In Elden Ring are not only weapons a major topic, but also the question of protection. We show you in the following guide what makes a good shield and which ones are the best.
What types of shields are there? In Elden Ring as well as in other Souls games, there are many shields. Some are used passively, while others are used actively in combat for protection or for parrying. However, they are divided into three classes:
- Small shields
- Medium shields
- Large shields
In total, the Fextralife Wiki page lists 69 known shields. Many of them are useful, but with such a large selection, it’s easy to lose track of what makes a good shield.
We show you in the following guide what matters in a shield, which are the best ones, and where you can find them.
What should you pay attention to when using shields? A good shield is usually characterized by excellent damage resistances combined with low attribute requirements and adaptability with their ashes of war. This refers to the abilities of the shields.
The damage resistances tell you how much damage of a certain type the shield can actually block. If a shield can block 100% of physical damage, you don’t lose any health points when a normal weapon’s hit is deflected. At 89%, however, only that portion of the damage is blocked, the remaining 11% will hurt you.
However, one status is often neglected and that is the “defense bonus”. The higher the value, the less stamina will be deducted from you when successfully blocking.
This is important in fights where you need to take many hits. If your coverage breaks too quickly, your opponent could overwhelm and kill you. To prevent that, a high defense bonus value is essential.
The three best shields with location
How do we come to our choice? Just like in our weapons tier list, we roamed around the Elden Ring Wiki page. We compared values, considered player opinions, but also took our own experience into account. This is how our choice was made:
1. Fingerprint Stone Shield
Where can you find it? The shield is located near the “Cathedral of the Lost” at the eponymous Site of Grace. To do this, you must roam through the dirty sewers beneath the capital Leyndell. After defeating the boss in the cathedral, you must open the secret passage behind the chest in front of you.
A single hit against the wall is enough to grant you access to another dungeon. Follow the path deeper into the crypt until you reach a room filled with wooden beams that provide crossing paths. Balance on the first one and jump to the last beam below you.
Now you must jump on the protruding coffins and climb deeper until you reach a coffin that has a corpse on it. Once you reach this coffin, you will gain access to a hidden area. This area contains a small corridor with a corpse, at the end of which lies the shield.
What is special about the shield? The Fingerprint Stone Shield has the best defense against every element, combined with the best defense bonus of all shields. This means you can take many hits without your defense breaking. Elemental damage is also absorbed by this shield, allowing you to block like a tank.
Are there any negatives to consider? The weight and requirements are enormous compared to other shields.
- Weight: 29.0
- Requirement: 48 strength
It is advisable to use the shield in a strength or quality build to benefit from its full protection.
2. Beast Triangle Shield
Where can you find it? Head to the Site of Grace at the Sacred Bridge in Limgrave. Do not cross the bridge, but turn in the opposite direction and follow the path up. You will soon be greeted by a watchdog defending a camp.
Eliminate all foes in the camp and look for a crate. In this crate, the shield can be found.
What is special about the shield? The shield can score with solid values and is a good option for medium shields with a weight of 3.5 and strength requirement of 10. It does not need to be farmed and can be easily and quickly reached and acquired with the horse.
Especially the low weight and requirements are perfect for the beginning as they allow you to equip more armor and take more damage.
3. Fist Shield
Where can you find it? You can obtain the Fist Shield either by starting with the “Bandit” class or by visiting the right merchant. Gostoc, the gatekeeper who robs you after your death in Stormveil Castle, sells this shield.
To shop with him, head to the Site of Grace “Stormveil Main Gate”. There, you ascend the stairs and enter through the left entrance into the anteroom. Gostoc is then in the room standing against a wall. However, to shop with him, you only need to open the main gate.
Speak with him until he allows you the option to open the main gate. After that, you can obtain your Fist Shield from him for 1,500 runes.
What is special about the shield? If you are looking for a parrying shield, this small piece of iron is just right for you. With the available ashes of war “Fist Shield Parade,” you can parry better. With regular parrying shields, you have a small window of time to parry and must anticipate your opponent’s attack before it strikes.
With the Fist Shield, you can take your time as your counter animation lasts longer, giving you a greater chance of a successful parry.
Are there any negatives to consider? The Fist Shield is excellent for parrying but very poor for blocking. You should only use it to counter attacks, otherwise, you are at your opponent’s mercy.
Good alternatives with special effects
The top shields we mentioned do not necessarily have to be your best. Each player defines their own top equipment through their playstyle. We advise and show you in this sense the options available to you. Therefore, we have three more shields that you might want to try separately.
- Icon Shield – Regenerates your health over time
- The shield can be found in the area of Leyndell in the ruins of the forest folk. You start from the Site of Grace “Great Forest Bridge” and then ride down into the valley until you reach the lower Elden tree. From there, head east until you reach the ruins. Surrounded by tentacle faces, the shield lies on the ground next to a corpse.
- Giant Turtle Shell – Increases your stamina regeneration
- To do this, head to the peninsula of tears, south of Limgrave. At the Site of Grace “Wall of Castle Morne,” turn toward the rock wall where a ghostly spring source is located. Align yourself south with your horse and jump onto the abandoned tower of the wall. There, the shield can be found next to a corpse. Many a desperate player has already given up their life as a befouled soul, to live as a turtle in Elden Ring.
- Twinbird Shield Dragon – Increases your defense and attack at low HP
- You can get it in Leyndell at the Site of Grace “Hut of the Hermit Merchant.” Set the time of day to nightfall and ride east. You will come to a cemetery with large tombstones. There, a death bird will spawn that you must kill. This will drop the shield.
These were our recommendations for you. Many of them can only be obtained later in the game, but they are definitely worth it.
What do you think about the shields? Do you also find them good, or do you have your own favorites? Let us know in the comments what you think!
