Armor in STALCRAFT: X — Complete Gear Guide

Armor in the game is divided into four classes: clothing, combat suits, combined, and scientific. Clothing consists of starter jackets and cloaks. Minimal protection, but lightweight and require no rank. Combat suits are the foundation for PvP. High bullet resistance, explosion and tear protection. Combined suits are the golden mean: they handle both bullets and radiation. Scientific suits are for working with anomalies and artifacts.

The main combat parameter is bullet resistance. It directly reduces firearm damage. A stalker leather jacket has only 18 points while the "Granite" has 310. That's a 17x difference. All else being equal, a fighter in "Granite" will survive a burst that would kill someone in a leather jacket in a split second.

For sorties into anomalous zones, radiation and contamination protection matter more. KIM-series scientific suits provide 300–400 radiation protection. Combat suits typically offer 50–100. If you're heading to Yantar or the Red Forest without a KIM — stock up on medkits and anti-radiation drugs.

Carry weight determines how much loot you can haul per run. Exoskeletons add 20–35 kg to the base limit. Regular suits add 3–15 kg. For artifact farming, an exoskeleton pays for itself in a couple of runs.

The table above lets you sort suits by any parameter. Click a column header to sort ascending or descending.

There is no single "best" armor for every situation. There's a top tier for PvP, a top tier for anomalies, and a top tier for farming. Let's break down each category.

For PvP combat, the "Granite" leads — a super-heavy armored suit from "Rubezh". 310 bullet resistance, 120 explosion protection, 105 tear protection. It's a tank that absorbs multiple SVD hits. Downsides: heavy, requires Master rank, no anomaly protection. "Hector" and "Mule" are alternatives for those who need mobility.

For exploring anomalous zones, the best choices are "Saturn" or "Ark". Both provide 400+ radiation protection, 395+ thermal, 400 bio protection. At the same time, "Saturn" handles bullets decently — 178 points. This lets you keep the suit on during unexpected enemy encounters.

Combined exo-armor like "Rigel" or ZIVCAS M2-C merges both directions. 230–235 bullet resistance plus 300+ anomaly protection. Expensive, requires Master or Legend rank, but eliminates the need to pick a suit for each situation.

For farming focused on carry weight, take the "Mule" — +35 kg to the limit. Or "Ace" — +30 kg with solid protection. Exoskeletons pay for themselves after 2–3 full backpacks of artifacts.

Exoskeletons are the pinnacle of protective gear in the Zone. Servomotors amplify movements, allowing you to carry more cargo without losing speed. STALCRAFT: X features about twenty exo-armor models.

Combat exoskeletons — "Hector", "Mule", "Samson", "Bear". Maximum bullet resistance, reinforced servomotors, but weak anomaly protection. Built for assaults and positional combat.

Combined — "Hound", "Punisher", "Detective", "Missionary". Balance between combat and survival in anomalous zones. "Hound" is tuned for sniper work: high mobility, tolerates radiation. "Punisher" (RS-72 Punisher) — a universal pick for mercenaries.

Scientific exo-armor — "Antares". The only exoskeleton focused on anomaly protection. 230 bullet resistance and 400 radiation protection. For those who farm the deep Zone.

Armored suits without exoskeletons are lighter and cheaper but lose on carrying capacity. "Lynx", "Quartz", "Avangard" — solid options for mid-rank.

Armor choice depends on three factors: character rank, playstyle, and budget.

Rank limits access to gear. A beginner can't equip Master-level exo-armor — the system won't allow it. So at the start, choices are limited: OZK, "Aurora", "Polyarnik". All three offer weak bullet protection but at least provide basic radiation defense. At Stalker rank, "Lynx", the KIM series, and "Falcon" become available. Now you can pick gear for the task.

Playstyle sets priorities. For PvP-focused gameplay, bullet resistance and explosion protection matter most. For artifact hunting — radiation protection and carry weight. For solo play in dangerous zones — combined armor that handles everything moderately.

Budget determines how close you get to the top tier. Legendary suits cost millions. Veteran ones — hundreds of thousands. At the start, it's smarter to grab a solid Stalker-rank suit and invest in weapons.

Practical tips:

• Keep two loadouts: combat and farming. Swapping is cheaper than losing expensive armor.
• Watch durability. A damaged "Granite" protects worse than an intact "Lynx".
• Check container compatibility. Not all suits allow carrying the maximum number of artifacts.
• Upgrading boosts stats but costs resources. Only upgrade gear you plan to wear long-term.

Some suits appear in the Zone more often than others. Not because they're the best — just accessible and reliable.

"Falcon" — the workhorse of Stalker rank. Combined class: 118 bullet resistance, 180 radiation protection. Affordable, easy to repair, enough for most tasks in the mid Zone.

"Lynx" — a military armored suit that ended up in the Zone after decommissioning. 125 bullet resistance, lightweight, but barely protects from anomalies. Picked for PvP at mid rank.

The KIM series — scientific suits from NII-7. "Amber", "Malachite", "Amethyst" — progression steps for artifact hunters. Weak bullet resistance is compensated by protection against everything else.

"Hound" — exo-armor for snipers. Popular among players who prefer working from distance. Tolerates radiation, gives mobility, allows lying in ambush for hours.

"Bulat-M" — a combined Veteran-rank suit. Balanced stats without obvious weaknesses. Many wear it until transitioning to Master-level gear.

What's the best armor for beginners in STALCRAFT: X?

At the start, grab an "Aurora" or advanced OZK. Both are cheap and provide basic radiation protection. Don't spend much on your first suit — you'll outgrow it in a few hours. Save for Stalker-rank gear: "Falcon" or KIM-99 "Amber".

Where to find an exoskeleton in STALCRAFT: X?

Exoskeletons don't spawn on locations. They're bought from faction traders, crafted from blueprints, or looted from players in PvP. Cheap models like "Samson" are sold on the auction. Rare ones — only through personal deals or lucky loot.

What matters more: bullet resistance or radiation protection?

Depends on what you're doing. For PvP — bullet resistance. For artifact farming in the deep Zone — radiation and bio protection. If you play solo and go everywhere — grab combined armor with balanced stats.

How does armor upgrading work in STALCRAFT: X?

Upgrading increases the suit's base stats. Each level adds a percentage to protection. Upgrading requires resources and money. Higher levels cost more. There's a chance of failure at high levels. Only upgrade armor you plan to wear long-term.

Click a column header to sort the table. Use the filters to find a suit matching your requirements.

Armor in STALCRAFT: X is more than just protection. It's a playstyle choice, a status symbol in the community, and a tool for achieving your goals. The table above helps compare stats and choose gear for any specific task. Filter by class, rank, or parameters — data stays current and is updated with every game patch. Good hunting in the Zone.