Shields - Dark Souls

Shields are defensive equipment in Dark Souls and Dark Souls Remastered. In a game where letting a single blow slip past your guard can lead to your untimely demise, shields play an integral role in your survival in Lordran. More than just a wall between you and the enemy, the player is presented with a wide variety of shield styles to choose from, allowing them the freedom to integrate their shield into their own personal playstyle. With offensive applications in addition to the predicted defensive applications, shield strategy can easily become far deeper than simply blocking damage.

The offensive properties of a shield have no effect on its defensive abilities, and new players can mistake a shield's attack power for it's overall strength. When looking at a shield, one of the most important stats is Stability - the higher the stability, the more efficient a shield is at blocking attacks, staggering enemies and using stamina. Damage Reduction will indicate how a shield fares in reducing the damage of different types of attacks; many shields can block physical attacks completely, but none are able to completely block elemental or magic damage. Shields also possess other properties, such as the ability to parry attacks, bash enemies, and use special attacks.

Read more about shields, their properties and usage

Small Shields

Light but weaker, may give increased elemental resistance at the expense of stability. Often the best option for parrying and keeping a light-weight build.

Small Leather Shield

Leather Shield

Target Shield

Buckler

Cracked Round Shield

Warrior's Round Shield

Red & White Round Shield

Caduceus Round Shield

Effigy Shield

Plank Shield

Crystal Ring Shield

Standard Shields

A balanced approach that gives adequate stability at moderate weight. Better at blocking than small shields.

Gargoyle's Shield

East-West Shield

Wooden Shield

Large Leather Shield

Heater Shield

Knight Shield

Tower Kite Shield

Caduceus Kite Shield

Hollow Soldier Shield

Balder Shield

Sunlight Shield

Iron Round Shield

Silver Knight Shield

Black Knight Shield

Pierce Shield

Spiked Shield

Crest Shield

Dragon Crest Shield

Grass Crest Shield

Spider Shield

Bloodshield

Sanctus

Crystal Shield

Greatshields

Extremely heavy shields that remove the option of parrying in favor of a shield bash, whilst also providing the best deflection capabilities of any category.

Bonewheel Shield

Tower Shield

Stone Greatshield

Eagle Shield

Black Iron Greatshield

Havel's Greatshield

Greatshield of Artorias

Giant Shield

Cleansing Greatshield

Upgrades and Parameter Bonus (Shields)

The table below shows the calculation for the Base Damage, Parameter Scaling, Damage Reduction and Stability.

Regular Upgrades Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Regular	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Regular +1 (x1)	x 1.05	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.02
Regular +2 (x1)	x 1.1	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.04
Regular +3 (x2)	x 1.15	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.06
Regular +4 (x2)	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.08
Regular +5 (x3)	x 1.25	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.1
Regular +6 (x1)	x 1.31	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.12
Regular +7 (x1)	x 1.37	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.14
Regular +8 (x2)	x 1.43	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.16
Regular +9 (x2)	x 1.49	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.18
Regular +10 (x3)	x 1.55	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.2
Regular +11 (x1)	x 1.62	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.21
Regular +12 (x1)	x 1.69	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.22
Regular +13 (x2)	x 1.76	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.23
Regular +14 (x3)	x 1.83	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.24
Regular +15 (x1)	x 2.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.25

Crystal Upgrades Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Crystal (x1)	x 1.55	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.25
Crystal +1 (x1)	x 1.62	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.26
Crystal +2 (x1)	x 1.69	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.27
Crystal +3 (x2)	x 1.76	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.28
Crystal +4 (x3)	x 1.83	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.29
Crystal +5 (x1)	x 2.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.3

Lightning Upgrades Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Lightning (x1)	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.12	x 1.0
Lightning +1 (x1)	x 1.28	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.28	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.14	x 1.0
Lightning +2 (x1)	x 1.36	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.36	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.15	x 1.0
Lightning +3 (x2)	x 1.44	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.44	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.16	x 1.0
Lightning +4 (x3)	x 1.52	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.52	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.18	x 1.0
Lightning +5 (x1)	x 1.6	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.6	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.2	x 1.0

Magic Upgrades Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Magic (x1)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +1 (x1)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.02	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +2 (x1)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.04	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +3 (x2)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.06	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +4 (x2)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.08	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +5 (x3)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.1	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +6 (x1)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.12	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +7 (x1)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.14	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +8 (x2)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.16	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +9 (x3)	x 1.	x 1.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.18	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Magic +10 (x1)	x 2.	x 2.	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 2.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0

Divine Upgrades Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Divine (x1)	x 1.25	x 1.25	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +1 (x1)	x 1.31	x 1.31	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +2 (x1)	x 1.37	x 1.37	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +3 (x2)	x 1.43	x 1.43	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +4 (x2)	x 1.49	x 1.49	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +5 (x3)	x 1.55	x 1.55	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +6 (x1)	x 1.62	x 1.62	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +7 (x1)	x 1.69	x 1.69	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +8 (x2)	x 1.76	x 1.76	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +9 (x3)	x 1.83	x 1.83	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Divine +10 (x1)	x 2.0	x 2.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0

Fire Upgrades Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Fire (x1)	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +1 (x1)	x 1.04	x 1.0	x 1.04	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.02	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +2 (x1)	x 1.08	x 1.0	x 1.08	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.04	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +3 (x2)	x 1.12	x 1.0	x 1.12	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.06	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +4 (x2)	x 1.16	x 1.0	x 1.16	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.08	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +5 (x3)	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.1	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +6 (x1)	x 1.27	x 1.0	x 1.27	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.12	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +7 (x1)	x 1.34	x 1.0	x 1.34	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.14	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +8 (x2)	x 1.41	x 1.0	x 1.41	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.16	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +9 (x3)	x 1.48	x 1.0	x 1.48	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.18	x 1.0	x 1.0
Fire +10 (x1)	x 1.55	x 1.0	x 1.55	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.0

Special (Twinkling) Shields Upgrade Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Special (Twinkling) Weapon	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Special (Twinkling) Weapon +1	x 1.05	x 1.05	x 1.05	x 1.05	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.04
Special (Twinkling) Weapon +2	x 1.1	x 1.1	x 1.1	x 1.1	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.08
Special (Twinkling) Weapon +3	x 1.15	x 1.15	x 1.15	x 1.15	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.12
Special (Twinkling) Weapon +4	x 1.2	x 1.2	x 1.2	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.16
Special (Twinkling) Weapon +5	x 1.25	x 1.25	x 1.25	x 1.25	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.2

Boss (Demon) Shields Upgrade Formula

Claymore
	Attack Values				Parameter Bonus				Damage Reduction (%)				Stability
Boss (Demon) Weapon	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0
Boss (Demon) Weapon +1	x 1.05	x 1.05	x 1.05	x 1.05	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.05
Boss (Demon) Weapon +2	x 1.1	x 1.1	x 1.1	x 1.1	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.1
Boss (Demon) Weapon +3	x 1.15	x 1.15	x 1.15	x 1.15	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.15
Boss (Demon) Weapon +4	x 1.2	x 1.2	x 1.2	x 1.2	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.2
Boss (Demon) Weapon +5	x 1.25	x 1.25	x 1.25	x 1.25	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.0	x 1.3

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- Anonymous
  01 Apr 2019 14:38
  Can I get Best crystal weapon achievement with upgrading a shield?
  Reply Replies (1)
  1
  +1
  0
  -1
- Anonymous
  12316 Sep 2016 11:17
  4
  Reply Replies (20)
  25
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  13
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