Basic armor

General
The level of armor is a concept for comparison across different types of armors at the same balance level. Armors at the same level may have different armor ratings, due to professional differences (Warrior vs Monk) or innate armor type bonuses (Sentinel's Armor vs Gladiator's Armor).

All the armors crafted by the same armor crafter are always at the same level regardless of profession or armor type.

Keep in mind that armors do not have character level requirements to wear them. The level of armor is purely for comparasion basis.

Armor differences across professions

 * Standard armor rating are equal across all caster class armor at the same level, max at 60.
 * Ranger and Assassin armor are 10 higher than caster class armor at the same level, max at 70.
 * Standard Warrior armor is 20 higher than caster class armor at the same level, max at 80.
 * Pet armor follows the equation:
 * Pet armor = (Pet level) * 3 + 20
 * Because pet level is capped at 20, pet armor max at 80 like Warrior armor.

By tying pet armor progression with Warrior armor progression, the notion of level for armor can be fully developed as: where the level of armor goes up to 20.

PvP armor as well as all prestige armor are always level 20 armor.

With two exceptions, the level of all armor in the Prophecies and Factions campaigns, using the fomulation above, turn out to be integers. The two exceptions are the starter armor for both campaigns, as well as the collector armor in Pre-Searing.

Armor variations within a profession
Within a profession, certain armor types may have different base armor ratings as part of the bonus or balance against bonus.