Fallout New Vegas has some amazing weapons and armor for players to find. The NCR have their iconic Ranger armor, while Caeser's Legion has unique armor designed for melee combat.

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These armor sets are scattered throughout the Mojave desert, but there are some more unique items that offer special bonuses if you can find them. Because of their uniqueness, most are tied to hidden quests or obscure locations throughout the Mojave and its DLC locations. Whether the armor boosts a player's survivability or makes them better at shooting, here are the 15 best unique armor pieces players can find in Fallout New Vegas, along with where to find each item.

Updated December 6, 2023, by Charles Burgar: Finding the perfect armor set for your Fallout: New Vegas build can be challenging. That's why we've updated this list with additional information on each armor set. Every armor set now has a table showcasing its exact stats, including every special effect that makes the unique armor worth its weight. Each entry also explains where to find each armor set in a new subsection.

Each table assumes that you are wearing the headgear and body armor of a particular set.

15 Explorer's Gear

Fallout New Vegas Explorer armor from Orion Moreno

DT

  • 8

Weight

  • 3
  • Light Armor

Effects

  • Melee Weapons: +2
  • Guns: +2

Value

  • 50

The Explorer's set grants a respectable eight damage threshold while only weighing a measly three pounds. It also grants a bonus to the Melee Weapon and Guns skills by two points, increasing the effectiveness of those weapons. It looks cool, has reasonable DT, and slightly buffs your combat skills to help set it apart from other items in New Vegas.

How To Get The Explorer's Gear

This unique set of armor is found on Orion Moreno, an Enclave Remnant that players can find in his house at Sharecropper Farms. The armor he carries is light and valuable. Orion always wears this armor, so you'll need to pry it off his body somehow to make it your own.

Reverse Pickpocketing


You can steal an NPC's clothes by adding a high DT armor piece into their inventory through pickpocketing. Visit them after 48 hours, and the NPC should be wearing the armor you gave them, allowing you to pickpocket their unique clothing.

14 Hazmat Suit and Cowl

Fallout New Vegas Lobotomite Armor.

DT

  • 13

Weight

  • 20
  • Light Armor

Effects

  • Night Vision
  • Poison Resistance: +85%

Value

  • 1,700

The Hazmat Suit is typically disregarded because of how weak it is, but the set's high resistance values and in-built night vision should not be overlooked.

The helmet provides a permanent night vision effect while equipped, letting players see anything lurking in the shadows. The armor grants 11 damage threshold at a lightweight 18 units. It also grants 85 poison resistance, greatly reducing the poison damage taken from any high-level Cazador or Scroprian attack.

How To Get The Hazmat Suit And Cowl

The Hazmat Suit and Cowl are obtainable from the Old World Blues DLC at the Hazmat testing ground, requiring the sonic emitter to gain access.

13 NCR Salvaged Power Armor

Fallout New Vegas NCR Salvaged Power Armor.

DT

  • 24

Weight

  • 45
  • Power Armor

Effects

  • Agility: -2
  • No Power Armor Training Required
  • NCR Disguise

Value

  • 4,200

Despite its name suggesting it is a suit of salvaged T-45b power armor, the NCR Salvaged Power Armor is actually a heavy armor set that does not require power armor training. With a combined DT rating of 24, this armor can take a serious amount of punishment in the early to mid-game. If players can get this armor early, it's a solid set to use.

How To Get NCR Salvaged Power Armor

This armor can be found on NCR soldiers in Hoover Dam and Camp McCarran. If killing or reverse pickpocketing NCR soldiers isn't your cup of tea, you can also find a spare set in the NCR Ranger Safehouse, albeit in poor condition.

12 T-45d Power Armor

Fallout 3 main menu/cover with T-45d power armor.

DT

  • 27

Weight

  • 50
  • Power Armor

Effects

  • Strength: +2
  • Agility: +2
  • Radiation Resistance: +10%

Value

  • 4,200

Despite the T-45d power armor being the weakest power armor in New Vegas, it is still power armor. Anyone that equips this beast of an armor set will gain 27 DT, +2 Strength, 13 percent increased radiation resistance, and a -2 reduction to Agility. It isn't the best power armor available, but it's readily available and quite powerful for what it is.

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The Agility penalty might make these undesirable for most weapon builds, but the T-45d's increased Strength makes this an incredible set for melee builds or anyone looking to use some heavy firearms.

How To Get T-45d Power Armor

This armor set is most commonly found in Hidden Valley Bunker, although it's available for purchase from Quartermaster Bardon in Hoover Dam and the Great Khan Armorer in Red Rock Canyon. You may also acquire this armor set by completing certain Brotherhood of Steel quests.

11 Blackjack Courier Duster

Fallout New Vegas Lonesome Road Duster.

DT

  • 13

Weight

  • 3
  • Light Armor

Effects

  • Luck: +1
  • Poison Resistance: +20%

Value

  • 1,700

The Lonesome Road DLC is where you'll find this coveted item. At the end of the DLC, Ulysses will leave a unique duster behind for the player to use. The stats on this duster depend on what faction the player is most positively aligned with that playthrough. The best version, arguably, is the blackjack variant, which can only be obtained if all three major factions are neutral or against the player.

This version grants a bonus to Luck, poison resistance, and has a great 13 DT stat for a measly three weight. Not only is the DT-to-weight threshold incredible, but the bonus to Luck affects your ability to critically hit targets, making this a great item for nearly every build.

How To Get The Blackjack Courier Duster

At the end of Lonesome Road, you must achieve a faction reputation of "Neutral" or lower with every major faction—the NCR, Caeser's Legion, and The Strip. Once you've completed the DLC, the duster will spawn in a footlocker near the entrance to The Divide.

10 T-51b Power Armor

Fallout New Vegas T-51B Power Armor.

DT

  • 31

Weight

  • 44
  • Power Armor

Effects

  • Strength: +1
  • Charisma: +1
  • Poison Resistance: +25%

Value

  • 7,200

T-51b power armor is a great armor set for players who learn how to wear power armor. This armor provides an incredible 31 DT with the full set, added Charisma, Strength, and a bonus to radiation resistance. With no negative stats tied to the armor, this is an objectively better armor set than the T-45d power armor for most builds.

How To Get T-51b Power Armor

You can purchase a set of T-51b Power Armor directly from Knight Torres, located in the Hidden Valley Bunker. Alternatively, you can find a set in the Brotherhood of Steel Safehouse or Deathclaw Promontory, a hidden location found east of Cliffside Prospector Camp. Cross the Colorado River to find it.

9 Combat Armor, Reinforced Mark 2

Fallout New Vegas Combat Armor MK2.

DT

  • 25

Weight

  • 27.5
  • Medium Armor

Effects

  • N/A

Value

  • 9,500

The Combat armor and helmet are two iconic armor pieces in the Fallout universe, existing since the original installment and nearly all subsequent games.

This medium set of armor provides a great amount of protection at the cost of mobility. This particular variant grants 25 DT while the entire set is equipped, making this set rival some lower-tier power armor sets. It is also highly durable, although it is quite heavy at 27.5 units.

How To Get Combat Armor, Reinforced Mark 2

Combat Armor is typically sold by weapon merchants near New Vegas. Some notable merchants include the Gun Runners shop outside Freeside, Sergeant Daniel Contreras in Camp McCarran, and Knight Torres in Hidden Valley Bunker.

8 Armor Of The 87th Tribe

Fallout New Vegas Gaius Magnus with Armor of the 87th Tribe.

DT

  • 22

Weight

  • 35
  • Heavy Armor

Effects

  • Charisma: +1
  • Critical Chance: +3%
  • AP: +10

Value

  • 6,495

The Armor of the 87th Tribe does not count as a Caeser's Legion disguise.

Towards the end of the Lonesome Road DLC, the Courier will need to make a difficult choice over which area of the Mojave to destroy, should the player choose to release nukes at all. If Caeser's Legion gets targeted, you'll be able to acquire a rather powerful set of heavy armor.

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This area contains a tough foe named Gaius Magnus, a legionnaire wearing the Armor of the 87th Tribe. This armor provides a massive 22 DT alongside bonuses to your AP, Charisma, and critical chance. While it is locked rather far into the game, this heavy set of armor is easily one of the best late-game armor sets players can get their hands on.

How To Get The Armor Of The 87th Tribe

Defeat Gaius Magnus in the Dry Wells to claim his unique armor set. You may only visit the Dry Wells if you nuke Caeser's Legion at the end of the Lonesome Road DLC.

7 Sierra Madre Armor, Reinforced

Fallout New Vegas Sierra Madre Armor, Reinforced

DT

  • 23

Weight

  • 21
  • Light Armor

Effects

  • N/A

Value

  • 1,850

No light armor in Fallout: New Vegas is as strong as the Sierra Madre Armor, Reinforced model from the Dead Money DLC. It has a whopping 23 DT when the full set is equipped, rivaling some heavy armor sets. If you want to increase your DT without any compromises to your character's mobility, this armor set is ideal.

How To Get The Sierra Madre Armor, Reinforced

This armor can be found throughout the Sierra Madre. A few sets are found in the Sierra Madre vault near the end of the DLC. A set of reinforced armor may also be found behind a locked door in the executive suite of the casino.

6 Scorched Sierra Power Armor

Fallout New Vegas Scorched Sierra Power Armor

DT

  • 24

Weight

  • 40
  • Power Armor

Effects

  • Strength: +1
  • HP Regeneration: +2/s
  • Fire Resistance: +25%

Value

  • 6,500

The Scorched Sierra Power Armor is a powerful item for any build that has Power Armor Training. It grants a bonus to Strength, fire resistance, and a powerful HP regeneration effect. Few armor sets in New Vegas restore your HP at all, let alone as much as the Scorched Sierra Power Armor. This rivals some food items for how much it heals you.

How To Get The Scorched Sierra Power Armor

This unique set of power armor can be found on a corpse in the Long 15. You must nuke the NCR at the end of the Lonesome Road DLC to unlock the Long 15 region.

5 Gannon Family Tesla Armor

Fallout New Vegas Gannon Family Tesla Armor.

DT

  • 32

Weight

  • 40
  • Power Armor

Effects

  • Charisma: +1
  • Energy Weapons: +10
  • Radiation Resistance: +25%

Value

  • 8,214

Power armor is an iconic symbol in Fallout, granting an amazing amount of protection but requiring specific training and maintenance to use. While those are all great, it also weighs a metric ton.

The Gannon family Tesla armor, acquired from companion Arcade's questline, is classified as medium armor but provides the benefits of power armor. The body armor alone has an immense 26 damage threshold while only weighing 35 units, making it the lightest power armor in the entire game.

How To Get The Gannon Family Tesla Armor

The Gannon Family Tesla Armor is tied to Arcade Gannon's personal quest. During "For Auld Lang Syne," you must convince Arcade to stay in Freeside during the battle of Hoover Dam. This will require an 80 Speech check unless you convince Arcade to let go of the past earlier in the quest. If successful he'll give you the Gannon Family Tesla Armor at the end of the quest.

4 Joshua Graham's armor

Fallout New Vegas Joshua Graham armor.

DT

  • 15

Weight

  • 8
  • Light Armor

Effects

  • Critical Chance: +3%

Value

  • 2,000

Joshua Graham is a pivotal character in New Vegas' Honest Hearts DLC. If you manage to side with the burned man, you'll get to equip his iconic armor after the DLC concludes.

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While it lacks bandages, this body armor provides an amazing DT-to-weight ratio, making it one of the better armor sets in the game. Furthermore, it buffs your critical chance by a massive three percent. It might not have the same DT as power armor, but if you want a general armor piece that goes well with all builds, Joshua Graham's armor is tough to beat.

How To Get Joshua Graham's Armor

There are two ways to acquire this armor piece:

  1. Kill or reverse pickpocket Joshua Graham during the Honest Hearts DLC.
  2. Complete the Honest Hearts DLC. You'll receive it regardless of who you side with.

3 Stealth Suit MKII

Fallout New Vegas Stealth Suit MK2.

DT

  • 14

Weight

  • 25
  • Medium Armor

Effects

  • Stealth: +25
  • Perception: +1
  • Agility: +1
  • Crouch Movement Speed: +20%

Value

  • 7,500

Those who loved using the Chinese Stealth Armor in Fallout 3 or New Vegas will love what the Stealth Suit MKII does. Only available in Old World Blues, this armor provides a plethora of benefits.

The Stealth Suit MKII buffs your movement speed while sneaking while also increasing your Stealth, Perception, and Agility scores. The suit also administers Med-X and Stimpacks automatically, making this armor rather hard to beat.

How To Obtain The Stealth Suit MKII

In the Old World Blues DLC, enter the X-13 Research Facility. Once you've found all three pieces, wear the armor and complete the "Project X-13" quest to fully upgrade the suit.

2 Remnants Power Armor

Fallout New Vegas Remnants Power Armor

There isn't much to say about the Remnants power armor. This ancient set of Enclave Power armor is the best armor set in the entire game, granting a resounding 36 DT when equipped. This armor also buffs your Strength and radiation resistance, although it drops your Charisma score by one. Needless to say, this armor can tank just about any attack a human or mutated beast can throw your way.

How To Obtain The Remnants Power Armor

There are two ways of obtaining this armor set:

  1. Complete the "For Auld Lang Syne" quest.
  2. Find the armor pieces in Silver Peak Mine and Deathclaw Promontory.

1 Elite Riot Gear

Fallout New Vegas Elite Riot Gear Armor.

DT

  • 28

Weight

  • 29
  • Medium Armor

Effects

  • Unique Sneak Vision
  • Perception: +1
  • Charisma: +1
  • Guns: +10
  • Speech: +5
  • Critical Chance: +5%

Value

  • 14,000

It might be surprising to see an armor set ranked above the Remnants Power Armor, but the Elite Riot Gear truly deserves the number one spot. The sheer amount of stats and great damage threshold put this above the Remnant set.

This armor set offers 28 DT when equipped, rivaling the DT of some power armor sets. When both are worn, the armor also provides an additive critical chance buff and bonuses to Perception, Charisma, Guns, and Speech. This set has so many bonuses and perks tied to it that it's hard to use anything else.

How To Get The Elite Riot Gear

The Elite Riot Gear is found in the Lonesome Road DLC, located in the Municipal Building at Third Street. At the top of the building, you'll find a dead NCR ranger with this epic armor equipped.

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