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.
Standard Shields
A balanced approach that gives adequate stability at moderate weight. Better at blocking than small shields.
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.
Upgrades and Parameter Bonus (Shields)
The table below shows the calculation for the Base Damage, Parameter Scaling, Damage Reduction and Stability.
Regular Upgrades Formula
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore |  |
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 |
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 |
 |
 |
| 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
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | |
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| 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
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | |
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| 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
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | |
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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
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | |
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| 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
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | |
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| 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
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | |
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| 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
| Attack Values | Parameter Bonus | Damage Reduction (%) | Stability | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | |
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| 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 |
Anonymous
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
05 Dec 2019 22:01
Trying a shield only run with grass crest in the off hand, what's the best shield to 2 hand for actually attacking?
- Anonymous
28 Jun 2019 09:08
Looking for the best shield? Quick guide. ~~STABILITY~~ The Greatshield of Artorias has the highest stability overall. The Silver Knight Shield has the highest stability of any medium shield. The Balder Shield has the highest stability of any infusable medium shield. ~~DEFENSE~~ Havel's Greatshield has the highest average defense of any shield. Havel's Greatshield and Crystal Ring Shield tie for highest magic defense at 90%. Black Knight Shield has the highest fire defense of any shield. Effigy Shield has the highest lightning defense of any shield. ~~SPECIAL~~ The Grass Crest Shield vastly increases stamina recovery - one of the best shields end-all. The Sanctus grants HP recovery over time. The Crystal Shield and the Spider Shield both have 100% toxic and poison block. The Greatshield of Artorias has 100% all status effect block. Havel's Greatshield has a "Stoneskin" ability instead of a shield bash.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
15 Jan 2021 15:50
“ In a game where letting a single blow slip past your guard can lead to your untimely demise”
I hate these exaggerated things people say about Dark Souls. There is very very few instances of being one shot at normal vitality in this game and it’s unfair to say things like this to hype the difficulty
3
+10
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