the game. Players will find the set's crown (or its pileus?) While exploring the Lake of Rot, on a corpse hanging off the top of a column. The rest of this unusual set can be found in Seethewater Cave in Mt. Gelmir, in a cavern with a Giant Poison Flower and multiple mushroom people.
The Mushroom Set is one of the greatest in the game in terms of various elemental and status effect resistances and is often used in some of Elden Ring's most difficult areas, like the aforementioned Lake of Rot. Due to its very special looks, this armor is not too compatible with other sets in the game and is better used separately.
17 Noble's Set
Lightning Defense: 25.4
- Location: East Windmill Pasture in Altus Plateau
- Physical Defense: 11.9
- Poise: 21
- Weight: 14
As a light armor, the 
Noble's Set isn't too impressive in terms of Poise value or Physical defense, but it offers great lightning and magical defense and can be worn by almost any build with a limited equip load.
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Another feature of the Noble's Set is that it can have headbands of different colors. The default blue 
Navy Hood is found with the rest of the set in East Windmill Pasture in Altus Plateau, in the fire in the middle of a circle of dancing Celebrants. For the 
Crimson Hood, earlier worn by Roderika, players need to complete her questline, unlocking spirit tuning in Roundtable Hold. After that, return to Stormveil Castle and search for this item atop the pile of bodies of Roderika's people, where the 
Chrysalids' Memento was initially found.
16 Beast Champion Set
Lightning Defense: 25.4
- Location: Defeat Knight Bernahl in Crumbling Farum Azula near the Great Bridge Site of Grace
- Physical Defense: 33.5
- Poise: 72
- Weight: 41.6
One NPC that players meet who decides to go rogue has one of the best armor sets in the game. The lucky imposing Recusant would be 
Knight Bernahl. He'll later invade players just before the final area boss arena in Crumbling Farum Azula
This is a rather important invasion as he'll drop a trick item to help with the boss. Along with that, he'll also drop his lovely armor set and his weapon. It's also advisable to fight Bernahl before fighting the Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding Maliketh's boss room because the 
Beast Champion Set he drops has good lightning resistance.
15 Preceptor's Set
Lightning Defense: 25.5
- Location: Dropped by Seluvis after he dies in Seluvis' Rise in Liurnia of the Lakes, near the end of Ranni's questline
- Physical Defense: 12.8
- Poise: 27
- Weight: 15.9
This witching set is initially worn by 
Preceptor Seluvis and can be retrieved following Ranni's questline if the Tarnished sides with her. At one point in the story, Seluvis will die and drop the full set in Seluvis's Rise, located in Liurnia of the Lakes.
The 
Preceptor's Set is a pretty good choice for any Intelligence build in Elden Ring, as it has a light weight and grants some of the best Lightning, Fire, and Magic damage resistances in the entire game. It also looks rather stylish, with its menacing mask and wide-brimmed hat, though it can hamper the player's view.
14 Scaled Set
Lightning Defense: 25.6
- Location: Defeat Old Knight Istvan near the Limgrave Colosseum as part of the Volcano Manor contract quest
- Physical Defense: 31
- Poise: 71
- Weight: 38
The 
Scaled Set is a great choice for mid-game melee builds, offering strong Poise, solid Physical defense, and robust Lightning damage negation. With its universal corroded metal look, players can also combine parts of this set with other similar armor in the game, creating a unique knightly appearance. As with most armor in Elden Ring, players can remove the armor's cape by altering the armaments at any Site of Grace.
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To get the full Scaled Set, players need to accept the Volcano Manor assassination contract questline and then find and defeat 
Old Knight Istvan near the Limgrave Colosseum.
13 Lionel's Set
Lightning Defense: 25.6
- Location: Lower Capital Church Site of Grace in Leyndell, Royal Capital
- Physical Defense: 33.5
- Poise: 86
- Weight: 50.5
This heavy set is easy to obtain, and players don't need to fight or kill anyone to get it. It is simply discovered in Leyndell, Royal Capital, on the bed in the building with the Lower Capital Church Site of Grace.
Such armor is also worn by one of Fia's champions, but he doesn't drop this set after the fight. With its high weight, players should expect great Poise and Physical damage negation, and 
Lionel's Set doesn't disappoint. On top of that, it grants one of the best stats for lightning, fire, and magic defense, making it useful in various combat encounters.
12 Fire Prelate Set
Lightning Defense: 25.6
- Location: Drops from Prelate enemies (Fort Laeidd in Mt. Gelmir or Guardians' Garrison in the Mountaintops of the Giants)
- Physical Defense: 36.5
- Poise: 96
- Weight: 58.8
One of the heaviest armor sets in the game, the 
Fire Prelate Set grants almost unparalleled Poise and defense, not only against Physical damage but also against Lightning and Fire. It is one of the armors in Elden Ring that gives one's character an 'oversized' look.
To obtain the full Fire Prelate Set, players need to hunt for 
Prelate enemies in Elden Ring. It is recommended to boost one's Arcane stats for better results (players can use the 
Silver Tear Mask that increases Arcane by +8), or use the Silver Scarab Talisman or 
Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot. The best farming spots for this set are Fort Laeidd in Mt. Gelmir and Guardians' Garrison in the Mountaintops of the Giants.