Hero armor

Each hero comes with a unique armor model. Players may add runes and insignias to hero armor, but hero armor may not be removed or dyed. Since the armor cannot be removed, runes and insignias may be salvaged with an Expert Salvage Kit without the risk of destroying the armor piece.Unlike a player's armor, a hero's armor rating increases as the hero gains levels. Armor rating at a given level is dependent on the hero's profession as follows:

Every hero's headpiece comes with an inherent .

Armor upgrades
Players can upgrade the armor of all heroes, except M.O.X. and Keiran Thackeray, by trading in special items found in certain challenge missions in Nightfall and Eye of the North. Upon trading in the appropriate item, the hero will receive a full set of the upgraded armor. Players can acquire both sets and freely switch between them by speaking to either of the eligible hero armorers. All runes and insignias will be retained.

Only heroes with upgraded armor may be added to the monument of "Fellowship" in the Hall of Monuments. M.O.X. may be added to the Fellowship monument without armor upgrades; ANet has not announced any plans to allow Keiran to be added with or without upgraded armor.