Shield question(s) and share your PvP/PvE shield thoughts.

I've always been a stability kinda guy, for both PvE and PvP, I've liked shields that can just block and block and block, but recently, I've been trying more of a damage reduction approach. I've always like Solaire's shield, and I've tried a +10 fire (90% fire!), but I was amazed how weak medium shields are for magic resist. Actually, almost all the shields are pretty lackluster. Even small and large ones, only a few are actually good. When I thought I may upgrade a shield on the magic path (which I learned gives 1/5th of the original! Pretty cool.) None of the shields are high enough to warrant doing that over +15, at least not enough to compare to the Crest Shield.

I think I may be falling for the Crest Shield, I've never really considered it great, only good, but its actually pretty impressive.

I have a couple questions.

What shields do you like to use?

What shields do you use for X damage reduction and or stability usually in PvP or PvE?

Does shield size matter? Soliare's shield makes me feel safer, and results against non-magic tend to agree, but does the horizontal or vertical size of the shield make a difference?

Any other shieldness you want to share. I'm curious of all the shields I've avoided in the past.

Well quick swapping between the Grass Crest, Crest, and Dragon Crest shields has become the "it" thing due to the release of Dark Magic.

Dibs suggestion of the Black Knight is pretty good.

I like the Effigy for pvp, but it has low stability.

dark hand is great for baiting not to mention 80% reduction on everything and its 0.5 units. I always use it for my mages. people think as soon as the see it they try to spam r1 but that just opens them up to a parry on 2nd hit. then bam soul spear in the face with counter modifier dmg added. dont try it on ultra weapins though unless you got over 120 stamina. 2h can break it.

I use the small leather shields the most for pvp but when I wanna go for looks only I go spider shield, effigy shield or sanctus. but really take a look at my sshields on my sig and vote for them! so you can see get to use them in dark souls 2, and use them you will since they're so awesome.....ok ill stop now, but take a look anyway and vote if you like them.

Lol @ rant, just can't help yourself can you.

PvE, iron round shield or nothing.

PvP, no shield unless it's cosplay and then it's whatever shield the character im playing uses.

For some reason im starting to like the east west shield... help me.

Shields are worthless on fast roll builds in PvP imo except for setup parries and blocking those annoying spear users/bow turtlers. Why block when you can parry or dodge? I use the dark hand often for sight parries, but I usually don't like to use more than the heater shield. Most magic and pyro can simply be dodged rather than tanked, and then you take 0 damage as opposed to chip damage.

i like using the silver knight shield, but rarely due because of the crest shields superiority

I like the Eagle+15 because it only weighs 6 pounds and it has 84 stability. If you're staggering, you lose.

I cannot parry with it, but when your opponent staggers after hitting it, you get a free hit.

in PVE i like the three crest shields or the iron round shield for that deflection.

in PVP if i'm fast rolling i always use the dark hand and if i'm medium rolling i mostly use the silver knight shield.

Dibsville wrote:Higher stability makes it better for PvP.

I can tank the heaviest weapons with a Crest shield +5 (66 stability). There's no need for anything beyond that, and unless you're mid rolling, no need for other resists (dodge them).

I'm becoming quite fond of the heater shield. It has decent stability at +14 or so. I like it because of the fast parry. I don't use it for tanking much, just going for that parry.

Decided to make a dual cestus build with no shield. I'll have the dark hand on a swap for magic but it still looks like I'm fisting people when holding it.

Crystal Ring Shield is best shield.

You know you could use more than one kind of shield if you want.

Midshield/lightshield build: http://mmdks.com/24bj

Black knight shield - 1 less stability than the highest stability midshield. 95% fire reduction

Crystal ring shield: 90% magic reduction. In both hands to help make up for low stability

Effigy shield: 90% lightning reduction.

And Havel's greatshield pretty much works for everything if you want a heavy shield

I like using 2 shields but I've been using a lot of magic and I like to have at least 2 weapons, so 2 shields isn't possible, and I dislike quick swapping, just cause. I've considered the Crystal Ring Shield, but I find the Dark Hand to just be better.

Heater is my go-to shield for PVE and PVP...which is kind of a shame because I HATE the way it looks, it's almost impossible to make it look good with armor >.<

Animaaal wrote:Well quick swapping between the Grass Crest, Crest, and Dragon Crest shields has become the "it" thing due to the release of Dark Magic.

Thoses are my 3 favorites.

Dibs suggestion of the Black Knight is pretty good.

That shield is epic if you don't mind the 6 weight. It's OP if you get it in the Burg.

Sunlight Shield is also great. 71 stability for just 4 weight.

I love the silver knight shield and the crest shield, I usually have one orthe other for quick swap with either a weapon, a pyro flame or a Dark hand.

For PvE, I use different types of shields depending on the situation.

Silver knight, Balder, Tower kite: Just for regular fights and depends on my mood.
Grass crest: Four Kings fight, this shield is a life saver for me!
Crest shield: Moonlight Butterfly, Gravelord Nito. His miasma attack seems to do less damage when I block with this shield.

I've developed some love for the tower kite shield. It's pretty good with 72 stability, when fully upgraded, and a weight of 3.0.

Strong Magic Shield on a +10 Fire Bonewheel Shield was always fun as he|| for me. I used it a lot on my tank in the township when it first came out...

...made me feel like a hero fighting the bloateds before the chained prisoner ...arrows?!?!?!...%$#@ arrows!!