Dark souls 2 shields – In the unforgiving realm of Dark Souls 2, shields stand as a vital tool for survival. From the humble Wooden Shield to the legendary Royal Kite Shield, each shield offers unique advantages and disadvantages, shaping the player’s combat strategies and overall gameplay experience.
This comprehensive guide delves into the intricate world of Dark Souls 2 shields, exploring their categories, notable examples, customization options, combat techniques, and the profound impact they have on the game’s lore and gameplay.
Dark Souls 2 Shield Categories
In Dark Souls 2, shields are categorized into various types, each with unique attributes and characteristics:
Small Shields
- Lightweight and offer low stability
- Provide decent damage reduction for their weight
- Allow for quick weapon swaps and spell casting
Medium Shields, Dark souls 2 shields
- Moderate weight and stability
- Provide balanced protection and versatility
- Suitable for a wide range of combat styles
Large Shields
- Heavyweight and offer high stability
- Provide excellent damage reduction
- Can be slow to wield and limit mobility
Greatshields
- Extremely heavyweight and provide maximum stability
- Offer exceptional damage reduction and protection
- Severely limit mobility and weapon swaps
Special Shields
- Unique shields with specialized abilities
- Can provide additional protection, elemental resistances, or other benefits
- Often have specific acquisition methods or lore implications
Notable Dark Souls 2 Shields
Drangleic Shield
- Standard medium shield with well-rounded stats
- Suitable for beginners and general combat situations
- Acquired from the Merchant Hag Melentia
Heide Knight Shield
- Large shield with high stability and damage reduction
- Effective against physical attacks
- Dropped by Heide Knights in Heide’s Tower of Flame
Royal Kite Shield
- Greatshield with exceptional stability and defense
- Protects against a wide range of attacks
- Acquired by trading the Soul of the Lost Sinner to Ornifex
Gyrm Shield
- Special shield that reflects projectiles
- Useful against archers and spellcasters
- Found in a chest in the Forest of Fallen Giants
Sacred Chime Shield
- Special shield that allows spellcasting while blocking
- Ideal for hybrid builds
- Acquired by completing the questline of Lucatiel of Mirrah
Shield Customization and Upgrades
Shield Reinforcement
Reinforcing shields with Titanite Shards, Slabs, and Twinkling Titanite increases their stability and damage reduction.
Shield Imbuing
Imbuing shields with various elements (fire, lightning, etc.) adds elemental damage to blocked attacks.
Parry Upgrade
Upgrading shields with a Blessed Gem increases their parry frames, making parrying easier.
Infusion
Infusing shields with Raw, Magic, etc., alters their scaling and damage output.
Shield Combat Techniques
Blocking
Blocking with a shield reduces incoming damage based on the shield’s stability and damage reduction.
Parrying
Parrying an attack with a shield’s critical hitbox stuns the enemy, creating an opening for a counterattack.
Shield Bash
Shield bashing with a shield’s L2 button can stagger enemies and interrupt their attacks.
Shield Break
Attacking a shielded enemy with heavy weapons can break their guard, stunning them and leaving them vulnerable.
Shield Lore and Impact on Gameplay
Shields in Dark Souls 2 hold significant lore implications and influence gameplay in various ways:
Lore Significance
Shield designs and abilities often reflect the history and factions of Drangleic.
Gameplay Impact
Shield choice affects combat strategy, weight management, and stat allocation.
Shields can enable different playstyles, such as tanking, spellcasting, or parrying-focused builds.
Common Queries
What are the main categories of shields in Dark Souls 2?
Shields in Dark Souls 2 fall into four main categories: Small Shields, Medium Shields, Greatshields, and Special Shields, each with distinct attributes and combat roles.
How can I upgrade my shield in Dark Souls 2?
Shield upgrades require Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, or Twinkling Titanite, which can be found throughout the game world. Upgrading a shield increases its stability, damage reduction, and sometimes grants special abilities.
What is the best shield in Dark Souls 2?
The “best” shield in Dark Souls 2 depends on the player’s individual playstyle and combat preferences. However, some highly regarded shields include the Royal Kite Shield for its excellent stability and damage reduction, the Drangleic Shield for its high magic resistance, and the Mirror Shield for its ability to reflect projectiles.