Armor

Armor is a set of equipable defense items that reduce damage taken from enemies and most other damage sources. Armor pieces are equipped by placing them in the Armor slots of the player's inventory.

There are 36 pre-hardmode armor sets, 34 post-hardmode armor sets, 7 robes, 2 hats, and 7 miscellaneous armor pieces.

Each piece of armor has a defense statistic that reduces inflicted damage by half its value, rounded up. For example, a full set of Copper armor provides a total of 6 defense, reducing damage by 3 points. Silver armor has a total of 13 defense, reducing damage by 7 points, after having been rounded up. An attack cannot be reduced to zero; all attacks will always deal at least 1 damage, regardless of the quality of a player's armor.

In addition to the defense provided by individual Armor pieces, most Armor types provide a 'Set Bonus' when all three pieces of the same Armor type are worn simultaneously. For the basic pre-Hardmode Ore armors (Copper, Iron, Silver, Gold, Tin, Lead, Tungsten and Platinum), this is an additional defense bonus. More advanced or unique Armors can provide other specialized set bonuses.

Several accessories, like the Shackle, can also add to the player's overall Defense.

The Turtle Armor is currently the best melee armor on mobile devices.

Wearing the Hermes Boots and up while wearing the Vortex Armor's Stealth Mode, you can maintain your speed by running.

Wizard Set
Though not a traditional armor set, these hats and robes confer a set bonus when worn together.

Miscellaneous Armor
A few pieces of armor aren't part of any particular set.

Achievement
Matching Attire is the achievement you earn for wearing a full suit of armor in the armor slots (pieces do not have to be from the same set).