The funny thing about armor in a level 1 Elden Ring run is that it's useless for defense. After Limgrave, most enemies will kill players in just one attack on a level 1 run. The player's HP 'pool' here is practically just a 'puddle.' At best, armor is mostly just a fashion statement in this kind of challenge run. Worse, they might even take up precious Equid Load limit. That's why a lot of level 1 run characters just prefer to do it naked.
Still, not all armor is useless on a level 1 Elden Ring run. Some of them have special or bonus effects that will benefit specific builds. A handful might even be crucial for certain level 1 runs. All of a sudden, not leveling up in Elden Ring is starting to look less of a foolish ambition with these armor pieces in the equation. Players will want to aim for these armors if they want to min-max in their level 1 run.
7 Silver Tear Mask
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- Weight: 4.6
- Special effect: Gives +8 Arcane but reduces physical damage by -5%
The Silver Tear Mask might look unappealing to a lot of builds that rely on their Attack Rating, but it's great for Bleed builds. It just so happens that even Bleed builds are viable and powerful on a level 1 run. Arcane is the primary stat needed for Bleed build efficiency.
Thus, piling up Arcane not only allows increases in the players' Bleed weapon selection options but also lessens the need for more attacks to trigger Bleed. On a level 1 run using a Bleed build, the Silver Tear Mask's bonus far outweighs its drawback, as some players using Bleed builds don't rely on AR too much.
6 White Mask
- Weight: 3.2
- Special effect: Raises attack power by 10% for 20 seconds when there is blood loss nearby
With that said, some Bleed builds prefer different and reliable sources of damage. Weapons like the Scavenger's Curved Sword or even the Uchigatana fare well if they rely on Attack Rating, and those two are perfect for level 1 runs using Bleed builds. Granted, it takes a while before players get a hold of the White Mask — players will also have to partake in invasions if they want it earlier.
The effort is worth it, however, as the White Mask is still great despite the player's low stats in a level 1 run. Most of the weapon's damage comes from upgrades anyway. Having an increased Attack Rating can come in handy in a pinch, especially during boss fights.
5 Duelist/Rotten Duelist Set
- Weight: Varies per slot (just pick the lightest)
- Special effect: Makes the wearer attract enemy aggression
The Duelist set pieces or even its Rotten variants are typically avoided in a regular playthrough because their special effect functions identically to the Shabriri's Woe talisman. It shifts the enemy aggro to the players. If the players have Ash or Spirit summons, then they won't get attacked too often.
But that's precisely the reason to wear this armor on a level 1 run. Some players might want to rely on summons like Black Knife Tiche (summoned by using Cerulean Hidden Tear in the Physick Flask). To keep her alive, players will have to offer themselves as a distraction so the summon can do her work. This tactic works best under the effects of the Duelist set. Any armor piece will do.
4 Imp Head Helms
- Weight: 8.1
- Special effect: +2 to a specific attribute depending on the helm variant
Imp Head helmets come in five variants. These are:
- Wolf (+2 Endurance)
- Fanged (+2 Strength)
- Long-Tongued (+2 Dexterity)
- Cat (+2 Intelligence)
- Corpse (+2 Faith)
- Elder (+2 Arcane)
Each of them will boost a specific attribute by a small amount, but this amount is often enough for Rune level 1 character to meet some close weapon requirement points.
On top of that, these Imp Head helmets offer a good degree of protection, though again, that doesn't matter past Limgrave. In any case, players might want to supplement their measly level 1 Wretch stats with these helmets as they can be used to expand weapon options as well.
3 Ash-Of-War Scarab
- Weight: 5.1
- Special effect: Reduces the FP cost of weapon skills by 13-15% but increases the damage taken by 5%
For a regular playthrough, the Ash-Of-War Scarab is another of those helmets that would have repelled a lot of players because of the drawback of increased damage taken. However, the key to surviving a level 1 run is to not get hit at all since the HP pool is so minuscule.
So, that drawback might as well be nonexistent on a level 1 run. Because then, the helmet will be one heck of a buff as a lot of level 1 run builds tend to rely on their weapon skills in order to get through fights. That FP cost reduction is nothing to scoff at, especially when paired with a Carian Filigreed Crest. This helmet's effect stacks with that talisman's for a juicy 35% FP cost reduction to skills.
2 Raptor's Black Feathers
- Weight: 7.7
- Special effect: Strengthens jump attacks by 10%
Raptor's Black Feathers has always been a popular armor piece, particularly for builds that rely on jump attacks. Even with all the buffs and balance changes to the game's PvE segment, jump attacks are still one of the best and most accessible melee tactics in the game. Hence, a 10% increase in jump attack damage is quite beneficial.
That bonus is even more impressive when paired with the Claw Talisman for a total of 25% to 26% jump attack damage increase. It's a good thing this armor is also light and likely won't impede players too much as they try to manage with their measly Endurance stat. Players don't need the whole set, just the chest piece.
1 Black Knife Armor
- Weight: 9.2
- Special effect: Muffles the wearer's footsteps
Players also don't need to be wearing the full Black Knife Armor set, just the chest piece, like Raptor's Black Feathers. Because the Black Knife Armor will help immensely in stealth. It has an effect that will make players completely silent regardless of whether they're running or sneaking.
This makes stealth kills and runs a lot less tedious. For Rune level 1 character, being able to chain backstabs fast in prolonged Legacy dungeon segments is always a godsend. The Black Knife Armor, for that matter, allows players to avoid unnecessary fights or deaths to keep themselves fresh for boss fights — fresh meat, that is.
Elden Ring is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.