This DLC was made for using a shield

[loken]

Every boss is very quick, and has dual hits that you cannot dodge perfecly 90% of the time, while they can be blocked. This DLC was made for blocking, and forcing the non shield users to either use it, or use tanky summons.

[Echorion]

Can do that, can use other items too, elemental weaknesses, etc.... I mean Greatshields work well in the DLC, but like, is that really a bad thing? Not exactly something people run a lot of in the base game except for like the Jellyfish shield so it's nice to see new things being tried out.

[Key]

Design-wise this absolutely seems to be the case, enemies attack relentlessly but don't do a lot of stamina damage when guarding.

[DragonSoundxSG]

Totally agree. Greatshields are a hindrance in the base game, but a huge advantage in the DLC.

[loken]

Originally posted by Echorion:

Can do that, can use other items too, elemental weaknesses, etc.... I mean Greatshields work well in the DLC, but like, is that really a bad thing? Not exactly something people run a lot of in the base game except for like the Jellyfish shield so it's nice to see new things being tried out.

I dont think its bad at all. I for the first time tried out a full poise greashield build, and I just feel OP, which is fun after doing a normal run.

[Luwae]

I use a medium shield, works just fine

[Coinkydink]

These shields were made for blocking
and that's just what they do
but if you try to block
Mizeraki's gonna walk
all over you

[Biscuit Tim]

Backwards blade alt attack :) no shield needed

[Luwae]

Originally posted by Biscuit Tim:

Backwards blade alt attack :) no shield needed

It's not always working for everything, especially when there's a lot of attacks following up, and when it's a big enemy

[psilocybe]

Because of my latency issues, I've never been able to roll properly.
So, I've been relying on a shield from the very beginning of this DLC.

I find that, basically nothing can do anything but bounce off of me and get guard-countered.

On the one exception, Rellana has huge-huge magical damage output.
So even with enchanted shield, it was still a very difficult fight.

[Despaired.]

Originally posted by Lok:

Every boss is very quick, and has dual hits that you cannot dodge perfecly 90% of the time, while they can be blocked. This DLC was made for blocking, and forcing the non shield users to either use it, or use tanky summons.

Some attacks are definitely harder to dodge than the rest but if you practice enough it's possible to get through with normal dodge rolls, even if you don't execute it perfectly taking some hits here and there should not bar you from a victory. Bloodhound step also helps with evasion. Although for people who don't have time to learn boss movesets inside and out then yea using a great shield build can make the player experience much smoother.

[Despaired.]

Originally posted by psilocybe:

Because of my latency issues, I've never been able to roll properly.
So, I've been relying on a shield from the very beginning of this DLC.

I find that, basically nothing can do anything but bounce off of me and get guard-countered.

On the one exception, Rellana has huge-huge magical damage output.
So even with enchanted shield, it was still a very difficult fight.

An easier way to deal with Rellana is to use heavy weapons and just spam jump R2 every time she gives a window, or use shield with golden parry as it only takes 2 parries to stun her. She has very long combos in phase 2 and deals lots of non physical damage so blocking is not as efficient.

[Kyutaru]

The entire game was. Elden Ring's dodging is weaker than Dark Souls and the bosses more relentless. They for sure expected you to weave in blocking between dodges for some of the attack chains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXsFQDnqxBs

[Nyah]

me here... using shields since Demon Souls

[Sedeac]

Never used a shield in Elden Ring. Don't see the need.
Dodges and attacks to stagger the enemy out of their attack animation are enough.

[Luwae]

Originally posted by Sedeac:

Never used a shield in Elden Ring. Don't see the need.
Dodges and attacks to stagger the enemy out of their attack animation are enough.

That works mostly if you're using a big weapon, but for the rest of us using light weapons, staggering is more occasional, so we have to use means of surviving the attack chains other than just rolling around, especially in the dlc where they don't always give you time to roll of it.