The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion just got remastered, and most of the features are exactly the same as those in the original, including the armors sets and other items available to you. In this top ten list, we will go over some of the light armor pieces that you can get and talk a bit about why they are considered by some to be the “best” of the lot.
Top 10 Light Armor Sets in Oblivion Remastered
Before we begin, it should be noted that the majority of the normal light armor, just like those in the heavy category, have a pretty straightforward and linear progression.
If you are just wondering what the “best” base armor is, then just open the wiki and look at the list there, because it is a straight line from fur to glass. Seriously, there are not even enough basic light armor sets to fill up this list.
Now, this list will go over some of the “special” stuff that you can get through quest rewards or other means. However, it will also talk about some of the base stuff, because this is partly also about aesthetics and not just raw stats.
This is listed in no particular order, so there are no rankings to worry about. The truth of the matter is, the “best” will just depend on what you need it for, and in terms of the sets’ looks, it is completely subjective.
Armor Set #1 – Imperial Dragon Armor (Light Version)
The Imperial Dragon armor set is the reward you get for finishing the main questline, and its version will vary depending on which armor skills you have been focusing on. As a light armor set, it offers just an okay amount of protection and a flashy aesthetic.
The main draw of this set, aside from its looks, is that it comes built in with elemental and magic resistances. It is far from an impressive set in that regard, but hey, at least it looks cool. At its core, however, it is just a fancier version of the Legion armor that Imperial guards wear.
It should also be noted that this does not come with a shield. Because of this, it is a bit of an “incomplete” set, as the base armors all come with one.
Armor Set #2 – Chainmail Armor
Chainmail armor actually offers the same protection as the previous entry of this list, which is pretty funny to think about considering the difference in how fast you can get one over the other. It also comes with a shield, so it has that advantage going for it if you need one.
It is a set that you can get very early on as you progress your character normally and the regular bandits and marauders of the world scale up. There really is nothing else to say about it, as even its aesthetics are pretty plain when put aside the game’s more fantastical elements.
Armor Set #3 – Mithril Armor
Mithril armor is the next step up from the previous one if you check the light armor tree. This one actually does have a pretty cool look, so it is a clear upgrade over the previous set even without taking its slightly better stats into consideration.
This is actually a favorite of many players, as it arguably looks better than the “best” base set in the light armor tree. If you are just looking for a set that looks cool, then you are in for a treat with this one.
Armor Set #4 – Elven Armor
Elven armor is the next upgrade when you surpass the level needed to start seeing mithril all around the game. Again, it is just another base armor set, but it does have a pretty unique aesthetic worthy of a character who has just leveled up to that point.
The only downside is, because of how the game’s scaling system works, you are going to see even the lowliest of criminals wearing the exact same set, which might be a bit of an immersion breaker for y some players.
It is another fan favorite because of its uniquely flashy look, and it is perhaps one of the most conspicuous sets in the entire game if you forget that the jarringly green and shiny glass armor exists. Speaking of which…
Armor Set #5 – Glass Armor
Look, we are just going to get the base armor sets out of the way right now. Glassarmor is the “best” of the light sets in the game, at least in terms of raw stats. It takes a ridiculous amount of leveling to start seeing it around the world, and boy, does it become an eyesore later on.
Wait, it actually looks good in the remaster? Praise the Nine, glass actually looks pretty good in this version of the game, as it no longer looks like a steel set that is spray painted with Mountain Dew green. It actually looks pretty “ornate” with its crystal-like features, and it is no longer aggressively shiny.
Unfortunately, the helmet is still ugly, as it looks like it is struggling to decide whether it wants to be a coif, a hood, or an actual helmet. Maybe wear something else in the head slot if you care about aesthetics at all.
Armor Set #6 – Brusef Amelion’s Armor Set
Brusef Amelion’s armor pieces can be found in the Amelion Tomb at Leyawiin, and it is tied to a side quest that you can do as well. It is a pretty unique armor set that actually looks like a set of heavy armor that just happens to be classified as “light”.
It has a sort of Nordic-themed helmet, and wearing the whole set makes you look like a bit of a huscarl. However, the color is a bit of an acquired taste, as every piece looks like it had been dipped in a vat of teal paint.
If you thought the old glass armor looked off, this one kind of makes you look like the spokesperson of Mountain Dew Baja Blast. If you do not mind the color, then it is a great set to use.
Armor Set #7 – Shrouded Armor Set
The Shrouded armor set is given to you as soon as you officially join the Dark Brotherhood, and it fortifies all of the relevant skills, such as sneak, blade, and marksman. It is pretty inconspicuous and not really ideal if you are looking for protection.
However, it is an iconic set because of what it is used for. Obviously, you are going to be using it for more stealth-oriented activities, and you can’t exactly mix and match pieces as everything except the hood is consolidated to a single piece of gear.
If you are more of a stealth enjoyer and do not mind a little bit of murder here and there, then this set is going to be perfect for you. The main downside, again, is that it is a mere two-piece set that you pretty much have to wear as a whole if you ever want to use it.
Armor Set #8 – Amber Armor Set
The amber armor set is something you can get from the Shivering Isles expansion pack, and the grade in which you get it will vary depending on what level you are at the time. The best version is labeled as “Perfect”, and it comes at around level 20+, so you have a lot of leveling ahead of you if you want that variant.
As you would expect, it has a very distinct amber aesthetic, which is another acquired taste. One could say that it makes you look like a weird power ranger, while others might think it actually looks pretty sleek.
You can get either an enchanted or unenchanted set of this armor, so make sure to look into what it comes with first.
Armor Set #9 – Crusader Armor Set
The crusader armor set is a part of the Knights of the Nine expansion pack, and it has an undeniably unique and cool aesthetic that most players are probably going to like. The light armor version of the set has a bunch of enchantments that benefit you in varying ways.
The main draw really is the aesthetic, however, as there are no items in the game that look quite like it. You get a light armor set if you have a much higher level in that skill, and then only complaint one would likely have would be the tabard that you cannot modify.
There are mods that can change it, if you so desire. You will just have to look around in the Nexus for yourself if you want to do that, though.
Armor Set #10 – Morag Tong Armor Set
The Morag Tong armor set just looks like a basic set of leather armor with a hood, but it comes with some useful enchantments for players who love to play like a stealthy assassin. It requires quite a bit of work to get the full set, but it does become worth it if you are more stealth-oriented.
It is a worthy alternative to the Dark Brotherhood set if you would like to mix and match pieces, though just remember that it really does just look like regular leather gear.
And those are all of the light armor sets of the list. Again, all of this is just a matter of personal preference, because most of the armor just scales up depending on what level you are and how much you progress your light armor skill.
If you want another top ten list that might be a bit more useful if you are trying to min-max the game for whatever reason, consider taking a peek at our top 10 longswords in Oblivion Remastered article. It still features the linear progression of base weapons, but at least the unique stuff in there actually look more distinct and not just “armor, but enchanted”.
He is a writer and avid gamer who spends a lot of his free time looking for the next game to add to his collection. If he’s not busy working, there’s also a non-zero chance that you stumble into him in pretty much any multiplayer game.