Armor types

Looks vs Functionality
In Tyria (the Prophecies campaign), each armor type is generally distinctive in both appearance and stat bonuses. For example, the warrior Gladiator's Armor offers energy bonuses, while the Wyvern Armor has higher AL against elemental damage. Both have distinct looks and you can be sure of the inherent bonus. The only exception to this are the Obsidian Armors, which has the same appearance within a profession, regardless of bonus.

In Cantha however, this has been changed. Functionality and appearance have been decoupled, so one can craft armors of all functional types with any armor skin (art or looks). For example, for any one profession, all armors crafted in Cavalon will look exactly the same (the "Luxon Armor" style), regardless of their bonus (i.e. function).

Also, a lot of armor function/art types have their corresponding "ascended", or colloquially "15k", types, which have the same functionality as their "normal" counterparts, but have different appearances; which most players consider more appealing. They are available only to PvE characters, and only from towns that are deep into the campaign plot. Ascended armor comes with a much higher price tag in terms of both gold and materials. The same can be said about Obsidian Armor, except that they are even more difficult and expensive to obtain.

Special Events Armor

 * Pumpkin Crown (Headgear) - Halloween 2005
 * Yule Cap (Headgear) - Christmas 2005
 * Horns of Grenth (Headgear) - Christmas 2005
 * Tengu Mask (Headgear) - Day of the Tengu 2006
 * Ceremonial Dragon Mask (Headgear) - Dragon Festival 2006

Discontinued Sets
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 orginal names of some of the current armors.
 * Adept's Armor (Elementalist)
 * Regal Armor (Mesmer)
 * Silk Armor (Monk)
 * Blasphemer's Armor (Necromancer)
 * Pagan Armor (Necromancer)

Using Dye Removers
Using dye removers on armors makes them a default, profession-dependent color, which is not always the same as when the player first obtained them, since some armors come already dyed.

The following is a list of default colors on armors for each profession:
 * Warrior: Yellow-gold
 * Ranger: Yellow-brown
 * Monk: Yellow (blue on ascetics)
 * Necromancer: Red
 * Mesmer: Green
 * Elementalist: Purple
 * Assassin: Blue
 * Ritualist: Orange