U4GM - How to Use Elden Ring’s Shield Items for Blocking Heavy Attacks and Spells
Elden Ring offers an incredibly vast and challenging world, where your character faces powerful enemies, bosses, and magical threats. One of the most vital aspects of surviving in this treacherous land is defense, and shields play a crucial role in this regard. In this guide, we will explore how to effectively use Elden Ring’s shield items to block heavy attacks and spells, ensuring your survival in the face of overwhelming odds.
Understanding the Importance of Shield Items in Elden Ring
Shields in Elden Ring serve as a key defensive tool, absorbing incoming damage from both physical and magical attacks. The game offers a variety of Elden Ring items, each with distinct properties. Some are designed to withstand physical hits, while others are better equipped to block spells and elemental damage.
Choosing the right shield for your playstyle and the challenges you are facing is vital for survival. While some shields are light and allow for greater mobility, others are heavier, offering better protection but limiting your agility. Knowing when and how to use each type can make the difference between life and death in battle.
Types of Shields for Blocking Heavy Attacks
In Elden Ring, there are several types of shields that offer varying degrees of defense against different attack types. When facing enemies who deal heavy physical damage, using a shield with high physical defense is your best bet. Here are some popular options:
Greatshields: These are the heaviest shields in Elden Ring and provide the best protection against physical damage. However, they come with a significant weight penalty, which can slow down your movement. Greatshields like the Bull-Goat’s Shield are excellent for blocking heavy attacks but require careful management of your stamina and equip load.
Medium Shields: These are a balanced option, offering decent physical protection without sacrificing too much mobility. Shields like the Knight's Shield are great for those who prefer a mix of defense and agility.
Small Shields: These shields offer the least protection against heavy attacks but are the lightest, allowing for quick movements. While not ideal for blocking heavy blows, they can be useful in certain situations when speed is more important than defense.
How to Block Heavy Attacks Effectively
Blocking heavy attacks requires understanding the shield's ability to absorb damage and its stamina cost. When an enemy launches a heavy attack, your shield must have sufficient guard durability to absorb the damage fully. If your shield’s guard durability is depleted, you risk being staggered, leaving you open to follow-up attacks.
To block heavy attacks effectively:
Always monitor your stamina bar. Blocking consumes stamina, and once it's drained, you’ll lose the ability to effectively block or parry. It’s crucial to manage your stamina by not holding the shield up for too long.
Use the right shield for the job. If facing a tough boss or a strong enemy with heavy physical attacks, consider equipping a Greatshield to ensure maximum damage absorption.
Time your blocks carefully. Don’t hold your shield up constantly; anticipate enemy moves and use your shield at the right moment.
Shield Items for Blocking Spells
Blocking spells and magical attacks in Elden Ring requires a different approach. Some shields are specifically designed to defend against spells, offering high magic resistance. Magic can be deadly, especially when facing bosses or enemies that cast long-range spells.
Magic Shields: These shields offer enhanced protection against sorceries and other forms of magic. For example, the Erdtree Greatshield provides a significant amount of magic resistance, making it invaluable when facing spell-casting enemies.
Elemental Shields: Some shields are designed to block elemental attacks such as fire, lightning, or even holy damage. The Dragon Slayer Shield, for instance, provides high defense against fire and can be a game-changer in certain areas of the game.
Shield Upgrades: You can enhance your shield’s magical resistance by upgrading it at the blacksmith or using Ashes of War to customize its abilities. Many shields can be modified to provide specific protections, such as increased resistance to certain spell types.
Using Shields to Block Both Physical and Magical Damage
To maximize your defensive potential, you need to select the right combination of shields based on the threats you are facing. For example, if you're preparing for a boss fight where both physical attacks and spells will be launched at you, it's important to have a shield that offers a balanced defense against both types of damage.
You can carry two shields, one for physical protection and another for magic resistance, and switch between them as needed. While carrying multiple shields is not always efficient, in certain situations, it might be the key to surviving tougher encounters.
Cheap Elden Ring Items: How to Get Shields for Budget-Friendly Builds
If you’re looking to optimize your shield defense but don’t want to spend too much on high-end equipment, there are several cheap Elden Ring items that still provide decent protection. While these shields may not be as strong as the rare, end-game options, they can be an excellent starting point for players on a budget or those just beginning their journey.
Buckler Shield: This small shield is inexpensive but offers decent protection, especially against smaller attacks and spells. It's lightweight and perfect for players who want to focus on quick movements and counter-attacks.
Round Shield: Another affordable shield option, the Round Shield provides solid defense and can be useful for blocking basic attacks. While it might not have the best resistances, it's a reliable choice early in the game.
Wooden Shield: If you're looking for the cheapest option, the Wooden Shield can be found early in the game. It’s not the best at blocking heavy attacks, but it can still serve you well until you can upgrade to something stronger.
Mastering the use of shields in Elden Ring is essential for surviving against the various threats you’ll encounter. Whether you’re blocking heavy physical attacks or defending against deadly spells, knowing how to use the right Elden Ring shield items will greatly enhance your chances of success. Be mindful of your stamina, choose the right shield for the job, and remember to adjust your strategy based on the enemy you're facing.
By understanding the different types of shields available and their specific uses, you can confidently take on the challenges that Elden Ring throws your way, all while protecting yourself from even the most powerful enemies. Happy adventuring!