Terraria: Best Pre Hardmode Armors [Ranked]

We have ranked best Pre Hardmode Armors in Terraria players should use as they are easy to acquire & offer value from early to late game.

Terraria is a game full of mysteries, adventures, and battles. The possibilities are endless, and there is immense replay value that changes each time you equip a new weapon and armor set in the game. Players begin Terraria with pre hardmode and later transition into hardmode. The weapons and armor players get are different in both modes.

Key Takeaways
  • Terraria is a game where it progressively gets very hard and so with it comes better weapons and armor to use.
  • Armors in pre-hardmode have a variety of 34 armor sets in total to acquire each differing in stats and rarity.
  • Grade A+ armor sets are considered the best out of all and Grade C is the worst end-game.
  • Some of the best Grade A+ armor are Jungle Armor, Meteor Armor, and Wizard Armor.
  • Some of the best Grade A armors are Molten Armor, Angler Armor, and Obsidian Armor.
  • Most of these armor can be crafted but obtaining the materials for those progressively gets hard as the armor gets better.

All Armors In Terraria

Armor NameGradeTypeTotal Set DefenseSet Bonus/Effects
Jungle ArmorA + Armor Set17.0- 17 Defense, -16% Mana Usage, increased Magic Critical Strike Chance
Meteor ArmorA + Mage Set16.0- +27% magic damage and Space Gun and Zapinator Costs 0 mana
Wizard Set/ArmorA + Armor SetDepends on the type- Increased Mana, Increased Magic Critical Strike Chance
Molten ArmorAMelee Set0.0- 17% melee damage, +7 melee speed, +7% melee critical chance, and immune to fire
Angler ArmorAUtility Set4.0- 15% fishing power
Obsidian ArmorASummon Set15.0- +31% summon damage, +35% whip speed and +50% whip range
Shadow ArmorB +Melee Set19.0- +15% movement speed and +21% melee speed
Crimson ArmorB +Armor Set19.0- Increased health regeneration rate and +6% damage
Pumpkin ArmorB +Armor Set7.0- 10% damage
Necro ArmorB Ranged Set19.0- 10% ranged critical hit rate, and 15% ranged damage
Fossil ArmorBRanged Set13.0- +5% ranged damage, and +8% critical ranged chance
Ninja ArmorC +Armor Set9.0- +9% critical chance and 20% movement speed
Cactus ArmorC +Armor Set3.0- +15/30/45 thorns damage and knockback
Wooden ArmorC Armor Set3.0-

Grade-A+ Armor

All armors that we have ranked under the Grade A+ category are the best ones you should get while playing in pre hardmode. You get decent resistance and other status effects by equipping set bonuses of the armor under this category to beat enemies and bosses easily.

Best Pre Hardmode Armors In Terraria
All Grade-A+ armors in Terraria Pre hardmode

Jungle Armor 

Jungle armor is an excellent pre-hardmode choice for mages. Comprising a jungle hat, shirt, and pants, it’s a must for magic builds. Craft it with materials found in the underground jungle.

  • The jungle hat boosts mana by 40 and has a defense of 5.
  • The full set increases maximum mana by 8 and reduces mana usage by 16%, making it a valuable choice.
  • It’s cost-effective to craft, and interestingly, sells for the highest coins.

Armor Stats 

  • Type: Armor Set 
  • Total Set Defense: 17 
  • Rarity: Orange  
  • Set Effects: 17 Defense, -16% Mana Usage, increased Magic Critical Strike Chance 
  • Crafted at: Iron Anvil or Lead Anvil 

Meteor Armor

Meteor armor is one of the easiest mage armor in Terraria. Because equipping the complete Meteor armor set allows you not to consume mana at all while using the Space Gun and Zapinator. Each set piece of this best pre hardmode Terraria armor set also increases the overall magic damage output by 9%.

Meteor Armor set favors magic weapons as it significantly increases the magic damage, and if you use it with Space Gun, then you don’t have to worry about mana consumption.

Armor Stats

  • Type: Mage
  • Total Set Defence rate: 16
  • Set Bonus/Effects: +27% magic damage and Space Gun and Zapinator Costs 0 mana
  • Recipe: 45 Meteorite Bar
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Iron Anvil/Lead Anvil

Wizard Set/Armor 

In Terraria, the best armor for magic builds is the wizard set, comprising a magic robe and headgear. You can use any of the six gem robes to craft this set. Obtain the robe by using gems and a robe or with Mystic rope. Opt for sets like Mystic, Topaz, Amethyst, Ruby, or Emerald.

You can acquire this armor early in the game. Obtain the diamond robe through the Extractinator and Slit and Slash. Tim frequently spawns, allowing you to get the armor from him. The wizard hat and Mystic robe combo is the strongest for pre-hard mode magic users prioritizing offense. For an overall upgrade, swap the wizard hat with Adamantite headgear.

Armor Stats 

  • Type: Armor Set 
  • Total Set Defense: depends on the type. 
  • Rarity: depends on the type. 
  • Set Effects: increased Mana, increased Magic Critical Strike Chance 
  • Obtained From: The traveling merchant or Tim. 

Grade-A Armors

These grade-A armors are at par with the Meteor armor, but the latter doesn’t offer the status effects that the former has. Regardless, the armor we have listed below are still equally powerful and useful in Terraria. Since the rating is not just about their stats but also how they are obtained, some can easily rival Grade-A+ armor if we only look at the stats and usefulness.

Best Pre Hardmode Armors In Terraria
All Grade-A armors in Terraria Pre hardmode

Molten Armor

Molten Armor is by far the best pre hardmode armor for maximum defense. Acquiring the armor is not an easy task as players will need to have a lot of Hellstone Bars, Hellstones, and Obsidian materials. You can easily craft Molten armor and get 25% defense from incoming enemy attacks if you have the necessary materials.  

Armor Stats

  • Type: Melee
  • Set Bonus/Effects: 17% melee damage, +7 melee speed, +7% melee critical chance, and immune to fire
  • Recipe: 45 Hellstone Bar
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Iron Anvil/Lead Anvil

Angler Armor

Terraria’s fishing is crucial, and for maximum fishing rewards, Angler armor is essential and you can acquire it easily from the Angler NPC by completing fishing quests. After ten quests, you get the Angler Hat, 15 quests for the Angler Vest, and 20 quests for Angler Pants. Although it lacks defense, Angler armor excels in fishing quests and provides no additional stat bonuses.

Armor Stats

  • Type: Utility
  • Total Set Defense: 4
  • Rarity: Blue
  • Set Bonus/Effects: 15% fishing power
  • Obtained From: Completing 20 Fishing Quests

Obsidian Armor

Terraria’s Obsidian armor, composed of Obsidian materials, serves as top-tier summoner armor. To optimize its effectiveness, pair it with a whip weapon for enhanced whip summon weapon speed and range. This pre-hardmode armor also boosts minion damage by 15%, allowing passive enemy damage through minions.

To craft this pre-hardmode armor, gather 60 Obsidian, 30 Silk, and 20 Shadow Scales or Tissue Samples. Combine these materials at Hellforge and Loom crafting stations to create the Obsidian armor set.

Armor Stats

  • Type: Summon
  • Total Set Defense: 15
  • Complete Set Effects: +31% summon damage, +35% whip speed, and +50% whip range
  • Rarity: White
  • Crafted At: Hellforge and Loom

A Similar Read: Terraria Boss Order: Complete List With Tips

Grade-B+ Armors

All armors that we have ranked under Grade B+ fall at the middle grounds between the top tier ones and the average ones. They are not the absolute best in the game, but they are good enough to get the job done by offering valuable status effects and defense and are a tad bit easier to acquire in Terraria.

Best Pre Hardmode Armors In Terraria
All Grade-B+ armors in Terraria Pre hardmode

Shadow Armor

Shadow armor gives buff to movement speed and melee attacks. The easiest way to get your hands on this pre hardmode armor set is to craft it by acquiring the required materials we have mentioned below.

However, obtaining all of these materials can be a bit challenging. Luckily, there is a workaround if you get to beat Eater of Worlds worm-boss at least two times, then you will have enough materials in your inventory to craft all three set pieces of Shadow Armor.  

Armor Stats

  • Type: Melee
  • Total Set Defense: 19
  • Set Bonus/Effects: +15% movement speed and +21% melee speed
  • Rarity: Blue
  • Recipe: 60 Demonite Bars and 45 Shadow Scales
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Iron Anvil/Lead Anvil

Crimson Armor

Crimson Armor is the best one if you want to have life regeneration status effects. Equipping all three set pieces will increase the HP regeneration significantly. Besides giving health regen properties, each Crimson armor set piece also offers a 2% buff to weapon damage, and equipping all three set pieces will give a total of 6% buff to weapon damage.

Armor Stats

  • Rarity: Blue
  • Total Set Defense: 19
  • Set Bonus/Effects: Increased health regeneration rate and +6% damage
  • Recipe: 60 Crimtane Bar and 45 Tissue Sample
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Iron Anvil/Lead Anvil

Pumpkin Armor

Pumpkin armor has decent damage resistance against enemy attacks and buffs weapon damage. The best part is that it can be crafted easily by gathering 75 Pumpkins. Players can obtain pumpkins quickly during Halloween as this item can be acquired easily at the start of the game. However, another easy way to get more pumpkins in Terraria is to beat a named boss and allow Dryad to move in to harvest pumpkin seeds.

  • Armor Stats
  • Rarity: White
  • Total Set Defense rate: 7
  • Set Bonus/Effects: 10% damage
  • Recipe: 75 Pumpkins
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Work Bench
  • Another Interesting Read: Terraria Crafting

Grade-B Armors

All the armors that we have ranked in Grade-B are easy to acquire or craft in Terraria. However, they do not offer defensive stats and set bonuses as other top-tier pre hardmode armors offer in the game. These armors can be better suited for beginners or early to mid-game only.

Best Pre Hardmode Armors In Terraria
All Grade-B armors in Terraria Pre hardmode

Necro Armor

  • Necro Armor favors the ranged weapons as equipping the complete set increases ranged weapon’s critical chance by 15%.
  • Also, the full set piece gives an additional stat bonus of a 20% chance of not consuming the ammo while firing a ranged weapon.

Ranged weapons are great at eliminating threats from a distance. This weapon type is useful in the early game for beginners. So having Necro armor in the early game will not only allow you to complete pre hardmode of Terraria quickly but will give you the advantage of defeating bosses and enemies effortlessly.

Armor Stats

  • Type: Ranged
  • Total Set Defense: 19
  • Set Bonus/Effects: 10% ranged critical hit rate, and 15% ranged damage
  • Rarity: Green
  • Recipe: 135 Cobweb and 150 Bone
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Work Bench

Fossil Armor

Fossil Armor, like Necro armor, also favors ranged weapons instead of other weapon types in Terraria. Equipping the complete set gives players a 20% chance not to consume ammo while firing the ranged weapon in the game. While the chances are not high enough, having at least a 20% chance to save ammo becomes critical while fighting challenging encounters and bosses in Terraria.

Besides that, players also get an additional stat bonus of a 50% chance not to consume a throwable item. Having equipped each set piece increases the overall critical chance by 3%, and having all three Fossil armor pieces will give a total of 9% critical chance.

Armor Stats

  • Type: Ranged
  • Total Set Defense: 13
  • Set Bonus/Effects: +5% ranged damage, and +8% critical ranged chance
  • Rarity: Blue
  • Recipe: 60 Sturdy Fossil
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Iron Anvil/Lead Anvil

Grade-C+ Armors

These armors are best suited for beginners who have got the hang of combat in Terraria. All Grace-C+ armors are easy to obtain or craft in the game and offer decent stat effects and defensive stats in the early hours.

Best Pre Hardmode Armors In Terraria
All Grade-C+ armors in Terraria Pre hardmode

Ninja Armor

The easiest way to acquire Ninja Armor in Terraria is to beat King Slime boss. Normally, he’d drop at least one armor set piece every time you beat this boss in the game. However, if you play the encounter in expert mode, you are likely to receive at least two armor set-pieces after defeating King Slime.

Equipping the complete Ninja armor set grants a total of 9% chance to land a critical strike. Moreover, the increased movement speed also allows you to dodge the incoming enemy projectiles in Terraria, and Ninja armor grants a 20% increase in movement speed.

Armor Stats

  • Rarity: Blue
  • Total Set Defense: 9
  • Set Bonus/Effects: +9% critical chance and 20% movement speed
  • Obtained From: Defeating King Slime drops armor pieces

Cactus Armor

As the name implies, Cactus armor has spiked thorns, allowing you to passively damage an enemy whenever they come in contact with the character. Besides receiving hit damage when an enemy touches your character, the Cactus armor also deals knockback damage to the enemy as a counter-attack.

Acquiring this pre hardmore armor in the early game is also easy as you only need to have 75 Cactus materials.

Armor Stats

  • Rarity: White
  • Total Set Defense: 3
  • Set Bonus/Effects: +15/30/45 thorns damage and knockback
  • Recipe: 75 Cactus
  • Crafted/Obtained At: Work Bench
  • Related Guide: How To Farm Life Fruit In Terraria

Grade C Armor

We have ranked only one armor in Grade-C because it is easy to obtain and is pretty much the basic armor in the early game.

Best Pre Hardmode Armors In Terraria
All Grade-C armors in Terraria Pre hardmode

Wooden Armor

Wooden Armor is mostly the go-to choice for absolute beginners playing at Classic/Normal mode in the early game only. As players progress the pre-hardmode, the application of this armor wears off as it does not offer decent defense and stat bonuses required to beat the enemies and bosses easily.

Armor Stats:

  • Total Set Defense: +3 set defense
  • Rarity: White
  • Recipe:75 Wood
  • Crafted At: Work Bench

That is pretty much everything you need to know about the best pre hardmode armors. Which has been your go-to or favorite armor in the game? Let us know more of your thoughts in the comments section below.

Next: Terraria Master Mode: A Primer On The Hardest Difficulty

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Irfan Ansari is a Senior Editor and Guides Writer on eXputer. He has seven years of Video Game Journalism experience and has been gaming for more than 22 years. Over his editorial career, he has gained experience at multiple sites, including TheGamer and VeryAli Gaming. Irfan has also earned a degree in Writing and Editing from the University of Michigan. Learn some more about Irfan's gaming journey on his Steam, PSN, and Xbox profiles.

Experience: 7+ Years || Worked for TheGamer and VeryAli Gaming

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