Does Armor Matter in PVE DS3?
In Dark Souls 3, armor can be a crucial aspect of a player’s character. While it may not have the same impact as dodging or parrying an enemy’s attack, the right armor can make all the difference in terms of survivability and combat efficiency. In this article, we will explore the answer to the question "does armor matter in PVE DS3?" and shed some light on the impact of armor on player strategy.
The Importance of Armor in PVE
In Player versus Environment (PVE) play, the primary focus is on tackling challenging bosses and defeating aggressive enemies. Armor plays a significant role in both cases, providing players with resistance to physical, magical, fire, and lightning damage. Wearing armor in PVE can be compared to having a "cushion" or "shield" that absorbs the impact of enemy attacks.
Physical and Defensive stats
The defensive capabilities of armor in DS3 depend on two main stats:
- Physical Defence (Phy): Provides resistance to physical attacks and damage.
- Absorption (Abs): Effectively absorbs damage from hostile attacks.
The importance of these stats cannot be overstated, as they are directly responsible for the success or failure of a playthrough. For instance, a high Phy rating ensures that physical attacks from monsters and bosses have less penetration, allowing the player to withstand more damage before losing health. On the other hand, a high Abs rating provides additional protection from magical, fire, or lightning-based attacks, adding an extra layer of resistance to the player’s shield.
Weight and Stacking
One critical factor to consider when equipping armor in DS3 is weight. The heavier an armor set, the greater the reduction in physical Defence and absorption. As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to aim for armor pieces that provide the highest bonus to these stats while weighing less than 70%.
How Armor Impacts Strategy
Wearing heavy armor, especially in a full set, can restrict movement speed and jump ability. However, for seasoned players, this limitation often becomes an opportunity to rely on Poise. Poise allows characters to recover from staggering an enemy with a critical attack, increasing the likelihood of landing successive hits and subsequently defeating them.
In high-level PVE content, such as challenging bosses, armor sets like Havel’s and Giant Set showcase exceptional defence and absorption abilities. For these scenarios, it’s essential to employ a " tanking " strategy, using the best armor pieces to soak up damage and control the area around you.
Comparing Armor Sets
Comparing armor sets can seem daunting due to the array of choices available in Dark Souls 3. It’s essential to identify each set’s strengths and limitations to maximize your overall resistance to damage. For the most part, heavier armors prioritize Phy, whereas lighter armors often compensate with Abs. When approaching a particularly tough encounter or boss fight, adjusting the armor set can greatly enhance the player’s survivability and combat efficiency.
Here are some top-tier armor sets in no particular order:
- Havel’s set
- Giant set
- Black Iron set
- Catarina set
- Paladin set
- Smough’s set
- Iron Golem set
Leveling Up Armor
For many players, upgrading armor in PVE can become an interesting aspect of the game, especially considering the limited souls available in each playthrough. It’s essential to prioritize upgrades for your heaviest, most essential pieces to ensure that the new sets provide substantial benefits to damage resistance and absorption.
Leveling up armor becomes significant in NG+ content as the base stats increase further, offering additional layers of protection for players who push through to higher difficulty modes.
Conclusion
Wearing armor in PVE DS3 plays a crucial role in providing players with sufficient resistance to damage. Prioritizing Phy and Abs, along with carefully evaluating weight and stacking, contributes to the overall survivability and combat efficiency. To maximize performance, compare armors sets, upgrade primary pieces, and employ appropriate strategies in different scenarios to ensure victory.
For beginner players, the answer "does armor matter in PVE DS3?" has a straightforward answer: YES. In fact, not wearing suitable armor can spell disaster for those tackling boss fights and high-level endgame content. By applying the strategies and considerations covered in this article, anyone can build a formidable defender and master the challenges DS3 has to offer.
Important Notes
Please note the following important statistics:
- Phy and Abs values in this article may change depending on the game environment and character level.
- Weight can have significant negative effects on character movement, jump height, and more.
- Some armors may offer unique skills and abilities not mentioned here (e.g., Dark Defense, Occult Resistance) that are essential for character builds and playstyles.