I remember my first playthrough when I first got Nightingale Armour, I audibly gasped, it looked so beautiful.
I then used it exclusively for the rest of that playthrough (and for several after that), even though it didn't particularly match my playstyle.
But talking vanilla heavy armour, I like Ebony equipment the best.
I like the idea of less is more. Simple designs with interesting features. That being said, my favourite would have to be the glass armour. Unlike in Oblivion where it was black with green blobs, or Morrowind with green spikes, the iridescent effect on the malachite makes it interesting to look at, while the golden colour of it ties it in with elven.
I like it but if you shout while crouching in 1st-person view, the collar obstructs your vision momentarily. Gets annoying real quick on a sneaky sniper playthrough.
Dragonscale looks pretty good, except for the Helmet which took some serious getting used to (although it does look somewhat decent combined with the Vampire Royal Armor).
Base game, it's probably steel plate or ebony armor.
If you don't mind including mods, I love the Vigilants of Stendarr plate armor from the [Unplayable Faction Armors](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/30051?tab=images) mod.
https://preview.redd.it/vqu7hp54ax8d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d73edebc1761c9c872de0519cde89cf40893e17
ebony spell knight. this looks like dawnguard heavy armor but 10x better cus its black and gold
I am a simple man. I enjoy the ranger armor from the Immersive Armors mod, which is basically just the hide chestpiece with the boots and armguards from the leather set and a hood made of dark leather.
Also, one time when I went into Solitude, Jaree-Ra was decked out in the crimson archer set with the hat from the seadog armor, a combination that is now my favourite way to dress as an Argonian, because of the strong T'skrang vibes
Stealthy archer: nightingale. Conjuration destruction mage: archmage. Huge 2Her: dwarven or daedric. Dual wielder: glass armor.
Then when I have smithing and enchanting at max I "personalize" them with best enchants for each style.
Honestly, *Nightingale* is (IMAO) probably the best looking **Vanilla** set, but since you need a **Mod** to get unenchanted versions I don't bother, since there are much nicer options if I'm going to **Mod** anyway.
Of the original **Vanilla/DLC** sets, my favorites are probably *Steel Plate*, which I'd never use due it being *Heavy Armor* or *Morag Tong*.
Of the **Anniversary Upgrade** sets, it's not so much "pretty" as "thematic" I'd probably go with the *Leather Scout* set, because the *Daedric Mail* isn't a set (though I understand a *Light Armorr Helmet* may actually exist in the files, without ever actually being spawned into the game).
Heavy falmer armor is slept on, strong AF and total badass vibes, the helmet is gross tho (fixed with the ordinator perk where you don't need helmets for the heavy armor perks)
It's a modded armor set, but the Triss Armor mod. It gave you outfit that Triss Merigold had in the Witcher 2.
I really enjoyed that armor set as it was very beautiful, seemed pragmatic enough for what my character was doing, and felt like it fit the setting.
In terms of non-modded armor, I had a particular fondness for the outfits that the hunters wore. My character was a ranger so it felt like it fit the character.
https://preview.redd.it/gfohlw7mpw8d1.jpeg?width=1467&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=88ea33529a66a2f03bc39dee78c9e3875ce3b843
Like this “Fallen Warrior” armor mod. It is reasonably lore friendly for Barbarian types. It comes with a cute quest.
Nightingale, dragon scale, carved Nordic are top 3 for me
I used to love the daedric and ebony armor but so many years later they just look kinda edgy and 14-year old coded to me
honestly, my character is maxed out now and i don't think i've worn anything except leather scout armor and my trusty aetherial crown lmao (except to max heavy armor on 2 giants)
Daedric looks so fucking badass. I don't usually "grind" in games, but grinded smithing just to craft it
https://preview.redd.it/icglrlcszw8d1.png?width=452&format=png&auto=webp&s=2016bc26fa7392ff8d236a45994e26b162eb5b2a
since i´m in survival level 35, it´s whatever i can find with good stats and light.
so, now it´s a set of plated orc armor. light armor, of course. and it came not too late, i was sick and tired of that fur armor and funny fur hat...
Guard armour sets. Primarily the Stormcloak armour followed by the other padded variants then the scaled variants.
Also like the basic iron armour for heavy armours.
Nightingale Armor makes me think of a black version of [Moon Knight's armor](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f4/ce/fd/f4cefdf115de7347d148f95ba60c6d43.jpg)
My favorite armor set is still iron with the horned helmet.
Theres just something so satisfying about chopping elven mages in half with a giant 2 hand ax while wearing it. I laugh every time. It never gets old.
I'm level 53 and been playing for years. I just recently discovered Deathbrand Armor which looks badass. It's part of the Dragonborn DLC. Ancient Falmer Armor is cool too
Nightingale armor is so far beyond any other set, in terms of looks. I usually end up using it in every playthrough.
I’m also quite fond of dragonbone armor on a big male character.
Honorable mention to Vampire armor and Thieves guild armor.
Base game- heavy dawnguard with full helmet
CC- Shadow Netch Leather
https://preview.redd.it/xzr60wzzfy8d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b9689108d86856a3e8729001c466028476dda7b
On Vanilla Skyrim (prior to Anniversary Edition) my favorite armor was the Deathbrand Stahlrim armor. 2nd fav was Boethia's Champion armor and 3rd fav was Ebony armor or Steel Plate armor. Dragonborn armor was 4th fav.
After Anniversary Edition came out and Creation Club content, my fav armor is Alternate Stahlrim armor, followed by Ebony Spellknight in 2nd Place and Alternate Ebony Plate in 3rd place.
Mine is the nordic carved armor.
https://preview.redd.it/vfvde71skz8d1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=32f297f939cde20bb494bd660c443f0bfa59f62e
I like steel plate or dawnguard heavy set. These are the closest to realistic practical armours, but still look cool.
I would say any of the armours from Solstheim are nice too
Daedric Heavy Armor, i don't care dragon mold or stalhrim are better, that armor is so sick that it will create a crust with the body of my character because it will never come off
https://preview.redd.it/rvuh797r719d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=654367b386c7b6c0175ca2890c3243b88a6e655a
I remember my first playthrough when I first got Nightingale Armour, I audibly gasped, it looked so beautiful. I then used it exclusively for the rest of that playthrough (and for several after that), even though it didn't particularly match my playstyle. But talking vanilla heavy armour, I like Ebony equipment the best.
I like the idea of less is more. Simple designs with interesting features. That being said, my favourite would have to be the glass armour. Unlike in Oblivion where it was black with green blobs, or Morrowind with green spikes, the iridescent effect on the malachite makes it interesting to look at, while the golden colour of it ties it in with elven.
I like it but if you shout while crouching in 1st-person view, the collar obstructs your vision momentarily. Gets annoying real quick on a sneaky sniper playthrough.
Deathbrand.
Deathbrand is good, but I just wish they actually gave the set a unique look.
Thieves Guild armor, all variants. I also really like nordic carved, and ancient nord.
Nordic carved is the best vanilla, and I always have the dragon carved for mod playthroughs
I second Thieves Guild armor. Comfy and cool.
I often use the Nightingale Armour, but with the Ancient Shrouded Cowl for the 35% archery boost.
Fax
Dragon Plate
That's what my Lydia wears and she looks pretty badass.
Spell knight, from anniversary edition, it's a perfect heavy armor, but I use the steel, ebony looks a little odd
Love the ebony one
Feels like a Badass dark knight, ngl, but a like the steel more, feels more realistic ... with a door for greatsword
And i thought Deadric armor was badass!! (im on my first playthrough)
I mean technically Nightingale armor is daedric armor
Skin armor. a.k.a. "I've seen enough. Put on some clothes." "Gonna get cold tonight. Might want to at least cover your delicates."
Dragonscale looks pretty good, except for the Helmet which took some serious getting used to (although it does look somewhat decent combined with the Vampire Royal Armor).
Plain ole steel armor without the shoulder plates. Love the look of it.
Base game, it's probably steel plate or ebony armor. If you don't mind including mods, I love the Vigilants of Stendarr plate armor from the [Unplayable Faction Armors](https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/30051?tab=images) mod.
https://preview.redd.it/vqu7hp54ax8d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d73edebc1761c9c872de0519cde89cf40893e17 ebony spell knight. this looks like dawnguard heavy armor but 10x better cus its black and gold
Where do you get that?
you get the pack from the creation club
Big fan.
I am a simple man. I enjoy the ranger armor from the Immersive Armors mod, which is basically just the hide chestpiece with the boots and armguards from the leather set and a hood made of dark leather. Also, one time when I went into Solitude, Jaree-Ra was decked out in the crimson archer set with the hat from the seadog armor, a combination that is now my favourite way to dress as an Argonian, because of the strong T'skrang vibes
Stealthy archer: nightingale. Conjuration destruction mage: archmage. Huge 2Her: dwarven or daedric. Dual wielder: glass armor. Then when I have smithing and enchanting at max I "personalize" them with best enchants for each style.
Honestly, *Nightingale* is (IMAO) probably the best looking **Vanilla** set, but since you need a **Mod** to get unenchanted versions I don't bother, since there are much nicer options if I'm going to **Mod** anyway. Of the original **Vanilla/DLC** sets, my favorites are probably *Steel Plate*, which I'd never use due it being *Heavy Armor* or *Morag Tong*. Of the **Anniversary Upgrade** sets, it's not so much "pretty" as "thematic" I'd probably go with the *Leather Scout* set, because the *Daedric Mail* isn't a set (though I understand a *Light Armorr Helmet* may actually exist in the files, without ever actually being spawned into the game).
I enchant vampire armor
The royal vampire armor looks really good, i paired it with deadric helmet, boots and gauntlets.
I'm partial to the Snowelf armor, myself. And the Nordic armor
Nightingale is my favorite too!
Heavy falmer armor and the 'ordinator'-style armor that was added in anniversary edition
Heavy falmer armor is slept on, strong AF and total badass vibes, the helmet is gross tho (fixed with the ordinator perk where you don't need helmets for the heavy armor perks)
Stalhrim
It's a modded armor set, but the Triss Armor mod. It gave you outfit that Triss Merigold had in the Witcher 2. I really enjoyed that armor set as it was very beautiful, seemed pragmatic enough for what my character was doing, and felt like it fit the setting. In terms of non-modded armor, I had a particular fondness for the outfits that the hunters wore. My character was a ranger so it felt like it fit the character.
I got to agree. Nightingale looks really good…
Gotta be good ol Heavy Imperial armor, with the regular soldiers Helmet, Legate variant is neat but I prefer the simple footsoldier's helmet
https://preview.redd.it/gfohlw7mpw8d1.jpeg?width=1467&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=88ea33529a66a2f03bc39dee78c9e3875ce3b843 Like this “Fallen Warrior” armor mod. It is reasonably lore friendly for Barbarian types. It comes with a cute quest.
Nightingale, dragon scale, carved Nordic are top 3 for me I used to love the daedric and ebony armor but so many years later they just look kinda edgy and 14-year old coded to me
honestly, my character is maxed out now and i don't think i've worn anything except leather scout armor and my trusty aetherial crown lmao (except to max heavy armor on 2 giants)
Steel plate is underrated
Daedric looks so fucking badass. I don't usually "grind" in games, but grinded smithing just to craft it https://preview.redd.it/icglrlcszw8d1.png?width=452&format=png&auto=webp&s=2016bc26fa7392ff8d236a45994e26b162eb5b2a
Ong it looks awesome
Glass and Dragonbone
Scaled.
Nightingale paired with ebonymail is exquisite
The best set is the one you put together. I have a mismatched set, but it is OP. I am a mage/tank though. Nightingale is cool looking though for sure!
since i´m in survival level 35, it´s whatever i can find with good stats and light. so, now it´s a set of plated orc armor. light armor, of course. and it came not too late, i was sick and tired of that fur armor and funny fur hat...
my favorite is a deadric helmet with a nordic carved chest
Guard armour sets. Primarily the Stormcloak armour followed by the other padded variants then the scaled variants. Also like the basic iron armour for heavy armours.
Skaal
I would but you posted it already. Great taste
It’s mine as well
https://preview.redd.it/470e4hicrx8d1.png?width=747&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=17eb0553c4c1a5097489bb1adf4d2b332fd6ba97
Nightingale Armor makes me think of a black version of [Moon Knight's armor](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f4/ce/fd/f4cefdf115de7347d148f95ba60c6d43.jpg)
Any guard armour
Stalhrim
Ebony mail probably.
Daring today, aren't we
My favorite armor set is still iron with the horned helmet. Theres just something so satisfying about chopping elven mages in half with a giant 2 hand ax while wearing it. I laugh every time. It never gets old.
I haven’t seen anyone mention it but I think the dark brotherhood armour is pretty great
I'm level 53 and been playing for years. I just recently discovered Deathbrand Armor which looks badass. It's part of the Dragonborn DLC. Ancient Falmer Armor is cool too
Iron Plate. Just looks so badass.
Easily Blades armor. Follwing that would be the Dawnguard set
Anniversary addition Silver Armour. Doing a knight play-through atm, and enjoying it.
Nightingale armor is so far beyond any other set, in terms of looks. I usually end up using it in every playthrough. I’m also quite fond of dragonbone armor on a big male character. Honorable mention to Vampire armor and Thieves guild armor.
Base game- heavy dawnguard with full helmet CC- Shadow Netch Leather https://preview.redd.it/xzr60wzzfy8d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b9689108d86856a3e8729001c466028476dda7b
Thieves guild master chest and hood, nightingales arms and boots My combo of dreams
Beautiful. Only one that I like more is Linwe’s Armor, which is awesome in its simplicity.
Madness armor is metal af
https://preview.redd.it/6cyz2o4r1z8d1.jpeg?width=200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e279ad834e9001649bbb600f299baae48eb5a1eb
That's Batman 🦇
Tied between the Royal Vampire armor, the Daedric Mail and the Ebony Armor for me
nightingale is my fav too!
As nice as it looks, I never would give up the skeleton key. It's too OP.
On Vanilla Skyrim (prior to Anniversary Edition) my favorite armor was the Deathbrand Stahlrim armor. 2nd fav was Boethia's Champion armor and 3rd fav was Ebony armor or Steel Plate armor. Dragonborn armor was 4th fav. After Anniversary Edition came out and Creation Club content, my fav armor is Alternate Stahlrim armor, followed by Ebony Spellknight in 2nd Place and Alternate Ebony Plate in 3rd place.
Mine is the nordic carved armor. https://preview.redd.it/vfvde71skz8d1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=32f297f939cde20bb494bd660c443f0bfa59f62e
The plate armors from the creation club do some justice, look good and have amazing stats
Ah, steel plate. Now that's a solid choice of armor.
I like steel plate or dawnguard heavy set. These are the closest to realistic practical armours, but still look cool. I would say any of the armours from Solstheim are nice too
Daedric Heavy Armor, i don't care dragon mold or stalhrim are better, that armor is so sick that it will create a crust with the body of my character because it will never come off https://preview.redd.it/rvuh797r719d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=654367b386c7b6c0175ca2890c3243b88a6e655a
The white heavy dawn guard. Love the little flask hanging and with bolts on like having a little pouch so cute imo
Heavy dawnguard armor is king