Minecraft armor tier list

In Minecraft, players must survive for as long as possible against all kinds of dangers like hostile mobs, fall damage, burning damage, and so on. To help with this, the game has an extensive armor system. Players can find materials from which they can craft armor sets. As per the strength of the material, different armor sets have different durability and abilities to defend players against attacks.

Here is a tier list of all armor players can use in Minecraft.

Note: This ranking is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer.

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Tier list of armors in Minecraft

6) Leather armor

Leather armor is the simplest and weakest set (Image via Mojang Studios)

Leather armor is the weakest set that players can craft in Minecraft. It can either be crafted using leather obtained from cows or can be found as chest loot with enchantment applied to it.

When players apply a full set of leather armor, it only fills up the armor bar to three and a half. The leather armor lacks armor toughness as well.

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5) Gold armor

Gold armor is mainly useful in the Nether (Image via Mojang Studios)

Gold armor is another set that players can create and wear. Even though gold is much rarer and precious, it is not as durable as iron armor. The gold armor is only useful in the Nether, where it can be used to turn piglins neutral and stop them from chasing players.

A full set of gold armor only fills five and a half points in the armor bar. This armor type also does not have any toughness attribute in the game.

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4) Chainmail armor

Chainmail armor is one of the rarest finds. (Image via Mojang Studios)

Chainmail armor parts are one of the rarest finds in Minecraft. They are more durable and powerful than gold armor. This is the only type of armor that players cannot craft themselves. Chainmail armor parts can be found as chest loot in buried chests and woodland mansions, or they can be obtained from hostile mobs wearing them. It is also not the most useful since players can quickly explore more of the world and get iron armor, which is stronger than chainmail.

A full set of chainmail armor only fills up six points in the armor bar, which is not enough for surviving hostile mobs that are more powerful. It also does not have a toughness attribute.

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3) Iron armor

Iron armor is the most commonly used early in the game. (Image via Mojang Studios)

It is safe to say that iron is one of the most useful items in Minecraft. Players can make all kinds of decent tools, weapons, and armor with it. Iron armor is generally the first that players will craft on their own and wear early into the game. Iron can be found as iron ore blocks, most commonly on Y 232 and Y 16.

A full set of iron armor takes the armor bar to seven and a half points, sufficient for basic Overworld hostile mobs like zombies, creepers, skeletons, and more. Just like chainmail, iron armor does not have a toughness attribute as well.

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2) Diamond armor

Diamond armor is arguably the most famous in the game. (Image via Mojang Studios)

Diamond armor is by far the most popular set that players craft and use in Minecraft. Though there is now a higher level of armor players can make, most of them stick to this armor for the majority of their gameplay. Diamond is a rare mineral that is found deep underground, most commonly at Y -58.

After crafting diamond armor, players will also get a special achievement, making this a major step in general progression.

This is the first set of armor that fills the armor bar to 10 points. It is also the first armor set to have four levels of armor toughness, essentially adding extra protection to what the armor usually offers.

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1) Netherite armor

Netherite armor is the strongest in the game. (Image via Mojang Studios)

Netherite armor is the strongest set players can craft in Minecraft. The material was added to the game with the 1.16 Nether Update. Hence, it can only be found in the hellish realm in the form of ancient debris blocks.

It can then be smelted and combined with gold to get netherite ingots. Players can then use one netherite ingot on their diamond armor parts to essentially coat it with the most durable and strongest material.

A full set of netherite armor not only fills armor points up to the brim but also offers six points worth of toughness. It also has a special knockback resistance effect without any enchantment being needed. Since netherite is naturally generated in the Nether, lava cannot burn it even if the armor gets thrown into the hot liquid.