Shields in Dark Souls 3 are an integral part of your survival as you learn the game, since even a single blow past your guard can lead to your untimely demise. 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 obvious defensive applications, shield strategy can easily become far deeper than simply blocking damage. If you'd like to see comparisons of the different shield types, please click the the link above each list.
For the shields in the DLC, see the Ashes of Ariandel Shields and The Ringed City Shields.
Small Shields
Small Shields in Dark Souls 3 are a type of Shield that usually weigh very little and have the least form of protection from attacks. They are often used by players who prefer Parrying rather than Blocking. Players cannot use their Weapon's Skill without first putting a Small Shield away or without two-handing their Weapon
Standard Shields
These types of Shields usually weigh very little and offer a mediocre amount of protection. They are often employed by players who need a shield, but don't have a lot of points into the Strength stat.
Greatshields
These types of Shields usually weigh a decent amount and provide the best protection in the game. They are often used by players who have high Strength, as they require a good amount to use.
- Anonymous
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01 Nov 2020 18:25
These really fell off once they made rolling cost less stamina than blocking all but the weakest possible attacks that you can just tank through. Was never a fan of shields and always two hand/ powerstance but making them almost completely obsolete wasn't necessary
- Anonymous
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25 Sep 2020 18:29
So basically, upgrading a shield only improves the stability. If you infuse, not only does the shield's stability get reset to base value (less for some infusions), but it makes every other absorption aside from infusion element worse, making the upgrades worthless... Damn, DS3 hates shields so much, they only made the most obvious upgrade path the only one viable.
- Anonymous
18 Sep 2020 05:22
Just wondering, aside from fashion and weight, what do you guys prefer in a shield; absorption or stability?
- Anonymous
13 Aug 2020 21:41
Isn't there any info about the deflection values of each shield? I know some shields can deflect light weapons, but it seems there's no info about wich ones does it (or it's too well hidden).
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07 May 2020 00:19
If you pair a weapon skill shield with another weapon skill shield it does shield bash for some reason.
- Anonymous
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17 Mar 2020 16:23
Guys, learn to look around the page and read before saying the shields aren't listed. DLC shields are right at the top, they just don't have them on the main page. This is likely intentional. If anything that should narrow your search on this big list of shields! "For the shields in the DLC, see the Ashes of Ariandel Shields and The Ringed City Shields." Literally after first paragraph!
- Anonymous
17 Mar 2020 16:18
Wierdly enough, out of all these shields only 15 are new to the dark souls series in the base game, not including dlc. Only 4 new standard shields, 6 new greatshields, 5 new small shields added. I counted the sunset shield as the mirrah shield, as they look too much alike, same with the kite shield (drangleic shield)
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04 Aug 2019 04:02
Of course one can always use a 100% block shield, but S H I E L D S A R E 4 S C R U B S
- Anonymous
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29 Mar 2019 17:19
does anyone know about a gigantic shield that is round and covers your entire body
05 Jan 2021 00:06
Shields be like
*Blocking noises*
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