Chain Vest

Chain Vest is the main Armor component in League of Legends: 40 Armor for 800 gold in patch 26.22, built from a single Cloth Armor and carrying no passive. Seven finished items use it, among them Thornmail, Dead Man’s Plate, Sunfire Aegis, Iceborn Gauntlet and Jak’Sho, so it is the piece most tanks buy on the recall where they decide the enemy’s physical damage has become a problem.

What does Chain Vest do?

It gives 40 Armor, flat. That is more than two and a half Cloth Armors in one slot, and it arrives early enough to change a lane.

Against a marksman or an auto attacking top laner, 40 Armor at level six takes a visible bite out of every hit, and it keeps doing so until the enemy buys penetration (Last Whisper is the usual answer, and when you see one in the enemy shop you know the Vest did its job). Is it the right buy against mixed damage? Partly. Armor only covers the physical half, so a tank facing a Zed and a Syndra often takes a Vest and a Negatron Cloak together rather than finishing either into a full item right away.

Is it worth the gold?

Exactly even: 100%. At the reference rate of 20 gold per point of Armor, set by Cloth Armor, 40 Armor is worth 800 gold and the Vest costs 800 gold.

So the upgrade from Cloth Armor costs a fair price, and the 500 gold combine buys Armor at the same rate as the first piece. The sell value is 560 gold. To be fair, the more interesting number is how little the Vest changes between buying it and finishing it: it is the whole Armor stat of Thornmail and most of the Armor in Dead Man’s Plate, so the finished items mostly add Health and a passive on top rather than more resistance.

What does Chain Vest build into?

Seven items, all defensive:

• Armor tank items: Thornmail, Dead Man’s Plate, Sunfire Aegis and Unending Despair.
• Mixed resistance items: Jak’Sho the Protean and Iceborn Gauntlet.
• Support: Knight’s Vow.

Thing is, the enemy team usually makes the choice between those seven for you. Which one, then? Attack speed carries push you toward Thornmail or Dead Man’s Plate, a balanced team toward Jak’Sho, a bruiser-heavy one toward Sunfire or Unending Despair. The Vest itself fits all of them, so you can buy it safely before you decide. Prices for all seven sit in the LoL items database.

Who buys it?

Tanks and juggernauts first, then supports heading for Knight’s Vow, then anyone whom physical damage keeps killing and who needs a quick answer (mid laners against Zed, most weeks). In practice that last group includes a lot of mid laners facing assassins, since a 800 gold Vest is often enough to survive a Zed all-in that was killing them a recall earlier. Mages facing other mages and marksmen with a peel support have no reason to buy one.

How has it changed over the patches?

Twice, both price increases: from 720 to 750 gold in patch 4.20 and from 750 to 800 gold in patch 5.22. The Armor has stayed at 40 the whole time. Honestly, that is a remarkably quiet history for an item that sits under so many tank builds, and it means a Vest bought in 2016 and a Vest bought today do exactly the same thing.

When should you buy it?

On the recall where you have 800 gold and the enemy’s main damage source is physical. Earlier if you are losing lane to an auto attacker, later if the threat is still unclear. Funny enough, buying it too early is a real mistake too: a Vest on a first recall against a mage lane delays your own power spike for an item that does nothing until the enemy marksman shows up. If you are still working out whether you are the player who should be buying Armor at all, the guide to LoL roles explains what tanks and front liners are expected to absorb, and Chain Vest is the first serious step in that direction.

FAQ

How much does Chain Vest cost?

800 gold in patch 26.22: a 300 gold Cloth Armor plus a 500 gold combine. It sells for 560 gold.

What stat does it give?

40 Armor.

Does it have a passive?

No. It is a pure Armor component.

What does it build from?

One Cloth Armor.

What does it build into?

Thornmail, Dead Man’s Plate, Sunfire Aegis, Unending Despair, Jak’Sho the Protean, Iceborn Gauntlet and Knight’s Vow.

Chain Vest or Cloth Armor?

The Vest whenever you can afford it, since it gives more Armor per slot at the same rate per gold. Cloth Armor is for recalls where 800 gold is out of reach.