Guides/Picking your armor


 * By Deiaa2002 

Combat is a main feature in Don't Starve, and Armor is a key in combat, but the armor with the highest absorption isn't always the best choice.

This guide will show when to use each piece of armor, and why.

Grass Suit

 * Main Article: Grass Suit

Overview
Let's start with the weakest and cheapest piece: The Grass Suit.

Though completely useless late-game, it's not worthless. Low durability and absorption means it's not a good idea to take it in a heavy fight.

Why use it?
Due to its extremely low cost, it works well against weak and/or lonely mobs. It's also useful when the player is desperate for armor and doesn't have the materials to make a higher tier armor. Usually neglected, the Grass Suit proves useful in certain early-game situations.

When to use it?
It works well against weak, lonely, or stun-lockable mobs (such as a lonely Spider ), while it doesn't prevent a lot of damage, it can get the job done.

Log Suit

 * Main Article: Log Suit

Overview
The most commonly used piece of armor: The Log Suit.

Many players - from beginners to experts - like using the Log Suit due to its relatively low cost and high absorption. Its properties make it one of the most situational pieces of armor.

Why use it?
Because it has a relatively low cost, high absorption, and is prototyped with the Science Machine, the Log Suit is a good early and late game armor.

When to use it?
It's far better to pair it with a Football Helmet once one builds an Alchemy Engine, but until then it's acceptable to use it by itself since dangers are far easier to deal with early on.

Marble Suit

 * Main Article: Marble Suit

Overview
The armor for tanking: The Marble Suit.



When kiting is not an available option, the Marble Suit can be a viable option. Having the highest absorption, this suit also has a penalty: 30% Slower movement speed.

Why use it?
Some mobs are hard to kite; in this case, the marble suit offers the highest absorption at the cost of 30% of the character's movement speed. If the player is unable to kite their target, or the enemy cannot be kited, the Marble Suit is a viable choice.

When to use it?
Due to its penalty, it's advised to use the Marble Suit when kiting is not an option, since kiting mobs can save the player some resources (Such as spare armor and healing items).

Football Helmet

 * Main Article: Football Helmet

Overview
Requiring an Alchemy Engine to prototype and having the same durability and absorption of the Log Suit, the Football Helmet proves helpful when a Backpack and armor are required at the same time. It can also be equipped with another piece of armor for extra protection.

Why use it?
While technically more expensive than its chest counterpart - the Log Suit, it takes up the head slot, which means a Backpack can be equipped along with it.

When to use it?
Pairing it with a chest armor increases the absorption, thus, it can be used in pair with another piece to have even more protection. It can also be used when a Backpack is required as well.

Thulecite Suit

 * Main Article: Thulecite Suit

Overview


Hard to aquire, non-renewable, but has the highest durability and the second-to-highest absorption. It has no penalties and regenerates Sanity by 3.3/min - as much as a Dapper Vest.

Why use it?
Due to its high durability and absorption, the Thulecote Suit Proves to be one of the best late-game pieces of armor, however, it is non-renewable.

When to use it?
Because it is non-renewable, the Thulecite Suit should usually be used for kiting (it doesn't slow the character down, so why not?), however, tanking is still acceptable when necessary, but the Marble Suit does better for tanking.

Thulecite Crown

 * Main Article: Thulecite Crown

Overview


Hard to aquire and non-renewable, just like the Thulecite Suit. It also has the same absorption as the Suit, but has a chance to trigger a protective forcefield when hit. Usually paired with the Thulecite Suit for the best absorption.

Why use it?
The forcefield it is capable of triggering makes it ideal for tanking.

When to use it?
Because it is non-renewable, kiting is preferred when possible. If the forcefield is activated, the crown still loses durability when the character is hit, so tanking is not always viable.

Night Armour

 * Main Article: Night Armour

Overview
As long as the player has no trouble with Sanity, this armor works very well, especially against enemies that have a large insanity aura (such as Deerclops ).

Why use it?
Because it has the highest absorption along with the Marble Suit, it's ideal for both kiting and tanking, however, keep in mind that 10% of the damage will go to Sanity.

When to use it?
Due to its sanity drain, it's a good idea to use it against mobs that have a high insanity aura, as the armor's effect will barely be noticed in such a situation. However, using it against mobs that have a low insanity aura (such as Spiders) can have more disadvantages than advantages due to the noticeable sanity drain.

Shelmet

 * Main Article: Shelmet

Overview


Hard to aquire, but has the second-to-highest absorption and, unlike the Thulecite Crown, is renewable. It is dropped by Slurtles 10% of the time when they are killed.

Why use it?
Second-to-highest absorption of all armor, and highest absorption of all head armor, the Shelmet can be very useful to have. However, due to its drop chance, it's usually a good idea to conserve it for other situations.

When to use it?
It's usually better paired with another piece of armor, where the other armor takes most of the damage.

Snurtle Shell Armour

 * Main Article: Snurtle Shell Armour

Overview


Hard to aquire and has a low absorption, but allows the character to hide from their enemies, which can be very useful in some situations. It is dropped by Snurtles 75% of the time when they are killed.

Why use it?
When hiding, the character is immune to physical damage, and attackers will give up attacking if the character stays hidden. This can be useful if the character has been spotted and has nowhere to go. However it shouldn't be used like other types of armor, as it has the same absorption value as the Grass Suit.

When to use it?
If the character has been cornered, players can use this armor to avoid damage and fighting. The armor can also be used like other types of armor, but it's usually not ideal, due to its absorption value.

Closing Words
All armor is helpful, but some armor is better in certain situations than others. Ask yourself these questions when you are deciding which armor to pick: If all answers are "Yes", Then this armor is good for the situation. Hope you found this guide useful!
 * Is it readily available?
 * (If the fight is short and light) Is it renewable?
 * Do I have a spare piece of this armor or the materials to make a new one?
 * Does the situation require this tier of armor?

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day!