Going Medieval Armor Types Comparison — Defense & Protection Guide
Complete armor types comparison for Going Medieval. Stats, protection values, material tiers, and best armor combinations for every combat role and budget.
Armor Saves Lives
Going Medieval's armor system uses layered protection across four body zones: head, torso, legs, and optionally a shield. Each piece reduces incoming damage by a percentage based on its material and type. Unarmored settlers die in 2-3 hits; fully armored settlers can tank 15+ hits.
Complete Armor Protection Table
| Armor Piece | Material Tier | Protection % | Movement Penalty | Coverage | Cost (Resources) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather Cap | Basic (Leather) | 15% | 0% | Head only | 10 leather |
| Leather Armor | Basic (Leather) | 20% | -5% | Torso | 25 leather |
| Leather Pants | Basic (Leather) | 12% | 0% | Legs | 15 leather |
| Iron Helmet | Standard (Iron) | 35% | -3% | Head only | 20 iron |
| Iron Chestplate | Standard (Iron) | 45% | -10% | Torso | 50 iron |
| Iron Greaves | Standard (Iron) | 30% | -5% | Legs | 30 iron |
| Steel Helmet | Advanced (Steel) | 50% | -3% | Head only | 25 steel |
| Steel Plate Armor | Advanced (Steel) | 65% | -15% | Torso | 70 steel |
| Steel Greaves | Advanced (Steel) | 45% | -5% | Legs | 40 steel |
| Wooden Shield | Basic | 25% block | -8% | Active blocking | 15 wood |
| Iron Shield | Standard | 40% block | -10% | Active blocking | 25 iron |
| Steel Shield | Advanced | 55% block | -12% | Active blocking | 30 steel |
Full Set Protection Calculation
Protection stacks multiplicatively, not additively. A full steel set (helmet 50% + plate 65% + greaves 45%) doesn't give 160% protection. Instead, each piece reduces the remaining damage: an incoming 100 damage hit becomes 50 after helmet, then ~17.5 after plate, then ~9.6 after greaves — approximately 90% total damage reduction from a full steel set.
Budget Armor Priorities
If you can only afford partial armor, prioritize in this order: 1) Helmet (headshots are most lethal), 2) Chestplate (largest hitbox, most frequent target), 3) Shield (for melee fighters), 4) Greaves (legs are hit less often). A leather cap + iron chestplate provides good protection at low cost.
Archer Armor Strategy
Archers benefit most from helmets and light torso armor. They should avoid heavy plate armor — the movement penalty reduces repositioning speed, which is critical for ranged units. A steel helmet + leather armor provides good head protection without sacrificing mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does armor protect against all damage types equally?
A: No, armor is most effective against cutting and piercing damage (swords, arrows). Blunt damage (maces, hammers) bypasses a portion of armor protection. This is why heavily armored enemies are vulnerable to mace-wielding settlers.
Q: Can settlers wear armor while doing non-combat work?
A: Yes, but the movement penalty applies at all times. A settler in full steel plate will work significantly slower. Consider having combat armor stored near your defensive line and switching settlers into it only when a raid warning appears.
Q: Is leather armor worth crafting or should I skip straight to iron?
A: Leather armor is absolutely worth crafting early. The difference between zero protection and 15-20% protection is life-saving in early raids. Craft leather armor for all settlers as soon as you have a tailor bench, then upgrade to iron piece by piece as resources allow.
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Last updated: June 2026