Armor is a bit of a misnomer here, as most of the armor sets made for magic-inclined builds inElden Ringare either glamorous gowns or raggedy rags. Still, they do have their advantages compared to the tin cans and cast iron pots that melee builds choose to wear. What they lack inphysical damagenegation, they compensate in magical and elemental damage protection.
But of course, that doesn’t mean any mage or wizard can simply pick their choice of hooded robes or pointy hats. Some of them have semi-hidden bonuses, while others are simply more stylish than others. One might want to be picky with their choice of magical drip inElden Ring.Who knows, maybe the proper armor set might attract the right maiden for the maidenless wizards?
Updated July 17, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: Armor in Elden Ring typically doesn’t influence your defenses altogether too much. Its not like other games where players can equip a piece of armor and suddenly become much more resistant to blows - the difference between the best Armor Set for intelligence builds and the worst is ultimately a matter of a few hits, which come fast and hit hard in Elden Ring. Intelligence Armor sets have some of the most descriptive item descriptions and lore behind them, though, and if you are interested in the sorcerous origins and exploration of the Elden Ring universe, the revelations on some of these sets are mind-blowing. This guide to the best Intelligence sets Elden Ring players can equip has been updated to provide these lore details that shed light on aspects of Elden Ring’s lore (especially its Sorcery lore) otherwise left unexplained by the game.
19High Priest Set (Altered)
The front is open, exposing the squirming fingers beneath.
This robe is the image of his fervent desire having broken free, laying bare his greatest wish, and wearing it enhances finger sorceries.
“I will be the true mother. My fingers will grant us redemption!”
10.7
The High Priest set might not be the first armor set that jumps to mind when you think of the best Magic Armor Sets inElden Ring, but with two pieces that enhance Sorceries, it’s one you shouldn’t miss. The High Priest Hat increases your Intelligence and Arcane by one, which isn’t much, but it can be very useful for Rule Level 1 runs.
Normally, the High Priest Robe doesn’t have any special effects. But if you go to Boc and get it Altered (or use the Golden Sewing Needle yourself), you can turn it into the Finger Robe. Count Ymir wears this after you complete his quest, and it enhances all Finger Sorceries by 8%. If you plan to use these creepy new spells in the DLC, the High Priest set, and the altered Finger Robe, are a natural fit.
High Priest Set Location
The High Priest armor set can only be unlocked by defeating Count Ymir at the end of his questline. Head to the Cathedral of Manus Metyr to start the quest, and return to his throne once you have defeated Metyr, Mother of Fingers to fight him. Turn the High Priest Robe into the Finger Robe by Altering it with the Golden Sewing Needle.
18Fire Knight Set (With Salza’s Hood)
Armor of the Fire Knights under Messmer the Impaler’s personal command.
Distinguished by its red cape and twin golden snakes which adorn the neck, enhancing incantations of Messmer’s flame.
These were the only ones who truly knew Messmer. His flames, like serpents.
21.9
The Fire Knight set, like the High Priest set, isn’t altogether too special on its own. It looks great, and especially suits the aesthetic of Fire Sorcery-users, but if you want to maintain its aesthetic and gain a boost to your Sorceries too, consider picking up Salza’s Hood.
The Fire Knight Helm doesn’t give any bonuses, but Salza’s Hood – being the hood of a Sage of the Fire Knights – gives you a small +2 bonus to Intelligence. You can mix and match this with other armor sets, but Salza’s Hood definitely looks best when cosplaying a member of Messmer’s Fire Knights.
Fire Knight Set Location
Pieces to the Fire Knight armor set drop from Fire Knights within Shadow Keep, with a pretty low drop chance. Salza’s Hood can be found at the entrance to the Ancient Ruins of Rauh from Shadow Keep. Salza himself guards the entrance to the Ancient Ruins, and must be defeated to progress to this zone. On defeat, he will drop his hood an d the Rain of Fire spell.
17Juvenile Scholar Set
Robe worn by young academy scholars, the juveniles birthed anew by the amber egg of Queen Rennala, the head of Raya Lucaria Academy.
Yet their rebirth is not without imperfections, and thus do they repeat the process, eventually becoming utterly dependent upon it.
Rebirth is as sleep to them, and with each awakening, memory fades into oblivion.
5.5
Given the effort needed for players to unlock such an item, one would expect this armor set to have something special. But it’s mostly just for novelty and as some kind of rare trophy. TheJuvenile Scholar Setis mostly just a junior version of the Queen of the Full Moon set.
Still, it’s lighter and more agile, allowing players to come up with some clever hit-and-run builds using certain talismans that favor light load. It’s also ideal for cosplaying as certain NPCs or enemies in the game, particularly Rennala’s daughters.
Juvenile Scholar Set Location
To get the Juvenile Scholar SetElden Ringplayers must head to the graveyard area to the east of Caria Manor, after obtaining the Resurrection Painting. This is found at the Artist’s Shack in the east of Liurnia, pretty close to the Carian Study Hall.
16Shaman Set
The ancestral followers live a distance from the Erdtree, awaiting new buds.
They are certain to sprout from their very flesh, and indeed, their souls.
11.5
Helm strengthens Ancestral Infant’s Head item by 20%
Not all magic builds inElden Ringare all about snobby and pompous wizards. Some are down-to-earth shaman builds that utilize one of the most visceral spells in the game. Players can complete the look by aping those Ancestral Follow Shaman enemies in the underground sections.
TheShaman Setitself is unimpressive both for physical and elemental protection. But players might find a use for it if they like spamming Ancestral Infant’s Head. It is, however, decentenough against Poisonand Rot damage or buildup.
Shaman Set Set Location
To get the Shaman SetElden Ringplayers must simply kill Ancestral Follower Shaman enemies in the Siofra River. Each piece has a different chance to drop, though the Shining Horned Headband is the rarest.
Robe fashioned from supple cloth.
Worn by those who look to the cosmos above.
They read fate in the stars, and are said to be heirs of the glintstone sorcerers.
13.3
Players don’t have to go far to look like a proper mage inElden Ring. TheAstrologer Setis readily available at the start of the game, assuming players picked the Astrologer class. If not, then players can still obtain it early in the game by venturing into Liurnia of the Lakes.
The armor set isn’t particularly build-defining, as it has no perks or special effects that can alter gameplay. However, it has impressive elemental damage protection as well as defense against Madness and Blight which is perfect for adventurous mages.
Astrologer Set Set Location
To get the Astrologer SetElden Ringplayers must either play as an Astrologer, or purchase it from the first Merchant you meet in Liurnia of the Lakes – just after descending from the cliffs at the southern entrance, you should see his campfire.
Knowledge begins with the recognition of one’s ignorance.
The realization that the search for knowledge is unending.
But when Gideon glimpsed into the will of Queen Marika, he shuddered in fear.
25.4
TheAll-Knowing Setfeatures Gideon’s signature wise man garb, and the helmet itself looks imposing enough. The armor piece also has a cape though it’s not as flowy as other clothed armor sets. Still, it’s a decent armor with a lightweight and can compete with others at the stage in which players get it.
As far as bonuses for magic builds go, it’s nothing special. But the well-rounded defense and the manageable weight might make it appealing for certain mage builds. Besides, it’s lore-friendly since Gideon prizes fundamentalist magic, which is a combination of Intelligence and Faith spells.
All-Knowing Set Location
To get the All-Knowing SetElden Ringplayers must defeat Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing, in the Ashen version of Leyndell towards the end of the game. As the third-to-last boss ofElden Ring, don’t expect to have this set till nearly the end.
13Royal Knight Set
Silver armor of Loretta, a knight who served Miquella’s Haligtree.
Loretta was once a royal Carian Knight, and her lapis-lazuli blue cape is the emblem of the knightly pride that continues to guide her.
36.9
If players are into battlemage builds but don’t want to look like a hermit, then Loretta’s fancy and ornate armor gives a more dignified appearance. It’s another well-rounded armor though the weight might compromise certain mage builds and force them to invest in Endurance.
But it’s worth it since the poise is high enough for players to shrug off some disruptive light attacks. Moreover, the physical defense is quite high, and it’s generally a good armor for trading blows, especially in PvP. Just don’t forget to use Loretta’s Greatbow as a cherry on top.
Royal Knight Set Location
To get theRoyal Knight SetElden Ringplayers can purchase it from Finger Reader Enia after defeating Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree in Elphael. The Chest costs 6,000 Runes, while each other piece cost 4,000 Runes, for a total of 18,000 Runes.
12Queen Of The Full Moon Set
When Rennala, head of both the Academy of Raya Lucaria and the Carian royal family, lost her husband Radagon, her heart went along with him.
And then, those at the academy realized that Rennala was no champion, after all.
11
Crescent Crown increases INT by 3
Players will have to beat up a grieving divorcee mother who just lost all of her children to grab this set from Enia. Rennala is sadly semi-mandatory or mandatory if players want to be able to re-spec. Her armor is also decent enough as a fashion statement.
A lot of people with goofy fashion senses also prefer wearing her helm. Apart from the tall profile, the helmet also gives out three Intelligence. It’s not much but it can help players save up on some expensive levels to pour into Intelligence.
Queen Of The Full Moon Set Location
To get theQueen of the Full Moon SetElden Ringplayers must purchase it from Finger Reader Enia in Roundtable Hold after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. You don’t need to turn in her Remembrance for this set, but it will set you back 31,000 Runes – 10k for the helm, and 7k for each other piece.
Traveling attire fashioned from metallic white silk thread.
Worn by expatriated royalty.
A gift of such rare beauty, a royal wouldn’t disgrace their illustrious heritage even if found dead, in a ditch, in the middle of nowhere, while wearing such splendid raiment.
14
Crimson/Navy Hoods increases Vigor or Mind by 1
The Noble’s set looks like a pajama set, but the torso piece has a small cape, so it passes the Elden Bling criteria. Apart from that, the helmet, or in this case, the hood, is also elegant. It’s navy blue in color and fits in well with other armor set pieces.
In terms of bonuses, it’s quite meek as the helmet piece onlygives one point of Mind. It’s a small and barely noticeable increase to FP but at least it gives off some kind of benefit should players choose to use it as a fashion statement.
Noble’s Set Location
To get theNoble’s SetElden Ringplayers must simply head to Windmill Village in northern Altus Plateau and defeat enemies in the East Windmill Pasture area.
10Bull-Goat Set
Great Horned Tragoth’s armor. Tragoth is a famed knight of assistance.
Countless Tarnished, facing adversity in the Lands Between, have survived thanks only to the Great Horned One’s aid.
63
Highest Poise and defenses in the game
Some magic-builds that can spare several more points into Endurance will be well-rewarded as they get access to the heaviest and most stable armor in the game. Because in hindsight, the biggest problem for a magic-build is getting interrupted in their casting animation.
Bull-Goat Setensures that magic-builds can just shrug that off. On top of the highest poise value in the game, the armor also protects the best, especially from physical damage. At times, it can even be preferable for any Tarnished who likes to spam Comet Azur.
Bull-Goat Set Location
To get the Bull-Goat SetElden Ringplayers must follow Patches' questline in Volcano Manor. After a few targets, you will be instructed to kill Great Horned Tragoth. Find this NPC’s invasion sign, and defeat him, in the Magma Wyrm cave that connects Liurnia and the Altus Plateau.
