Guide:Armor progression

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Progression in Terraria is marked by the player gaining access to new weapons, accessories, and armors. While weapons are the main determinant of combat effectiveness, armor also plays an important role by mitigating damage taken and passively boosting damage output. Choosing the ideal armor sets to use at each stage of the game is sometimes straightforward, but not always. This guide will help you decide on which armor sets to use at various points in game progression.

Especially later in the game, bonuses to melee speed, movement speed, and defense are generally not considered as impactful as direct offensive bonuses, making them a lower priority.

• Melee speed generally only affects projectile velocity and the swing speed of close-ranged weapons. Neither of those are as impactful as direct bonuses to melee damage and critical chance.
• Direct movement speed bonuses are inferior to Hermes Boots, double-jumps, and dashes when it comes to dodging attacks. Also, movement speed bonuses granted by armor pale in comparison to the +85% movement speed granted by Exquisitely Stuffed, Slice of Cake, and Swiftness Potion. Your actual mobility mainly comes from Wings.
• Defense provides fixed damage reduction, which scales poorly into endgame (especially in Expert mode). It also has a bad matchup against most enemies, since they tend to hit you infrequently for high damage.

The following listings are in rough order of decreasing viability.

Earlygame

At this point, armor serves little purpose other than to boost your defense. You may obtain up to 20 defense with metal armors such as Platinum armor, but the resources required are better spent elsewhere. It's perfectly fine to simply wear Ebonwood armor, Shadewood armor, or other basic, easy-to-craft armors until you can get your hands on a real armor set; whatever you wear at the start of the game will be replaced very quickly. More experienced players can save time by completely skipping armor in the early game, potentially even up to the Wall of Flesh battle.

If playing on a drunk world, Moon Lord Legs become the best leg armor piece to use early on. Otherwise, use whatever provides the highest defense, the most practical choices being Jungle Pants or Gladiator Leggings.

Head	Chest	Legs	Notes
All classes
Mining Helmet Ultrabright Helmet	Flinx Fur Coat	Jungle Pants	(+1 cap, 5% summon, 8 def) Practical set for exploring. Nominally a summoner set, but works well for all classes early on.
Gladiator Helmet	Gladiator Breastplate	Gladiator Leggings	(16 def) Provides high defense bonuses and knockback immunity. Can be farmed from a Hoplite Statue placed near a natural wired trap.
Mining Helmet Ultrabright Helmet	Mining Shirt	Mining Pants	(3 def) Provides 30% increased mining speed. Requires some luck with Undead Miners.
Pumpkin Helmet	Pumpkin Breastplate	Pumpkin Leggings	(10% dmg, 7 def) Earlygame set that can be used before defeating a boss during the Halloween season.
Cactus Helmet	Cactus Breastplate	Cactus Leggings	(3 def) Earlygame set that repels enemies upon making contact.
Melee
Ancient Shadow Helmet	Gi	Ancient Shadow Greaves	(5% dmg, 5% crit, 16 def) Optimal, but not very practical to obtain. Melee users should simply wear a Gi and maximize defense using the other slots.
Ranged
Fossil Helmet	Gi	Fossil Greaves	(5% dmg, 13% crit, 12 def) Maximizes ranged damage output.
Magic
Wizard Hat	Mystic Robe	Jungle Pants	(11% dmg, 22% crit, 12 def) Provides high magic bonuses, but requires some luck from the Traveling Merchant.
Wizard Hat	Diamond Robe	Jungle Pants	(5% dmg, 16% crit, 13 def) Diamond Robe is weaker but can be obtained without relying on luck.
Summon
Magic Hat	Flinx Fur Coat	Jungle Pants	(6% dmg, 12% crit, +1 cap, 5% summon, 9 def) Head and leg slots used to maximize magic damage, since there is no other summoner equipment.
Fossil Helmet	Flinx Fur Coat	Fossil Greaves	(0% dmg, 8% crit, +1 cap, 5% summon, 9 def) Head and leg slots used to maximize ranged damage, since there is no other summoner equipment.
Ancient Shadow Helmet	Flinx Fur Coat	Ancient Shadow Greaves	(1 cap, 5% summon, 13 def) Theoretically optimal set for a pure summoner since melee speed bonuses benefit whips.

Late pre-Hardmode

Sets that can be acquired after defeating at least one pre-Hardmode boss.

Head	Chest	Legs	Notes
All classes
Crimson Helmet	Crimson Scalemail	Crimson Greaves	(6% dmg, 19 def, ? regen) Classless set used to regenerate health while exploring. Works best outside of combat when standing still.
Melee
Molten Helmet	Molten Breastplate	Molten Greaves	(17% dmg, 7% crit, 25 def) Maximizes melee damage output while providing substantial defense and immunity to On Fire!.
Ranged
Necro Helmet	Necro Breastplate	Necro Greaves	(15% dmg, 10% crit, 19 def) Maximizes ranged damage output.
Magic
Wizard Hat	Mystic Robe	Meteor Leggings	(20% dmg, 16% crit, 11 def) Maximizes magic damage output.
Wizard Hat	Diamond Robe	Jungle Pants	(5% dmg, 16% crit, 13 def) Pieces interchangeable with above set for increased mana economy.
Meteor Helmet	Meteor Suit	Meteor Leggings	(27% dmg, 0% crit, 16 def) Eliminates mana cost from Space Gun and Gray Zapinator.
Summon
Obsidian Outlaw Hat	Obsidian Longcoat	Obsidian Pants	(+1 cap, 31% summon, 15 def) Provides 50% range bonus and 35% speed bonus to whips.
Bee Headgear	Bee Breastplate	Bee Greaves	(+2 cap, 23% summon, 13 def) Provides the highest bonuses to minion capacity. However, Obsidian armor's set bonus is so powerful that Bee armor is usually not worth using.

Early Hardmode

To save resources, it is recommended that you choose one early Hardmode armor set and use it until you defeat your first mechanical boss. Palladium, Orichalcum, and Titanium sets are typically preferred over Cobalt, Mythril, and Adamantite, but alternatives have been listed for players whose worlds contain Adamantite.

Past this point, enemies start dealing high enough damage that defense becomes mostly irrelevant.

Head	Chest	Legs	Notes
All classes
Crystal Assassin Hood	Crystal Assassin Shirt	Crystal Assassin Pants	(15% dmg, 15% crit, +0 cap, 15% summon) Enables dashing. Frees up accessory slot that would normally be taken by Shield of Cthulhu in Expert mode.
Melee
Mythril Helmet	Mythril Chainmail	Mythril Greaves	(17% dmg, 28% crit) Maximizes melee bonuses.
Frost Helmet	Frost Breastplate	Frost Leggings	(26% dmg, 11% crit) Provides high melee bonuses and a useful Frostburn debuff that improves visibility.
Titanium Mask	Titanium Breastplate	Titanium Leggings	(16% dmg, 15% crit) Damages and stunlocks enemies in close range.
Palladium Mask	Palladium Breastplate	Palladium Leggings	(17% dmg, 3% crit, 2 regen) Provides constant regeneration in combat.
Orichalcum Mask	Orichalcum Breastplate	Orichalcum Leggings	(11% dmg, 6% crit) Continuously fires piercing projectiles across the screen during combat. Unusually low bonuses.
Ranged
Adamantite Mask	Frost Breastplate	Mythril Greaves	(14% dmg, 31% crit) Maximizes bonuses to ranged damage and critical chance.
Adamantite Mask	Forbidden Robes	Spider Greaves	(14% dmg, 10% crit, +2 cap, 16% summon) Shirt and pants interchangeable with above set for varying degrees of summoner hybridization.
Frost Helmet	Frost Breastplate	Frost Leggings	(26% dmg, 11% crit) Provides high ranged bonuses and a useful Frostburn debuff that improves visibility.
Titanium Helmet	Titanium Breastplate	Titanium Leggings	(23% dmg, 13% crit) Damages and stunlocks enemies in close range.
Orichalcum Helmet	Orichalcum Breastplate	Orichalcum Leggings	(0% dmg, 21% crit) Continuously fires piercing projectiles across the screen during combat.
Palladium Helmet	Palladium Breastplate	Palladium Leggings	(14% dmg, 12% crit, 2 regen) Provides constant regeneration in combat.
Magic
Forbidden Mask	Forbidden Robes	Forbidden Treads	(25% dmg, 0% crit, +2 cap, 25% summon) Excellent set bonus for crowd control and killing The Destroyer.
Adamantite Headgear	Forbidden Robes	Forbidden Treads	(22% dmg, 12% crit, +2 cap, 10% summon) Higher magic bonuses than Forbidden armor, but loses the tornado set bonus.
Adamantite Headgear	Mystic Robe	Forbidden Treads	(28% dmg, 18% crit, +1 cap) Maximizes bonuses to magic damage and critical chance. Gi, Meteor Suit, Jungle Shirt can be used as substitutes in decreasing order of effectiveness.
Titanium Headgear	Titanium Breastplate	Titanium Leggings	(23% dmg, 13% crit) Damages and stunlocks enemies in close range.
Orichalcum Headgear	Orichalcum Breastplate	Orichalcum Leggings	(0% dmg, 24% crit) Continuously fires piercing projectiles across the screen during combat.
Palladium Headgear	Palladium Breastplate	Palladium Leggings	(17% dmg, 3% crit, 2 regen) Provides constant regeneration in combat.
Summon
Forbidden Mask	Forbidden Robes	Forbidden Treads	(25% dmg, 0% crit, +2 cap, 25% summon) Excellent set bonus for crowd control and killing The Destroyer. Encourages use of magic.
Obsidian Outlaw Hat	Obsidian Longcoat	Obsidian Pants	(+1 cap, 31% summon) Deals more damage than Spider armor overall when using Firecracker, despite low capacity bonuses.
Spider Mask	Spider Breastplate	Spider Greaves	(+3 cap, 28% summon) Standard option.

Pre-Plantera

Aside from Hallowed and Chlorophyte Bars, you now have access to the second tier of the Old One's Army, the rewards of which provide welcome upgrades to every class. The lopsided stat distributions of the Tavernkeep's armor sets make them excellent for hybrid sets, meaning that they are useful even if not planning to purchase a full set.

Head	Chest	Legs	Notes
All classes
Crystal Assassin Hood	Crystal Assassin Shirt	Crystal Assassin Pants	(15% dmg, 15% crit, +0 cap, 15% summon) Remains viable since it provides the longest pre-Plantera dash, and the only dash outside of Expert/Master mode.
Melee
Chlorophyte Mask	Monk's Shirt	Squire's Greaves	(36% dmg, 21% crit, +0 cap, 35% summon) Provides the highest melee bonuses available.
Hallowed Mask	Hallowed Plate Mail	Hallowed Greaves	(17% dmg, 17% crit) Periodically dodges incoming attacks.
Turtle Helmet	Turtle Scale Mail	Turtle Leggings	(14% dmg, 12% crit) Provides raw defense and 15% damage reduction, which holds up better against repeated hits.
Ranged
Hallowed Helmet	Hallowed Plate Mail	Hallowed Greaves	(22% dmg, 15% crit) Periodically dodges incoming attacks.
Hallowed Helmet	Huntress's Jerkin	Spider Greaves	(35% dmg, 8% crit, +1 cap, 26% summon) Loses Holy Protection, but gains bonuses to ranged and summoning.
Hallowed Helmet	Huntress's Jerkin	Mythril Greaves	(35% dmg, 18% crit, +0 cap, 20% summon) Loses Holy Protection, but maximizes ranged bonuses.
Frost Helmet	Frost Breastplate	Frost Leggings	(26% dmg, 11% crit) While not as powerful for pure ranged, Frostburn is still convenient for providing light and spreading damage across multiple enemies.
Magic
Hallowed Headgear	Hallowed Plate Mail	Hallowed Greaves	(19% dmg, 19% crit) Periodically dodges incoming attacks.
Hallowed Headgear	Forbidden Robes	Apprentice's Trousers	(12% dmg, 32% crit, +1 cap, 20% summon) Loses Holy Protection, but gains bonuses to magic and summoning.
Hallowed Headgear	Chlorophyte Plate Mail	Apprentice's Trousers	(17% dmg, 39% crit) Loses Holy Protection, but maximizes magic bonuses.
Summon
Hallowed Hood	Hallowed Plate Mail	Hallowed Greaves	(+3 cap, 17% summon) Periodically dodges incoming attacks. Favors Blade Staff due to low damage bonuses.
Obsidian Outlaw Hat	Obsidian Longcoat	Obsidian Pants	(+1 cap, 31% summon) Remains the strongest offensive set when using whips.
Squire's Great Helm	Squire's Plating	Squire's Greaves	(15% dmg, 15% crit, +0 cap, 30% summon, 2 regen) Decimates crowds of enemies when used with Ballistas. Encourages use of melee.

Pre-Betsy

While Plantera and Golem provide separate advancements to game progression when defeated, they are treated as one milestone by this guide due to their similar difficulty level. At this point, you would be expected to have defeated Duke Fishron, Martian Madness, and the Pumpkin Moon. The Xeno Staff, Desert Tiger Staff, and Spooky Breastplate in particular provide a noticeable power boost to hybrid summoners.

Those who have stockpiled a large supply of Defender Medals prior to defeating Golem can skip to the next section.

Head	Chest	Legs	Notes
Melee
Chlorophyte Mask	Monk's Shirt	Squire's Greaves	(36% dmg, 21% crit, +0 cap, 35% summon) Highest raw melee bonuses available.
Hallowed Mask	Spooky Breastplate	Squire's Greaves	(10% dmg, 25% crit, +2 cap, 26% summon) Hybrid summoner that benefits from Ichor, Vampire Knives, and speed-increasing whips.
Beetle Helmet	Beetle Shell	Beetle Leggings	(11% dmg, 5% crit) Reduces damage taken by up to 45% every 3 seconds, but offensive bonuses are extremely poor.
Beetle Helmet	Beetle Scale Mail	Beetle Leggings	(14-44% dmg, 8% crit) Ideal for builds that depend on melee speed.
Squire's Great Helm	Squire's Plating	Squire's Greaves	(15% dmg, 15% crit, +0 cap, 30% summon, 2 regen) For use against the Old One's Army, paired with Ballistas.
Ranged
Shroomite headpiece	Shroomite Breastplate	Mythril Greaves	(13% dmg x1.15, 28% crit) Slightly stronger than full Shroomite when not using stealth.
Shroomite headpiece	Shroomite Breastplate	Spooky Leggings	(13% dmg x1.15, 18% crit, +1 cap, 11% summon) Extra minion compensates for loss of ranged crit.
Shroomite headpiece	Huntress's Jerkin	Spooky Leggings	(20% dmg x1.15, 5% crit, +1 cap, 31% summon) Slightly weaker ranged bonuses, but provides substantially stronger minions.
Hallowed Helmet	Hallowed Plate Mail	Hallowed Greaves	(22% dmg, 15% crit) Periodically dodges incoming attacks.
Huntress's Wig	Huntress's Jerkin	Huntress's Pants	(20% dmg, 10% crit, +0 cap, 30% summon) For use against the Old One's Army, paired with Explosive Traps.
Magic
Spectre Hood	Spectre Robe	Spectre Pants	(-25% dmg, 7% crit) Reduces magic damage, but grants near-immortality as long as you can manage your mana.
Spectre Mask	Spectre Robe	Spectre Pants	(25% dmg, 17% crit) Set bonus provides large amounts of extra burst damage. Can be switched to/from Spectre Hood very quickly.
Hallowed Headgear	Spooky Breastplate	Apprentice's Trousers	(12% dmg, 32% crit, +2 cap, 21% summon) A minion-based alternative to Spectre Mask. Switching to the Spectre Hood is not possible without deleting minions.
Hallowed Headgear	Hallowed Plate Mail	Hallowed Greaves	(19% dmg, 19% crit) Periodically dodges incoming attacks.
Summon
Spooky Helmet	Spooky Breastplate	Spooky Leggings	(+4 cap, 58% summon) Maximizes offensive capabilities.
Hallowed Hood	Hallowed Plate Mail	Hallowed Greaves	(+3 cap, 17% summon) Periodically dodges incoming attacks. Favors Blade Staff due to low damage bonuses.

Pre-Lunar Events

With the Old One's Army vanquished and a good supply of Defender Medals in your pocket, you can now purchase the best armor available before challenging the Lunar Events. The most notable of these armor pieces is the Valhalla Knight's Breastplate, which noticeably increases the survivability of all classes; it restores 240 health in 1 minute, which is more than a Super Healing Potion can heal in the same amount of time.

Head	Chest	Legs	Notes
Melee
Shinobi Infiltrator's Helmet	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Valhalla Knight's Greaves	(20% dmg, 20% crit, +0 cap, 70% summon, 4 regen) Increases sentry capacity while providing decent melee bonuses and regeneration.
Chlorophyte Mask	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Valhalla Knight's Greaves	(16% dmg, 26% crit, +0 cap, 50% summon, 4 regen) Forgoes sentries for slightly higher melee bonuses and defense.
Chlorophyte Mask	Monk's Shirt	Valhalla Knight's Greaves	(36% dmg, 26% crit, +0 cap, 40% summon) Forgoes regeneration to maximize melee bonuses.
Shinobi Infiltrator's Helmet	Spooky Breastplate	Valhalla Knight's Greaves	(20% dmg, 20% crit, +2 cap, 51% summon) Forgoes regeneration to maximize minion- and sentry-based offense.
Beetle Helmet	Beetle Shell	Beetle Leggings	(11% dmg, 5% crit) Reduces damage taken by up to 45% every 3 seconds, but offensive bonuses are extremely poor.
Ranged
Shroomite headpiece	Red Riding Dress	Red Riding Leggings	(25% dmg x1.15, 15% crit, +0 cap, 50% summon) Highest DPS available for pure ranged.
Red Riding Hood	Red Riding Dress	Red Riding Leggings	(25% dmg, 20% crit, +0 cap, 60% summon) Extreme buff to Explosive Trap firing speed makes this optimal for Old One's Army and invasion events.
Shroomite headpiece	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Red Riding Leggings	(0% dmg x1.15, 15% crit, +0 cap, 55% summon, 4 regen) Survival-focused.
Shroomite headpiece	Red Riding Dress	Spooky Leggings	(25% dmg x1.15, 5% crit, +1 cap, 36% summon) Hybrid summoner.
Shroomite headpiece	Spooky Breastplate	Red Riding Leggings	(0% dmg x1.15, 10% crit, +2 cap, 36% summon) Hybrid summoner with even more minion investment.
Magic
Spectre Hood	Spectre Robe	Spectre Pants	(-25% dmg, 7% crit) A fallback option for rapidly healing yourself and your teammates.
Spectre Mask	Spectre Robe	Spectre Pants	(25% dmg, 17% crit) Set bonus provides large amounts of extra burst damage. Can be switched to/from Spectre Hood very quickly.
Hallowed Headgear	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Dark Artist's Leggings	(12% dmg, 37% crit, +0 cap, 50% summon, 4 regen) Offers a combination of survivability and damage.
Spectre Mask	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Dark Artist's Leggings	(10% dmg, 35% crit, +0 cap, 50% summon, 4 regen) Provides slightly lower offensive stats, but the same mana economy and substantially higher defense.
Hallowed Headgear	Spooky Breastplate	Dark Artist's Leggings	(12% dmg, 37% crit, +2 cap, 31% summon) All-out offensive hybrid set with extra minions.
Spectre Mask	Dark Artist's Robes	Dark Artist's Leggings	(20% dmg, 35% crit, +0 cap, 45% summon) Greatly reduces mana cost, especially when using low-cost weapons like Razorpine and Laser Machinegun.
Dark Artist's Hat	Spooky Breastplate	Dark Artist's Leggings	(15% dmg, 25% crit, +2 cap, 46% summon) Invests more into minions and sentries.
Summon
Spooky Helmet	Spooky Breastplate	Spooky Leggings	(+4 cap, 58% summon) Maximizes offensive capabilities.
Spooky Helmet	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Spooky Leggings	(+2 cap, 52% summon, 4 regen) Sacrifices 2 minions for extra regeneration.
Shinobi Infiltrator's Helmet	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Spooky Leggings	(20% dmg, 0% crit, +1 cap, 61% summon, 4 regen) Sentry-based set. Use with Frost Hydra/Queen Spider and melee weapons.
Squire's Great Helm	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Spooky Leggings	(+1 cap, 41% summon, 6 regen) Invests entirely into regeneration.

Endgame

All Luminite-tier armors are the best offensive armors for their respective classes (aside from Solar Flare armor, which offers a combination of offense and defense). However, the Valhalla Knight's Breastplate can still be worn by ranged users and summoners, who do not receive any defensive benefits from their respective endgame armors.

Head	Chest	Legs	Notes
Melee
Solar Flare Helmet	Solar Flare Breastplate	Solar Flare Leggings	(29% dmg, 26% crit, 3 regen) Offers almost as much regen as the Valhalla Knight's Breastplate, and provides decent offensive bonuses and damage reduction on top of that.
Shinobi Infiltrator's Helmet	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Stardust Leggings	(20% dmg, 0% crit, +2 cap, 72% summon, 4 regen) Defensive summoner hybrid that uses both summons and sentries.
Shinobi Infiltrator's Helmet	Monk's Shirt	Valhalla Knight's Greaves	(40% dmg, 20% crit, 60% summon) Offensive set focused on using endgame sentries.
Solar Flare Helmet	Solar Flare Breastplate	Valhalla Knight's Greaves	(29% dmg, 46% crit, 2 regen) Specialized entirely towards dealing melee damage.
Ranged
Vortex Helmet	Vortex Breastplate	Vortex Leggings	(36-116% dmg, 27-47% crit) Immense DPS when stealthed, at the cost of horizontal acceleration (unless using Soaring Insignia). Appreciates teammates that can draw aggro.
Shroomite headpiece	Red Riding Dress	Stardust Leggings	(25% dmg x1.15, 5% crit, 2 cap, 47% summon) Maximizes non-stealthed total DPS when combined with Stardust Dragon.
Shroomite headpiece	Red Riding Dress	Vortex Leggings	(33% dmg x1.15, 13% crit) Maximizes non-stealthed ranged DPS.
Shroomite headpiece	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Vortex Leggings	(8% dmg x1.15, 13% crit, 30% summon, 4 regen) Survival-focused.
Magic
Nebula Helmet	Nebula Breastplate	Nebula Leggings	(26-71% dmg, 16% crit, 0-9 regen) Provides immense damage and regeneration bonuses to yourself and your teammates.
Hallowed Headgear	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Dark Artist's Leggings	(12% dmg, 37% crit, 0 cap, 50% summon, 4 regen) For use in multiplayer if you already have a teammate using Nebula armor for the +45% damage boost.
Hallowed Headgear	Stardust Plate	Dark Artist's Leggings	(12% dmg, 37% crit, 2 cap, 44% summon) Similar to the above, but specialized entirely towards dealing damage.
Spectre Hood	Spectre Robe	Spectre Pants	(-25% dmg, 7% crit) Remains mildly useful for pinch healing, with the highest healing potential (36/30 health per second).
Summon
Stardust Helmet	Stardust Plate	Stardust Leggings	(5 cap, 66% summon) Maximizes offensive capabilities.
Shinobi Infiltrator's Helmet	Stardust Plate	Stardust Leggings	(20% dmg, 0% crit, 4 cap, 64% summon) Sentry-based summoner. Encourages use of melee.
Squire's Great Helm	Valhalla Knight's Breastplate	Stardust Leggings	(2 cap, 52% summon, 6 regen) Full-time Vampire Knives spammer carried entirely by summons.