With all the tools at your disposal in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, a shield build is probably the easiest to play and most flexible build creation you can get. The options at your disposal are incredibly numerous, and you can completely customize it to suit your gameplay preferences.
Starting class
The Wandering Knight is probably the best choice, he has the right attributes and great starting equipment, including a shield.
Gameplay
As mentioned, the gameplay is simple, though it will probably take you a while to fully embrace it. Don’t expect to be able to tank low-level boss combos with a rotten wooden shield.
You simply have to to maintain the guard of your shield, and to give light blows with a thrusting weapon at the same time (thrusting sword, rapier, lance, heavy lance). These weapons have the particularity of being able to be used while having your shield raised in front of you, which avoids exposing yourself. This transforms the fights into a simple management of your endurance bar, via your equipment, as well as lowering your guard to help it regenerate faster, when you should not receive damage.
You can also adopt a more aggressive gameplay by making use of the counter-attack ability that follows a block, performing a powerful attack which results in a more devastating attack. You have to be careful with your timing, since it is slow, and you will not be able to block at the same time.
The most important thing is to never exhaust your Stamina, otherwise your guard will be broken. So don’t attack too often.
The two real vulnerabilities in this build are the special attacks that grab you, and area attacks from the ground. You will have to dodge them.
Attributes
For a character level 150+, here is the recommended distribution:
- Vigor: 50 to 60
- Spirit: 20
- Endurance 30 to 50
- Strength: 48
- Dexterity: 20
- Intelligence: 12
- Faith: 8 to 12
- Esotericism: 50 to 60
Shields
We’re going to list 4 of the best shields, so that you always have the best shield possible at almost every stage of the game.
- Bronze shield (Required Strength 16): By far the best intermediate shield, it is obtained randomly from Godrick’s soldiers (among others). The chances of obtaining it are very high, and we tend to find several without farming them specifically.
- Golden shield (Required Strength 34): A much better shield, found on the Knights of Leyndell, on the Altus Plateau and in the capital.
- golden shield rand (Required Strength 34): A much better shield, found on the Knights of Leyndell, on the Altus Plateau and in the capital.
- Fingerprint (Required Strength 48): The ultimate shield, but it is ridiculously heavy, and requires titanic strength to wield. It is obtained in the Prison Pit of the Outcasts, after Mohg the Forsaken. On the other hand, you will not need to change your shield afterward. What makes this shield even more fantastic is that it is possible to change the Ashes of War applied to it, but also to strengthen it with certain spells. Moore’s Shield is also an excellent choice in the DLC.
Consider upgrading your shield at the forge, this doesn’t reduce damage absorbed, but it increases their stability, which reduces stamina consumed while blocking.
Weapons
It’s not the most glorious or spectacular thing, but the Myrmicean Rapier is considered one of the best choices for shield wielders. In addition to allowing you to attack with your shield up, this weapon naturally accumulates Scarlet Rot on the target. It can still be combined with a Blood Affinity Infusion, in order to obtain a bleeding effect. You can then use the War Ashes Poison Mist to temporarily grant a poison effect to the blade. You will therefore accumulate these 3 afflictions at the same time. Even if you are not going to do much damage directly, your victims will melt on their own while you are hidden behind your shield.
This weapon is quite easy to obtain, it is found on Maleigh Maraiswest of Shadowhold on Altus Plateau. In the meantime, choose any thrusting weapons you are able to use.
The only flaw with the Antspur Rapier is the 20 Dexterity requirement.
A popular alternative is the Lance Yariwhich naturally accumulates bleed, with a Frost Infusion or the Ashes of War Ice Spear. This will allow you to apply two afflictions. This weapon has good range, and is easily obtained.
Once in the DLC, the Blood Demon’s Sacred Spear becomes a fantastic option.
Ashes of war
- Shield : Barricade
- Armed : Poison Mist or Ice Spear or Seppuku
Armors
This doesn’t matter much if you play it right. You normally have a lot of Stamina with this build, you should go for the heaviest armor possible, while still having the ability to roll medium. The White Mask is a great helmet for gaining DPS.
A relatively early set with excellent stats is the Noble Rot. You can farm it from the Knights of Noble Rot in Caelid. Its resistances will help you greatly in many environments, and on some of the toughest bosses in the game. Later, you can upgrade to the Mouflon armor by completing the Volcano Manor quests. The Isolation armor, found on the Black Jail Knight early in the DLC is also a fantastic option. You can finish with the Moore armor if you wish.
Spells
It is advisable to invest in 12 Intelligence and learn the spell Scholar’s Shield with Sellen. While its effect is active, it will reduce the stamina consumption of blocking. Use the Staff of the Demi-Human Queen to cast this spell.
Once at a higher level, you can invest in Faith if you wish, in order to have various anti-elemental buffs and Bestial Vitality.
Talismans
Here is a list of the most useful talismans:
- THE Shield talismans is by far the best choice, as it further reduces the stamina consumed by blocks.
- Initially, you can combine it with Radagon’s Wounded Seal, which will help you greatly. You can replace it with the Spear Talisman later.
- THE Turtle Talismanthen the Two-headed turtle talisman in the DLC, will help you regenerate your stamina faster.
- At high levels, you can adopt talismans that provide a damage bonus when an affliction triggers, such asBlood Lord Exultationas well as theWinged Sword Badgeand theRotten Winged Sword Badge.
- In the DLC, the Pearl Shield Talisman will greatly help you mitigate boss damage. Since they deal elemental damage with their attacks, your shield will no longer block all damage.
- If you have survival issues, the Draconic Shield Talisman and a Dragon Talisman of the element used by the boss.
Major Rune
Godrick’s Major Rune will help you greatly in the early game. At high levels, Radahn’s is an excellent choice.
Vial of salvation
Green Crystal Tear : Greatly increases your stamina regeneration for 3 minutes.
Cracked Purple Crystal Teardrop : Regenerates health for 3 minutes, a good option for bosses if you don’t like having to heal yourself. An alternative is the Winged Crystal Tearwhich allows you to switch from a heavy load to a light load for 3 minutes, which saves you from having to invest too much stamina at the start. The light roll will help you on certain bosses.
