Greatshield Stability - How Much Does It Matter?

[Jim]

I'm a hardcore greatshield fighter. I love the look of the Black Iron Greatshield which caps at 71 stability but Yhorm's Greatshield which is noticably heavier caps at 78 stability. Is that 7 point spread really that much of a difference or am I being too critical?

[[Jintoro]]

Nah, I would say it's not worth it. Yhorm's also has the pasive benefit of boosting your poise so you might want to pick it for that.

[Artek [General]]

Relative comparsion shows 10% stability difference.
So, probably, Yhorm's is 10% more efficient (and better) for blocking.
Yhorm's also increases poise, which makes it a good combo with heavy weapons (UGS and higher).

On the other hand black iron is lighter, better looking, and has amasing fire resistance. So consider that too.

[Jim]

I know I can magic buff the Black Iron Shield to make it 100 but overall I'm not noticing much of a stamina difference on my blocking per hit.

[Mr.Fluffins]

Even with havels +5, some enemies can still deplete most of your stamina bar in one series of attacks, even if you have high stamina. So, it's all rather relative.

WIth dragonslayer amor greatshield +5 and lightning res ring I could shield tank Nameless King phase 2 (turned the fight rather easy actually). I would say this - if you want to tank the craziest bosses and monsters (and not rely on magic shield), then you absolutely have to go for highest balance, high res shields. If that is not a priority, then use whatever you like most.

Regarding poise - isn't it practically useless? I mean, the new system still confuses me, however, as far as I know, certain animations on certain weapons (mostly UGS double hand) will give you hyper armor regardless, even you are a pantless dude. So what is the point of extra poise greatshield? But again, I don't really know how the new poise works.

[ConflictFreak]

use mornes shield, it has 83 stability i think, rlly powerful shield, u can also 2 hand the shield and deal dmg that way

[Artek [General]]

Originally posted by Mr.Fluffins:

Regarding poise - isn't it practically useless? I mean, the new system still confuses me, however, as far as I know, certain animations on certain weapons (mostly UGS double hand) will give you hyper armor regardless, even you are a pantless dude. So what is the point of extra poise greatshield? But again, I don't really know how the new poise works.

The new system is relative and based on modificators (multipliers).

First of all: the poise is not a flat stat. All characters have the same default poise. The poise stat given by armor is a defense stat that reduces poise damage taken by you during hyper armor, provided the weapon has any.

Certain weapon types multiply your poise stat making it stronger (which means it reduces poise damage better).
Two-handed halberd has the lowest modificator, then two handed greatsword, then one handed UGS, then two-handed UGS, then greataxes, then greathammers.

Its also somewhat the same order for poise damage, so as exampe two-handed greathammers both give you the highest poise modificator and deals the best poise damage.
R2 attacks also deal more poise damage than R1 and even more if charged.

So Havel with two-handed dragon tooth is basically unstoppable mid-swing unless hit by R2 of greataxe-greathammer category, preferably fully charged.

Your innate poise depletes as you take poise damage, but every swing restores it to 80%.
So you have poise as long as you swing, but after first hit you have 20% less poise for the rest of the fight, unless you use skills that restore it 100% (persevance for example).

[Mr.Fluffins]

Originally posted by Artek General:

Ok, thank you for taking your time to explain.

[Jim]

I'm not too worried about poise. I don't pay attention to it much because it seems like once you have a certain amount, I notice no difference beyond that.

My only question is the shield stability. I just want to know if a 7 point theoretical difference actually means something or how critical is that difference? Am I really truly saving that much more stamina? I tried again on my own tests but I really suck at this. I personally don't really notice a difference but my tests are lame and really don't trust my own advice lol

[cridus]

Artorias' greatshield is... great, too. It reaches 71 stability at +4 (doesn't increase at +5, lol) and only weighs 11. It's pretty good for attacking too, if you like to do that.
I can't remember its elemental defenses, though.

[「 Spin 」]

Just use Yhorms greatshield that thing is sexy af and pays tribute to a giant boss in Demon's Souls

[Panic Fire]

Originally posted by Jim:

I'm not too worried about poise. I don't pay attention to it much because it seems like once you have a certain amount, I notice no difference beyond that.

My only question is the shield stability. I just want to know if a 7 point theoretical difference actually means something or how critical is that difference? Am I really truly saving that much more stamina? I tried again on my own tests but I really suck at this. I personally don't really notice a difference but my tests are lame and really don't trust my own advice lol

Do to diminishing returns there is very little advantage past 71 stability except in regards to the Moans shield (which can be buffed with magic shield making blocking cost no stamina)

So stick with the GS you want.

Black Iron Shield 71 stability strong vs fire
Cathredal Knight Shield 78 stability strong vs dark
Lothric Knight Shield 71 stability strong vs magic
Dragon Slayer Greatshield 79 stability strong vs lighting (Lighiting is the most useful buff against GS in general except for this one of course.

[Panic Fire]

Originally posted by tizius:

Artorias' greatshield is... great, too. It reaches 71 stability at +4 (doesn't increase at +5, lol) and only weighs 11. It's pretty good for attacking too, if you like to do that.
I can't remember its elemental defenses, though.

About 70% average with lighting being the weakest. It also gives +50 to all status effect resists. And has the Weapon Skill weapon art instead of shield bash like most greatshields.

[Artek [General]]

Originally posted by Panic Fire:

Originally posted by tizius:

Artorias' greatshield is... great, too. It reaches 71 stability at +4 (doesn't increase at +5, lol) and only weighs 11. It's pretty good for attacking too, if you like to do that.
I can't remember its elemental defenses, though.

About 70% average with lighting being the weakest. It also gives +50 to all status effect resists. And has the Weapon Skill weapon art instead of shield bash like most greatshields.

Its also the lightest "proper" greatshield.
It takes the sweet spot of 10.5 weight with closest greatshields being twin dragon at 7,5 and black iron at 14.

So basically a medium greatshield.
Fashion is amazing too.

[Jim]

I think I just settled this dispute for myself. I have 25 endurance I'm level 173 on NG+2 (I'm 36 years old I don't need the extra challenge of capping myself at 120 :-P ) On the spot where the 3 winged knights are, the 2 that fight with a haldred do a spin attack.

- With Yhorm's I can block the entire spin attack and still counter attack (78 stability)

- I get staggerd with Black Iron Greatshield (71 stability)

maybe this test isn't realistic but in this instance it was easily noticable

[Artek [General]]

Originally posted by Jim:

I think I just settled this dispute for myself. I have 25 endurance I'm level 173 on NG+2 (I'm 36 years old I don't need the extra challenge of capping myself at 120 :-P ) On the spot where the 3 winged knights are, the 2 that fight with a haldred do a spin attack.

- With Yhorm's I can block the entire spin attack and still counter attack (78 stability)

- I get staggerd with Black Iron Greatshield (71 stability)

maybe this test isn't realistic but in this instance it was easily noticable

You probably should level up that endurance. 25 is too low.
There is no point in using shields without high endurance since it gives you more stamina to block more stuff.
It caps exactly at 40 endurace where you get the maximum 160 stamina and then you can slap a Ring of Favor on top for additional stamina.

Otherwise you might not use shield at all.
Especially at level 173.