In Elden Ring, surviving the brutal onslaughts of enemies often comes down to proper defense. While many Tarnished favor high-damage weapons and quick dodges, shields remain among the most reliable Elden Ring items for players seeking a balanced or defensive playstyle. Whether you’re blocking a knight’s greatsword or parrying a boss’s lethal combo, the right shield can be the difference between life and death. This guide will walk you through ten powerful shields in Elden Ring and how to use them effectively, especially for players looking to collect safe Elden Ring items that enhance survivability.
1. Erdtree Greatshield
The Erdtree Greatshield is a top-tier option for Faith builds. It boasts extremely high Holy damage negation and the unique skill “Golden Retaliation,” which fires back magical projectiles at attackers. It’s best used against magic-heavy enemies or in PvP against sorcerers.
Effective Use: Combine it with a high Faith stat and equip a seal for offensive miracles. Block magic, then counter with Golden Retaliation to punish spellcasters.
2. Beast Crest Heater Shield
This medium shield is often underestimated, but it offers 100% physical damage negation and decent stability for its weight. It’s also one of the safest Elden Ring items for early game players.
Effective Use: Equip it when entering unfamiliar areas. It doesn’t require heavy investment in Strength and works well for builds that balance offense and defense.
3. Fingerprint Stone Shield
With unmatched guard boost, the Fingerprint Stone Shield is the pinnacle of tanking tools in Elden Ring. It’s incredibly heavy but nearly impenetrable when upgraded.
Effective Use: Pair with the Greatshield Talisman and the Endurance stat to maintain stamina. Use it for a turtle build where blocking and counterattacking is your main tactic.
4. Carian Knight’s Shield
A medium shield with high magic resistance, this is ideal for facing sorcerers or exploring areas like Raya Lucaria Academy.
Effective Use: Ideal for Intelligence builds. Carry this when you’re not sure what kind of elemental damage you’ll face, especially in late-game zones.
5. Dragonclaw Shield
With high resistance to elemental damage, the Dragonclaw Shield offers solid protection in areas with dragons or elemental bosses.
Effective Use: Equip it when exploring regions like Caelid or fighting dragons. It also synergizes well with strength builds due to its high requirements.
6. Brass Shield
A classic and popular medium shield, the Brass Shield is known for its balance of defense, weight, and accessibility.
Effective Use: Upgrade it early and use it throughout the game. It’s especially useful for players who want reliable and safe Elden Ring items without relying on overly rare gear.
7. Great Turtle Shell
For those who value stamina regeneration, this shield offers passive recovery while being lightweight and decent in defense.
Effective Use: Equip it on your back when two-handing weapons. It still provides passive stamina regen, making it perfect for aggressive playstyles with light armor.
8. Inverted Hawk Heater Shield
This shield offers good physical defense with a boost to parry frames, making it suitable for dexterity-focused players.
Effective Use: Use it to learn parry timings. Practice on humanoid enemies before attempting to parry bosses.
9. Jellyfish Shield
One of the more unique Elden Ring items, the Jellyfish Shield has the Contagious Fury skill, which boosts attack power for a short time.
Effective Use: Activate its skill before boss fights or invasions. Then switch to two-handing your weapon for a burst damage strategy.
10. Cuckoo Greatshield
A magic-resistant greatshield ideal for tanky builds, particularly when going up against magic-wielding bosses or invaders.
Effective Use: Combine with armor and talismans that boost magic defense. It’s particularly strong in areas like the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Tips for Using Shields Effectively in Elden Ring
- Upgrade Your Shield: Like weapons, shields can be upgraded with smithing stones. This boosts guard boost and damage reduction.
- Mind Your Stamina: Blocking consumes stamina, and running out will leave you exposed. Use Endurance-boosting items like the Green Turtle Talisman.
- Learn When to Parry: Not every enemy should be blocked. Master parry timings to open up powerful counterattacks.
- Know Enemy Damage Types: Some enemies deal heavy elemental damage. Keep a magic- or fire-resistant shield handy.
- Combine with Guard Counter: After blocking a hit, immediately follow up with a strong attack to stagger your foe.
Shields in Elden Ring are more than just a passive defense tool—they’re one of the most versatile and safe Elden Ring items you can incorporate into your build. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned veteran, mastering the use of these shields can give you the edge needed to survive the Lands Between.
