The 'Rathalos Armor' is often considered one of the best. It offers great defense stats and has some useful skills attached to it, like increased attack power when facing certain types of monsters.
Well, it really depends on your playstyle. However, the 'Nargacuga Armor' is a strong contender. It provides high defense, especially against physical attacks. Additionally, it comes with skills that enhance your evasion capabilities, which can be really handy during battles. You know, being able to dodge attacks smoothly can give you an edge in the game.
In Monster Hunter Stories, there are several great armors. But if I had to pick one as the best overall, it would be the 'Kirin Armor'. This armor not only has excellent defense stats but also provides some unique skills. For example, it can boost your elemental resistance significantly. This is really important because in the game, you'll face a variety of monsters with different elemental attacks. With the Kirin Armor, you can better withstand these attacks and stay in the fight longer. Moreover, its design is quite cool, which is also a plus for many players.