Taking shield to +15

[End0rph1nRu5h]

I'm halfway through new game+ and am debating whether to take the grass crest shield to +15. Is it really worth it?

My character has a few weapons decked out to max so it's not like I'm in need of the titanite slab but if it really isn't worth it then I don't want to waste a slab on the upgrade.

[End0rph1nRu5h]

Also, does armour max at +5?

[Leeux]

You don't gain much upgrading crest to +15 IMO, it would be better to use the slab on another more stable shield, IMO again.

AFAICR, normal armor max out at +10, +5 is for those using twinkling.

[End0rph1nRu5h]

Advice on shield for dexterity build? I'm dodging most of the time anyway so have been using dark hand but want a solid shield to upgrade too, what about blood shield with life hunt scythe for added bleed resistance?

[Leeux]

I'd say, if you're able to raise your strength a bit (assuming it's not up there yet), IMO best light shield is Balder's Knight shield. It's gets to 75 stability at +15, which is among the highest one for the weight. IIRC, it requires 12 STR.

You can buy it from the merchant in Sen's fortress, or farm it from the Balder Knights there or at the parish.

Other than that, either Heaters or Hollow Soldier's are pretty solid too... a bit lighter and with less stability at the end, but less requirements, and also 100% block.

All of this IMO, of course :)

EDIT: clarification an correction... checked the wiki and it requires 12 STR.

[End0rph1nRu5h]

Thanks, appreciate the advice!

[Leeux]

No problem and you're welcome!

[Playerjjjj]

Silver Knight shield is one of the best medium shields. It gets 76 stability and has good elemental defenses for reasonable weight. Also upgrades with twinkling titanite, so you won't have to use a slab. But like the other guy said, the Balder Knight Shield isn't a bad choice.

[Redsleeves]

The Eagle Shield is, in my opinion, the best shield in the entire game for anyone who isn't running a Strength build. It doesn't have 100% physical resist, but don't let that stop you- when fully upgraded, its Stability (the most important stat on a shield) is a whopping 84- the same as Havel's Greatshield- and is only surpassed by the Greatshield of Artorias or a +15 Tower Shield, but through all of that, the Eagle Shield only requires a measly 16 Strength! Anyone who isn't running a bare-bones Dex or Int build can benefit from the amazing Eagle Shield. Who cares if you still take 5% damage from physical attacks? You can tank those attacks all freaking day without running out of stamina.

[Leeux]

Yeah, agreed with Playerjjjj above.

Silver Knight is also a great choice and you can save the slab for another weapon (assuming you have the twinkling) but keep in mind that requires 14 STR and you have to farm for it, which is a minor annoyance :P

Also, w.r.t. your suggestion of the Blood Shield... it is also a good option, one I never used myself yet and that's why it didn't come to my mind, but I can see the value of it if you're after the Life Hunt Scythe... con of it, is that it has lower stability at the end (it's compensated by the resistances... ) and you'd still need the red moss or you'd still end up bleeding, at a lesser rate ofc., but still. ((Unless you want to sacrifice a ring slot for the Bloodbite ring... that might work if stacked with the shield... still, too much micromanaging *ugh* lol))

Is this for PvP or just for PvE?

[theseeker52]

Originally posted by AVARAID:

I'm halfway through new game+ and am debating whether to take the grass crest shield to +15. Is it really worth it?

My character has a few weapons decked out to max so it's not like I'm in need of the titanite slab but if it really isn't worth it then I don't want to waste a slab on the upgrade.

Sounds like you are thinking along the right train of thought, shields are a crutch, even so, they come in handy at specific times like magic and aoe attacks. For me , I had to learn how to use a shield properly and then how not use a shield at all. Naturally, everyone has their own style of gameplay. Maybe, it's what will determine what type of defense you will want in a given situation like a boss or PvP. IMO , I would save the slab for a weapon,too.

[nomoreblues]

grass crest is great allround shield - decent protection (even elemental), able to parry plus stamina regen - it depends on your playstyle, sometimes that little stamina for the extra roll or hit makes the difference. So it even helps on your back while two-handing your weapon.
Max upgrade does not seem over-important (more stability doesn't hurt but makes no difference on you back or for parries and you shouldn't focus tanking with it anyway)

However if you use a shield more for protection and tanking damage there are better shields (as mentioned)

+14 or +15 = very little difference

[Mandala]

There is no point in upgrading anything but weapon. So its up to you still, will it matter tho? Probably not.

[End0rph1nRu5h]

Hahaha Mandala your response made me laugh.

In terms of PvE, I found that after learning all of the bosses movesets and how to avoid being hit, the shield was almost a burden more than anything unless the boss can be riposted.

I was thinking more for PvP where I can't tell what my opponent is going to throw at me, more of a safety net, that can get me back in the fight.

I appreiciate all the comments. I never thought about the stamina regen whilst on the back using two-handed (something really useful with a scythe weapon). I also never saw the 5% physical damage as a problem either..

I don't really know what the PvP builds are focused towards in terms of build.

[nomoreblues]

Originally posted by AVARAID:

I don't really know what the PvP builds are focused towards in terms of build.

I'd say (as a passionate experienced casul scrub mind) you do not want to tank unless you trade dmg at the same time, so poking with spear is the only way to actually profit from defense stats/high stability provided by shield

However you will want to focus more on armor for defense including poise (which is vital), you will always have to decide weight vs. mobility - fast rolling is in general what u chose over high def stats

being unpredictable is highly important along with some basic strategies of back-stab evasion -> both is easyer to accomplish by acting like a vulnerable squirrel.

Flipping increases your rolling invulnerability. Wearing a piece of thorn armor increases your chance of backstab cancel so it's nice to do that.

but the very most important skill is stomach losses - then you're fine anyway ;-)