There's a lot of different armor choices in Dune Awakening so it can be hard to know which set is best for you, or if you should mix and match different pieces with different unique effects.
We've structured this Tier List based on which armor pieces and sets are most useful/powerful across all content, rather than creating a separate list for both PVP and PVE. However, in the discussion we do note the key strengths & weaknesses of each.
Hopefully this Tier List can help you think about which Schematics are worth pushing for in the Deep Desert or the Landsraad.
Note: This Tier List will be a living Tier List, updated as we have the opportunity to try out more armor pieces & sets (when they appear in the Deep Desert Loot Tables).
Dune Awakening Best Armor - Tier List
This Tier List is focused solely on Mk6 Unique armor, the highest tier, and most powerful armor in the game.
S-Tier Discussion
Tabr Softstep Boots
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Tabr Softstep Boots database page.
Tabr Softstep Boots are widely considered to be an essential craft once you reach the late game. This is because they have a unique effect, granted by no other item in the game (other than lower tier Softstep boots) which is worm threat reduction.
Wearing these Boots will reduce your worm threat, meaning it will take longer before the worm is alerted to your presence. This is incredibly useful of course when it comes to farming Spice. Outside of that, the Boots have decent Light Armor stats, providing blade mitigation and lowering your Dash Stamina Cost.
Ix-core Leggings
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Ix-core Leggings database page.
When it comes to late-game combat, especially in PVP, you will find that Stamina management is critical to survival. Run out of Stamina and you will soon find yourself out of options. That's why these Leggings are a great choice.
Ix-core Leggings reduce your Dash Stamina Cost by 10%, 2.5x more than the standard Mk6 Light Armor piece, which reduces it by 4%. They also of course provide some decent Armor and Blade Mitigation to boot.
Pincushion Set
The Pincushion Set in Dune Awakening has no weaknesses. It is an exceptional set that provides all three of the desired armor attributes:
- Dart (Light & Heavy) Mitigation
- Blade Mitigation
- Dash Stamina Cost Reduction
It is a Light Armor set so has lower overall armor than some of the Heavy Armor sets but is still tanky enough for all end-game content thanks to the additional mitigation. The Blade Mitigation and Dash Stamina Cost Reduction will be hugely helpful in PVP, while the Dart Mitigation will allow you to trade shots more effectively in PVE, speeding up the clearing of end-game Testing Stations.
A-Tier Discussion
Power Harness
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Power Harness database page.
Power is an extremely important resource in Dune Awakening because it also acts as effective HP. Power capacity directly corresponds to shield capacity which means that with more Power, we can take more hits before our shield breaks.
That's why the Power Harness' unique effect of increasing Maximum Power by +50 is so valuable. There's also some more niche benefits, for example if you are going raiding with a Lasgun or want to travel further with your Suspensor Belt.
The Forge Set
The Forge Set is probably the strongest PVP set in the game. First of all it's Light Armor which means it provides Blade Mitigation and Dash Stamina Cost Reduction, but more importantly it also provides elemental resistances (Fire, Energy and Poison).
Poison is extremely common in PVP and very powerful because of its ability to deal damage through shields. Equipping the full set gives you a huge 40% Poison Mitigation. The Fire Mitigation is also not to be sniffed at, with the Cauterizer also considered a powerful PVP weapon.
TBD Discussion
Circuit Gauntlets
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Circuit Gauntlets database page.
The reason that we have placed Circuit Gauntlets in the TBD Tier, is because we have not yet had a chance to test whether or not the -10% Power Usage boon granted by these gauntlets also impacts shield (power) loss on hit.
Following testing, we'll update the Tier List to include these.
