What is the Best Power Armor in Fallout 76?

For a beginner in Fallout 76, it is not always obvious what the best Power Armor is. Evaluating Power Armor is not as simple as ranking the damage mitigation you can get. Each Power Armor type has its unique characteristics and strengths, offering players different utilities beyond simply durability.

There are a grand total of 11 Power Armor variants you can get in this title. This guide will go over what we consider the very best Power Armor in Fallout 76 for three specific categories: accessibility to beginners, end-game combat prowess, and resourcefulness in gathering materials.

Best Power Armor for Fallout 76 beginner

Raider Power Armor is the best for beginners (Image via Bethesda Game Studios)

Raider Power Armor is the best power armor in Fallout 76 for beginners trying to level up.

Available at a low level of 15, Raider Power Armor is the perfect starting suit to enable you to delve into harder content. It comes in four levels (15, 25, 35, 45), each offering increasing protection as you level up.

While not the strongest, it's the only Power Armor you can get before reaching level 25. Compared to the T-45, the Raider Power Armor is more durable in the early-game.

At max level (Level 45), Raider Power Armor gives you 341 Damage Resistance, 341 Energy Resistance, and 341 Radiation Resistance.

Best end-game Power Armor in Fallout 76

Hellcat Power Armor is the best for the end game (Image via Bethesda Game Studios)

Without a doubt, the Hellcat is the best Power Armor for the end-game in Fallout 76. You will automatically unlock crafting plans for legendary Hellcat parts upon completing a main quest called "The Catalyst". The legendary parts of Hellcat can either be earned as quest rewards and crafted, or bought from the Purveyor. Available at level 50, the Hellcat Power Armor is powerful and non-tradeable.

On top of the usual 42% damage reduction and 90% radiation damage reduction, Hellcat offers an extra 12% ballistic damage reduction. This makes you more resilient to the most common types of attacks in the game in head-on gunfights.

At its maximum, a Hellcat set offers you a Damage Resistance (DR) of 436, an Energy Resistance (ER) of 320, and a Radiation Resistance (RR) of 320.

Best Power Armor for Mining Minerals in Fallout 76

The Excavator or EXC-17 Power Armor in Fallout 76 is perfect for mining minerals and other resources. Originally designed for mining purposes rather than combat, it boosts your Carry Weight by default. You can equip this armor at level 25. Compared to other Power Armors, the Excavator gives you 1 point higher in radiation resistance and helps you collect more ore. Wearing the full suit gives you an extra 100 pounds of Carry Weight, and the arms help you gather four times as many minerals from ore veins.

Although the Excavator Power Armor provides subpar resistance, when paired with the right perk cards and modifiers, it can boost its defensive properties to almost the same level as other Power Armor sets. This makes it a versatile option best-suited for farming and resource gathering.

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