In the brutal and rewarding world of Elden Ring, where every swing of the sword and dodge of a blow can mean the  Elden Ring Runes difference between life and death, armor selection becomes critical—especially for melee-focused Tarnished. Among the many armor sets scattered throughout the Lands Between, the Hoslow Set stands out as one of the best melee armor sets in the game. With its unique balance of poise, style, and physical defense, it’s a top-tier choice for players who prefer aggressive, close-quarters combat without sacrificing mobility or aesthetics.

 

What is the Hoslow Set?

The Hoslow’s Set is a medium-weight armor set worn by Juno Hoslow, one of the late-game NPC invaders. Characterized by its flamboyant red-and-silver design, ornamental details, and regal build, this set offers a surprising combination of style and substance. Each piece—helm, armor, gauntlets, and greaves—contributes to a high poise rating, solid physical resistance, and above-average defense against slash, strike, and pierce damage, making it excellent for melee combatants.

 

The set includes:

 

Hoslow's Helm

 

Hoslow's Armor

 

Hoslow's Gauntlets

 

Hoslow's Greaves

 

All together, it creates a visually distinct yet functionally powerful outfit that’s especially ideal for strength builds, dual-wielders, and greatsword users who like to trade blows confidently.

 

Where to Find the Hoslow Set

The full Hoslow Set is acquired by progressing through the Volcano Manor questline. Specifically, it is the reward for defeating Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood, the final target in Lady Tanith’s assassination requests.

 

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown on how to get it:

 

Join Volcano Manor – After reaching Mt. Gelmir and discovering Volcano Manor, you can pledge allegiance to Lady Tanith and begin her chain of invasion contracts.

 

Complete Assassination Contracts – Complete the first two contracts by invading and defeating Old Knight Istvan and Rileigh the Idle.

 

Final Target: Juno Hoslow – After those two, your final letter will direct you to invade Juno Hoslow in the Mountaintops of the Giants, specifically near the Shack of the Lofty. Defeating him will award you Hoslow’s Petal Whip and the full armor set.

 

Note: You can also obtain the set via PvP duels if you target players wearing it, but for a guaranteed drop, the Volcano Manor route is best.

 

Strengths of the Hoslow Set for Melee Builds

The Hoslow Set is tailored for melee warriors who want to look intimidating and stand their ground in battle. Here’s why it’s one of the best melee armor sets in Elden Ring:

 

1. High Poise

One of the biggest draws is the high poise-to-weight ratio. This allows melee builds—especially those wielding colossal weapons, greatswords, or dual-wielding—to hyperarmor through attacks and maintain offensive pressure without being staggered easily.

 

2. Excellent Physical Defense

The armor excels in physical protection, especially against standard and slash-type attacks, which are common in both PvE and PvP. The chestpiece and greaves provide very high base resistances for their weight class.

 

3. Mobility

Unlike some of the heavier tank-focused armor sets like Bull-Goat or Lionel’s, the Hoslow Set hits a sweet spot between defense and weight. It allows you to maintain medium roll with a reasonable Endurance stat investment, making it ideal for aggressive melee fighters who rely on both poise and dodging.

 

4. Fashion Souls Appeal

Not all value in Elden Ring is statistical—fashion matters too. The Hoslow Set is one of the most visually striking armor sets, with a noble, battle-worn look and intricate detail. The scarlet and silver contrast works wonderfully, and the flowing design of the cape and armor gives the character an air of bloody elegance.

 

Best Builds to Pair with Hoslow Set

1. Dual-Wield Bleed Builds

Given its origin with Juno Hoslow, a dual-wielder of Hoslow’s Petal Whips, the set thematically and mechanically complements bleed-focused dual-wield builds. Equip it with dual katanas or dual curved swords (like Scavenger’s Curved Swords), and stack Bleed procs using Seppuku or Bloodflame Blade.

 

2. Greatsword Strength Builds

If you’re using weapons like the Greatsword, Ruins Greatsword, or Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade, the poise boost from the Hoslow set lets you swing through interruptions and win trades. Combine it with Talismans like the Green Turtle Talisman (stamina regen) or Radagon’s Scarseal (STR boost) for max effectiveness.

 

3. PvP Trading Builds

For PvP duels where you're anticipating constant trading of blows, the Hoslow Set gives enough resistance to shrug off light weapon interruptions, especially when buffed with Boiled Crab and Flame, Grant Me Strength.

 

How It Compares to Other Melee Sets

Set Poise Weight Notable Traits

Hoslow Set High Medium Stylish, well-balanced for poise and speed

Bull-Goat Set Extremely High Very Heavy Best poise, poor mobility

Veteran’s Set High Heavy Top-tier defense, great for tanky builds

Raging Wolf Set Medium Medium Stylish, better for Dex builds

 

The Hoslow Set is not the absolute tankiest, but it provides one of the best all-around packages for melee characters who want poise, protection, and agility without looking like a walking wall of steel.

 

Final Thoughts

The Hoslow Set is a testament to Elden Ring’s balance between form and function. With exceptional poise, solid defense, manageable weight, and unforgettable design, it stands tall among the game’s best armor sets for melee builds. Whether you’re hacking through bosses with massive weapons or dueling invaders in PvP, the Hoslow Set gives you the confidence to take hits and strike back harder.