With over 90+ hours traversing Fallout 4‘s irradiated Commonwealth, I‘ve tested every armor set in this apocalyptic wasteland. As a professional gamer, I‘m constantly optimizing my character build – and protective gear plays a huge role.
Choosing the right armor for your playstyle and situation in Fallout 4 is critical to survival. Through extensive first-hand experience, I‘ve curated recommendations on the top 10 armors available. This guide shares detailed insights to help you equip the best defense for your needs.
How to Choose Ideal Armor
There are two primary types of armor in Fallout 4:
Non-Power: Medium protections without fusion core requirements
Power: Strong protection in heavy mechanical exoskeletons
You should choose armor providing damage and energy resistance exceeding opponent attack strengths. As enemies grow stronger, upgrade to heavier armor variants using the comparison table below:
Armor Comparison Table
| Armor | Damage Resistance | Energy Resistance | Weight | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat | 101 (Heavy) | 101 (Heavy) | 45.5 | – |
| Marine | 158 | 159 | 95 | – |
| Operators Heavy | 127 | 127 | 109 | – |
| Ballistic Weave | 110+ | 92+ | Varies | – |
| X-01 Power | 1000 | 800 | 92 | – |
Top Non-Power Armors
These lightweight armor sets provide reliable protection from standard Commonwealth threats:
Combat Armor
Stats: 101 Damage & Energy Resistance (Heavy)
Perks: Strongest non-power armor
Acquired: Defeat level 20+ Gunners
Best For: All-round damage protection
Combat Armor is your best non-power option. By level 20, traverse Gunners Plaza and defeat enemies wearing Heavy Combat Armor, providing 101 Damage and Energy Resistance – the highest lightweight armor defenses in Fallout 4!
An early alternative is Jamaica Plain Town Hall. Clear out Level 10 Ghouls and loot Combat armor pieces off a dead Gunner named Sal on Floor 2. Grab the helmet separately from Parsons Insane Asylum‘s mercenaries.
Marine Armor
Stats: 158 Damage & 159 Energy Resist
Perks: High defense, lower weight
Acquired: Far Harbor DLC questline
Best For: Versatile protection for high-level builds
Unlocked via Far Harbor DLC, Marine Assault armor offers better defenses than Combat with substantial weight savings. Follow the "Best Left Forgotten" quest, retrieving a hidden shipment location. Recover all Marine parts from sunken caches off the coast!
Operators Heavy Armor
Stats: 127 Damage & Energy Resist
Perks: Signature Nuka-World Raider gear
Acquired: Loot Operators or buy from traders
Best For: Mid-tier protection from raids
Nuka-World‘s elite raider squad, the Operators, wear this stylish armor. Either pickpocket or defeat roaming Operators to collect pieces. Alternatively, buy them from trader stalls in Nuka-World if you establish relations.
Ballistic Weave
Stats: 110+ Damage & 92+ Energy Resist
Perks: Augments all armor types
Acquired: Railroad faction quests
Best For: Boosting armor with mods
Ballistic Weave uses armor mods to transform protection ratings. Insert weave at benches to increase lightweight armor performance to rival Power Suits! By upgrading gear yourself, you get super-strong defense on any armor you love.
Best Power Armors
When facing the Wasteland‘s deadliest foes like Deathclaws and Assaultrons, equip these heavy-duty mechanical suits:
X-01 Power Armor
Stats: 1000 Damage & 800 Energy Resist
Perks: Supreme protection ratings
Acquired: 35 Court (Level 30+)
Best For: End-game defense kit
This advanced pre-war model offers unequaled armor class protection. At Level 30+, battle fortress-like 35 Court‘s fierce indoor opponents. Defeat them to access the legendary X-01 Power Armor hidden inside – your strongest defense against any Commonwealth threat!
Emergency Protocols chest mods boost resistances even higher. No attacks can touch you inside X-01 power armor!
T-60 Power Armor
Stats: 980 Damage & 645 Energy Resist
Perks: Second-best overall defense
Acquired: Loot from Brotherhood or buy from Atom Cats
Best For: All-purpose mechanical suits
As the pinnacle of pre-war engineering, the T-60 set delivers supreme protection just under X-01 class. While durable across environments, it‘s lighter and easier to access earlier than X-01.
The Brotherhood of Steel utilizes T-60 suits, making Prydwen airship a quick source for multiple copies. Alternatively, visit Atom Cats Garage to purchase customized T-60 parts from the trader Rowdy.
T-45 Power Armor
Stats: 500 Damage & 310 Energy Resist
Perks: Guaranteed early Power Armor
Acquired: Caged set near Pickman Gallery
Best For: Starter Power Armor even at low levels
While basic compared to advanced models, the primitive T-45 Power Armor remains stable and durable. It delivers ample defense to aid survival early until acquiring better gear.
I recommend T-45 for beginner protection. A caged, intact T-45 set always spawns inside Pickman Gallery! Hack the terminal to unlock your starter Power Armor suit.
Now you‘ve got the professional gamer scoop on Fallout 4‘s best armors! Choosing gear with appropriate damage/energy defenses boosts your wasteland survival rate. As challenges increase, upgrade armor sets using the table and tips provided.
Hopefully these hands-on recommendations save you from painful trial-and-error. Let me know if this ultimate armor guide aids your Commonwealth crusade! Which models worked best to achieve your own survival and conquest?
