Summary
For most gamers,Undertaleis an all-too-familiar name. Abeloved indie RPGthat took the industry by storm back in 2015, this game offers players the chance to explore an underworld packed full of complex and endearing characters in their quest back to the surface world. As most will already know,Undertaleoffers three main routesto navigate the game depending on whether, and to what extent, players kill or befriend the monsters they encounter.
Whether players are planning to brutally murder or help the denizens of the underground, they’re sure to run into nail-biting bullet hell battles. Nothing will help players survive these fights quite like some quality armor.
8Manly Bandanna
A Decent Armor With A Roguish Appeal
With the Manly Bandanna equipped, players can live out their dreams of becoming a gunslinging cowboy or ruthless bandit, especially when combined with theEmpty Gun or Worn Dagger. It’s the perfect armor for players looking to dress the part for a true Genocide run or take part in some good old roleplay.
With one of the lowest DEF stats in all ofUndertale, once acquired, the Manly Bandanna quickly becomes obsolete. This item will also cost a pretty penny for players doing a Pacifist or Neutral run. Unless the player is struggling to surviveUndertale’sbullet hell fights, which is understandable, they should save up their GOLD for higher defense later-game armor.
7Cloudy Glasses
Higher INV At The Cost Of Defense
These old and battered pair of glasses may look useless, especially with their low defense stat, but they sure do make up for it with their INV stat boost. For players unfamiliar with the INV stat, INV dictates the number of invincibility frames a player has. Higher INV equals more invincibility frames, reducing the number of hits taken and increasing the player’s survivability.
While the Cloudy Glasses' defense stat is poor in late-game fights, its boost to INV can be invaluable. After all, few enemies can kill the player in a handful of hits, rather, they pummel players with a barrage of bullets that are all the more difficult for the player to dodge once they’ve been hit. Using these glasses is a high-risk, high-reward strategy tailored for expert dodgers.
6Temmie Armor
Immense Protection, But At A Huge Cost
As the second most powerful armor in the game and one which can be accessed relatively early on, Temmie Armor is sure to keep players well-protected throughout their playthrough, that is, if they can afford the absurdly high price tag! While the armor does get cheaper every time the player dies up until a point, even at its cheapest price of 750G, a lot of grinding is needed to purchase it.
Unless a player is truly stumped by an enemy, Temmie Armor is not worth all the grinding. The player’s time would be far better spent developing their dodging skills and learning enemy attack patterns. This armor is also intentionally overpowered, especially early game, so players who buy it should use it sparingly if they want combat to remain engaging.
5Old Tutu
Good Defense, Albeit An Odd Fashion Choice
The Old Tutu is one of the funnier armor pieces in Undertale, particularly forplayers on a Genocide route. There’s nothing more hilarious and terrifying than imagining a tutu-wearing child going on a murderous rampage. Even on Pacifist or Neutral runs, it’s funny to imagine a child running around monster-filled caves dressed as a ballerina.
Unlike its appearance, the Old Tutu’s defense is nothing to laugh about. It may not be the most powerful armor in the game, but it provides a respectable amount of protection, serving as a direct DEF upgrade to the Manly Bandanna for free.
4The Locket
Unrivaled Power, But With No Way To Use It
The Locket is by far the most powerful armor in all ofUndertale, boasting a mind-boggling 99 DEF. It does, however, come with a terminal drawback: it can’t be used. As the Genocide route equivalent of Heart Locket, The Locket is found right at the end of the run, just before theSans fight, the final enemy of the Genocide route. Players can equip the armor piece to their heart’s content, but given that Sans' attacks only deal damage in 1HP increments, having it equipped doesn’t reduce any damage.
The Locket may be all but useless, but it’s still a flashy item. Just having an armor with that high of a DEF stat is an incredibly satisfying feat, especially for players looking to collect all the armors, though they’ll need multiple playthroughs to get them all.
3Stained Apron
Embrace Your Inner Cook In Safety
The Stained Apron is a direct upgrade to the Old Tutu, offering slightly higher DEF and a valuable new ability that heals the player for one HP every other turn. This ability is fantastic for helping players overcome fights they’ve been falling short on,giving them just that bit more HPto work with. Genocide route players, unfortunately, won’t be able to access this item, as it is a Pacifist and Neutral run exclusive.
When paired with the Burnt Pan, players can embrace their inner cook, traveling around the underground in the guise of a chef, and paying respect to the legacy of the Green SOUL child.
2Cowboy Hat
Great Protection And Style For A Genocide Run
Much like the Manly Bandanna, the Cowboy Hat is perfect for players looking to embrace their inner outlaw, whether aesthetically or literally ina Genocide run. It’s honestly a shame the Cowboy Hat and Manly Bandanna can’t be equipped at the same time!
The Cowboy Hat offers slightly more DEF than the Stained Apron, along with a bonus to ATK. Whether players should use the Stained Apron or the Cowboy Hat really depends on what route they are taking. The Cowboy Hat is better suited for a Genocide or Neutral run, where its ATK stat buff will help the player deal more damage, while the Stained Apron is preferable for Pacifist and Neutral runs as it will help players withstand monster attacks while they work towards befriending them.
1Heart Locket
As Sentimental As It Is Protective
The Heart Locket is the second-strongest armor in the Pacifist and Neutral routes, being the Pacifist and Neutral equivalent to The Locket. A late-game armor, the Heart Locket offers very high defense, beaten only by the intentionally overpowered Temmie Armor, though unlike Temmie Armor, the Heart Locket can be acquired for free. This locket is the perfect armor for players to pick if they want to keep the final fights of the game challenging but fun.
This item is also important to the story, as it offers a unique insight into the bond between the First Human and Asriel. In carrying it, the player shines a light on the unbreakable bond shared between the two, and theambiguous legacy of the First Human.
