In the vast and punishing world of Elden Ring, armor can often be the difference between staggering to your next Site of Grace and triumphantly carving your way through hordes of enemies. While countless sets serve specific roles—lightweight caster robes, Elden Ring Runes medium armor for balance, or tanky gear for full poise builds—few stand out for aggressive melee combat quite like the Hoslow Set.
Introduced through the questline of one of the more colorful NPCs in the Lands Between, Juno Hoslow, this armor set is not only stylish and iconic but also functionally one of the best for melee-focused players. Let’s take a deep dive into why the Hoslow Set remains a top-tier pick for melee builds, how to obtain it, and the kinds of playstyles it supports in both PvE and PvP.
What Is the Hoslow Set?
The Hoslow Set is a four-piece medium-to-heavy armor set worn by Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood, one of the final targets in the Volcano Manor assassination questline. Distinguished by its chainmail aesthetic, crimson detailing, and dramatic fur mantle, the Hoslow Set combines solid defense with a touch of noble elegance. It's a set that tells the story of its wearer—sophisticated, ruthless, and unafraid of bloodshed.
Each piece offers above-average protection in physical defense and strike resistance, making it well-suited for front-line brawlers who are constantly engaging enemies at close range.
Stat Breakdown: Why It’s Ideal for Melee
This stat line positions it perfectly for melee bruisers, especially builds that rely on poise trading, bleed stacking, or dual-wielding colossal or curved weapons. With high poise and decent weight, it offers enough tankiness to withstand multiple hits before being staggered while not requiring the ultra-high Endurance investment that heavier sets like Bull-Goat demand.
How to Obtain the Hoslow Set
To get the full Hoslow Set, you’ll need to complete the Volcano Manor questline. Here's the full path:
Join Volcano Manor: Speak to Tanith in the Volcano Manor and agree to serve her. You’ll gain access to a series of assassination contracts.
Progress through contracts: Complete the first two (Old Knight Istvan and Rileigh the Idle).
Final contract: Juno Hoslow
Juno is the third and final target. His summon sign can be found in the Mountaintops of the Giants, near the Shack of the Lofty.
Defeat Juno Hoslow: Upon defeating him in an invasion, you’ll receive Hoslow’s Petal Whip and the full Hoslow armor set as a reward.
Note: If you side against Volcano Manor or skip this questline, you may miss your chance unless you defeat Juno through alternative means (e.g., during a different ending path). Be sure to follow the questline carefully if you want to claim the gear.
Design and Lore Appeal
Beyond stats, the Hoslow Set is steeped in lore. Juno and his brother Diallos are tragic characters—noble-born warriors with very different ideals. While Diallos grapples with honor and failure, Juno embraces his family's legacy with brutal pride, earning the title Knight of Blood.
The armor’s blood-red cape, silver chain design,
Elden Ring Items and intimidating helmet speak volumes about Juno’s combat reputation and aristocratic cruelty. It's a set that feels right at home in PvP duels, boss arenas, and invasions.
