Many players turn to Heavy Armor in Skyrim for its incredible armor rating in battle. A powerful Nord warrior wearing a full suit of Heavy Armor is something to be truly feared. There are countless pieces that can serve the player well depending on the build and playstyle.
There are some pieces that are so powerful players should consider them when deciding upon a build. These pieces provide incredible armor ratings along with helpful enchantments and special abilities. Here are arguably the best Heavy Armor pieces in the game with helpful details on how to find them.
Ironhand Gauntlets
Ironhand Gauntlets are actually enchanted Steel Nordic Gauntlets that provide the wearer with 12 armor. They come with an enchantment that Fortifies Two-Handed attacks by 15 points. It may not seem like much but two-handed weapons are among the most brutal in the game and an extra 15% damage is nothing to scoff at.
How To Get It
These Gauntlets are worn by the bandit Hajvarr Iron-Hand. He leads the bandit gang that operates out of White River Watch. To find him players must go to the White River Outlook and climb to the top of the nearby mountain.
Dukaan
The Dukaan face mask is worn by the Dragon Priest of the same name. It comes with a 23 armor rating an enchantment that Resists Frost by 50 and increases Frost Damage by 25%. The increased frost damage is only really helpful to players using frost spells or weapons. But the Resist Frost enchantment is immensely helpful as most of the more powerful foes in the game use frost attacks. Put this on a Nord and the player is effectively immune to frost damage.
How To Get It
Players will need to pry it from the face of the Dragon Priest Dukaan. He resides in the White ridge Barrow ruin in the northern edge of the map. Players will want plenty of Frost resistance when facing him.
The following quests will bring the player to this dungeon where they can face Dukaan:
- Black Book
- Lost Knowledge
- A New Order
Cuirass of the Crusader
The Cuirass of the Crusader is an ancient Relic that provides 43 armor. It comes with an enchantment that Fortifies Health by 10 and Restoration by 8. The player will be better defended, have more health, and can heal themselves more efficiently with this piece of Heavy Armor.
How To Get It
Players will need to have the Creation Divine Crusader installed. Once installed it will trigger the quest Relics of the Crusader which sends the player after this armor and it’s other parts. The exact steps are a as follows:
- Travel to Four Skull Lookout a Nordic ruin near Karthewasten east of the Blind Cliff Cave.
- Kill the Bandit Thieves wearing the Heavy set and the Reforged Light set.
Vokun
The Vokun face mask provides 23 armor when worn. The main perk is the fortification of Conjuration spells, Illusion, and Alteration magic by 20 points. This armor provides decent defense while increasing a variety of useful spells in battle. This is a great choice for Battlemage-type characters who will often use these types of spells.
How To Get It
Vokun is a tough Dragon Priest to face. He carries a powerful Staff of Fireballs that deals incredible fire damage in a large blast radius and can summon Storm Atronachs. Players are in for a tough fight if they want this piece of Heavy Armor.
If players insist on killing him they’ll need to go to the High Gate Ruins that are east of Solitude and northeast of Ustengrav. The quest A Scroll For Anska will bring the player here.
Miraak
Miraak is the facemask worn by the champion of Hermaeus Mora. The facemask provides 27 armor and comes with a Fortify Magicka by 70. This is huge for magic users as it deepens their Magicka pool. This is something Altmer-based characters or Battlemage-types will be benefited most from.
How To Get
There are a few things the player needs to do for this to appear in the game and be obtainable.
- Install the Dragonborn add-on
- Complete the main quest to confront Miraak
-
Have a higher Heavy Armor skill than Light Armor
- If Light Armor is higher or equal to Heavy Armor the facemask drops as a Light Armor piece.
- Slay Miraak and take his facemask.
Miraak is a fierce warrior that uses a variety of Dragon Shouts and spells. Players will want strong resistances to spells and elemental resistances to survive the attacks. He also possesses strong healing spells that can draw out the fight so having poison or damage over time abilities can help.