When it comes to dominating the Lands Between as a melee-focused warrior, choosing the right armor set can make all the difference between life and death. Whether you're charging into PvP invasions or dueling with demigods, survivability, poise, and aesthetics all matter. One of the most iconic and well-rounded armor sets for Elden Ring Runes melee combatants in Elden Ring is the Hoslow Set—a deadly combination of style, utility, and raw dueling prestige.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Hoslow Armor Set: how to get it, what makes it great for melee builds, its lore significance, and how it stacks up against other armor sets in the game.

What Is the Hoslow Armor Set?
The Hoslow Set is a heavy armor ensemble worn by members of the Hoslow family—blood knights known for their cold-blooded duels and flamboyant attire. The set includes:

Hoslow’s Helm

Hoslow’s Armor

Hoslow’s Gauntlets

Hoslow’s Greaves

It is a visually striking armor set that features crimson and silver hues, fine metal filigree, and a fur-lined collar, all draped in a noble yet bloodthirsty aesthetic. While most associate heavy armor with bulkiness and lack of fashion, the Hoslow Set breaks the mold by being both elegant and brutal—perfect for a melee warrior who values both function and flair.

How to Get the Hoslow Armor Set
There are two primary methods to obtain the full Hoslow Set in Elden Ring, depending on your progression and quest preferences.

1. Defeat Juno Hoslow – Volcano Manor Questline
Start the Volcano Manor questline by joining Tanith and agreeing to carry out assassinations.

After completing several invasion contracts, you’ll be tasked with invading Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood.

Juno is located in the Mountaintops of the Giants, just north of the Shack of the Lofty.

After defeating him in the invasion world, you’ll be rewarded with the full Hoslow Armor Set, as well as Hoslow’s Petal Whip, one of the best bleed-focused weapons in the game.

2. PvP Invasion Farming (Limited)
Juno Hoslow does not respawn, so the armor cannot be farmed traditionally. However, if players want multiple copies (e.g., for NG+ or trade), they'll need to use New Game Plus or PvP item duplication trading with other players.

Armor Stats and Poise
The Hoslow Set offers excellent poise and strong defensive stats, particularly for players who want to stay aggressive in melee combat without being easily staggered. Here’s a breakdown of its key stats:

Piece    Weight    Poise    Physical Defense    Strike/Slash/Pierce Resistance
Helm    4.6    5    5.1    3.8 / 4.6 / 5.0
Armor    11.3    14    13.5    10.6 / 12.8 / 13.1
Gauntlets    3.7    3    4.3    3.3 / 4.0 / 4.1
Greaves    7.3    8    8.9    6.7 / 8.2 / 8.5
Total    26.9    30    31.8    24.4 / 29.6 / 30.7

These stats make the set an ideal choice for Strength and Dexterity-based melee builds, especially those who engage in close-quarters combat. It offers enough poise to trade hits effectively, particularly with colossal weapons or heavy dual-wield setups.

Best Builds to Pair with the Hoslow Set
Blood Build (Dual Whips or Bleed Katanas):

Pair the set with Hoslow’s Petal Whip, Rivers of Blood, or Reduvia to match the blood-themed aesthetics and mechanics.

Add Seppuku Ash of War for powerful bleed synergy.

Greatsword or Colossal Weapon Builds:

High poise from the armor allows you to tank through incoming hits while swinging ultra weapons like the Greatsword, Ruins Greatsword, or Dragon Slayer's Cragblade.

Stack Endurance to remain under the medium roll threshold despite the armor’s weight.

Dueling or Invasion Builds:

Use it for PvP builds focused on 1v1 invasions or duels.

The armor’s intimidating look adds to the psychological warfare of PvP encounters.

Lore: The Bloody Knights of the Hoslow Line
The armor tells the tale of a noble house twisted by their love of bloodshed. Juno and Diallos Hoslow are the last known members of this house. While Diallos wrestles with his conscience and his failure to live up to the family’s legacy, Juno Hoslow fully embraces the blood knight archetype, fighting with honor and cold efficiency.

The armor’s description reads:

“Armor worn by Juno Hoslow, knight of blood. Juno’s motto was to fight honorably, and his devotion to combat was so absolute that he was called the knight of blood. Even the most skilled adversaries fell before his mastery.”

This speaks volumes about the balance the armor represents—elegant violence, prestige through battle, and the pursuit of noble bloodshed.

Why the Hoslow Set Is One of the Best for Melee
High Poise: Ideal for trading hits during melee combat.

Balanced Resistances: Offers solid protection against all physical types (slash, strike, and pierce).

Aggressive Aesthetic: The look matches the aggressive nature of melee builds.

Lore-Backed Power: A set tied to a legendary duelist in the game’s world adds to its prestige and roleplay value.

PvP Performance: Among the most visually intimidating and mechanically strong armor for PvP warriors.

Final Thoughts
The Hoslow Set is more than just a fashion statement—it's a combat-ready, lore-rich, melee-focused armor that fits perfectly in the bloodstained world of Elden Ring. Whether you're carving through bosses with a colossal weapon or dueling invaders in Leyndell, this set won’t let you down.

If you’re looking for an armor set that embodies melee supremacy, visual elegance
best site to buy elden ring items and noble bloodlust, the Hoslow Set is an essential addition to your collection.