help with the first step of third floor elevator

[Orangutan With A Chainsaw]

so whats a good strategy for getting and maintaining 3 armor pieces, my strategy has been starting as marine on second floor, but the closest I've gotten was 2

[zuus]

Try to get the Gunknight armour/gauntlet/helmet as well as the nanomachines, each of which give you armour when picking them up.

Iirc the way I did it was after unlocking the robot (by collecting the TV in the elevator entry hole on the 2nd floor and bringing it to the shopkeeper on the 5th floor). I was simply doing a run to kill his past and remembered about the elevator where I delivered 3 of his shields. He has no hearts, but starts with 6x shields.

Also, If you find a Ser Junkan statue it will give you a piece of armour for each bag of junk you give it.

Edit: And another thing to do is always go to the Oubliette (by rolling the water barrel into the fireplace on the 1st floor), and get good at beating the enemies and Blobulord in there - it's a fairly easy boss. There's a shop, 2x chests standard, usually a secret room and you can collect the crest which acts as another piece of armour. Though that armour won't count towards unlocking the elevator, it will protect the other armour you already have by always being the first to go.

[MoonBeech]

Above Zuus makes good points. It's often up to a combo of good play and rng to collect that much armor that early. If I recall I got it when I was farming but got lucky and bought + had some armor drop on the second floor when I already had some. Keep in mind, if you are playing robot (which is also a good strategy) wiki says the Tinker needs at least 5 armor instead of an easier 3, but he starts with 6.

Collecting junk on a floor with a Sir Junken shrine will allow you to create a stockpile.

Generally focus on getting items that give armor (I.E. look up their rarities and sprites so you can buy them if available) and go to the first secret floor for armor protection via the Old Crest and an extra shop.

You could also try a rainbow mode and try to get items that give armor immediately. Mostly hope for lucky drops, buy armor whenever available and go to the alt floor once comfortable (and if low on shields) for the chance to gain more armor pieces.