Equipment & Armor Stats

In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, armor is your only line of defense when your shield breaks or you catch an arrow in the back. Understanding how armor stats work—and why "Head Armor" is the most valuable stat in the game—will save your life.

Armor Slots

You have four armor slots:

1. Head: The most critical. Headshots deal double damage. A good helmet is the first thing you should buy.

2. Body: Covers the chest and abdomen. Usually provides the highest raw armor value.

3. Arms: Gauntlets and pauldrons. Protects arms and shoulders.

4. Legs: Boots. Protects against low swings and glancing blows.

Armor reduces damage by a flat amount and a percentage. High armor makes low-tier weapons bounce off harmlessly.

Materials and Tiers

Armor comes in various materials (Cloth, Leather, Chainmail, Scale, Plate). Generally, Plate offers the best protection-to-weight ratio, while Chainmail is heavy but protective.

• Tier 1-3: Mostly Cloth and Leather. Good for mobility.

• Tier 4-5: Chainmail and Scale. Standard soldier gear.

• Tier 6: Plate and Lamellar. Noble gear.

Modifiers

Items can drop with modifiers that change their stats:

• Lordly: +Armor, -Weight. The best modifier.

• Fine: +Armor.

• Rusty / Tattered: -Armor, +Weight. Avoid these unless desperate.

A full set of Lordly Cataphract armor can make you nearly invincible to looters and low-tier archers.

Armor vs. Damage Types

• Cut: Armor is very effective against Cut damage (Swords).

• Pierce: Armor is less effective against Pierce (Arrows, Spears).

• Blunt: Armor is least effective against Blunt (Maces, Hammers).

Comparing stats is key. Sometimes a Tier 5 item is better than a Tier 6 item due to weight or specific coverage.

Summary

Prioritize your Helmet first, then Body Armor. Don't worry too much about expensive boots until you are rich. And remember: no amount of armor saves you from a couched lance.

Related Guides

• Equipment Weight & Encumbrance

• Equipment Progression Paths

• Best Weapons and Equipment