Armor Variants Expansion
⚪ Last updated 2021⚠️ Install Order · 5 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
🖼️ Gallery (8 images)
🔍 Analysis
- 👍 0.3% endorsement rate
- 🏆 #2 of 129 Armour mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
Description:
Armor Variants Expansion aims to adjust and increase variety of armors on Skyrim, by adding new variants of vanilla armors to the leveled lists trying to be extremely lore friendly. This is not a model replacer mod, but it enhances variety of the armors found in Skyrim.
All variants include models for both genders & all races, enchantments, crafting and upgrade recipes, world locations and leveled list entries so NPCs will have a good chance of using these.
More in details; at the moment following new variants are complete and integrated for:
-Iron (helmet, cuirass, a heavy tower shield and a wooden one in light category for the hide variant).
-Steel (two horned helmets, one simple, two armors with one new padded variant and a rounded shield).
-Dwemer (helmet and cuirass).
-Leather (helmet and cuirass).
Version 1. 5:
-Hide (helmet and two cuirasses).
-Elven (one winged helmet with the same values of the gilded one, and one gilded cuirass).
-Orcish (one crested helmet for the moment).
-Studded (one cuirass).
Version 2. 0:
-Ebony (helmet, cuirass and a tower shield).
-Dragonscale (closed helmet and cuirass).
-Dragonbone (helmet and cuirass).
-Daedric (helmet, cuirass and a tower shield).
Plus it adds two new almost endgame sets used by common high level hostile NPCs such as bandits. There stats are comparable to the Nordic Carved set and the Glass set:
-Improved Steel Plate set (one helmet, one cuirass and gauntlets). This set is equiparable/similar to the Ebony set, so it will be craftable and upgradable with the Ebony Smithing perk.
-Improved Scaled set (helmet and cuirass). This set is equiparable/similar to the Glass set, so it will be craftable and upgradable with the Glass Smithing perk.
In addition with the 1. 5 release there is a new middle armor rate set, the Nordic Vanguard set, comparable in a level between the regular Scale set and the Elven Gilded set.
It's an alternative for those who don't like the often seen elven set.
-Nordic Vanguard set (helmet, cuirass and shield). As said before, it could be an alternative for the player who don't like the overuse of the elven set; craftable and upgradable with Elven Smithing perk.
It's uncommon, so don't expect to see i
Armor Variants Expansion adds new lore-friendly variants of vanilla armors to Skyrim's leveled lists, enhancing variety without replacing models. With 10,892 endorsements and 3.8M downloads, it's a popular choice for players seeking more armor diversity while staying true to the game's aesthetic.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Huge community trust: 10,892 endorsements and 3.8M downloads.
- Lore-friendly approach keeps the game's feel intact.
- Enhances variety without replacing models, so it's compatible with most armor mods.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in 2021 — may not be fully compatible with the latest Skyrim version or other mods.
- Only adds variants to leveled lists, so you won't see them unless you're looting or buying from vendors.
For Skyrim players who want more armor variety without breaking immersion. If you're tired of seeing the same iron armor everywhere, this adds subtle but welcome changes. Skip if you want completely new armor sets or major visual overhauls.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Use a mod manager like Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 to install and manage this mod easily.
- Place this mod early in your load order to ensure other armor mods don't override its additions.
- Check the mod's page for any patches if you use other popular armor mods like Immersive Armors.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- Darkgondul
- Version
- 2.0
- Downloads
- 3,790,878
- Endorsements
- 10,892
- Category
- Armour
- Created
- 3/28/2020
- Updated
- 11/22/2021
🔗 Required By 1 Mod
These mods list this mod as a dependency.
🧩 Commonly Used Together
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🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods
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