
Steadfast gamers often encounter the word “melee” in their gameplay. In the dictionary, melee is a “confused fight, skirmish, or scuffle.” The world of video gaming has adopted this term and popularized it to cover all forms of close combat, particularly hand-to-hand combat.
Melee builds in “Elden Ring” focus on close-range combat, taking good advantage of weapons based on Strength and Dexterity, such as swords, hammers, or axes. These builds prioritize physical damage, stamina, and defense, often incorporating heavy armor and not relying too much on magic. Here are the best and must-wear armor sets for the game’s melee builds.
Bull-Goat Set
The Bull-Goat Set arms the player with top-notch poise and defense, making it ideal for this type of build. However, note that it requires a very high equipment load.
Grab this by defeating Great Horned Tragoth during the Patches questline. Once you do, this heavily armored set provides you with physical resistance you’ll adore.
Cleanrot Knight Set
This armor set for melee builds is also known for unwavering resistance. However, you just need a bit of patience and a reasonably high equipment load to maximize its benefits.
It is relatively elementary to get. Proceed to Aeonia Swamp in Caelid, defeat the Cleanrot Knights spawning there, and you can get the chance to loot the set’s pieces. Good luck.
Veteran Set
The Veteran Set takes pride in its excellent poise and physical defense, making it a solid and tough choice for melee builds as well.
Acquiring it is very easy. Simply defeat Commander Niall at Castle Sol in the Mountaintops of the Giants. Then, go to Enia at the Roundtable Hold to buy this Veteran Set.
Night’s Cavalry Armor
Pretty good defenses are also what the Night’s Cavalry Armor is about. It is not heavy. However, obtaining it requires some effort on your end.
First, proceed to the Consecrated Snowfield. But be sure you have the Haligtree Medallion, notably the Inner Consecrated Snowfield Site of Grace. Then, wait until nightfall to travel southwest of the Site until you get to a treasure caravan. Guarding it are two Night’s Calvary guards. Now, you must defeat one at a time. The armor set gets dropped only after the last guard falls.
Radahn’s Set
Ah, an armor set from a very familiar name in the game. Radahn’s Set is capable of offering high levels of defenses and strengths, which is perfect for melee builds, too. When you have this set, you’re after excellent protection and a striking appearance.
Obtain this by defeating Starscourge Radahn in Caelid’s Redmane Castle. Enia will make it available to purchase at the Roundtable Hold after the battle.
Royal Remains Set
The Royal Remains Set isn’t only popular but also strikingly beautiful. However, its physical resistances are slightly lower than other starting sets, but you’ll love this set’s weight, poise bonuses, and passive ability.
In times when you’re done and have very low health, this set can regenerate your health, albeit slightly, which could save you a run. This set will be up for your grabs before beating Margit, the Fell Omen, considering you skip Stormveil Castle through the hidden passageway north of Stormveil Shack.
Banished Knight Set
The Banished Knight Set also excels in great defense and poise, making it strong for melee builds as well. With its well-rounded stats and immeasurable protection, this set is a top choice, provided they can manage its weight well. Those who want a balance of durability and mobility during combat will also benefit from this set.
To acquire it, defeat Banished Knights loitering in Stormveil Castle or Castle Sol. Be patient, though, as drops of this set can be random. Strategize.
Crucible Axe Set
As you progress into “Elden Ring,” you’d want sets that offer more resistance, more poise, and more equipment to pair with the higher Endurance you have at this point.
Upon racing the Altus Plateau past the Grand Lift of Dectus, look for Azura’s Hero’s Grave north of the Leyndell capital city.
Once there, you will take on another variant of a Crucible Knight you’ve fought earlier in the game, but it’s Crucible Knight Ordovis this time. He must be defeated to obtain the Crucible Axe Set.
Scaled Set
Simple with the name, but deadly. Solid defense and resistance are the primary offers of this set, making it ideal for melee builds as well. Obtain this by defeating Old Knight Istvan as you tackle the Volcano Manor questline.
Its rugged layout and balanced protection offer a good physical and elemental defense blend. There’s a prerequisite, though. Be sure you possess a decent equipment load to manage its weight, and this armor will serve you well in the toughest of battles.
Lionel’s Set
Last but not least is the Lionel’s Set. If you don’t mind hilariously looking like a barrel, then this set is for you. That said, it is heavy and can make rolling hard for you. But its defense is priceless, not to mention it’s fun, too.
Go to Leyndell, Royal Capital, where you can acquire this. Particularly, travel to the Avenue Balcony Site of Grace and descend the stairs. As you make your exit, jump over the wall on your left, then onto the roof of the buildings below.
Run over to this building pictured below. On the bed, you will find Lionel’s Set (and Fia’s Deathbed Gown, too).
Those are 10 of the best armor sets for melee builds in “Elden Ring.” Use them well to your advantage, and you will celebrate. Happy gaming!