the elder scrolls v skyrim best light armor

Skyrim: The Ultimate Light Armor Tier List & Review

We will evaluate the best light armors from four perspectives: Best-in-Slot (BIS), Performance King, Early-Mid Game Transition, and Specialized Gear.

I. The BIS Artifact: Deathbrand Armor

This set is not obtained through traditional crafting but from the Dragonborn DLC. It is the absolute final answer for dual-wielding stealth builds.

• How to Get: Complete the Deathbrand questline on Solstheim, ultimately found in the treasure room of Castle Karstaag Caverns.

• Full Set Bonus (when wearing all 4 pieces):

  • Increases your carrying capacity by 40 points.

  • Increases your Armor Rating by 40 points.

  • Wielding two weapons (Dual Wielding) does 40% more damage.

  • +100 Armor Rating if wearing all pieces while your Health is low.

• Pros:

  • Unmatched DPS for Dual Wielders: The 40% damage bonus to dual-wielding is one of the most powerful offensive buffs in the game.

  • Powerful, Unique Enchantments: Pre-enchanted with incredible, non-replicable effects. No Enchanting skill required.

  • Stunning Appearance: Unique Stalhrim-and-Ebony design that looks incredibly powerful.

• Cons:

  • The base armor rating is slightly lower than fully upgraded, custom Dragonplate.

  • Effects are exclusively beneficial for dual-wielding playstyles.

• Best For: Dual-Wield Assassins and Dual-Wield Warriors as their ultimate endgame gear.

II. The Performance King: Custom-Enchanted Dragonscale Armor

If you seek the highest possible armor rating and complete enchantment customization, self-crafted and enchanted Dragonscale Armor is the undisputed king.

• How to Get:

  • Reach Smithing 100 and take the Dragon Armor perk (requires Elven or Glass Smithing first).

  • Gather materials: Dragon Scales, Dragon Bones, Leather Strips.

• Pros:

  • Highest Base Armor Rating: Dragonscale has the highest base armor in the Light Armor class, easily reaching the armor cap (567 for 80% physical damage reduction) when improved.

  • Perfect Enchantment Freedom: You can enchant it with the perfect stats for your build:

    • Stealth Archer: Fortify Archery, Fortify Sneak, Fortify Carry Weight/Health.

    • Spellsword: Fortify One-Handed, Fortify Destruction, Fortify Magicka/Health.

    • Generic: Fortify Health/Stamina, Resist Magic, Fortify Smithing/Alchemy.

• Cons:

  • Requires heavy investment in Smithing and Enchanting (the “crafting loop”).

  • The aesthetic is very distinct and may not suit all character role-playing themes.

• Best For: Any player seeking peak performance and total customization. The benchmark for raw stats.

III. Best Early-Mid Game Transition Sets

These sets will carry you comfortably through most of the game’s challenges before you acquire your endgame gear.

1. Nightingale Armor

• How to Get: Awarded by Karliah during the Thieves Guild quest “Blindsighted” (after completing “Hard Answers”).

• Pros:

  • Excellent, Balanced Enchantments: Comes pre-enchanted with Fortify Lockpicking, Fortify Sneak, Fortify One-Handed, and Frost/Shock Resistance. Exceptionally versatile.

  • Iconic and Stylish: The classic black-and-grey hooded cloak is an iconic look that holds a special place in many players’ hearts.

  • Perfect Acquisition Timing: Obtained in the mid-game and remains relevant for a very long time.

• Cons: Fixed enchantments cannot be changed. Its performance is eventually surpassed by custom-crafted sets.

• Best For: Nightblades, Stealth Archers, and Assassins as a powerful and thematic mid-game set.

2. Ancient Shrouded Armor (Improved Dark Brotherhood Set)

• How to Get: Found in a chest during the Dark Brotherhood quest “With Friends Like These…” or by completing the optional objective in “The Cure for Madness.”

• Pros:

  • Potent Assassin Bonuses: The gloves provide double backstab damage, making them BIS for daggers until Deathbrand. The cowl fortifies Archery.

  • Easy to Acquire: Obtained naturally by progressing the Dark Brotherhood questline.

• Cons: Lower overall armor rating and less versatile enchantments compared to Nightingale.

• Best For: Pure Assassins in the early-to-mid game as a powerful functional set.

IV. Specialized & Functional Sets

These armors possess unique effects that make them irreplaceable in specific scenarios.

1. The Black Guard’s Armor

• How to Get: Stolen from Glover Mallory’s house in Raven Rock after completing his quest “Paid in Full.”

• Pros:

  • The “Lazy Crafter’s” Dream: It’s a pre-upgraded Stalhrim Light Armor set, already improved to Epolic quality. This gives it one of the highest out-of-the-box armor ratings for light armor.

• Cons: No unique enchantments, just the base Stalhrim armor bonus. Must be stolen.

• Best For: Players who want high-tier light armor stats without investing heavily in Smithing.

2. Dragon Priest Masks (Head Slot)

• While not a full set, they are essential headpieces that can be mixed with any light armor.

• Top Recommendations:

  • Nahkriin (Skuldafn): Fortify Destruction and Restoration spell costs. Great for mages.

  • Krosis (Shearpoint): Fortify Lockpicking, Archery, and Alchemy. A fantastic all-around mask for thieves and archers.

  • Vokun (High Gate Ruins): Fortify Conjuration, Illusion, and Alteration. Excellent for pure mages.

Final Tier List & Recommendation Order

Final Recommendation

• For Most Players: Follow the path of Ancient Shrouded -> Nightingale -> Custom Dragonscale. This provides a smooth, powerful progression.

• For Dual-Wield Fanatics: Make Deathbrand Armor your ultimate goal. Its specialized bonus is irreplaceable.

• Remember the Armor Cap: Any armor rating beyond 567 provides no additional physical damage reduction. A fully improved Dragonscale or Deathbrand set can easily hit this cap, so the “best” armor often comes down to its unique enchantments and aesthetic appeal.

Now, Dragonborn, choose your raiment according to your path. May it serve you well on your journey to the summit of the Throat of the World!