Armor Layering Guide
How armor pieces stack, which combinations provide the best protection against each damage type, and how to gear your settlers for survival.
How Armor Layering Works
Going Medieval uses a multi-layer armor system. Each settler can wear up to three layers on their torso and two on their legs, plus a helmet. The layers are: Inner (Gambeson/Padded) → Middle (Chainmail/Brigandine) → Outer (Plate/Armor). Each layer contributes its own protection values, and they stack additively — a settler in full plate over chainmail over gambeson has dramatically more protection than one in just plate armor.
The catch: weight matters. Each armor piece has a weight value that reduces movement speed. A fully armored settler is a slow settler — they may not reach the battle in time. The art of armor layering is balancing protection against mobility for each settler's role.
Armor Layer Types
| Layer | Slot | Materials | Blunt Protection | Pierce Protection | Slash Protection | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gambeson | Inner | Cloth/Leather | 15% | 10% | 10% | Light |
| Chainmail | Middle | Iron/Steel | 10% | 25% | 35% | Medium |
| Brigandine | Middle | Steel + Leather | 15% | 20% | 25% | Medium |
| Plate Armor | Outer | Steel | 30% | 40% | 45% | Heavy |
| Plate Helmet | Head | Steel | 25% | 35% | 40% | Medium |
Best Armor Combinations by Role
Frontline Tank (Melee Defender)
Build: Plate Helmet + Plate Armor (outer) + Chainmail (middle) + Gambeson (inner)
Maximum protection in all three damage categories. The full three-layer torso stack provides roughly 45-55% total damage reduction against slash and pierce attacks, which are the most common raid damage types. Accept the movement penalty — your tank is meant to stand at the chokepoint, not chase enemies.
Archer / Crossbowman (Ranged DPS)
Build: Leather Helmet + Brigandine (outer) + Gambeson (inner)
Skip Chainmail for archers — the weight penalty reduces their repositioning speed, which is critical for maintaining optimal firing angles. Brigandine provides good pierce protection against enemy archers while keeping weight manageable. If the archer is positioned behind walls and merlons, they rarely need heavy armor — prioritize mobility over protection.
Flanker / Skirmisher
Build: Plate Helmet + Chainmail (outer) + Gambeson (inner)
Flankers need enough armor to survive getting caught but enough speed to circle behind enemies. Chainmail gives excellent slash and pierce protection without the heavy movement penalty of plate. Use Plate Helmet to protect against the most dangerous headshots, but keep the body lighter for mobility.
Civilian / Worker
Build: Gambeson only (single layer)
Workers should wear minimal armor — just a Gambeson for basic protection against random wildlife attacks. Heavy armor on a farmer or builder drastically slows their work speed because of the movement penalty between tasks. If a raid happens, draft them to safety behind walls rather than trying to armor them for combat they should not be in.
Material Quality Matters
Armor quality scales with crafting skill and material type. A Steel Plate Armor crafted by a level 40+ Armorer provides roughly 40% more protection than an Iron Plate Armor from a level 20 Armorer. Always assign your highest-skill Armorer to craft combat gear. The quality tiers are:
- Flawed (skill 1-10): Only 60% of base protection — avoid for combat gear
- Normal (skill 11-25): 100% base protection
- Good (skill 26-40): 120% base protection
- Excellent (skill 41-50): 140% base protection
Seasonal Armor Considerations
Armor also affects temperature management. Heavy armor (plate, chainmail) provides cold insulation but causes heat buildup in summer. During heat waves, consider swapping your defenders to lighter armor or ensure they have access to shaded positions. A settler suffering from heatstroke fights at roughly 60% effectiveness regardless of their armor quality. Winter is the ideal season for heavy armor deployment — the insulation bonus keeps fighters warm during long defensive stands on the walls.