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-upgrade-dark-souls
crystal_upgrade_dark_souls
lightning_upgrade_dark_souls
magic_upgrade_dark_souls
divine_upgrade_dark_souls
fire_upgrade_dark_souls
Special (twinkling) Weapon Upgrade
Boss (Demon) Weapon Upgrade

 

Regular Upgrades Formula

  Attack Values Parameter Bonus Damage Reduction (%) Stability
Claymore physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx3) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (titanite_shard_dark_soulsx3) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx2) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx3) 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 (titanite_slab_dark_soulsx1) 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 physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
Crystal (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx2) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx3) 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 (titanite_slab_dark_soulsx1) 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 physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
Lightning (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx2) 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 (titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx3) 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 (titanite_slab_dark_soulsx1) 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 physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
Magic (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx3) 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 (blue_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (blue_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (blue_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx2) 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 (blue_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx3) 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 (blue_titanite_slab_dark_soulsx1) 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 physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
Divine (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx3) 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 (white_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (white_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (white_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx2) 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 (white_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx3) 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 (white_titanite_slab_dark_soulsx1) 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 physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
Fire (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) x 1.0 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx1) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx2) 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 (green_titanite_shard_dark_soulsx3) 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 (red_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (red_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx1) 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 (red_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx2) 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 (red_titanite_chunk_dark_soulsx3) 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 (red_titanite_slab_dark_soulsx1) 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 physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
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 physical_damage_dark_souls.jpg magic_damage_dark_souls.jpg fire_damage_dark_souls.jpg lightning_damage_dark_souls.jpg strength_dark_souls.jpg dexterity_dark_souls.jpg intelligence_dark_souls.jpg faith_dark_souls.jpg physical_defense_dark_souls.jpg magic_defense_dark_souls.jpg fire_defense_dark_souls.jpg lightning_defense_dark_souls.jpg stability_dark_souls.jpg
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

      Shields are very fun and useful to use as weapons. I used this strategy on my third playtrough, switching from a very defensive build with only shields to a very aggressive with only caestus on low level invasions. Many players don't know that the running and R2 two handed attacks block incoming attack when used.
      Also the one handed attack are hilarious, because they look like slaps, and if you time the R2 one you can damage players immediately after a backstab, or even a parry, due to their medium range and poise damage. I tried this with a medium shield, so I don't know if it's the same as small and great shields.

      • PVE you can use any shield (that you can wield) and it doesn't really matter that much, probably the Grass crest is the best one, maybe even the Eagle Shield? Now PVP wise... is basically the same, the Grass Crest still probably the best but it weights 3 units - not really a lot -, but in some low level builds could mess up your weight (or your armor possibilities), and the constant feeding of stamina of this shield kinds of spoils you? A Heater shield weights just 2 units with 100% physical and amazing stability and its a great alternative... But still, 2 units doesn't seem that much, but when you are barely fast rolling it does make a different... So that's why you see a lot of good players using the Small Leather Shield (weights only 0,5 with an 80% physical reduction and 40 stab, which is fine) or even a Dark Hand (again 0,5, 80%, though bad 30 stab)

        Is always handy to have a Crest Shield (to swap into, and face magic) and if you don't care about the weight the Black Knight shield is great... Large Shields are terrible for the most part (still super fun), you can't parry with them and what they offer is massive defense but that's useless against Dead Angles, so, Artorias is bad (probably the better ones are Havels, Eagles and Tower Shield). Small and Normal shields are the way to go, because you can parry with them, so basically any one those will do. But maybe you should stay away from Buckler and Target shield, because they mess up your parry windows times (and parry doesn't become easier with them, is just different) AND you are signaling your opponents you want to parry them

        • Anonymous

          the three best shields are the grasscrest sheild,the great shield of artorias and the crest shield,they all serve a different purpose,the grasscrest is for dps builds,the great shield of artorias has the highest stability and the crest sheild has insane magic defense

          • Anonymous

            Having a strong shield is an incredibly enjoyable way to play the game. I’ve been using the silver knight shield and can block heavier attacks from larger enemies who I usually dodge roll against and it’s a nice balance of blocking, recovering just enough stamina, attacking and repeating.

            • Anonymous

              “ 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

              • Anonymous

                Trying a shield only run with grass crest in the off hand, what's the best shield to 2 hand for actually attacking?

                • 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.

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