Medium armor, known in the West as 'Imperial Guard' and in the East as 'Great House', is a combination of light and heavy armor.
Chainmail and plate medium armor of the Western style 'Imperial Guard' generally provides less protection than the heavy iron and steel armor of the Legions, but it offers a noticeable advantage in mobility. The bone armor of the Dunmer is much lighter and stronger than its Western equivalent. One of the most valuable types of medium armor, orcish armor, is very difficult to find and quite expensive, but it is a top-class armor, which is why it is chosen by aristocrats and mercenaries, both in the West and in the East. Dreug armor is incredibly strong medium armor of the Dunmer, made from dreug hide.