Written by Michael Owen | Abiotic Factor

Note this is a work in progress now that the game has officially released with new armor pieces added.

Armor in Abiotic Factor protects you from damage while adding weight to your character. Each piece provides specific armor values and may include cold or heat resistance bonuses, with higher-tier armor offering better protection at the cost of increased weight and resource requirements.

The game features five main armor slots: head, chest, arms, legs, and shields. Most armor pieces focus purely on damage reduction, though some specialized equipment adds environmental resistance. Weight becomes a major factor as heavier armor slows movement and affects stamina.

Click here to jump to all armor pieces you can find in the game.

Understanding Armor Stats

Armor pieces display three key statistics that determine their effectiveness.

The armor value shows how much damage the piece blocks. Higher numbers mean better protection against attacks. Most basic craftable armor starts around 4.0 armor, while end-game pieces reach 28.0.

Cold and heat resistance appear as +1, +2, or +3 bonuses on certain items. These help survive extreme temperatures in different facility areas. The Puffy Coat gives +2 cold resistance, while the Fire Proximity Suit provides +3 heat resistance.

Durability determines how long armor lasts before breaking. Items with higher durability survive more hits before needing replacement or repair.

Best Head Armor Options

Head armor ranges from basic protection to high-end defensive gear with special properties.

The CQC Helmet offers the highest head protection at 28.0 armor with 30 durability. It weighs 17.0 but provides excellent defense for dangerous areas.

For cold environments, the Yeti Helmet combines 10.0 armor with +2 cold resistance. The Mountaineer Helmet offers similar cold protection with the same armor value.

The Security Helmet provides 22.0 armor if you need solid protection without environmental bonuses. Its 40 durability makes it last longer than most alternatives.

Early game options include the Makeshift Helmet with 4.0 armor or the Hard Hat with 3.0 armor. Both offer basic protection while you gather better materials.

Top Chest Armor Choices

Chest pieces typically provide the highest armor values and often include environmental resistance.

The Mountaineer Chestplate leads with 28.0 armor and +1 cold resistance. Its 25.0 weight makes movement slower but offers excellent protection in harsh conditions.

The Ionized Coreplate gives 26.0 armor with both +1 cold and +1 heat resistance. This makes it perfect for areas with changing temperatures, though it weighs 8.0.

For pure protection, the Security Vest provides 22.0 armor with 40 durability. It weighs 20.0 but offers reliable defense without environmental bonuses.

The Cascade Hauberk combines 21.0 armor with +1 cold resistance and weighs only 7.0. This makes it a good balance between protection and mobility.

Click here to jump to all armor pieces you can find in the game.

Arm and Leg Protection

Arm and leg armor typically provide lower values but complete your defensive setup.

The Mountaineer Armguards offer 28.0 armor for arms, matching the chest piece. They include +1 cold resistance but weigh 25.0.

For legs, the Mountaineer Leggings provide the same 28.0 armor with +1 cold resistance and 25.0 weight. This creates a complete cold-weather armor set.

The Security Arm Guards and Security Leg Protectors both give 22.0 armor without environmental bonuses. Each weighs 20.0 but offers consistent protection.

Cascade armor pieces provide a lighter alternative. The Cascade Gauntlets and Cascade Legplates offer 21.0 armor while weighing only 7.0 each.

Click here to jump to all armor pieces you can find in the game.

Shield Options and Drawbacks

Shields add extra protection but reduce weapon accuracy significantly.

The Kite Shield provides the highest durability at 40 points but weighs 11.0. It offers good protection for melee-focused players.

The Riot Shield gives 35 durability with 15.0 weight. This makes it sturdy but heavy for extended use.

Using shields with firearms like the Security Pistol or Quill Rifle makes the laser sight sway twice as fast. This reduces accuracy considerably, making shields better for melee builds.

The Hardlight Shield weighs 10.0 but shows no durability value. Its special properties may differ from standard shields.

Click here to jump to all armor pieces you can find in the game.

Environmental Resistance Gear

Specialized armor helps survive extreme facility conditions.

Cold resistance becomes crucial in frozen facility sections. The Yeti Helmet provides +2 cold resistance while snow gear offers +1 or +2 bonuses.

Heat resistance helps in hot areas near reactors or fires. The Fire Proximity Suit gives +3 heat resistance as a full body option.

The Ionized Coreplate stands out with both cold and heat resistance. This versatility makes it valuable for exploring different facility areas.

Snow Pants offer +2 cold resistance for legs while weighing only 4.5. This makes them efficient for cold weather builds.

Click here to jump to all armor pieces you can find in the game.

Weight Management Tips

Heavy armor slows movement and drains stamina faster during exploration.

The complete Mountaineer set provides excellent protection but weighs over 100 total. This severely impacts mobility and stamina usage.

Cascade armor offers a good balance with 21.0 protection values while weighing only 7.0 per piece. The complete set weighs much less than Security or Mountaineer gear.

Consider mixing armor types based on expected threats. Use heavy protection for dangerous areas and lighter gear for safe facility sections.

Backpacks with weight reduction help offset armor penalties. The Research Pack reduces weight by 22 percent, making heavy armor more manageable.

Click here to jump to all armor pieces you can find in the game.

Crafting Progression Path

Armor crafting follows a clear progression from basic to advanced materials.

Start with Makeshift armor pieces that provide 4.0 protection each. These require basic materials and offer decent early game defense.

Move to F.O.R.G.E. armor for mid-game protection. These pieces provide 10.0 armor values with reasonable weight and material costs.

End-game armor like Mountaineer or Exor pieces requires rare materials but offers the highest protection values. Plan resource gathering around these expensive recipes.

Security armor provides a reliable middle-ground option. It offers 22.0 protection values with materials that are easier to find than top-tier alternatives.

Click here to jump to all armor pieces you can find in the game.

All Armor Pieces in Abiotic Factor

Please note that this needs to be fully updated as of 1.0 - new armor will be updated when we discover them.

Name	Slot	Armor	Cold Resist	Heat Resist	Durability	Weight
CQC Helmet	Head	28.0	+1	-	30	17.0
Nucleus Helm	Head	26.0	-	-	70	8.0
Jotunhelm	Head	24.0	-	-	30	16.0
Security Helmet	Head	22.0	-	-	40	20.0
Cascade Helm	Head	21.0	-	-	30	7.0
Crystalline Casque	Head	18.0	-	-	32	10.0
Yeti Helmet	Head	10.0	+2	-	25	10.5
Alpha Helmet	Head	9.0	+1	-	35	5.0
Sow Helmet	Head	8.0	+1	-	25	5.0
Hard Hat	Head	3.0	-	-	25	7.0
Cowboy Hat	Head	1.0	-	-	100	0.1
Beanie	Head	-	+1	-	100	0.1
Mountaineer Chestplate	Chest	28.0	+1	-	25	25.0
Ionized Coreplate	Chest	26.0	+1	+1	80	8.0
Security Vest	Chest	22.0	-	-	40	20.0
Crystalline Cuirass	Chest	18.0	-	+1	37	10.0
F.O.R.G.E. Chestplate	Chest	10.0	-	+1	40	10.0
Radiation Vest	Chest	7.0	-	-	25	15.0
Puffy Coat	Chest	4.0	+2	-	30	3.0
Mountaineer Armguards	Arms	28.0	+1	-	20	25.0
Radion Armplates	Arms	26.0	-	-	70	8.0
Security Arm Guards	Arms	22.0	-	-	20	20.0
Crystalline Couters	Arms	18.0	-	-	20	10.0
Snow Gloves	Arms	4.0	+1	-	20	2.0
Gardening Gloves	Arms	1.0	-	-	20	2.0
Mountaineer Leggings	Legs	28.0	+1	-	20	25.0
Cerenkov Legplates	Legs	26.0	-	-	70	8.0
Crystalline Cuisses	Legs	18.0	-	-	20	10.0
Snow Pants	Legs	6.0	+2	-	20	4.5
Mud Waders	Legs	1.0	+1	-	100	2.0
Kite Shield	Shield	-	-	-	40	11.0
Charge Shield	Shield	-	-	-	36	12.0
Riot Shield	Shield	-	-	-	35	15.0
Plastic Shield	Shield	-	-	-	24	4.0
Hardlight Shield	Shield	-	-	-	-	10.0

Final Blurb

Armor selection in Abiotic Factor requires balancing protection, weight, and environmental needs. Heavy armor keeps you alive longer but slows exploration and increases stamina drain. Focus on upgrading gradually from Makeshift to F.O.R.G.E. to Security armor as you find better materials.

Save the heaviest gear like Mountaineer sets for dangerous areas where maximum protection matters more than mobility.

FAQ

What armor provides the best overall protection?

The Mountaineer armor set offers the highest protection with 28.0 armor on chest, arms, and legs. It also includes +1 cold resistance on all pieces, making it excellent for frozen facility areas.

Should I use shields with firearms?

Shields reduce firearm accuracy significantly by making the laser sight sway twice as fast. They work better with melee weapons or when you need maximum protection over accuracy.

How important is environmental resistance?

Environmental resistance becomes crucial in certain facility areas. Cold resistance helps in frozen sections while heat resistance protects near reactors. The Ionized Coreplate provides both types for maximum versatility.

What's the best lightweight armor option?

Cascade armor provides excellent protection at 21.0 armor values while weighing only 7.0 per piece. This makes it ideal for players who need mobility without sacrificing too much defense.

Does armor durability matter much?

Higher durability armor lasts longer before breaking, reducing replacement costs and maintenance time. Items like the Security Vest with 40 durability provide better long-term value than lower durability alternatives.

Portions of this guide were sourced from the [Abiotic Factor Wiki](https://abioticfactor.wiki.gg/wiki/Armor_and_Gear), available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.