I played Everquest back in the early aughts and stopped playing in 2007 or 8 and returned in 2020. Knowing which armor and gear is better than other armor was a little bit of a puzzle to start since so much had changed while I was away and there are expansions with level increases and some without.
After a certain point in the many many years of Everquest's many expansions, there was a change to itemization to having most visible armor (and some other pieces) with a switch to mostly sets. This does make it significantly easier to find these armor items sold on the bazaar and to know what you might want as an upgrade and when to look for upgrades. NOTE: On most servers, the armor is 'attuned' to the character when equipped and cannot be traded after attuned. For the raid armor, the drop item is "no trade" as well. (I play on Fiorona Vie, all the armor and drop bits are tradeable, even after use.)
Armor with REQ in the description notes what level is required for the character to be able to equip the armor piece. This can be altered to a higher number by an added adornment if the adornment has a higher REQ.
Armor with REC in the description generally notes what level is recommended for the armor. If the armor does not have a REQ but does have a REC, the stats of the piece may be adjusted when equipped before the REC and will be at full capability when equipped by a character of the REC level (the same as displayed when unequipped). For most players, REC is often used as a note of when it is recommended the armor be replaced to equip stronger armor, especially for armor obtained via group/solo content vs raid.
The tables below reflect what I have been able to glean about the various armor types in order to have a quicker comparison. The comparison uses the boot/shoe of the name/type and is not intended to be an exact comparison for every class armor of a type as there may be small variations in the AC/HP/Mana between the classes. Most stats were taken from an Allakhazam listing.
NOTE: There are other drop pieces in the same locations (expansions) not part of the sets that may be better or not than those in a set. Also, while the raid obtained armor is better, while leveling quickly it may not be the most logical effort to obtain.
Defiant (Levels 1-80)
Defiant armor was added in Secrets of Faydwer and, for the most part, replaces earlier itemisation with a uniform naming convention and improved stats vs the earlier dropped armors. The defiant naming is also used for non-visible pieces (some can be obtained via quest) and adornments. The armor pieces can usually be found in the zones with content around the REC level and can drop from any encounter. Some zones, especially newer or "Hot" zones, will have a higher drop rate of Defiant armor than the earlier zones (by release date of their expansions).
On Live servers, Defiant is the "best in slot" until level 80, then on to House of Thule class armor.
| Set Name | Req/Rec | foot AC/HP/Mana | foot AC/HP/Mana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Defiant | - / 10 | Plate:8/10/9 Chain: 6/9/10 |
Leather: 5/9/10 Cloth:4/7/12 |
| Simple Defiant | 5 / 20 | Plate: 14/15/15 Chain: 12/14/16 |
Leather: 10/14/16 Cloth:8/13/17 |
| Rough Defiant | 15 / 30 |
Plate: 20/29/32 Chain: 17/29/32 |
Leather: 14/29/31 Cloth:13/28/32 |
| Ornate Defiant | 26 / 40 | Plate: 28/49/54 Chain: 24/47/54 |
Leather: 19/49/55 Cloth:17/47/56 |
| Flawed Defiant | 37 / 50 | Plate: 34/64/72 Chain: 29/66/72 |
Leather: 25/65/71 Silk:21/63/75 |
| Intricate Defiant | 48 / 60 | Plate: 37/102/108 Chain: 31/102/108 |
Leather: 26/99/108 Silk:23/98/110 |
| Elaborate Defiant | 59 / 70 | Plate: 43/161/181 Chain: 36/162/177 |
Leather: 30/154/179 Silk:26/158/190 |
| Elegant Defiant | 70 / 80 | Plate: 51/250/161 Chain: 44/250/272 |
Leather: 36/236/277 Silk:31/236/280 |
Best Gear for classes in Classic (TLP)
On TLP, Defiant is not available at launch since it was added with The
Serpents Spine (up to Intricate) and Secrets of Faydwer (all the rest).
Time and motivation permitting, I'll add the various sets pre-Defiant as
time permits (as well as finishing the high level armors).
(N)Everquest Scrolls: http://www.paullynch.org/eqblog/?p=529
Low-level Crafted Armor (TLP)
Low-level crafted armor from Classic and later has the old itemisation that makes it extremely paultry by current Live standards without any or without many stats. However, it is still useful on a TLP while Defiant is not available.
The early armor is in three sizes (Small, Large, and regular) that fit specific races. The later strict cloth/leather/chain/plate by class divisions were not as rigid. The materials to make the armor in different sizes do differ often with a pelt of a different animal used. The armor also has no rec/req so can be equipped at any level by classes/races listed on the armor piece. The trivial for each piece is different, so the range is noted here. AC range is across all the pieces in the set. AC is not different based on the size. Only small and large have the size listed on the armor piece. Some races can wear more than one size. Some armor sets include mask, mantle, belt. and cloak with the lower trivial items being of lower AC with the higher trivial pieces at the higher.
NOTE: Some races/clases listed may not be available on the TLP.
- Small: High Elf, Dark Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, Gnome, Froglok, Wood Elf
- regular: Human, Barbarian, Erudite, Froglock, High Elf, Dark Elf, Half Elf, Iksar, Vah Shir, Wood Elf
- Large: Barbarian, Troll, Ogre, Vah Shir
| Set Name |
Classes | AC range | Trivial range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patchwork / Tattered | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD DRU MNK BRD ROG SHM BST | 2-8 | 36 Tailoring |
| Leather | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD DRU MNK BRD ROG SHM BST | 2-6 | 26 Tailoring |
| Studded | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD DRU MNK BRD ROG SHM BST | 4-9 | 56 Tailoring |
| Reinforced | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD DRU MNK BRD ROG SHM BST | 5-11 | 108 Tailoring |
| Banded | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD BRD ROG SHM BER | 4-15 | 90-115 Smithing |
| Ornate Chain | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD BRD ROG SHM BER | 5-16 | 116-142 Smithing |
| Fine Plate + colours |
WAR CLR PAL SHD BRD | 7-19 | 163-188 Smithing |
Shields
Crafted shields are also in the three racial sizes and have the same class limitations as drop.
| Shield Type |
Classes | AC | Trivial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckler | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD DRU MNK BRD ROG SHM BST | 5 | 62 Smithing |
| Round | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD DRU MNK BRD ROG SHM BST | 6 | 68 Smithing |
| Targ | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD BRD ROG SHM | 8 | 79 Smithing |
| Kite | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD BRD ROG SHM | 9 | 82 Smithing |
| Tower | WAR CLR PAL RNG SHD BRD ROG SHM | 11 | 88 Smithing |
Old Cultural Armor (TLP)
coming someday
Omens of War Cultural Armor (TLP)
coming someday
The Broken Mirror
The Broken Mirror armor is "made" like most of the class armors, but it's the augments that make the armor class specific for GT1 and even of a higher level req/rec range than the starting REQ: The Broken Mirror Armor Guide. The stats here are the base with multiple augment slots per armor. The raid armor is a REQ of 100 but also with more augment slots.
| Set Name | Req/Rec | foot AC/HP/Mana | foot AC/HP/Mana | TBM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preserving | 70 / 74 | plate: 53/275/270 chain: 50/281/270 |
leather: 21/273/273 silk:16/259/286 |
GT1 |
| (name varies by class) | 75 / - |
BRD: 62/313/307 SHM: 55/310/310 |
BST: 26/316/304 ENC: 18/310/310 |
GT2 |
| Crypt-Hunter | 75 / - | BRD: 64/314/302 SHM: 54/308/308 |
BST: 45/308/308 ENC: 35/299/317 |
GT3 |
| Deathseeker | 100 / - | BRD: 314/4507/4330 SHM: 267/4419/4419 |
BST: 220/4419/4419 ENC: 219/4286/4551 |
Raid |
Class Armor 80+
For the rest, class armor is usually 'made' (no fail combine) with a drop item and one or more vendor purchased item. Many pieces give focus effects for the class abilities or spells. A few sets are also available for purchase in Ethernene Tainted West Karana for Marks of Valor which can be obtained by doing quests and missions. Armor (and other gear) from raids is significantly better than that from group/solo content and often does not need to be replaced as soon or replaced by group gear from the next level range. Tradeskill made require tradeskill components + an additional drop item. Raid obtained are noted by the highlighted row.
| Set Name | Req/Rec | foot AC/HP/Mana | Expansion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (varies by class) | 75 / - | CLR: 52/220/220 SHM: 40/220/220 BST: 23/220/220 NEC: 17/220/220 |
Serpent's Spine | OR CotF Group Merchant 75 (180 Marks of Valor |
| (varies by class) | 80 / - | BRD: 84/505/485 SHM: 72/490/500 BST: 59/495/495 ENC:47/480/510 |
Secrets of Faydwer | OR CoTF Group Merchant 80 (220 Marks of Valor) |
| Abstruse | 80 / 85 |
BRD: 111/945/880 SHM: 94/920/945 BST: 78/930/930 ENC: 60/900/955 |
House of Thule GT1 | Made with Abstruse Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) |
| Enigmatic | 80 / 85 |
CLR: 154/1535/1610 SHM: 132/1535/1580 DRU: 108/1515/1610 ENC: 84/1505/1590 |
House of Thule RT1 | Made with Enigmatic Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) |
| Recondite | 82 / 87 | BRD: 120/1120/1045 RNG: 102/1120/1090 DRU: 84/1095/1150 ENC: 66/1065/1130 |
House of Thule GT2 | Made with Recondite Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) |
| Damascite | 85 / - | CLR: 120/1010/1065 SHM: 102/1010/1035 BST: 84/1020/1020 ENC:66/985/1045 |
Underfoot | Made with Damacite Encrusted [...] Clay OR CotF Group Merchant 85 (260 Marks of Valor) |
| Ambiguous | 85 / 90 | BRD: 126/1300/1210 SHM: 108/1270/1300 BST: 87/1280/1280 ENC: 69/1325/1310 |
House of Thule GT3 | Made with Ambiguous Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) |
| Rustic | 85 / 90 | BRD: 130/1390/1295 SHM: 111/1360/1390 BST: 91/1370/1370 ENC: 72/1320/1400 |
Veil of Alaris GT1 | Made with Rustic .. of Argath [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) |
| Esoteric | 85 / 90 | BRD: 164/117/1645 RNG: 138/1775/1700 BST: 114/1740/1734 MAG:90/1665/1810 |
House of Thule RT2 | Made with Esoteric Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) |
| Modest | 85 / 90 | BRD: 179/2055/1900 SHM: 151/1995/2055 BST: 126/2010/2005 ENC:99/1950/2065 |
Veil of Alaris RT1 | Made with Modest ... of Ildeara [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) |
| Formal | 87 / 92 | BRD: 139/1625/1510 SHM: 117/1585/1625 BST: 96/1595/1595 ENC:75/1540/1635 |
Veil of Alaris GT2 | Made with Formal ... of Lunanyn [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) |
| Obscure | 87 / 90 | BRD: 174/1975/1830 SHM: 147/1920/1975 BST: 123/1935/1930 MAG: 96/1850/2015 |
House of Thule RT3 | Made with Obscure Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) |
| Embellished | 90 / 95 | BRD: 146/1815/1685 SHM: 123/1770/1815 BST: 102/1780/1780 ENC:81/1720/1825 |
Veil of Alaris GT3 | Made with Embellished ... of Kolos [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) |
| Lucid | 90 / - | CLR: 135/1445/1515 SHM: 114/1445/1480 BST: 96/1455/1455 ENC:75/1405/1490 |
House of Thule GT4 |
Made with Lucid Remnant of.. Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) OR CoTF Group Merchant 90 (320 Marks of Valor) |
| Elegant | 90 / 95 | BRD: 186/2275/2105 SHM: 159/2215/2275 BST: 129/2230/2225 ENC: 102/2160/2290 |
Veil of Alaris RT2 | Made with Elegant ... of Oseka [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) |
| Stately | 92 / 95 | BRD: 195/2475/2290 SHM: 165/2410/2475 BST: 138/2425/2420 ENC:108/2350/2490 |
Veil of Alaris RT3 | Made with Stately ... of Ladrys [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) |
| Boreal | 92 / 95 | BRD: 160/2120/1994 SHM: 136/2078/2141 BST: 112/2120/2078 ENC:112/2078/2141 |
Rain of Fear GT1 | Made with Fear Touched [armor slot] |
| Grandiose | 95 / - | BRD: 155/1995/1850 SHM: 132/1945/1995 BST: 108/1955/1955 WIZ:84/1850/2060 |
Veil of Alaris GT4 | Made with Grandiose... of Alara [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) OR OR CotF Group Merchant 95 (366 Marks of Valor) |
| Perspicuous | 95 / - | BRD: 184/2130/1970 SHM: 156/2070/2130 BST: 129/2085/2080 ENC: 102/220/2140 |
House of Thule RT4 | Made with Perspicuous Remnant of Devotion (Arms) Greed (Hands) Truth (Wrist) Knowledge (Head) Survival (Feet) Fear (Legs) Desire (Chest) |
| Ostentatious | 95 / - | BRD: 206/2660/2460 SHM: 174/2590/2660 BST: 144/2605/2600 ENC: 114/2525/2675 |
Veil of Alaris RT4 | Made with Ostentatious ... of Ryken [bodypart]wraps (body part) headdress (head) stole (chest) |
| Gelid | 95 / - | BRD: 214/2826/2658 SHM: 182/2770/2854 BST: 150/2826/2770 ENC:150/2770/2854 |
Rain of Fear RT1 | Made with Dread Touched [armor part] |
| Distorted | 95/100 | BRD: 169/2259/2124 SHM: 144/2214/2281 BST: 118/2259/2214 ENC: 118/2214/2281 |
Rain of Fear GT2 | Made with Fear Stained [armor part] |
| Twilight | 100/ - | BRD: 174/2316/2179 SHM: 148/2270/2339 BST: 122/2316/2270 ENC:122/2270/2339 |
Rain of Fear GT3 | Made with Fear Washed [armor part] |
| Frightweave | 100/ - | BRD: 180/2395/2252 SHM: 153/2347/2418 BST: 126/2395/2347 ENC:126/2347/2418 |
Rain of Fear GT4 | Made with Fear Infused [armor part] |
| Latent Etheric | 100/ - |
BRD: 190/2545/2394 SHM: 162/2494/2557 BST: 133/2545/2494 ENC: 133/2469/2570 |
Call of the Forsaken GT1 | [item] of Latent Ether |
| Castaway | 100/- | 2502-2996 hp/mana range | The Darkened Sea GT1 | Castaway [item] |
| Manifested Etheric |
100/- | BRD: 201/2696/2536 SHM: 171/2643/2710 BST: 141/2696/2643 ENC: 141/2516/2723 |
Call of the Forsaken GT2 | [item] of Manifested Ether |
| Apocryphal | 100/- | BRD: 226/3011/2833 SHM: b192/2952/3041 BST: 158/311/2952 ENC: 158/2952/3041 |
Rain of Fear RT2 | Dread Stained [armor part] |
| Silvershade | 100/- | BRD: 231/3089/2905 SHM: 196/3027/3119 BST: 162/3089/3027 ENC: 162/3027/3119 |
Rain of Fear RT3 | Dread Washed [armor part] |
| Dreadweave | 100/- | BRD: 240/3193/3003 SHM: 204/3129/3224h BST: 168/3193/3129 ENC: 168/3129/3224 |
Rain of Fear RT4 | Dread Infused [armor part] |
| Suppressed Etheric |
100 / - | BRD: 253/3394/3192 SHM: 215/3326/3410 BST: 177/3394/3326 ENC: 177/3293/3427 |
bCall of the Forsaken RT1 | [item] of Sppressed Ether |
| Flowing Etheric |
100 / - | BRD: 268/3594/3381 SHM: 228/3523/3612 BST: 188/3594/3523h ENC: 188/3488/3630 |
Call of the Forsaken RT2 | [item] of Flowing Ether |
| Darkwater | 100 / - | 3720-4400 hp/mana range | The Darkened Sea Raid | Darkwater [armor part] |
| Deathseeker | 100/ - | BRD: 314/4507/4330 SHM: 267/4419/4419 BST: 220/4419/4419 ENC: 219/4286/4551 |
The Broken Mirror Raid | |
| Tideworn | 102/ - | 2650-3100 hp/mana range | The Darkened Sea GT2 | Tideworn [armor part] |
| Highwater | 104/ - | 2750-3300 hp/mana range | The Darkened Sea GT3 | Highwater [armor part] |
| Cohort's | 105/ - | BRD: 331/3995/3840 SHM: 288/3920/3920 BST: 245/3920/3920 ENC: 182/3800/4035 |
Empires of Kunark GT1 |
Amorphous Cohort's [amor part] |
| Selrach's | 105/ - | BRD: 351/4275/4110 SHM: 306/4190/4190 BST: 260/4190/4190 ENC: 193/4065/4315 |
Empires of Kunark GT2 | Amorphous Selrach's [armor part] or purchased with Bathezid Trade Gems |
| Scale Touched |
105/110 | BRD: 372/4510/4335 SHM: 311/4425/2235 BST: 264/4425/4425 ENC:216/4290/4555 |
Ring of Scale GT1 |
Scale Touched [armor part] facet |
| Weaping Undefeated Heaven |
105/110 | BRD: 439/5326/5117 SHM: 352/5222/5222 BST: 293/5222/5222 ENC:235/5065/5378 |
The Burning Lands GT1 |
Weeping Undefeated Heaven Binding [body part] Muhbis |
| Velazul's | 105/ - | BRD: 456/5695/5475 SHM: 397/5585/5585 BST: 338/5585/5585 ENC: 251/5420/5755 |
Empires of Kunark Raid | Amorphous Velazul's [armor part] |
| Conflagrant | 106/110 | BRD: 394/4750/4565 SHM: 316/4655/4655 BST: 267/4655/4655 ENC:218/4515/4795 |
Ring of Scale GTS / RoS TS |
tradeskill components |
| Scaled | 106/110 | BRD: 415/4985/4790h SHM: 322/4890/4890 BST: 270/4890/4890 ENC: 216/4740/5035 |
Ring of Scale GT2 | Scaled [armor part] facet |
| Phlogiston | 106/110 | BRD: 512/6330/6080 SHM: 438/6205/6205 BST: 365/6205/6205 ENC:291/6020/6395 |
Ring of Scale RTS / RoS TS | 2 Flawless Conflagrant Diamond + tradeskill components |
| Scaleborn | 106/110 | BRD: 540/6645/6385 SHM: 459/6515/6515 BST: 378/6515/6515 ENC:297/6320/6710 |
Ring of Scale Raid | Scaleborn [armor part] facet |
| Battleworn Stalwart Moon |
110/ - | BRD: 485/6016/5780 SHM: 412/5898/5898 BST: 339/5898/5898 ENC:267/5721/6075 |
The Burning Lands GT2 | Battleworn Stalwart Moon Binding [body part] Muhbis |
| Adamant Triumphant |
100/ - | BRD: 519/6470/6216 SHM: 441/6343/6343 BST: 364/6343/6343 ENC:267/5721/6075 |
The Burning Lands GTS / TBS TS |
Diminished Inhabited Muhbis + tradeskill made item |
| Snowbound | 110/115 | BRD: 534/6634/6374 SHM: 454/6504/6504 BST: 374/6504/6504 ENC:294/6309/6700 |
Torment of Velious GT1 |
Faded Snowbound [armor part] |
| Snowsquall | 110/115 | BRD: 586/7737/7433 SHM: 498/7585/7585 BST: 410/7585/7585 ENC:322/7358/7813 |
Claws of Veeshan GT1 |
Faded Snowsquall [armor part] |
| Veiled Victorious Horizon |
110/ - | BRD: 629/8025/7711 SHM: 535/7868/7868 BST: 441/7868/7868 ENC:346/7632/8104 |
The Burning Lands Raid | Veiled Victorious Horizon Binding [body part] Muhbis |
| Heavenly Glorious Void |
110/ - | BRD: 674/8623/8285 SHM: 573/8454/8454 BST: 472/8454/8454 ENC:371/8200/8707 |
The Burning Lands RTS / TBS TS |
Exultant Inhabited Muhbis + tradeskill made item |
| Icebound | 115/ - | BRD: 554/6851/6582 SHM: 471/6717/6717 BST: 388/6717/6717 ENC:305/6515/6918 |
Torment of Velious GT2 | Faded Icebound [armor part] |
| Velium Infused |
115/ - | BRD: 571/7376/7087 SHM: 486/7232/7232 BST: 400/7232/7232 ENC:314/7015/7449 |
Torment of Velious GTS | Crystallized Velium Ore + tradeskill components |
| Blizzard | 115/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Claws of Veeshan GT2 | blah |
| Waxing Crescent |
115/12 | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Terror of Luclin GT1 |
blah |
| Velium Threaded |
115/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Claws of Veeshan GTS | blah |
| Ice Woven | 115/ - | BRD: 719/9138/8780 SHM: 612/8959/8959 BST: 504/8959/8959 ENC:396/8690/9227 |
Claws of Veeshan R1 | blah |
| Velium Empowered |
115/ - | BRD: 742/9828/9443 SHM: 631/9635/9635 BST: 519/9635/9635 ENC:408/9346/9924 |
Claws of Veeshan R1TS | blah |
| Hoarfrost | 115/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Claws of Veeshan R2 | blah |
| Velium Endowed |
115/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Claws of Veeshan R2TS | blah |
| Waning Crescent |
120/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Terror of Luclin GT2 | blah |
| Luclinite Ensanguined |
120/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Terror of Luclin GTS | blah |
| Waning Gibbous |
120/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Terror of Luclin Raid | blah |
| Luclinite Coagulated |
120/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
Terror of Luclin RTS |
blah |
| blah t |
-/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
blah | blah |
| blah t |
-/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
blah | blah |
| blah t |
-/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
blah | blah |
| blah t |
-/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
blah | blah |
| blah t |
-/ - | BRD: blah SHM: blah BST: blah ENC: blah |
blah | blah |