In the world of Dark Souls II, there are many weapons and shields to choose from. However, the greatshields stand out above all others in terms of defense and utility. Greatshields offer the highest stability ratings making them ideal for defending against enemy attacks while also providing a hefty physical damage reduction. They also come with a wide range of skills, including weapon parrying and 100% spell reduction. This article is devoted entirely to ranking the best greatshields in Dark Souls II by their overall performance, damage reduction, weight and utility. These greatshields are classified into four categories: Heavy Shields, Mid Level Shields, Light Shields and Miscellaneous Greatshields. Each section contains detailed descriptions on each shield and all its attributes such as stability rating, physical defense value, elemental resistance values, durability rating and more. With this ranking system, players can easily determine which greatshield is better suited for their particular play style or situation when it comes to braving the labyrinthine world of Drangleic Castle.
Ranking Criteria
When it comes to finding the best greatshields in Dark Souls 2, there are a few factors that need to be considered. For example, the stability of a greatshield is important as it determines how much damage it can absorb before it breaks. Additionally, the weight and the moveset of each greatshield must be taken into account. Let’s look at the criteria that will be used in ranking the greatshields.
Defense
Defense is the most important criteria for gauging the effectiveness of greatshields in Dark Souls 2. While many shields have elevated defensive properties, greatshields are designed to offer superior protection combined with active blocking abilities. As such, shields with higher defense numbers are usually more effective than those with lower defense ratings. When ranking the best greatshields, consider their overall defense values as a percentage that they provide against different types of damage and the stability stat, which determines how well your shield can absorb and resist hostile attacks. In addition to these factors, features such as weight, availability to buy or loot in-game, special effects linked to certain attacks and cost all come into play when making your choice.
Stability
Stability refers to the ability of the greatshield to absorb incoming hits without being knocked back. As such, it is only applicable to those with 100% physical damage-reduction stats (such as the Giant’s Kite Shield or the Falcon Shield). A greatshield with high stability will have better parrying capabilities and will be able to endure more hits before breaking. This factor also plays a role in a shield’s magic absorb percentage. Those shields with higher stability ratings generally provide better absorption versus magics and spells, meaning that they also might excel against magic weapons or sorcerers’ spells. Stability typically increases at 1 point per defense point added. Thus, a shield with item defenses of 60 would generally have an excellent stability rating while one with higher values would by default provide superior absorption due to its much greater weight, allowing it soak more damage before dropping.
Weight
Weight is an important factor to consider when assessing the best greatshields in Dark Souls 2. In this game, heavy items tend to be noticeably stronger than light items. This is because they are more durable and provide more protection against attacks. However, it’s important to remember that even heavier shields won’t necessarily protect against all incoming damage. The lighter shields tend to provide specific resistances and absorbances that ultimately give them an edge over heavier shields in certain scenarios. The greatshields in Dark Souls 2 range from extremely light to heavy depending on the type of shield being used and its intended purpose. The weight of all greatshields should be taken into account when deciding which one is best for your character build and playstyle.
Top 10 Greatshields
Dark Souls 2 is filled with various weapons and defensive items to equip yourself with while venturing in-game. One type of defensive item is the Greatshields, which can provide superior protection from most attacks. In this article, we will be looking at the top 10 Greatshields that players can use in Dark Souls 2, as well as looking at the pros and cons of each one.
Greatshield of Artorias
The Greatshield of Artorias is one of the most powerful and well-crafted greatshields available in Dark Souls 2. It was created by Artorias, who was a legendary knight during the time of Lord Gwyn. The shield is crafted from a special metal known as twilight blue steel and is intractable with high physical defense and fire resistance. In addition to its impressive stats, it boasts an active parry animation that rivals even the best shields in the game. The Greatshield of Artorias is a formidable shield that can provide excellent defense in almost any battle. It requires 12 strength and 14 dexterity in order to wield effectively, so it may not be suitable for all players but those who take the time to learn how to use it properly will be rewarded handsomely.
King’s Shield
The King’s Shield is a medium sized greatshield that was peculiarly crafted to protect the King Henselt of Kaedwen from incoming arrows and damage from close quarters. Its balanced defense and stability makes it extremely desirable for those looking for a great defensive shield. It also has an impressive energy shield bonus with 60 stability, making it highly sought after for its very minimum weight and consistent block rate. This medium-sized, curved mobility greatshield is perfect for protective Shield running or alternative equipment strategies in PvE, and vastly outshines any other Greatshield when using parrying strategies in PvP. The King’s Shield requires 70 strength points, weighs only 4 units, has no faith requirement, and has 100% physical block, 99% magic defense and 85 fire/lightning/dark absorption all while offering 60 stability against bashing attacks. It pairs perfectly with heavier armor sets but can be used as part of leaner setups, too — personal preference needs to taken into account when choosing between the two! In PvP environments, this durable shield can be used to continuously parry enemy weapons while maintaining excellent defensive protection due to its relatively low weight.
Black Iron Greatshield
The Black Iron Greatshield is one of the best greatshields in Dark Souls 2 and a favorite among players for its high absorbing capabilities. This is the first greatshield you will likely come across after starting your journey in Drangleic, which makes it extremely popular due to its effectiveness against physical and magic damage. The Black Iron Greatshield has a base damage absorption of 91% vs. Physical, 84% vs. Fire, 90% vs. Lighting and 65% vs Magic/Miracle damage per piece of equipment (including item buffs). It also provides excellent stability when blocking with 90 stability plus an additional 33 points when two-handing, making it one of the best all-round shields in the game. Its high poise bonus also makes this shield a good choice for heavy armorusers who need to withstand powerful attacks against their characters or bosses. With an effective weight of 8 kilograms, the Black Iron Greatshield allows for carry flexibility without having to sacrifice too much load burden or movement speed for its defensive properties. Overall, many players agree that this shield is oneof the best available in Dark Souls 2 and well worth carrying from start to finish in any playthrough.
Tower Kite Shield
One of the earliest greatshields found in Dark Souls 2 is the Tower Kite Shield. This light-weight shield is incredibly useful due to its medium physical defense, relatively high stability relative to other shields, and 80 stability when blocking attacks with one-handed weapons equipped in your offhand. The enchantment on this shield is particularly useful as it provides a one-time boost to magic resistance when struck by a spell-based attack helping counter powerful elemental spells from sorcerer type enemies. This shield also can be used to reduce fall damage, making it an ideal choice for those who often find themselves in dangerous situations while exploring. Despite its low stat boosts overall, the Tower Kite Shield proves itself time and time again as an excellent shield option for avoiding death in battle through both its defensive properties and special enchantment effect.
Black Knight Shield
The Black Knight Shield from Dark Souls 2 is a greatshield imbued with the power of the abyss. It has high physical defense, as well as moderate magic and fire absorption. The player also wields this shield one-handed, freeing up their off-hand for another weapon or spell. This shield can also block all projectile attacks such as arrows or bolts, making it an ideal choice for players who want to play with a mix of melee and ranged combat. The Black Knight Shield also has improved stability in comparison to others, making it easier to withstand powerful hits without breaking or taking damage. Despite its advantages, however, the Black Knight Shield still carries some drawbacks such as weight, which can make it unwieldy in certain situations and require more Stamina to maintain enemy encounters.
Greatshield of Glory
The Greatshield of Glory is one of the best greatshields in Dark Souls II. Possessing an impressively high physical damage reduction, this shield drastically increases player survivability and can eliminate the need for a secondary shield when paired with the right equipment set. Although its Stability stat is low (20), its weight is also low, making it very easy to manage and wield in most situations. Additionally, blocking with this shield has a chance to trigger an effect which decreases enemy damage by five percent, making it ideal for situations where multiple enemies are present or against boss fights. Overall, the Greatshield of Glory is an excellent piece of equipment and a must-have for players looking to increase their character’s survivability or seeking a good all-around defensive weapon.
Dragonrider Greatshield
The Dragonrider Greatshield is a favorite in the Dark Souls 2 community for its relatively decent damage reduction and modernist look. This large defender appears black with red markings and features a stable balance between weight and stability. With good physical protection and an excellent critical-hit rate it’s one of the best greatshields you can use. The dragonrider shield has higher than average stability at 79, allowing you to perform combos while blocking with almost no recoil. It also has adequate magic defense that makes it a balanced shield overall. Whether it’s used as the main focus of your defense or just in emergency situations, this is one greatshield to keep your eye out for!
Stone Greatshield
The Stone Greatshield is easily one of the best greatshields found in Dark Souls 2. It boasts high stability, with an impressive 81 points when fully upgraded. That makes it one of the most stable greatshields in the game, second only to the King’s Shield. It also has a strong magic deflect rating of 60 points. This makes it a very reliable shield for blocking just about any attack from any enemy. Additionally, it has a high lightning defense rating of 70, making it ideal for fighting those pesky lighting-based foes. Its weight is also absolutely on point, weighing at 9 units and requiring only 10 strength to wield properly. All these key stats make Stone Greatshield easily one of the best shields in Dark Souls 2, while still remaining light and manageable enough to carry around on your back without sacrificing much mobility.
Old Knight Greatshield
The Old Knight Greatshield is a large shield in Dark Souls 2 that can be purchased from the Shrine Handmaid in Firelink Shrine for 8,000 souls. This is one of the best shields in the game due to its incredible stability and 100% physical damage reduction and excellent elemental reduction, making it invaluable during boss fights. It also has higher durability than other shields of its size. The Old Knight Greatshield is particularly useful to knight builds, who will usually have less defence when they don’t use heavy armour. It offers more protection than other light armour pieces and is significantly easier to use during combat due to its larger size and lower weight, making it an essential item for those who want to maximize their defence without sacrificing mobility. For those who prefer larger shields but don’t want the hassle of having one that’s too heavy or cumbersome, this greatshield provides an ideal balance between defence and ease of use.
Shield of the Insolent
Shield of the Insolent is a greatshield found in the tower near the Iron Keep bonfire in Dark Souls II. This shield is of average size and weight, making it easy to wield, although its stability leaves something to be desired. It offers a unique balance of protection, especially against lightning-based attacks. Its main feature is a skull imparting resistance to corrosive damage, allowing it to take on most foes with less wear and tear than other resources. Additionally, it gives players a success chance when blocking an enemy’s attack that would otherwise cause guaranteed damage if they had been using any other shield. All these features come together to make Shield of the Insolent one of the best value shields for players who want great defense without sacrificing mobility or effectiveness in battle.
