Elden Ring: Best Shields Tier List

It's no surprise that players worldwide believe that Elden Ring is GOTY material, even if there's still more content yet to be released like the DLC that some players have found evidence of before its announcement earlier in 2023. In the long wait until the DLC, players still have plenty of caves to explore, ruins to pillage, and ill-omened creatures to fell.

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But, players shouldn't expect to breeze through Elden Ring since they'll need to use the best equipment to survive. One type of equipment that can prove useful in vanquishing enemies is a shield since it can protect a player from lethal blows. But, with so many Elden Ring shields to choose from, it can be a challenge to know which one is the best one to get the job done.

Updated December 24, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: In Elden Ring, Shields take many shapes and forms, and can often form the backbone of a powerful build just the same as a regular weapon. This is more apparent in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion which introduced two new Thrusting Shield weapons, which essentially serve as a duo Shield and two-handed thrusting weapon. These items are unique as they allow players to attack and guard at the same time, but of the two, the Carian Thrusting Shield is arguably the more powerful. Though you can do a lot with a base Dueling Shield, the split damage of the Carian Dueling Shield makes it useful for certain build types. This guide to the best Elden Ring shields has been updated to include this powerful Shadow of the Erdtree shield, including a brief overview of the location it can be found at.

20 Shield Of The Guilty

The Bleed You Need, Guaranteed

Even though small shields aren't the best at reducing attacks due to their size, Shield of the Guilty is an exception since it has 68 points of Guard Protection. On top of that, since it's a small shield, players can dodge attacks a lot quicker and easier without using too much Stamina.

Another feature that makes this one of the best shields in Elden Ring is that players can use the Shield Bash Ash of War which can stagger most enemies.

Elden Ring Shield of the Guilty Location

To get the Shield of the Guilty Elden Ring players head to the Demi-Human Forest Ruins in the northern forests of the Weeping Peninsula – if you see Castle Morne, you've gone too far. Look for this shield just before the main building with the Demi-Human Queen mini-boss.

19 Beastman's Jar-Shield

Balanced Stats On A Great-Looking Shield

Players who want the best of a greatshield and a small shield will enjoy using the Beastman's Jar-Shield since it balances damage reduction and agility. Another reason why the Beastman's Jar-Shield deserves its spot among the best shields in Elden Ring is that it can be infused with Ashes of War, Magic, and other consumables.

The only problem with this medium shield is that players can only find it at Crumbling Farum Azula, which is considered the end-game area of Elden Ring.

Elden Ring Beastman's Jar-Shield Location

To get the Beastman's Jar-Shield Elden Ring players must defeat Beastmen of Farum Azula, but only the ones found in Crumbling Farum Azula near the end of the game. Players that wish to wield this powerful medium shield can farm it from Beastmen near the Crumbling Beast Grave Depths Site of Grace.

18 Fingerprint Stone Shield

Maddeningly Heavy, And Maddeningly Strong

Even though the Fingerprint Stone Shield is one of the heaviest shields in Elden Ring, and even requires 48 Strength, it's a viable pick for any strength-heavy build. It boasts great defenses, 100% Physical block, and can hold its own against the most Stamina-reducing attacks.

But, one of the main reasons why the Fingerprint Stone Shield is one of the best shields in Elden Ring is that its Ash of War causes Madness build-up. Unfortunately, obtaining this greatshield is no easy task.

Elden Ring Fingerprint Stone Shield Location

To get the Fingerprint Stone Shield Elden Ring players need to defeat Morgott, the Omen King, and the alternate version of Mohg beneath the Leyndell Sewers. After beating both of these powerful bosses, players will need to go to the Cathedral of the Forsaken deep beneath Leyndell, and continue down a specific set of platforms that will eventually lead them to the shield.

17 Jellyfish Shield

There's Nothing Squishy About 100% Physical Reduction

The Jellyfish Shield is undoubtedly one of the most unique-looking greatshields in Elden Ring that most players may ignore due to its squishy appearance. But, this greatshield merits a place in this Elden Ring shield tier list since its Contagious Fury ability boosts the player's attack by 20% for 30 seconds.

But, the buff only applies to single-handed weapons, so players can't use its Ash of War and switch to a two-handed weapon, as it will nullify the effects.

Elden Ring Jellyfish Shield Location

To get the Jellyfish Shield Elden Ring players must go to the area below Four Belfies, specifically to a field west of the Belfries' hill. Look next to a corpse guarded by four Jellyfish, which can easily be reached by heading north from the Foot of the Four Belfries.

16 Scripture Wooden Shield

Great For Parrying As A Caster

The Scripture Wooden Shield is the go-to shield for most players who enjoy using magic builds since it offers a modest amount of defense while still being light enough for players who avoid investing in Stamina. But, the real beauty of the Scripture Wooden Shield is that it can Parry a huge number of attacks from bosses like that of Malenia, Blade of Miquella.

Though the Parry Ash of War can also be bought and applied to other shields, this one is found soon enough that it's a useful shield for mages in the early game. Parrying attacks takes time and practice, so players new to parrying should practice on easier enemies before tackling larger ones.

Elden Ring Scripture Wooden Shield Location

To get the Scripture Wooden Shield Elden Ring players can farm the skeleton enemies found inside Deathtouched Catacombs. It can also be found later on in the Auriza Hero's Grave, though the skeleton farming method is much easier and accessible earlier.

15 Blue-Gold Kite Shield

Easy-To-Get 100% Physical Reduction Shield

While it lacks agility due to its size, it's a great shield to reduce incoming damage or block certain attacks. Moreover, a well-timed Parry can stagger most enemies and bosses, turning the tide of a battle. And if a player has a Talisman that increases maximum Stamina like the Viridian Amber, they can block more attacks.

But, despite its decent stats, other shields can get the job done a lot better, but the reason why Blue-Gold Kite Shield is among the best is that it's a lot easier to obtain when compared to the other shields on the list.

Elden Ring Blue-Gold Kite Shield Location

To get the Blue-Gold Kite Shield Elden Ring players must buy it from the Nomadic Merchant in Eastern Limgrave for 1000 runes. The merchant sits just out of sight just north of Fort Haight. For classes that didn't start with a 100% Physical block shield, it's an invaluable stop to make early in the game.

14 Visage Shield

It's A Shield With An Old Man's Face That Blasts Fire From Its Mouth

Undoubtedly, Greatshields are very effective shields that can protect players from certain death, but players will need to invest in Strength if they want to wield one. And the Visage Shield is a useful Greatshield since it not only protects players but can also spray several jets of fire from its front.

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Moreover, players can use Magic and Consumables to buff Tongues of Fire's damage. But, players will use up FP while using the skill, so players do well acquiring the Cerulean Hidden Tear, which grants unlimited FP for a short duration.

Elden Ring Visage Shield Location

To get the Visage Shield Elden Ring players must go to the Caelem Ruins, just down the road from the Smouldering Church on the border of Limgrave and Caelid. Watch out for the Scarlet Rot-infested enemies whose instantly recognizable Pizza Tower scream signals they are about to explode. You will find the Visage Shield on the ground near the ruins.

13 Marred Leather Shield

A Bleed-Buildup Shield That's Found In Limgrave

Even though the Marred Leather Shield doesn't have any Ash of War, it does have a Passive one that causes Blood Loss buildup, which will inflict a massive amount of damage when procced. So, the Marred Leather Shield paired with a Bleed weapon like the Uchigatana can prove to be a lethal combo since both pieces of equipment cause Blood Loss buildup.

To get this shield, players will need to take a secret entrance to Stormveil Castle, making it one of the earliest (and easiest) Status Effect shields in Elden Ring.

Elden Ring Marred Leather Shield Location

To get the Marred Leather Shield Elden Ring players must go to Stormveil Castle, then skip the main route by taking a shortcut offered by Gostoc at the gate. From the second Site of Grace, head up the wooden stairs and pick up the item about halfway up, before you reach the Exile Soldier that blows the horn, to get the Marred Leather Shield.

12 Buckler

Don't Block – Parry Instead

The Buckler is one of the best Elden Ring shields, but not necessarily because its good at defending. In fact, it has some of the least-defensive stats in the game, and hardly negates incoming damage at all. But that' because this shield isn't necessarily meant for defense, it's meant to complement your offensive capabilities with its improved Parry.

The Buckler is one of the few Shields in Elden Ring that gives a wider window for successful Parries, and makes it significantly easier to land a Critical Hit against enemies whose attacks you've memorized.

Elden Ring Buckler Location

To get the Buckler Elden Ring players must either choose to start the game as a Bandit, for whom the Buckler is given as starting equipment, or purchase it from Gatekeeper Gostoc in Stormveil Castle. Gostoc will only have this in his inventory after you open the main gate, whether that's by requesting his aid or by going the long way around. From Gostoc, the Buckler will set you back 1,500 Runes.

11 Coil Shield

It Lacks In Defense, But It Comes With A Snake

Players who enjoy rolling around and dodging attacks (which the Bandit class excels in) will enjoy using the Coil Shield since it's classified as Small Shield, making it lightweight. But, as one might have expected, this shield offers little to no damage mitigation in exchange for this light load.

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Despite that minor setback, FromSoftware gave this shield a unique skill in the form of Viper Bite, which unleashes a viper that performs a bite attack on enemies. Moreover, Viper Bite causes Poison to enemy players, and at a rate faster than other Poison sources. For Poison builds, it's a must-have.

Elden Ring Coil Shield Location

To get the Coil Shield Elden Ring players must enter the Volcano Cave in Mt. Gelmir, just north of the Ninth Campsite Site of Grace. Players will have to navigate to a small room located on a cliff, where enemies will ambush them. Get past the ambush to find the Coil Shield on the ground.