Armor types

Categories of armor types

 * 1) Prophecies-specific sets and the PvP sets which share their art are omitted from this table. They are listed on the profession-specific armor pages.

Standard armor
Armor sets available in the beginning areas of each campaign are Standard armor, which is available in armor ratings ranging between 5 and 80 depending on profession and armor crafter. The first armor available to new players for purchase is Standard armor.

Ascended armor
Many armor sets have a corresponding ascended version, which have the same functionality as their standard counterparts, but have a different appearance. There are also some Ascended armor sets which do not correspond to any Standard armor sets. All Ascended armor have the maximum armor rating available for each profession. Ascended armor is available only to PvE characters, and only from towns that are deep into the campaign plot. The price of Ascended armor is much higher than Standard armor in terms of both gold and materials. Ascended armor is sometimes called "15k armor" because most Ascended armor sets cost 15 platinum per piece.

Obsidian armor
Each profession also has a single Obsidian art style. Obsidian armor is profoundly expensive, requiring Ectoplasm and Obsidian Shards, in addition to other rare and common crafting materials. Obsidian armor is only available from the Eternal Forgemaster in the Fissure of Woe, and requires a lengthy set of prerequisite quests before the forge can be opened. All Obsidian armor have the maximum armor rating available for each profession.

Hero armor
In addition to their default armor, all Nightfall heroes except for Razah have an alternate set of armor obtained in one of the three Nightfall challenge missions, and all Nightfall heroes have an alternate set of armor obtained in the Domain of Anguish.

Discontinued armor
These armor sets can be found at some fansites, but they have been discontinued. They are listed here for historical purposes, and to eliminate confusion when comparing this list to those on other sites. Most were either only around during the beta, or are the original names of some of the current armors. The names might be reused in future campaign releases. The following Paragon armor was available during the Nightfall Preview Event: The following Dervish armor was available during the Nightfall Preview Event:
 * Adept's Armor (Elementalist)
 * Hunter's Armor (Ranger)
 * Regal Armor (Mesmer)
 * Silk Armor (Monk)
 * Blasphemer's Armor (Necromancer)
 * Pagan Armor (Necromancer)
 * Empyrean Armor (art renamed to Sunspear Armor, function removed)
 * Overseer's Armor (art renamed to Istani Armor, function replaced with Survivor Insignia)
 * Radiant Armor (art renamed to Elonian Armor, function removed, name reused for +energy Insignia)
 * Templar's Armor (art renamed to Istani Armor, function replaced with Radiant Insignia)
 * Dunewalker's Armor (art renamed to Vabbian Armor, function removed, name retained for Earth Prayers headgear)
 * Nomad's Armor (art renamed to Elonian Armor, function replaced with Survivor Insignia)
 * Soothsayer's Armor (art renamed to Istani Armor, function replaced with Radiant Insignia)
 * Windwalker's Armor (art renamed to Ancient Armor, function removed, name retained for Wind Prayers headgear)