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Elder Scrolls
SkillLightarmor
For other uses, see Light Armor.
"Lightly armored means light on your feet. Smart."
Hold Guard[src]

Light Armor is a skill in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and is one of the six skills that falls under The Thief play-style.

Raising this skill improves the effectiveness of the light armors worn, and effects of the armor, such as carry weight and stamina regeneration. The Light Armor skill is raised by incurring damage while light armor is equipped, paying a trainer to train the Dragonborn, or by reading skill books.

Initially Light armor provides less protection than Heavy Armor, however, due to the maximum in-game armor cap, it will eventually provide just as much protection as Heavy armor. It also weighs less, slows the wearer less, and allows for much quieter sneaking. It comes in several varieties, providing different aesthetics, armor ratings and weights.

Leveling[]

Leveling up armor skills is relatively simple: take physical damage in combat while wearing armor pieces of that type. To level up the Light Armor skill most efficiently, wear a full set of Light Armor (head, hands, feet, chest). The rate of skill gain is based on the total amount of damage incoming before armor is applied. Thus, taking multiple attacks from a skeever or wolf levels Light Armor at a significantly slower rate than blows from giants or mammoths would. Being the victim of power attacks likewise grants more experience than a standard attack. Conversely increasing armor rating does not decrease the rate at which the skill advances.

For those who are Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild, wearing the Amulet of Articulation when taking hits will increase the Light Armor skill, as the amulet counts as Light Armor. The Diadem of the Savant also increases the Light Armor skill when worn in battle.

One can rapidly level up the skill simply by finding an enemy (or group of enemies) which uses physical attacks and allowing them to attack without attacking back. Mudcrabs are useful in this regard, as they have low health yet can do enough damage, especially the larger varieties. Restoration magic and healing potions can be used to restore any damage taken (thus one can also level up the Restoration skill simultaneously). If you have a shield of the appropriate Armor type, one can also upgrade the block skill as well during this process. Taking on larger groups and/or more powerful enemies will level the skill(s) faster, but one has to balance their ability to restore their own health against the amount of damage they will be taking.

To level up the skill in complete safety, especially at low levels, one can find a brawl opponent willing to brawl repeatedly without charging a wager - usually during a quest such as the "Hired Muscle" quest often dispensed near the beginning of the Companions questline or the "Taking Care of Business" quest for the Thieves Guild.

Books[]

The following books provide a permanent one-time increase to the Dragonborn's Light Armor skill. See each book's page for a list of possible locations.

Quests[]

The following quests increase or help to increase the Light Armor skill:

Trainers[]

Armor types[]

The following are the confirmed light armors that will benefit from this skill:

Craftable armor[]

These armors can be crafted and improved using the requisite perk from the smithing tree along with the required materials at a blacksmith forge and workbench, respectively.

Non-craftable armors[]

These armors are acquired as part of a quest line or looted throughout the world. They may or may not be unique.

By piece[]

Cuirasses[]

Name ArmorIcon WeightIcon Gold Upgrade Perk ID
Amber Armor  Creation Club   43 8.00 1,750 Refined Amber Glass Smithing xx000bc3
Ancient Falmer Cuirass DG 38 7 900 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing xx00c816
xx00cad3
Ancient Shrouded Armor 33 5 617 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E1F15
Armor of the Old Gods 24 3 611 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000EAFD0
Blackguard's Armor DR 33 7 2079 Leather Arcane Blacksmith xx02ad33
Chitin Armor DR 30 4 240 Chitin Plate Elven Smithing xx01cd87
Daedric Mail  Creation Club   44 12.00 3,200 Ebony Ingot Daedric Smithing xx000801
Dark Seducer Armor  Creation Club   36 5 650 Quicksilver Ingot Daedric Smithing xx0008e5
Dawnguard Armor DG 29 6 220 Steel Ingot Advanced Armors -
Deathbrand Armor DR 39 7 2433 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx02401b
Dragonscale Armor 41 10 1500 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor 0001393E
Dwarven Mail [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Elven Armor 29 4 225 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 000896A3
Elven Gilded Armor 35 4 550 Quicksilver Ingot Elven Smithing 0001392A
Elven Light Armor 26 4 125 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 00105F12
Forsworn Armor 26 6 100 Leather None 000D8D50
Fur Armor 23 6 50 Leather None 0006F393
0010594B
0010594D
0010594F
Glass Armor 38 7 900 Refined Malachite Glass Smithing 00013939
Gogh's Leather Armor [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Guild Master's Armor 38 10 1779 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E35D7
Hide Armor 20 5 50 Leather None 00013911
Hold Guard Armor
Imperial Light Armor 23 6 75 Leather Steel Smithing 00013ED9
Leather Armor 26 6 125 Leather 0003619E
Leather Scout Armor  Creation Club   27 6 150 Leather xxxxx­801
Linwe's Armor 31 8 368 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 00108544
Morag Tong Armor DR 26 5 150 Leather Advanced Armors xx0292ac
Nightingale Armor 34 12 See table Void Salts Arcane Blacksmith See table
Orcish Scaled Armor [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Penitus Oculatus Armor 23 6 75 Steel Ingot 000D3EA0
Remnant Agent Armor [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Remnant Armor [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Savior's Hide 26 6 5012 Leather Arcane Blacksmith, Ebony Smithing 0002AC61
Scaled Armor 32 6 350 Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors 0001B3A3
Scaled Horn Armor 32 6 350 N/A 0001B3A4
Shrouded Armor 29
43 (alt. version)
7
32 (alt. version)
373
448 (alt. version)
Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000d2844
0005abc3
(alt. version)
Skaal Coat DR 26 5 100 N/A xx03910e
Stalhrim Light Armor DR 39 7 925 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx01cda2
Stormcloak Cuirass 21 8 25 Leather None 000A6D7B
Stormcloak Officer Armor 27 8 35 Leather 0008697e
Studded Armor 23 6 75 Iron Ingot 0001B3A2
Studded Dragonscale Armor  Creation Club   43 10 1,500 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor xxxxx­801
Studded Imperial Armor 23 6 125 N/A 00013ED8
Thieves Guild Armor 29–30 6.00–7.00 665–1299 Leather Arcane Blacksmith See below
Tsun's Armor 29 0 0 N/A 000c0165
Vampire Armor DG 25 5 175 Leather Advanced Armors Black: xx0142c7
Light Gray: xx0191f2
Red: xx0191f3
Vampire Royal Armor DG 30 9 250 Leather Advanced Armors xx00b5db
Worn Shrouded Armor 20 6 80 0010EB5B

Hold Guard Armor[]

Name ArmorIcon WeightIcon Gold Upgrade Perk Item ID
Falkreath Guard's Armor 23 6 75 Leather None 0002151E
Hjaalmarch Guard's Armor 00021520
Markarth Guard's Armor 00021508
Pale Guard's Armor 00021525
Riften Guard's Armor 00021507
Solitude Guard's Armor 000C7F5B
Whiterun Guard's Armor 0002150D
Winterhold Guard's Armor 00021522
Stormcloak Cuirass 21 8 25 000A6D7B

Headgear[]

Name ArmorIcon WeightIcon Gold Upgrade Perk ID
Amber Helmet  Creation Club   18 3.00 900 Refined Amber Glass Smithing xx000bc1
Ancient Shrouded Cowl 15 1 1199 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E1F17
Blackguard's Hood DR 18 2 1745 Leather Arcane Blacksmith xx02ad31
Bloodworm Helm [?] [?] [?] Bone Meal N/A [?]
Chitin Helmet DR 13.5 1 125 Chitin Plate Elven Smithing xx01cd89
Dark Seducer Helmet  Creation Club   14 2 195 Quicksilver Ingot Daedric Smithing xx000871
Dawnguard Helmet DG 16 1.5 100 Steel Ingot Advanced Armors xx01989e
Deathbrand Helm DR 16.5 2 2433 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx02401d
Diadem of the Savant 7 4 505 000F9904
Dragonscale Helmet 17 4 750 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor 00013940
Dwarven Mail Helmet [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Elven Helmet 13 1 110 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 0001391D
Elven Light Helmet 12 1 60 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 00105F14
Falx Helmet DR 15 5 50 Steel Ingot Steel Smithing xx01a576
Forsworn Headdress 12 2 50 Leather 000D8D52
Fur Helmet 11 1 23 Leather None 0006F39E
Glass Helmet 16 2 450 Refined Malachite Glass Smithing 0001393B
Gogh's Leather Helmet [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Gray Cowl of Nocturnal 13 2 1,050 N/A N/A [?]
Guild Master's Hood 16 3 1252 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E35D9
Helmet of the Old Gods 12 1 345 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000EAFD1
Hide Helmet 10 2 25 Leather None 00013913
Hold Guard Helmets
Imperial Light Helmet 11 2 35 Leather Steel Smithing 00013EDB
Krosis 21 5 1,615 Iron Ingot Daedric Smithing 00061CB9
Leather Helmet 12 2 60 Leather 00013922
Leather Scout Helmet  Creation Club   13 2 75 Leather xxxxx­803
Linwe's Hood 16 2 563 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 00108546
Miraak DR Varies 9 Varies N/A See tables
Morag Tong Hood DR 12 1.5 2 Leather Advanced Armors xx0292ae
Morokei 5 4 637 Refined Moonstone Daedric Smithing 00061C8B
Nightingale Hood 15 2 See table Void Salts Arcane Blacksmith 000FCC13
Noster's Helmet 12 2 35 0006FE72
Orcish Scaled Helmet [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Penitus Oculatus Helmet 11 1 35 Leather 000D3EAA
Remnant Agent Hood [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Remnant Hood [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Scaled Helmet 14 2 175 Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors 0001B3A1
Shrouded Cowl 13 2 677 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000D2842
Skaal Hat DR 6 1.5 400 N/A xx039114
Stalhrim Light Helmet DR 16.5 2 465 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx01cda3
Stormcloak Helmet 10 2 12 Leather None 000A6D79
Stormcloak Officer Helmet 12 2 15 Leather 00086985
Studded Dragonscale Helmet  Creation Club   19 4 750 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor xxxxx­803
Thieves Guild Hood 13–15 1.00–1.50 551–967 Leather Arcane Blacksmith See below
Torturer's Hood 13 1 10 Leather 000EE5C0
Volsung 21 5 4611 Corundum Ingot Daedric Smithing 00061CAB
Wooden Mask 2 2 51 N/A 00061CCA
Worn Shrouded Cowl 8 2 50 0010EB5D

Hold Guard Helmets[]

Name ArmorIcon WeightIcon Gold Upgrade Perk Item ID
Falkreath Guard's Helmet 11 2 35 Iron Ingot None 00021619
Hjaalmarch Guard's Helmet 0002161B
Markarth Guard's Helmet 00021613
Pale Guard's Helmet 0002161F
Riften Guard's Helmet 00021622
Solitude Guard's Helmet 000C7F5C
Whiterun Guard's Helmet 00021615
Winterhold Guard's Helmet 0002161D
Stormcloak Helmet 10 2 12 Leather None 000A6D79

Handwear[]

Name ArmorIcon WeightIcon Gold Upgrade Perk ID
Amber Gauntlets  Creation Club   13.5 2.00 400 Refined Amber Glass Smithing xx000bc2
Ancient Falmer Gauntlets DG 11 2 190 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing xx00c817
Ancient Shrouded Gloves 12 1 175 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E1F16
Blackguard's Gloves DR 8 2 778 Leather Arcane Blacksmith xx02ad32
Chitin Bracers DR 8.5 2 50 Chitin Plate Elven Smithing xx01cd88
Cultist Gloves DR 7 1.5 30 Leather None xx037b8c
Daedric Mail Gauntlets  Creation Club   14 3.00 625 Ebony Ingot Daedric Smithing xx000802
Dark Seducer Gauntlets  Creation Club   10 1 90 Quicksilver Ingot Daedric Smithing xx000872
Dawnguard Gauntlets DG 8 1.5 40 Steel Ingot Advanced Armors xx00f3fe
Deathbrand Gauntlets DR 11.5 2 3987 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx02401c
Dragonscale Gauntlets 12 3 300 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor 0001393F
Dwarven Mail Gauntlets [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Elven Gauntlets 8 1 45 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 0001391C
Elven Light Gauntlets 7 1 25 Refined Moonstone 00105F13
Fine Armguards 7 0.5 25 N/A 00086990
Forsworn Gauntlets 7 2 20 Leather 000D8D55
Fur Bracers 6 1 10 Leather None 0006F39B
Fur Gauntlets 5 2 5 Leather None 000A6D7D
Gauntlets of the Old Gods 7 0.5 592 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000EAFD2
Gilded Wristguards 7 0.5 21 000E84C1
Glass Gauntlets 11 2 190 Refined Malachite Glass Smithing 0001393A
Gloves of the Pugilist 5 2 194 Leather 0010A06A
Guild Master's Gloves 11 2 599 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E35D8
Hide Bracers 5 1 10 Leather None 00013912
Imperial Light Bracers 6 1 15 Leather Steel Smithing 00013EDA
Leather Bracers 7 2 25 Leather 00013921
Leather Scout Gauntlets  Creation Club   8 2 35 Leather xxxxx­802
Linwe's Gloves 11 2 483 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 00108545
Miraak's Gloves DR 7 1.5 30 N/A xx02b0f9
Morag Tong Bracers DR 7 2 25 Leather Advanced Armors xx0292ad
Nightingale Gloves 10 2 See table Void Salts Arcane Blacksmith See below
Orcish Scaled Gauntlets [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Penitus Oculatus Bracers 6 1 15 Leather 000D3EAB
Remnant Agent Gloves [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Remnant Gloves [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Scaled Bracers 9 2 70 Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors 0001B3A0
Shrouded Gloves 8 2 125 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000D2843
Skaal Gloves DR 7 1.5 30 N/A xx039110
Stalhrim Light Bracers DR 11.5 2 215 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx01cda5
Stormcloak Officer Bracers 7 2 7 Leather 00086983
Studded Dragonscale Gauntlets  Creation Club   14 3 300 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor xxxxx­802
Thieves Guild Gloves 9–10 1.00 222–445 Leather Arcane Blacksmith See below
Tumblerbane Gloves 7 2 325 000F5981
Vampire Gauntlets DG 8 1.5 25 Leather Advanced Armors xx01a51f
Worn Shrouded Gloves 4 2 50 0010EB5E

Footwear[]

Name ArmorIcon WeightIcon Gold Upgrade Perk ID
Amber Boots  Creation Club   13.5 2.00 400 Refined Amber Glass Smithing xx000bc4
Ancient Falmer Boots DG 20 2 190 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing xx00c815
Ancient Shrouded Boots 12 0.5 355 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E1F14
Blackguard's Boots DR 13 2 836 Leather Arcane Blacksmith xx02ad34
Boots of the Old Gods 7 1.5 1104 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000EAFD3
Chitin Boots DR 8.5 1 50 Chitin Plate Elven Smithing xx01cd86
Daedric Mail Boots  Creation Club   14 4.00 625 Ebony Ingot Daedric Smithing xx000800
Dark Seducer Boots  Creation Club   36 5 650 Quicksilver Ingot Daedric Smithing xx000873
Dawnguard Boots DG 8 1.5 25 Steel Ingot Advanced Armors xx00f400
Deathbrand Boots DR 11.5 2 2416 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx02401a
Dragonscale Boots 12 3 300 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor 0001393D
Dwarven Mail Boots [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Elven Boots 8 1 45 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 0001391A
Elven Light Boots 7 1 25 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 00105F11
Forsworn Boots 7 2 20 Leather None 000D8D4E
Fur Boots 5 2 5 Leather None 000A6D7F
Fur Shoes 6 2 4 Leather None 0006F398
Glass Boots 11 2 190 Refined Malachite Glass Smithing 00013938
Guild Master's Boots 11 2 649 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000E35D6
Hide Boots 5 1 10 Leather None 00013910
Imperial Light Boots 6 2 15 Leather Steel Smithing 00013ED7
Leather Boots 7 2 25 Leather 00013920
Leather Scout Boots  Creation Club   8 2 35 Leather xxxxx­800
Linwe's Boots 11 2 837 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 00108543
Miraak's Boots DR 11 2 25 N/A xx03d2af
Morag Tong Boots DR 8 2 35 Leather Advanced Armors xx0292ab
Movarth's Boots 5 1 792 00096D9B
Nightingale Boots 10 2 See table Void Salts Arcane Blacksmith -
Orcish Scaled Boots [?] [?] [?] [?] [?] [?]
Penitus Oculatus Boots 6 1 15 Leather 000D3EA7
Predator's Grace 5 1 117 Iron Ingot Arcane Blacksmith 000A4DCD
Remnant Agent Boots [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Remnant Boots [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Scaled Boots 9 2 70 Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors 0001B39F
Shrouded Boots 8 2 305 Leather Arcane Blacksmith 000D2845
Skaal Boots DR 7 1.5 30 N/A xx039112
Stalhrim Light Boots DR 11.5 2 215 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx01cd7e
Stormcloak Officer Boots 7 2 7 Leather 00086981
Studded Dragonscale Boots  Creation Club   14 3 300 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor xxxxx­800
Thieves Guild Boots 9–10 1.00–1.50 241–479 Leather Arcane Blacksmith See below
Tsun's Boots 8 0 0 N/A 000C0166
Vampire Boots DG 7 2 25 Leather Advanced Armors xx00b5de
Worn Shrouded Boots 3 2 45 0010EB5C

Shields[]

Name ArmorIcon WeightIcon Gold Upgrade Perk ID
Amber Shield  Creation Club   31 10.00 650 Refined Amber Glass Smithing xx000bc0
Chitin Shield DR 24.5 8 215 Chitin Plate Elven Smithing xx026235
Dark Seducer Shield  Creation Club   23 4 250 Quicksilver Ingot Daedric Smithing xx000805
Dawnguard Rune Shield DG 27 6 450 Steel Ingot Advanced Armors xx011baf
Dragonscale Shield 29 6 750 Dragon Scales Dragon Armor 00013941
Elven Shield 21 4 115 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 0001391E
Glass Shield 27 6 450 Refined Malachite Glass Smithing 0001393C
Herebane's Fortress 21 4 817 Refined Moonstone Elven Smithing 000F9649
Hide Shield 15 4 25 Leather None 00013914
Imperial Light Shield 19 4 40 Leather Steel Smithing 00013AB2
Reflecting Shield DG 68 6 455 xx00488a
Remnant Shield [?] [?] [?] Corundum Ingot Advanced Armors [?]
Stalhrim Shield DR 29.5 10 600 Stalhrim Ebony Smithing xx026237

Perks[]

Light armor perk tree

Light Armor perks tree.

The following are the perks that become available to select as the skill is leveled up.

Perk (Ranks) Requirements Description
Agile Defender (5) Light Armor 0/20/40/60/80 Increase armor rating for Light Armor by 20% (+20% per additional rank)
Custom Fit Light Armor 30, Agile Defender 25% armor bonus if wearing all Light Armor: head, chest, hands, feet
Unhindered Light Armor 50, Custom Fit Light Armor weighs nothing and doesn't slow you down when worn
Wind Walker Light Armor 60, Unhindered Stamina regenerates 50% faster in all Light Armor: head, chest, hands, feet
Matching Set Light Armor 70, Custom Fit Additional 25% Armor bonus if wearing a matched set of Light Armor.
Deft Movement Light Armor 100, Wind Walker, Matching Set 10% chance of avoiding all damage from a melee attack while wearing all Light Armor: head, chest, hands, feet

See also[]

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