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You need to get the best armor you can find. The higher your armor's combined Strength the less chance there is of enemies hurting you.

[edit] Armor

Name	Strength
Leather	2
Ring	6
Chain	8
Scale	10
Silver	16
Battle	22
Lambada (cursed)	??

[edit] Shields

Name	Strength
Leather	1
Wood	2
Large	4
Steel	6
Silver 8
Platinum	??

[edit] Helmets

Name	Strength
Leather	1
Chain	3
Iron	5
Steel	7
Silver	12
Hyper	15