Gauntlets
Gauntlets, or hand armor, are a crucial part of your defensive setup in Elden Ring, contributing to your overall damage negation, poise, and resistance to status effects. While often overlooked in favor of chest pieces or weapons, a good pair of gauntlets can make a significant difference in your survivability and combat effectiveness.
Like other armor pieces, gauntlets come in a wide variety of types, each with different stats and weight. Some offer high physical defense, while others excel in elemental resistances or poise. The weight of your gauntlets also contributes to your overall equip load, so it's important to balance protection with mobility.
Gauntlets are often found as part of complete armor sets, dropped by specific enemies, or discovered in chests within dungeons and hidden areas. For example, the Banished Knight Gauntlets are a sought-after piece for their high poise and defense, often dropped by Banished Knights. The Carian Knight Gauntlets, part of the Carian Knight Set, offer good magic defense and are found in Raya Lucaria Academy.
Poise is a key stat provided by many gauntlets. A higher poise value allows you to resist being staggered by enemy attacks, enabling you to continue your actions, such as attacking or casting spells, without interruption. This is particularly important for builds that rely on sustained offense or precise spellcasting.
Some gauntlets offer unique benefits or are part of iconic sets that provide set bonuses when worn together. The Lionel's Gauntlets, for instance, are part of the heavy Lionel's Set and provide immense poise. The Radahn's Gauntlets, part of Radahn's armor set, offer substantial defense and poise.
Here are some notable gauntlets and their acquisition methods:
| Gauntlets | Location/Acquisition | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Gauntlets | Purchased from Nomadic Merchant (Weeping Peninsula) | Good physical defense, moderate weight |
| Banished Knight Gauntlets | Dropped by Banished Knights | High poise, good physical defense |
| Carian Knight Gauntlets | Raya Lucaria Academy | Good magic defense, moderate weight |
| Radahn's Gauntlets | Purchased from Twin Maiden Husks after defeating Starscourage Radahn | High physical defense, high poise |
| Lionel's Gauntlets | Found in a chest in Leyndell, Royal Capital | Very high poise, high defense, very heavy |
| Raging Wolf Gauntlets | Part of Volcano Manor questline | Balanced stats, good for early-mid game |
| Cleanrot Gauntlets | Dropped by Cleanrot Knights (various locations) | Good resistance to status effects, balanced defense |
When selecting gauntlets, consider your build's needs. If you're facing heavily armored enemies or bosses that stagger easily, prioritize poise. If you're dealing with magic-heavy foes, look for gauntlets with high magic resistance. Always check the weight to ensure it doesn't negatively impact your roll.