Best Armor To Negate Magic Damage & Where To Find Them

Highlights

• 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

11

General Radahn Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Starscourge Radahn
• Physical Defense: 35.6
• Poise: 72
• Weight: 41.6

For those who don’t have the mental fortitude to farm the lone Banished Knight near the Rampart Tower in Stormveil Castle, this is a good alternative to the Banished Knight Set. The

General Radahn Set

has similar stats and an identical Magic defense value. The difference is that acquiring it is simpler and doesn’t rely much on low drop rates.

Players only have to kill Starscourge Radahn and go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold. She’ll be selling Radahn’s armor set to the players as part of the reward for the victory against the boss fight. Of course, Starscourge Radahn is one of the semi-mandatory bosses in the game and is located in Redmane Castle to the southeasternmost tip of Caelid.

10

Verdigris Set

Magic Defense: 26.5

• Location: Dropped by Moore either upon killing this NPC at the end of his questline at Enir-Ilim, or before, during his quest (depending on the player’s dialogue choices)
• Physical Defense: 38.5
• Poise: 100
• Weight: 61.6

One of the heaviest new armor sets added in Shadow of the Erdtree, the

Verdigris Set

offers exceptional protection against physical and elemental damage in Elden Ring, including highly effective Magic damage negation. It also provides the highest Poise available from any armor set in the game. However, these advantages come with a trade-off: only the most dedicated heavy melee builds can wear the full Verdigris Set without suffering from fat rolling.

The Verdigris Set is worn by Moore, one of the most pleasant new NPCs in the expansion, whom, unfortunately, players will need to defeat to obtain his armor. There are several ways to accomplish this during key points in his questline, so it’s recommended to consult a full guide if players want to acquire this armor quickly.

9

Astrologer’s Set

Magic Defense: 26.7

• Location: Buy from Nomadic Merchant located in Liurnia of the Lakes
• Physical Defense: 13.0
• Poise: 24
• Weight: 13.3

Turns out players don’t have to go far to look for an armor set that protects them from Magic damage. The Astrologer’s starting equipment offers plenty of that sort of protection. At a total of 29 Magic defense, it’s one of the highest in the game and even surpasses some heavier or more advanced armor.

But for those who don’t start as an Astrologer, the

Astrologer Set

can be bought from the Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes. He’s the one resting by the Liurnia Lake Shore Site of Grace. Players can easily see him from the distance coming from Stormveil Castle since his campfire raises a high and visible pillar of smoke.

8

Queen Of The Full Moon Set

Magic Defense: 26.8

• Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Rennala, the Queen of the Full Moon
• Physical Defense: 11.5
• Poise: 16
• Weight: 11.0

Then again, some players might be having trouble with Radahn since he’s a pretty tough boss. In that case, those looking for Magic defense still will be pleased to know that another (easier) semi-mandatory boss also has an armor associated with her that has high Magic defense. That would be Rennala, the Queen of the Full Moon.

She’s the main boss of the Raya Lucaria Academy area and Liurnia of the Lakes. Getting to her is simple enough and involves finding a key on the eastern side of the academy to unlock the gate barrier. After players kill Rennala, they’ll have to go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold for the

Queen of the Full Moon Set

. It has poor Physical defense and poise but makes up for it with good Magic and elemental resistance.

7

Gaius’s Set

Magic Defense: 26.9

• Location: Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold sells three pieces of the set after players defeat Commander Gaius at the back of the Shadow Keep. Gaius’s Greaves are dropped by the lone Wolf Rider enemy found in the area available to explore after defeating the boss
• Physical Defense: 30.7
• Poise: 75
• Weight: 44.3

Worn by Commander Gaius himself, this armor set is one of the strongest in Shadow of the Erdtree for Magic protection. Suitable only for heavy melee builds with enough Endurance and Equip Load to wear it comfortably, this armor also provides excellent stats for Physical and elemental damage negation, provided players can tolerate the Gaius’s Set’s unusual appearance.

To acquire

Gaius’s Set

, players must defeat Commander Gaius after exiting Shadow Keep from the back entrance, which leads to the boss’s arena. Three pieces of the set can be purchased from Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold after the victory, while Gaius’s Greaves can be collected from the lone Wolf Rider enemy lurking in the same area.

6

Black Knight Set

Magic Defense: 27.0

• Location: Parts of the set are dropped by Black Knights found only in the Land of Shadow. The easiest way to farm this set is to kill Black Knight after taking the elevator down from the Castle-Lord’s Chamber Site of Grace in Castle Ensis
• Physical Defense: 31.8
• Poise: 60
• Weight: 32.7

Beautiful, strong, but tiresome to obtain, the

Black Knight Set

is worn by the Black Knights, new enemies and minor bosses encountered throughout the Land of Shadow. With a moderate weight but potent protection stats, including some of the highest Magic damage negation available in Elden Ring, this set also offers an intimidating and respectable appearance. It can even be paired with other similarly dark-shaded armor in the game for a cohesive look.

Farming Black Knights to complete this set is no easy task, as these enemies also tend to drop Smithing Stones upon defeat. Acquiring the final piece of the set may require defeating a Black Knight quite a few times, despite having a high Discovery rating.

5

Royal Knight Set

Magic Defense: 27.6

• Location: Buy from Finger Reader Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree
• Physical Defense: 31.0
• Poise: 53
• Weight: 36.9

The

Royal Knight Set

is the one worn by the boss Loretta whose weaker phantom version resides in Caria Manor. There’s a stronger version of her in the Haligtree area. This is a late-game area and killing this original version of Loretta will unlock the armor. Again, players will simply have to kill Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree, and go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold. She’ll be selling Loretta’s armor afterward.

Getting to the Haligtree area is difficult, of course. One does not simply walk there. To unlock the whole Haligtree secret level, follow this guide. It’s an extensive quest that should take players around half the game to complete. There are lots of rewards there apart from the Royal Knight Set.

4

Dane’s Set

Magic Defense: 27.6

• Location: Found under a waterfall in an area below Bonny Village which players can reach only via Ruins of Unte by using the ladder in Shadow Keep and getting down to a teleport coffin
• Physical Defense: 11.0
• Poise: 21
• Weight: 12.1

The

Dane’s Set

is an incredibly lightweight armor that suits a wide variety of combat builds, whether melee, ranged, or magic. Despite its very low physical defense and poise due to its light weight, this set excels in elemental protection, with one of the highest Magic defenses among all the new armor sets in Shadow of the Erdtree. Additionally, the Dane’s Set has an appealing design, making it a stylish choice for many Elden Ring players.

Although the Dane’s Set is associated with Dryleaf Dane, it isn’t acquired by killing this NPC during his questline. Instead, players can obtain this set by reaching the Ruins of Unte area, accessible via a teleport coffin from Shadow Keep. The set is located in a lower area beneath Bonny Village.

3

Preceptor’s Set

Magic Defense: 28.5

• Location: Dropped by Seluvis after he dies in Seluvis’ Rise in Liurnia of the Lakes, near the end of Ranni’s questline
• Physical Defense: 12.8
• Poise: 27
• Weight: 15.9

Turns out Seluvis is also good for more than just his spells or his potion. His armor is also one of the best when it comes to defending oneself against Magic attacks. The

Preceptor’s Set

helmet also comes with the added bonus of increasing FP at the cost of Stamina so it’s a spellcaster-focused armor.

Don’t even think about killing Seluvis right away after seeing him for his armor. He just teleports away. The only sure way to get the armor is by waiting for the slimeball Seluvis to die which happens at some point near the end of Ranni’s questline. To finish Ranni’s questline, follow this guide.

Players can keep checking for Seluvis in his tower, Seluvis Rise during this quest if he kicked the bucket. Because he’ll drop his armor set along with his Bell Bearing once he’s dead.

2

Lusat’s Set

Magic Defense: 29.0

• Location: Found at Sellia Hideaway in Caelid after finishing Sellen’s questline
• Physical Defense: 15.0
• Poise: 21
• Weight: 14.3

One of the best anti-magic armor in Elden Ring is none other than Master Lusat’s robes and helmet. In addition to the Magic defense, it also boosts the Stars of Ruin sorcery which is Master Lusat’s signature spell. Unfortunately, obtaining this armor set is part of a lengthy questline involving Sorceress Sellen (found in Waypoint Ruins, Limgrave). Sellen will ask players to look for Lusat and free him. Lusat’s in a cave (Sellia Hideaway) north of the Church of the Plague hidden by a fake cliff wall.

Players will have to free Lusat and finish Sellen’s questline (making sure to take her side always). They’ll then have to come back to Lusat’s location in the Caelid cave after Sellen’s questline is finished. Lusat will have dropped

Lusat’s Set

after that point. For more details on how to finish Sellen’s questline, refer to this guide.