Armour


 * For boxed armour sets, see Item set.

The term Armour describes items that can be equipped to provide defence (and many times, other) bonuses during combat. Such bonuses decrease a player's chance of being hit, as well as reduce the amount of damage taken. Armour comes in many shapes and forms for all classes, giving the player a variety of bonuses to choose from. Good armour is recommended when attacking enemies of a higher level, as the higher defences give the opponent less opportunity to do damage. Players should always have te best armor they can afford and equip, though 'best' may differ from player to player.

Melee Armour
Melee armour is usually made from metal, making this type of armour strong, but heavy. Melee armour provides strong bonuses to defence against melee and ranged attacks, but tends to provide negative bonuses towards magic attacks. The typical combat triangle looks like this:


 * A Melee fighter overcomes a Ranger because swords can cut through leather armor very easily. Melee armor is also effective against ranged ammo.


 * Rangers are able to overcome Magic users because of their long range, as well as ammunition with is able to penetrate through magic users' robes.


 * Magic users overcome Melee fighters because magic "conducts" through the metal armor, making magic attacks extremely effective against those wearing full Melee armor.

Many times, the combat triangle is not as straightforward as the case presented above. The triangle is subject to change from fight to fight due to differences between overall levels of combat, levels of a certain skill, different prayers, types of combat tactics, and amulets or other accessories that can change stat bonuses, affecting the outcome of the fight.

Ranged Armour

 * Ranged Armour tends to be more flexible material, like Leather or Dragonhide.
 * Ranged Armour is capable of defending against light attacks, but full on melee attacks will not be well protected.
 * Ranged Armour also dispels Magic fairly well, while negatively impacting Magic Attack, though not as much as Plate Armour.
 * Ranged Armour offers the necessary mobility for Ranged Attack bonuses which most players wear while using Ranged Attack.

Magic Armour

 * Magic Armour is not "armour" per se. It is more in the line of robes and other similar garments, but there are a number of more protective magic items. Some of these items give a bonus to your magic defensive levels which can be seen in the armoury tab.
 * Magic 'armour' is known for being very weak, and is preferable for magic casting, offering no negative influence, and not amplifying magic attacks. However, lightweight robes do not stop arrows or swords well, and therefore fall short in terms of protection against them.

Prayer Armour

 * Prayer armour is not as often meant for protection, but lowering the rate at which prayer points drain.
 * Prayer armour is more diverse in terms of types of armour available, including items from all three forms of the combat triangle, generally providing decent, although not outstanding, defence. A large portion of Prayer armour, similar to Magic armour, is, however, more in the line of robes, although it is this category that often provides the highest bonuses.
 * Prayer Armour is only avalable for members, excluding monk robes which can be obtained at the monastery.

Defenders
It is a debated subject whether or not a defender is considered armour, because it is wielded in the players left hand and gives some attack bonuses, as well as defence bonuses. A defender can be acquired in the Warriors' Guild by slaying Cyclopes. Many melee warriors will use a defender in hand-to-hand combat because of its various bonuses. These defenders are - however - not able to be traded or sold to any other players in Runescape. The newly added dragon defender is the most ideal defender for a melee warrior.