Dwarven Armor is a heavy armor cuirass made from the metal of the vanished Dwemer. It has a base armor rating of 34 and weighs 45. Copies turn up from level 12 at merchants and in Dwemer ruins.

Armor Enchantment

Any armor enchantment can be placed on a Dwarven Armor at an arcane enchanter.

Enchanted copies spawn with these effects:

Variant	Enchantment	Magnitude	Level
Dwarven Armor of Alteration	Fortify Alteration	15	13
Dwarven Armor of Major Alteration	Fortify Alteration	17	15
Dwarven Armor of Eminent Alteration	Fortify Alteration	20	17
Dwarven Armor of Conjuring	Fortify Conjuration	15	13
Dwarven Armor of Major Conjuring	Fortify Conjuration	17	15
Dwarven Armor of Eminent Conjuring	Fortify Conjuration	20	17
Dwarven Armor of Destruction	Fortify Destruction	15	13
Dwarven Armor of Major Destruction	Fortify Destruction	17	15
Dwarven Armor of Eminent Destruction	Fortify Destruction	20	17
Dwarven Armor of Health	Fortify Health	30	13
Dwarven Armor of Major Health	Fortify Health	40	15
Dwarven Armor of Eminent Health	Fortify Health	50	17
Dwarven Armor of the Knight	Fortify Heavy Armor	15	13
Dwarven Armor of the Major Knight	Fortify Heavy Armor	17	15
Dwarven Armor of the Eminent Knight	Fortify Heavy Armor	20	17
Dwarven Armor of Illusion	Fortify Illusion	15	13
Dwarven Armor of Major Illusion	Fortify Illusion	17	15
Dwarven Armor of Eminent Illusion	Fortify Illusion	20	17
Dwarven Armor of Restoration	Fortify Restoration	15	13
Dwarven Armor of Major Restoration	Fortify Restoration	17	15
Dwarven Armor of Eminent Restoration	Fortify Restoration	20	17

Every armor enchantment is listed under Enchantment Effects.

Dwarven Armor Location

Blacksmiths and general goods merchants sell it from level 12, and enchanted copies appear from level 13. Chests and other random loot hold copies. A full set lies behind a locked gate in the Nchuand-Zel Armory.

Gameplay Tips

Temper it at a workbench with one Dwarven Metal Ingot. The Dwarven Smithing perk doubles the improvement.
Forge it with the Dwarven Smithing perk, which needs Smithing 30, from 3 Dwarven Metal Ingots, 1 Steel Ingot, 1 Iron Ingot and 3 Leather Strips.
Its 34 armor beats Steel Armor by 3 but weighs 10 more.
Four Dwarven pieces count as a matched set for the Matching Set perk, which adds 25% armor.

Smithing Guide

Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.

Crafting

A Dwarven Armor is made at a forge with the Dwarven Smithing perk.

Material	Image	Amount
Dwarven Metal Ingot		3
Steel Ingot		1
Iron Ingot		1
Leather Strips		3

Upgrades

A Dwarven Armor is improved at a workbench with one Dwarven Metal Ingot per improvement. The Dwarven Smithing perk doubles the improvement, so each quality tier needs less Smithing skill. An enchanted copy can only be improved with the Arcane Blacksmith perk.

Quality	Smithing	With Perk	Armor
Fine	14	14	+2
Superior	31	22	+6
Exquisite	65	40	+10
Flawless	100	57	+13
Epic	134	74	+17
Legendary	168	91	+20

Armor Set

Dwarven Armor is part of the Dwarven set.

Name	Image	Slot	Armor	Weight

Notes

The quest Unfathomable Depths gives the Ancient Knowledge ability. It is meant to make Dwarven armor 25% stronger, but a bug changes how it works.

Armor Categories

All Chest Armor

Light Armor

Every light armor chest piece, with its armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.

Name	Image	Armor	Weight	Value	Set	Upgrade	Perk	DLC

Heavy Armor

Every heavy armor chest piece, with its armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.

Name	Image	Armor	Weight	Value	Set	Upgrade	Perk	DLC