With the amount of FPS fighting taking place in Star Citizen, it's a good idea to get the right armor.

While Star Citizen is commonly known as a SpaceSim MMO in the making, many may be surprised to know that the entire game takes place from the first-person perspective. This, of course, means first-person shooter gameplay is always a possibility. Nobody wants to die without putting up a fight, so you’ll be needing some armor. In Star Citizen, armor choice is not only about getting the most protection. Heavy armor may save you from a grenade blast, but light armor will allow you to outrun that grenade, and also allow you to see further into your peripherals to spot the pesky grenade thrower. 

There is plenty of armor to choose from in Star Citizen, and mixing-and-matching allows for tons of (sometimes unsightly) combinations. Any armor set can be split into core, helmet, legs, and arms. You will have to travel throughout the solar system to find every armor piece, but I’ve narrowed that selection down to 5 that are easy to find and obtain and worth your hard-earned money. So save some time with this look at the top 5 armor sets, and how to get them, in Star Citizen Alpha 3.7.

Medium armor tends to be the most popular due to its protection and maneuverability.

Armor sets in the Star Citizen Alpha are split into 3 main classes, light armor, medium armor, and heavy armor. Each of these classes has 3 characteristics, storage points (Standard Personal Units or SPU), damage reduction, and maneuverability. I'll list at least one armor set from each class, and look at these main points when discussing armor sets. It’s important to know that an undersuit is required for any armor to be equipped. You will begin the game with an undersuit on, don’t worry they won’t leave you naked. There are still other options for you to choose from throughout the game as well.

Note: Armor damage reduction is listed as a percentage figure in the current game, and is due to include damage types in the future.

5. Clash Medium Armor (Most Intimidating Armor)

Clash armor is great for players looking to try their hand at piracy.

Clash is a ragtag junk-bucket medium-class armor set that maintains the hardcore pirate life “get it done” attitude. It is very interesting to look at, and is arguably the most stand-offish armor set currently available in the game. As this armor set does not come with a helmet, I highly suggest pairing it with the medium class Death’s Head Helmet, which matches the armor impeccably, and grants an additional 30% damage reduction to the head.

Armor Details:

• 2 SPU Storage
• 30% Damage Reduction
• Medium range of maneuverability
• 3 weapons
• 6 spare ammo magazines
• 3 grenades
• 4 consumables
• 1 utility item
• SCARY LOOKING! 
• ~8,852 aUEC

What this armor is good for:

• This armor is great for firefights.
• Take this armor on pirate raids where you can terrify your victims!

How to get Clash:

• Make the short trip from the starting space station, Port Olisar, over to the nearby moon of Yela.
• Use your quantum drive to jump to the Grim Hex space station which is located in the orbiting asteroid belt. 
• Navigate through the space station until you find the Skutters Armor & Weapons shop.
• You will only be able to use in-game currency to purchase this armor, so be prepared to run a few quests or haul some cargo before spending that hard-earned cash!

4. Citadel Heavy Armor (Best Heavy Combat Armor)

A skilled player in Citadel armor can earn quite a bit running solo combat missions.

Citadel is one of the bulkier armor sets in the game, built like a bunker wrapped around your character, it will demand the attention of any enemy in the room. While wearing the Citadel armor set, you will find that NPCs almost have a personal vendetta against you. The will not stop focusing on you until you are bloodied on the floor. This armor set does not include a helmet, but I highly suggest the Fortifier helmet, as it matches the mood, style, and 40% damage reduction of the armor. While the helmet does limit visibility heavily, the extra padding and armor will hug you with safety only matched by the heaviest helmets.

Armor Details:

• 2 SPU Storage
• 40% Damage Reduction
• Low range of maneuverability
• 3 weapons
• 8 spare ammo magazines
• 4 grenades
• 4 consumables
• 1 utility item
• 1 Absolute Unit
• ~9,641 aUEC (prices may vary by location)

What this armor is good for:

• If you are taking on multiple enemies, this is all you need to defend yourself. Well....and a gun or two.
• Running security or mercenary missions? Citadel is the best option for you.

How to get Citadel:

• This armor and helmet can be found in the original space station, Port Olisar, as soon as you start the game, as well as other lawful locations that sell armor. 
• It will require in-game currency to purchase, so expect to do some work before you can buy this expensive set, this is a first-class suit!

3. DustUp Medium Armor (Best Light Combat Armor)

The DustUp armor set is light, protective, and fairly unassuming. It won’t draw attention until you need it to.

DustUp is an affordable and durable medium armor set that can be found in almost any location that sells armor. A favorite among individuals who run security in the Star Citizen alpha, DustUp is a more affordable alternative to Clash medium armor. DustUp offers similar capabilities at more locations without the pirate look, so you may not look as cool, but you’ll save some money. Isn’t that plenty cool? In Star Citizen, the way you armor up and dress is planned to have an effect on your gameplay, and the way NPCs treat you, so not looking like a pirate will make sure you don’t immediately get jumped in some areas.

Armor Details:

• 2 SPU Storage
• 30% Damage Reduction
• Medium range of maneuverability
• 3 weapons
• 6 spare ammo magazines
• 3 grenades
• 4 consumables
• 1 utility item
• ~6,851 aUEC (prices may vary by location)

What this armor is good for:

• This affordable medium armor is great for combat on a budget.
• If you need maneuverable armor, DustUp is a great choice.

How to get DustUp:

• DustUp armor can be found in any store where armor is sold. Whether that be across the solar system on the massive city-planet of ArcCorp, or right at the initial spawn space station of Port Olisar. 
• It is only purchasable with in-game currency, so be ready to run some quests and save up.

2. MacFlex Light Armor (Best Early Game Armor)

Whether running light security, or exploration, or both, MacFlex is my top pick. Especially for beginners.

Macflex is a low protection, high capacity armor that is great for exploration and trade hauling when you may come across the occasional pistol threat. With little to no coverage, MacFlex provides users with a fairly unobstructed view to the undersuit beneath, which allows for additional customization in terms of looks. This armor does not include a helmet and is easily paired with any light helmet available. Though we suggest the starting helmet, the Odyssey 2 Helmet, in white. This helmet exhibits incredible visibility and great looks, but only reduces damage by 10%, so avoid headshots.

Armor Details:

• 3 SPU Storage
• 20% Damage Reduction
• High range of maneuverability
• 2 weapons
• 4 spare ammo magazines
• 2 grenades
• 4 consumables
• 1 utility item
• ~4,561 aUEC (prices may vary by location)

What this armor is good for:

• Macflex is very maneuverable and will not tire you out if you are in a situation that requires a lot of movement.
• The increased capacity over other armors allows you to carry more loot during missions.

How to get Macflex:

• This armor and helmet can be found at the Garrity Defense Armor shop in the starting space station, Port Olisar. 
• It is our top suggestion for a starting armor set as it is incredibly versatile, high in storage, looks great, and obviously it’s very easy to get to! 
• While cheap, this suit is only purchasable using in-game currency, and will require some quest running or delivery missions before you can snatch it up.

1. MacFlex “Rucksack” Light Armor (Best Exploration Armor)

The “Rucksack” backpack will save you from taking trips back to your ship while collecting materials.

The MacFlex “Rucksack” light armor, or “MacSack” as I like to call it, is a new addition as of October 2019. It is a spinoff of the aforementioned MacFlex armor, with a large backpack torso section replacing the standard torso armor. This armor is especially useful for mining and exploration, with enough storage to carry 30,000+ aUEC worth of minerals with you to sell. That’s enough to rent a new spaceship in-game! With only one available color, the fashion-conscious explorers may want to mix and match with other armor sets to look truly fabulous.

Armor Details:

• 12 SPU Storage
• 20% Damage Reduction
• High range of maneuverability
• 2 weapons
• 4 spare ammo magazines
• 2 grenades
• 4 consumables
• 1 utility item
• ~5,678 aUEC (prices may vary by location)

What this armor is good for:

• If you are mining, there is no other armor to use but the “rucksack”.

How to get Macflex “Rucksack”:

• While MacFlex armor pieces are only available at Garrity Defense located at Port Olisar, the “Rucksack” torso segment backpack is available at any location that sells armor, and is truly the best bang for your buck on this list.

As you can see, Star Citizen has a lot of variation in armor sets to choose from, and as a game in development, continues to add new armor sets and functionality to the game every 3 months. So you’ll always be coming back to something new to earn.

The Titan Heavy Exosuit is a favorite of backers, and expected to enter the game in the coming years.

It is important to remember that with this game, things will continue to change in the future, to give some examples: New damage types will be added which require different types of armor to counteract. As mentioned above, NPCs will react to you differently based on what you wear, so the Clash armor set may scare some people off, or get you a new job. Larger armor sets will limit your ability to pilot ships, as the cockpits are small, so Citadel is best left in the closet while flying. As of right now, these are my top 5 armor sets in Star Citizen Alpha 3.7.

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