Surviving the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout 4 requires having the best gear, especially when it comes to armor. With deadly enemies around every corner, choosing the right protection can mean the difference between life and death.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover 20 of the best armors in Fallout 4, detailing their stats, unique properties, locations, and how to obtain them. Whether you prefer agile leathers, sturdy metals, high-tech synth suits, or mighty power armors, you‘ll find optimal choices for any playstyle.
Best Regular Armor
DC Guard Armor
For early game, the DC Guard Armor provides a decent 68 Damage Resistance and 43 Energy Resistance. As the name suggests, it‘s commonly worn by Diamond City Security and is relatively easy to obtain by pickpocketing or eliminating a guard.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 68
- Energy Resistance: 43
- Weight: 17
- Value: 55
Combat Armor
Found on high-level enemies like Gunners, the Combat Armor has multiple variants offering 59-101 Damage and Energy Resistance. The sturdy and heavy sets provide the best well-rounded protection.
Stats by Variant:
- Standard
- Damage/Energy Resist: 59
- Weight: 22
- Sturdy
- Damage/Energy Resist: 75
- Weight: 31.7
- Heavy
- Damage/Energy Resist: 101
- Weight: 45.5
Operator‘s Armor
Exclusive to the Nuka-World DLC, the Operator‘s Heavy Armor grants a full 127 Damage and Energy Resistance with high durability. You‘ll have to eliminate Operators to collect a full set however.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 127
- Energy Resistance: 127
- Weight: 109
- Value: 514
Best Unique Armor
Silver Shroud Costume
This stylish armor from the Silver Shroud quest provides solid resistances while boosting Agility and Perception. As a bonus, damage from humans is reduced by 15%. It‘s an excellent choice for stealthy melee builds.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 0-87
- Energy Resistance: 15-87
- Weight: 2-7
- Value: 40-1000
Marine Armor
The impressively strong Marine Armor has a whopping 158 Damage and 95 Energy Resistance. It‘s the best non-power armor set in Fallout 4 and a key reward for completing the Far Harbor DLC.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 158
- Energy Resistance: 95
- Weight: 59
- Value: 930
Mechanist‘s Armor
This unique suit from Fallout 4‘s Automatron DLC provides 72 Damage/Energy Resistance while reducing damage from robots by 15%. It has solid all-around stats and a cool cyberpunk aesthetic.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 72
- Energy Resistance: 72
- Weight: 20
- Value: 2000
Best Power Armor
Raider Power Armor
While one of the weaker sets stat-wise, Raider Power Armors are among the earliest available, providing 500 Damage and 250 Energy Resistance. Salvage what you can from slain raiders!
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 500
- Energy Resistance: 250
- Radiation Resistance: 1050
- Weight: 102
T-45 Power Armor
The T-45 strike a balance between defense and weight with 500 Damage Resistance and 310 Energy Resistance. Multiple empty frames can be found early on, letting you build and improve pieces over time.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 500
- Energy Resistance: 310
- Radiation Resistance: 1050
- Weight: 92
X-01 Power Armor
The coveted X-01 offers the overall best stats if you can reach high levels to obtain it, with Damage/Energy Resistance of 565/665. It‘s hidden inside 35 Court and requires facing tough high-level enemies.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance: 565
- Energy Resistance: 665
- Radiation Resistance: 1050
- Weight: 43
How to Choose Your Armor
With so many choices spanning regular gear, unique sets, and collective power armor pieces, choosing the right protection for your Wasteland wanderings in Fallout 4 can be daunting.
Here are some tips:
Match armor to your build: Stealth characters need lighter suits with bonuses like Silver Shroud, while tanky builds should stack the highest resistances possible.
Mix and match for optimization: Don‘t be afraid to combine your favorite helmet with mismatched chest gear and limbs! Unique Legendary armor effects are often worth using only 1 or 2 pieces.
Upgrade whenever possible: Increase defense and durability of items using Armorer perks and modding at workbenches.
Carry spare suits: Having multiple equipable suits lets you adapt to different situations. Always stash extra cores for Power Armor.
At the end of the day, choosing armor comes down to your personal playstyle and priorities. Whether you prefer matching uniforms or wild mish-mashes, the best defense is what lets you handle threats while staying true to your vision of the post-apocalypse!
