I decided to start a thief character last night, intending to head over to Riften by way of carriage after doing Bleak Falls Barrow and all that beginning jazz. I get out of the barrow at level 6, and thought to myself "hey, not bad, I'll definitely start the Thieves Guild".

Now I know you get the Nightingale Armor eventually, what I did not know however is that it scales depending on your level. I've just started this character and have only just found the Ragged Flagon so it's not too big a deal. I am curious though what would be a decent level to allow myself to get the armor, I know the wiki says it caps at 32. It seems a bit silly to me as you can get the Archmages Robes quite early and they are pretty damn awesome for anyone playing a mage character.

So what I'd like to know is, say you got the Nightingale Armor at around 20-25, would it make much of a difference? Or should I just wait and go about my thief-y business?

:edit: I also just read that it may be possible to ditch your lower level armor and obtain it again with better stats when you are higher level. Can anyone confirm this? If so then I won't even worry about my original question.

Someone has to know if you can get the higher leveled armor, I've searched everywhere else and can't find a real answer.

The armor caps around level 32, so that's the best time to go about getting this set.

It was confirmed in another thread just yesterday if you get a lower version of the armor, you do not get a replacement with better stats for Nightingale.

Thanks, I'll just wait to get it then. Shame nothing happens when you go back, especially since the wiki says if you lose it you should be able to go back and get another. http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Nightingale_Armor_(Skyrim)

The armor is still good at all levels regardless of scaling.

Remember tho, if you like the weapons they don't cap till 46, and you get the sword before the armor.