Summary
- Don't underestimate Magic in Elden Ring, it can be a game-changer in battles, especially against strong PvP opponents relying on sorcery.
- Be prepared with Magic-resistant gear, with lighter armors offering higher Magic defense and various armor sets to choose from.
- Consider armor sets like Noble's, Mushroom, or Lionel's for Magic defense, offering protection against dangerous enemies and PvP opponents.
The Elden Ring community considers Magic as the game's easy mode with overpowered spells like Comet Azur and other ranged options. Unfortunately, that goes both ways. Enemies that use Magic or deal Magic damage in Elden Ring can often spell doom, especially for hapless Tarnished who underestimate those Burger King nerds at Raya Lucaria Academy.
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That's why being prepared for this kind of damage usually pays. Thankfully, the game gives players tons of options when it comes to Magic-resistant gear. Some of these anti-Magic items even come in a full set and come in varying armor types for those who don't want to wear enchanted rags. So for those tired of getting figuratively sand-kicked in the face with Glintstone Pebbles, look for these armor sets.
Updated August 12, 2024 by Vlad Mazanko: Magic in Elden Ring is significantly more potent compared to older Souls games and can mean the difference between a victory or a defeat, especially against PvP opponents who heavily rely on sorcery. For this reason, acquiring the best Magic defense armor in Elden Ring becomes crucial for late-game and online play.
Magic resistance in Elden Ring is rather accessible. Generally, lighter and more fragile armors provide higher Magic resistance. There's no shortage of this type of armor. To help players make more informed choices, additional Magic-resistant armor introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has been added to this list, ensuring that players won't be unprepared against the most dangerous new bosses.
21 Noble's Set
Magic Defense: 26.1
- Location: Found in the fire in the middle of a circle at East Windmill Pasture in Altus Plateau
- Physical Defense: 11.9
- Poise: 21
- Weight: 14.0
The 
Noble's Set is usually only popular for its navy blue hood but it has its uses, especially against Magic attacks. While it's severely lacking in the physical mitigation department or even in Poise, it's a great armor for tanking some light but damaging Magic attacks.
This makes the Noble's set a good option for those looking to cut their weight down to a fast or light roll. It's also very easy to find. Players don't even have to fight for this armor set. They can just grab it and run away from its guards.
20 Bull-Goat Set
Magic Defense: 26.1
- Location: Defeat Great Horned Tragot in Magma Wyrm boss room in Ruin-Strewn Precipice (accept Patches' Volcano Manor quest first)
- Physical Defense: 38.5
- Poise: 100
- Weight: 63
It's definitely not the first thing that comes to mind when picking mage armor, but the 
Bull-Goat Set goes all-in on every aspect of defense. It also cranks up the weight all the way to 63, making it the heaviest armor in the game.
Still, it's great for both tanky melee builds and tanky battlemages alike. The astronomical Poise value means players can keep attacking or casting against any Magic-user enemy. The weight problem can easily be fixed through some talismans or a Wondrous Physick Mix.
19 Mushroom Set
Magic Defense: 26.1
- Location: Lake of Rot for the helmet, Seethewater Cave in Mt. Gelmir for the rest
- Physical Defense: 12.5
- Poise: 11
- Weight: 12.1
If players can get past the goofiness of this armor, wearing it has its rewards. Because the helmet is almost mandatory for anyone running a Poison build. The physical defense is not good and the Poise value is laughable but what is there to expect from an armor made out of fungus?
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At the very least, the 
Mushroom Set makes for an excellent defensive countermeasure against magically inclined enemies in PvP or against those nerds in Raya Lucaria Academy. As a bonus, players get to be as light as a pack of button shrooms.
18 Solitude Set
Magic Defense: 26.2
- Location: Kill Blackgaol Knight located in the Western Nameless Mausoleum that can be found west of the Scorched Ruins Site of Grace
- Physical Defense: 35.6
- Poise: 96
- Weight: 57.1
The 
Solitude Set, introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree, ranks among the top-tier armor in all of Elden Ring, providing excellent Poise, physical damage negation, elemental resistances, and very high Magic damage negation. These perks, however, come at the cost of the armor's heavy weight, which can be mitigated by using talismans like the Arsenal Charm, Great-Jar's Arsenal, or Erdtree's Favor. Another advantage of the Solitude Set is its appealing design, making it a popular choice for many melee builds.
To obtain the full Solitude Set, players must defeat the Blackgaol Knight in the Western Nameless Mausoleum, located in the first Gravesite Plain area of Shadow of the Erdtree. This boss wields a heavy greatsword and a repeating crossbow capable of dealing significant damage, so players may want to gather some Scadutree Blessings before engaging this formidable enemy.
17 Traveling Maiden Set
Magic Defense: 26.2
- Location: Shack of the Lofty on the frozen river in Mountaintops of the Giants
- Physical Defense: 10.7
- Poise: 21
- Weight: 11.0
While not the fanciest of them all, the 
Traveling Maiden Set is very potent armor, particularly effective against Magic and Lightning damage. Due to its very low weight, it ranks among the best armor sets in Elden Ring for elemental damage protection. Its modest appearance might not appeal to every Tarnished out there, though.
Another potential downside of this otherwise excellent set is that it's obtainable quite late in the game, only after reaching the Mountaintops of the Giants. It can be grabbed in Shack of the Lofty located on the frozen river. By this point, most players will likely have acquired several other armor sets that overshadow this simple yet effective attire.
16 Scaled Set
Magic Defense: 26.5
- Location: Defeat Old Knight Istvan near the Limgrave Colosseum as part of the Volcano Manor contract quest
- Physical Defense: 31.0
- Poise: 71
- Weight: 38
The 
Scaled Set is a more serious version of the Mushroom set for those who want armor that can actually tank multiple sources of damage. It has a lot more poise and the same Magic defense. The downside? It's a lot heavier. In fact, it's one of the heaviest medium-heavy armor sets in the game.
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It's great for players who focus on their melee builds going after Magic builds but for battlemages, there are better options out there. Still, one can't deny the Elden Bling potential of this armor. It's a little rough around the edges, at least the defenses are respectable.
15 Veteran's Set
Magic Defense: 26.5
- Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia after killing Commander Niall at Castle Sol Rooftop in the Mountaintops of the Giants
- Physical Defense: 35.5
- Poise: 80
- Weight: 45
One of the heaviest and most visually impressive armor sets in Elden Ring, the 
Veteran's Set ranks among the top choices for defense, boasting a very high Poise value despite its considerable weight. Its standout feature is the chest guard's huge, double-layered bushy cloak, which some players may find appealing. For those who prefer a different look, the armor allows for customization, including the complete removal of the oversized cape. To get this set, return to Finger Reader Enia after defeating Commander Niall in Castle Sol.
This set also pairs well with most heavy armor sets in Elden Ring, enabling players to create unique combinations. In particular, certain pieces of the Veteran's Set can seamlessly integrate with Banished Knight armor, offering a distinct blend of both styles.
14 Lionel's Set
Magic Defense: 26.5
- Location: Found near Lower Capital Church Site of Grace in Leyndell, Royal Capital
- Physical Defense: 33.5
- Poise: 86
- Weight: 50.5
Lionel's Set is one of the heaviest armor sets available in Elden Ring, weighing over 50 units. Such weight is something not every character build can afford, even though this armor provides excellent defense, especially against physical attacks. This set can be found in Leyndell, Royal Capital, exploring the building that contains the Lower Capital Church Site of Grace.
What sets it apart is its impressive Poise value, allowing its wearer to attack without being staggered by incoming blows. Its unique appearance includes a distinctive helmet and a bulky overall design, making it a favored choice for melee builds in PvP. The armor can also be customized to remove the cape, offering flexibility to suit different preferences.
13 Fire Prelate Set
Magic Defense: 26.5
- 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
Very strong against Magic and Fire damage and granting extremely high Poise, the 
Fire Prelate Set is also very heavy and may require the use of something like the Great-Jar's Arsenal talisman to be worn by some character builds. Parts of this set are randomly dropped from Prelate enemies, with the best spots for farming being Fort Laeidd in Mt. Gelmir or Guardians' Garrison in the Mountaintops of the Giants.
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This set is one of the few in Elden Ring that makes one's character appear "oversized" compared to their usual look. Some speculate that this armor's appearance is based on Dark Souls' infamous boss Executioner Smough, though there is no concrete proof of this. What is known for certain is that the Fire Prelate Set is one of the better heavy armor sets for facing bosses or enemies with dangerous Fire damage attacks.
12 Banished Knight Set
Magic Defense: 26.5
- Location: Drops from Banished Knight enemies (Stormveil Castle, Cathedral of Dragon Communion in Caelid, Castle Sol)
- Physical Defense: 35.5
- Poise: 72
- Weight: 41.6
Knight builds and melee characters aren't left behind when it comes to protecting themselves from Magical harm. The 
Banished Knight Set - one of the most beautiful armor sets in the game, is also a competent form of protection against Magic. It's also peak Elden Bling regardless of whether it's the altered or original version. Sure enough, the physical defense value is one of the highest in the game.
To obtain this armor, players will have to keep killing those Banished Knight enemies. They have a low chance of dropping the armor pieces along with their weapons. The fastest way to do this painstaking farm is by repeatedly killing the Halberd Banished Knight near the Rampart Tower Site of Grace in Stormveil Castle. The knight will be patrolling the floor below the initially inactive elevator.