How do I fight enemies with shields?

[lamenting spongebob]

I've always struggled against shield enemies, even in Dark Souls 3 which I beat multiple times I had to cheese shields
I've never figured out a strat to reliably kill them, I generally just hit them until I broke their posture and killed them that way but I've ran into the Godrick Knight with his great shield and I just cannot kill him or break him. I got one stealth blow into him but then he just turned around and killed me
Is is just really difficult using only a sword and I need to wait until I get better weapons? Or am I missing some mechanic?

[Dollmaker]

Theres multiple ways, but it also depends on your build and options you have, im guessing youre just starting since you mentioned its a Godrick knight, so your main option its likely gonna be trying to bait out attacks to move around him and get a backstab

Some Ashes of War are specifically designed to counter shields, like Square Off, Kick or Impaling Trust.

For a bit of a tip, after landing a backstab (or Riposte) its good idea to try to land a heavy hit as soon as they recover, it takes some learning to land the timing, which will allow to get a free hit on them, this will usually leave them close to getting their posture broken again as well, specially with the heavier weapons.

Hammer type weapons are also pretty good against shields, specially if you have the Hammer Talisman, which allows you to deal more stamina dmg to enemies blocking (you break their guard faster)

[Honk1]

If "by only a sword" you mean you are using the longsword, you can try square off with light attack. This attack is specifically designed to break guards. I don't know if one use is enough to break his guard, though.

Some other tips against them:
- Try circling them to get a backstab while they attack or attack from the side to get behind their shield.
- Use heavy attacks. Light attacks won't break the Godrick Knight's poise, but a heavy attack does, so you can stunlock him if you get in one hit.
- With heavier weapons, you can even stun lock him with light attacks.
- Use guard counters: Block their attack with your shield and press heavy attack. This does a lot of stance damage and will also break their poise.

[lamenting spongebob]

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Theres multiple ways, but it also depends on your build and options you have, im guessing youre just starting since you mentioned its a Godrick knight, so your main option its likely gonna be trying to bait out attacks to move around him and get a backstab

Some Ashes of War are specifically designed to counter shields, like Square Off, Kick or Impaling Trust.

For a bit of a tip, after landing a backstab (or Riposte) its good idea to try to land a heavy hit as soon as they recover, it takes some learning to land the timing, which will allow to get a free hit on them, this will usually leave them close to getting their posture broken again as well, specially with the heavier weapons.

Hammer type weapons are also pretty good against shields, specially if you have the Hammer Talisman, which allows you to deal more stamina dmg to enemies blocking (you break their guard faster)

Thank you! I didn't know you can backstab enemies that are currently engaged with you (I assumed it was more like sneak strikes from BOTW)
As for the heavy attack after a riposte/backstab, I'll have to keep that in mind
I'll need to look at the wiki for some good ashes of war and talismans

[lamenting spongebob]

Originally posted by Honk1:

If "by only a sword" you mean you are using the longsword, you can try square off with light attack. This attack is specifically designed to break guards. I don't know if one use is enough to break his guard, though.

I'm using the katana that you start off with as the Samurai
Thanks for the tips

[Dollmaker]

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Theres multiple ways, but it also depends on your build and options you have, im guessing youre just starting since you mentioned its a Godrick knight, so your main option its likely gonna be trying to bait out attacks to move around him and get a backstab

Some Ashes of War are specifically designed to counter shields, like Square Off, Kick or Impaling Trust.

For a bit of a tip, after landing a backstab (or Riposte) its good idea to try to land a heavy hit as soon as they recover, it takes some learning to land the timing, which will allow to get a free hit on them, this will usually leave them close to getting their posture broken again as well, specially with the heavier weapons.

Hammer type weapons are also pretty good against shields, specially if you have the Hammer Talisman, which allows you to deal more stamina dmg to enemies blocking (you break their guard faster)

Thank you! I didn't know you can backstab enemies that are currently engaged with you (I assumed it was more like sneak strikes from BOTW)
As for the heavy attack after a riposte/backstab, I'll have to keep that in mind
I'll need to look at the wiki for some good ashes of war and talismans

Like Honk mentioned (and i forgot) the Guard Counter is pretty good as well, but you do need a shield (you can with a weapon but you will likely have your guard broken if it isnt the heavy weapons).

Essentially, you block an attack and immediately do a heavy attack, it will do a counter of sorts, and it deals massive stance dmg, its really good against blockers as well.

[lamenting spongebob]

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Thank you! I didn't know you can backstab enemies that are currently engaged with you (I assumed it was more like sneak strikes from BOTW)
As for the heavy attack after a riposte/backstab, I'll have to keep that in mind
I'll need to look at the wiki for some good ashes of war and talismans

Like Honk mentioned (and i forgot) the Guard Counter is pretty good as well, but you do need a shield (you can with a weapon but you will likely have your guard broken if it isnt the heavy weapons).

Essentially, you block an attack and immediately do a heavy attack, it will do a counter of sorts, and it deals massive stance dmg, its really good against blockers as well.

Ah... So I need to get gud at parrying?
I remember needing to learn for Champion Gundyr so I'm not completely new to it but I'm so bad at it lol, I never really did it in DS3

[Dollmaker]

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Originally posted by Honk1:

If "by only a sword" you mean you are using the longsword, you can try square off with light attack. This attack is specifically designed to break guards. I don't know if one use is enough to break his guard, though.

I'm using the katana that you start off with as the Samurai
Thanks for the tips

Impaling Trust can be obtained pretty early into the game, and its usable on Katanas.

[Dollmaker]

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Like Honk mentioned (and i forgot) the Guard Counter is pretty good as well, but you do need a shield (you can with a weapon but you will likely have your guard broken if it isnt the heavy weapons).

Essentially, you block an attack and immediately do a heavy attack, it will do a counter of sorts, and it deals massive stance dmg, its really good against blockers as well.

Ah... So I need to get gud at parrying?
I remember needing to learn for Champion Gundyr so I'm not completely new to it but I'm so bad at it lol, I never really did it in DS3

Its not a parry.

You just have to block an attack, in the literal sense, just block, after blocking you have like a second where you can perform the counter attack, which is done by pressing the same button you use for heavy attacks.

It has no timing attached to it, mind you, you can get interrupted mid attack, so be careful against enemies that attack in combos, or groups.

[Dollmaker]

Heres a quick vid showing how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBHfbzqoQgQ&ab_channel=Willyblondehair%E3%83%84

[Honk1]

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Like Honk mentioned (and i forgot) the Guard Counter is pretty good as well, but you do need a shield (you can with a weapon but you will likely have your guard broken if it isnt the heavy weapons).

Essentially, you block an attack and immediately do a heavy attack, it will do a counter of sorts, and it deals massive stance dmg, its really good against blockers as well.

Ah... So I need to get gud at parrying?
I remember needing to learn for Champion Gundyr so I'm not completely new to it but I'm so bad at it lol, I never really did it in DS3

No, Guard Counter and parrying are different things. For a Guard Counter, you only need to block an attack and press R2/ heavy attack, no timing required. This move doesn't exist in DS3.

Parrying also works against these enemies, though, it's just riskier and harder, but also more rewarding imho.

[lamenting spongebob]

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Ah... So I need to get gud at parrying?
I remember needing to learn for Champion Gundyr so I'm not completely new to it but I'm so bad at it lol, I never really did it in DS3

Its not a parry.

You just have to block an attack, in the literal sense, just block, after blocking you have like a second where you can perform the counter attack, which is done by pressing the same button you use for heavy attacks.

It has no timing attached to it, mind you, you can get interrupted mid attack, so be careful against enemies that attack in combos, or groups.

Uh... I had no idea this was even a mechanic
Gonna have to put this to use, thanks!

[lamenting spongebob]

Originally posted by Honk1:

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Ah... So I need to get gud at parrying?
I remember needing to learn for Champion Gundyr so I'm not completely new to it but I'm so bad at it lol, I never really did it in DS3

No, Guard Counter and parrying are different things. For a Guard Counter, you only need to block an attack and press R2/ heavy attack, no timing required. This move doesn't exist in DS3.

Parrying also works against these enemies, though, it's just riskier and harder, but also more rewarding imho.

Oh I see, thank you
So far this game feels more mechanically difficult that DS3 but a lot more forgiving

[lamenting spongebob]

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Heres a quick vid showing how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBHfbzqoQgQ&ab_channel=Willyblondehair%E3%83%84

That simple eh? Nice

[静雄]

spacing

[lamenting spongebob]

Originally posted by Honk1:

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Ah... So I need to get gud at parrying?
I remember needing to learn for Champion Gundyr so I'm not completely new to it but I'm so bad at it lol, I never really did it in DS3

No, Guard Counter and parrying are different things. For a Guard Counter, you only need to block an attack and press R2/ heavy attack, no timing required. This move doesn't exist in DS3.

Parrying also works against these enemies, though, it's just riskier and harder, but also more rewarding imho.

Originally posted by Dollmaker:

Originally posted by The Candy-Cane Scout:

Ah... So I need to get gud at parrying?
I remember needing to learn for Champion Gundyr so I'm not completely new to it but I'm so bad at it lol, I never really did it in DS3

Its not a parry.

You just have to block an attack, in the literal sense, just block, after blocking you have like a second where you can perform the counter attack, which is done by pressing the same button you use for heavy attacks.

It has no timing attached to it, mind you, you can get interrupted mid attack, so be careful against enemies that attack in combos, or groups.

Ok I tried this and it made him a LOT easier, got him first try, thanks guys!