For the past week or so I've been playing an Orc warrior character and having a great time with it. I've done the companion quests, a little bit of the main quest and a lot of adventuring, smithing, brawling at orc strongholds and inns, etc. One thing I noticed about myself as I'm getting higher in levels (35 at the moment) is my favor of the lower level heavy armors over the higher levels I now have easier access to. I've been through a set of basic iron armor, three sets of steel armor (each improved greatly over the other), and just went back to smithing another new banded iron set. I have plans to make Nord Hero armor, but beyond that, the other armors just don't appeal to me. Not even the Orc armor (I have a full set) interests me. I feel like the other armors are too fancy and advanced looking and make my character stick out like a sore thumb, and I lose that "adventurer" feel.

I've also been sticking to steel weapons, and improving them frequently, and currently don't have any intention of switching to higher level weapons. When it comes down to it, I guess it doesn't matter because with the right enchantment and smithing abilities, any weapon or armor can be good. I was wondering if anyone else is like me, and just generally prefers the overall aesthetic and "adventurer" feel of the simpler armor types. I know I'm not the only one. This also applies to light armors. I'm about to start a new character that only uses fur, for the same reasons.

On a side note - I wish the higher level armors had different variations kind of like lower level armors do. I wonder the reason for why they don't. Different variants keep it interesting IMO. If there was a style of ebony armor that looked a bit more functional and outdoorsy (Like, i've been in and out of several dungeons slaughtering giant spiders and the undead all day) I'd probably use it. Anyone else feel the same?

Btw, I'm on xbox, so no mod options.

I tend to stick with my theme even if it means i am greatly disadvantaged. I will take Linwe's Armor over Dragonscale anyday

For a long time I stuck with fur armor because I thought it looked the best but there is only so much you can do to make it a game long armor. Would be nice to add steel plates to make it stronger but keep that fur armor look.

Yeah, I like using the basic armours of some characters just for how they look.

I do agree with you I find the lower level armor more attractive like the Banded Iron Armor, oh how I love that armor. But for better high level armor I use modified versions of the Nightengale (not sure if thats how you spell it) armor, because I'm on PC and all. I do find most high level armor ugly like dragonbone and scale, nasty looking armor.

It almost seems like the majority of players prefer the lower level armors. I'm in that camp. They look more functional and slightly worn. The higher level sets look too neat and ornamental. Too bad they don't have some high level variants that look a bit more functional.

Yeah, that would be nice. I can only wish. Honestly though, I am satisfied with the armor options as is. I'm glad that with proper smithing and enchanting it's no big deal using lower armors at higher levels. As long as I can still blend in with the crowd to a certain extent and retain that unassuming look without getting my ass handed to me in harder dungeons I'm happy.


Yes, my point exactly. I had to post this thread once I found myself downgrading from steel back to iron. I'm not surprised other people play the same, maybe I just felt I needed approval, haha.

Possibly DawmGuard will add some new and better high-tier armors.

And I agree, I would wear Iron over my Dragonbone anyday but at the end my smithing is at 100 and no matter how much I can improve the Iron it just won't cut it against bigger fights.

I agree. My level 41 character has used fur armour from day one. He is an archer so I can get away with it. For me the rp of the character is paramount over effectiveness. I thought the ebony armour looked awful, especially the helmet.

It is still better than OBs Ebony.

Yeah, the ebony armor definitely takes the cake as the least appealing armor for me, at least. I don't mind the ebony weapons too much, surprisingly, although I don't think my Orc character will use them.

I agree.

I like the ebony weapons as well, particularly the war axes.

I also use Linwe armor over the Guild Master armor. Not only the enchantments are more useful but it looks better without the sleeves.

For the same reason I tend to use the Savior's hide even if its armor rating is pretty low.

^{Depends on the character, but I agree that often "simple" clothes and armor look better than the all-too-fancy stuff. My Khajiit prefers a roughspun tunic, footwraps and hood over anything My power-hungry high-elf battlemage lovers her shiny glass armor though}

Currently playing a battle Mage, intend to only use the steel smithing perk and that's simply because I want to wear only Wolf / Blades armour for the duration of the game.

I'm the same. I love the look of fur armour. In my opinion the high level light armours looks more like heavy armours anyway.

I agree in that I think you should keep a base armour (e.g. fur, leather, hide) and use the smithing skill to attach other materials too it so you keep the look but put its armour rating up.

Mind you I am happy with the Nightingale armour. I just want more!

i use a mishmash of iron/steel/ancient nord hero stuff. nothing will part that nord hero helm from me. so far i havent needed to replace anything but im only lvl 28ish.

Most of the higher-level armors make you look like some kinda legend, like the Dovahkiin is meant to look like. But yeah, I also have that dilemma, and like the feel you get when you put on a piece of normal armor, because it makes you feel like an adventurer.

I always use the ancient nord helmet on my female character. Guantlets and boots are random but I usually use unhooded thalmor robes or ebony armor.

I stay with a theme for my character and that includes what armor I use. I rarely go over Steel Plate in quality, though more often than nnot I end up using Steel Plate.

I agree that it would be nice to have variations in how the higher tier armor appeared.

I also use basic armors for the exact same reason you described. Only, I stay away from fur armor because I do enjoy finding better gear occasionally, and fur armor doesn't come with enchants, so I stick with hide armor (modded so the chest piece looks like studded).

Anyone ever bothered to wear guard armor? If your character is buff it actually looks damn cool

I got Smithing upto to 50 so that my Orc 2h warrior could wear Orchish Armour & use Orcish weapons, and tbh, it doesnt look as good as i thought it would. He looks more like a Green Samurai.

I used Banded Iron Armour on my Breton Warrior untill level 29, and it was great, loved the lived in look, but some of the armours are either too shiny & new looking, or fugly as hell.

Depends on my character. I actually like the look of ebony on my evil necromancer. Two dead thralls and a bound sword in each hand and I'm ready to kick some butt!

But on other character it just doesn't look right.

I was thinking of making a character that only uses Banded Iron armor because I like the look. Just don't know if I want to work up smithing, enchanting, or alchemy to make it viable late game. I would probably work up smithing as I go.