Are shields relevant?

[Black Hammer]

I don't mean for trading swings with random human-sized enemies between points, I mean boss fights. I'm pondering replaying Elden Ring, and wanted to do either a caster or a shield-focused run.

And yet from what I've seen and recall, shields largely function as a trap option when it comes to defense. Yes, you could have one, but aren't most bosses just going to punish any attempt to use it for anything but a passive stat stick?

[Humpenstilzchen]

Shields are pretty op especially greatshields with high guard boost, though you have to put a considerable amount of points into endurance to not get guard broken.

You only get guard broken if you run out of stam and the higher the guard boost of the shield the less stamina it uses to block.

Greatshields have the additional advantage that more attacks bounce off even those from greatswords ect which gives you good opportunities to guard counter instead of having the enemy pounding away on your shield nonstop until you run out of stamina which can easily happen if you only use a medium shield.

And yes with a 70-75 guard boost great shield, greatshield talisman and about 40-45 endurance and some buffs that enhance stamina regeneration you can tank pretty much everything and if you add scholars shield buff on top then you can block without even losing stamina at all.

[zab]

they are pretty great

[Black Hammer]

I might give them a try then.

Is squeezing a shield onto a INT caster a viable option, or is that spreading stats too thin? I'm assuming a STR/FAITH build would be a better way to get use out of a shield, but I'm kind of wanting to try out the sorcerer stuff since I did faith previously.

[Turt]

Shields have some good utility, but in the grand scheme of overtuned op gear, shields are only mid-average.

The counter attack you can perform by doing a power attack after blocking is quite underrated as it deals heavy stance damage and can be further boosted by a talisman.

Parrying is kinda lackluster imo. Most bosses take multiple parries to achieve the riposte that is generally easier to obtain just by stance breaking. There are some neat parry AoW like Carian which can turn incoming spells into your own personal homing bolts, but dodging is generally easier and safer.

Greatsheilds can be quite powerful. Notably the spikey one with the Shield Crash AoW. Can actually cheese most enemies and bosses.

Generally, I wouldn't say shields are a trap. They are useful and give you options, but they're not top tier in most cases.

[RedEssence]

I've completed an entire run sword and boarding as a knight, there are a couple bosses that will hurt if you use shields but for the most part they are incredibly viable

[Humpenstilzchen]

Originally posted by Black Hammer:

I might give them a try then.

Is squeezing a shield onto a INT caster a viable option, or is that spreading stats too thin? I'm assuming a STR/FAITH build would be a better way to get use out of a shield, but I'm kind of wanting to try out the sorcerer stuff since I did faith previously.

It is absolutely viable yes.

The jelly shield is a great option for casters that gives you a big buff to your magic and with the greatshield talisman and some points into endurance you can still block pretty much everything and the best thing is it can even be buffed with scholars shield.

As long as you plan to only play pve you can overlevel a bit so don´t worry. Using a greatshield is always a good idea, except you are so good at dodging that you can reliable avoid all attacks.

[Black Hammer]

Originally posted by Turt:

Shields have some good utility, but in the grand scheme of overtuned op gear, shields are only mid-average.
...
Generally, I wouldn't say shields are a trap. They are useful and give you options, but they're not top tier in most cases.

This is part of my problem; the friend I have most into this game (and partly why I'm replaying) is one of those "if it isn't optimal it's garbage" types, so while he means well, his advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

Thanks for the insights.

[Detective Costeau]

I've not played a character without a shield since Dark Souls, and I'm not about to start.
You'll die horribly if you try to block everything unless you're doing something silly like a Fingerprint Shield setup, but they're good for attacks that have dodge timing you struggle with.

[Fineous🔥]

You have the mortar shield.

https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/One-Eyed+Shield

And the flamethrower.

https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Visage+Shield

So in Elden RIng you can do more things with the shields than just protect yourself. Thats says enough about how relevant they are.

[Wyr]

Originally posted by Detective Costeau:

I've not played a character without a shield since Dark Souls, and I'm not about to start.
You'll die horribly if you try to block everything unless you're doing something silly like a Fingerprint Shield setup, but they're good for attacks that have dodge timing you struggle with.

I don't use shields either myself, but I think you're misrepresenting them if you're saying that they're only useful as a new-player tool
Simply put: A good shield in your offhand is always better than an empty hand.
Unless you're two handing, or casting, always have a shield.
When not in boss fights, provided your play with a reasonable amount of skill and patience, a shield almost guarantees you make it through an area, even if you don't know it well.
Against physical hitting bosses, the same. Gives you a free pass to only choose the openings you want to punish, just hold up shield and walk backwards, in the direction of their weapon arm.

Against elemental hitting bosses, then you have a problem, but there's typically a solid shield available for each element by the time it becomes an issue.

Really, the only time shields aren't *great* is against godslayers, or other bosses that damage hp directly; even fire giant actually becomes reasonably easier with a shield.

Only reason I don't use them, is because I've got a big honkin sword that needs to hands to better smite my enemies

[Kalamir]

Counters are Op, Shield is optional, or Weapon is optional... You still NEED ONE OF THEM.

Shield Crash can be heck a strong, especially on a Bleed Capable Shield, or the Finger Print Shield. Although don't do whit whit the Finger Print Shield, because while not as OP, it still very OP.

You want to see everything Bounce off you, Put Barricade Shield to get the Awesome Tier 4 Hardness, preferably on something Light. Because nothing says Bad Ass then Blocking whit a Tiny Shield.

To much Work, use the Ant Skull Head Shield for it's Inate Tier 3 Harness. Other Greatshields only Get Tier 2 Hardness.

Want some Shields that are weapons:
-Coil Shield for Deadly Poison (that Fast 30 Secs one) and surprisingly good DMG, just don't block whit it
-Visage Shield: Roast while Blocking, what Surge, O Flame wishes it was doing whit NO Stat Investement.
-One Eye Shield, Bringing a Mortar to a Tank

[Fistraiser]

Shield parry is extremly OP and can trivualise many boss fights.
Bosses take a lot of damage from critical hits .You see many sped runners etc abuse this tactic for this.

It can be used for different things though.Dual wielding shields and using shield as a weapon is viable in this game.
There is also a shield you can get later on called golden retaliation which can counter attack spells.The tutorial boss can use this skill on you btw(big guy on horse at the start)

[lindyhop]

I only use shield in my early days, as I barely know this game mechanic and die a lot.
nowadays I never use it except for parry.

[CrescentMouse]

shields in my experience are incredibly good, easy to manage your stamina in this game. if you're wanting to only block, use a greatshield. you can block nearly everything with a greatshield. if you want to dodge and block, use brass shield. its insanely good

[Rusty]

I feel like I would have enjoyed fighting Margit more the first time around if I had a shield to gauge his delayed strikes. I pretty much bring a shield with me into any fight until I'm confident enough at recognizing and dodging all their attacks.