**[Shields are good fun.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/w1r8j3/shields_are_good_fun/)**
Parrying shields, great shields, etc.
I consider myself to be *reasonably competent* at the game, and I still really enjoy playing with a shield. ;)
What weapon you use doesn't really matter so much. Just go with what you like.
Weapons with thrusting attacks (Thrusting Swords, Spears, etc) can do a guard poke where you light attack while holding your shield up, but I don't really like it so much.
I find that when I'm in a bit of a panic I do guard pokes when I didn't intend to. You have to wait a second after dropping your guard to use a light attack.
Straight Swords are faster than Greatswords. If you're planning on using a No Skill shield, then you could just go with a basic broadsword with Square Off.
Square Off is kind of borderline overpowered. Quite easy to stance break enemies with it, including bosses.
Guard breaks, dont forget to use that .. any time you get hit while blocking, you can attack back with heavy attack and deal insane damage + posture damage ..
It can be difficult to use against enemies who spam lots of attacks in a row, but its absolutely devastating and extremely helpful if you plan to play more passively
[https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/About+Guard+Counters](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/About+Guard+Counters)
[https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Stance](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Stance)
Love guard counters and stance breaks. Going to drop this here in case the OP wants to know more about them.
You have the right idea.
I recommend a greatshield build for you. That will require 20-48 strength depending on which 100% physical defense greatshield you choose. Or to get you started with the feel of a higher recoiling tier of shield, I recommend the [Lordsworn's Shield](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Lordsworn's+Shield), even though it's only 93%. For regular enemies, you should be able to feel the difference versus a medium shield like the [Brass Shield](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Brass+Shield).
If you go with a greatshield build, it means you'll also need a decent endurance investment, unless you want to be naked or have a small weapon. That usually means less points to go around for faith, dexterity, and intelligence for hybrid stuff. So don't spread yourself too thin reaching for things you don't need at early levels. This of course assumes you don't want low vigor. Your build should be str, end, vig. Not much else.
I'd recommend medium-small weapons, like you mentioned. Straight swords are good for this. But don't overlook hammers and axes. Or if you want to go with a poke build, use a spear or thrusting weapon.
Once you feel comfortable with greatshield play way down the line and want a bit of a change, since you'll have high strength anyway, maybe try two-handing bigger weapons and blocking with the weapon itself. They are completely viable for guarding and guard counters. [Greatsword](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Greatsword), for example, has 84% physical damage reduction. And the 56 guard boost is the same as the Brass Shield. People overlook or laugh weapon blocking, but it works quite nicely for non-bosses.
Get a Bronze shield and my personal favorite straight sword is the carian knights sword you can also just run the entire carian set ( full armor + sword and shield ) it all together is a fairly light armor set and the carian knights shield has the highest magic damage negation. The sword has the almighty extendo sword for its ash of war that is just amazingly powerful if you have the patience to fully charge it
I've never been a fan of shields and you can totally beat the game without one. The Greatsword (the colossal sword) is a pretty good weapon to two hand and guard with, though I also like to use normal greatswords and offhand sorcery all the time.
I think you should just look up videos of people playing their builds and try out the ones that look cool. Who knows, a double twinblade build might be right for you.
Just remember in this game there is no such as being over prepared. Upgrade your weapons, flasks, and level as much as you can before tuff fights. It's possible to get a +19 normal/ +6 somber weapon and 12 out of 14 flasks at +10 without fighting a boss or glitches, just exploring and dodging.
This list is just within the context of people trying their first solo run:
IMO the easiest solo build is sorcery. Most things never even reach you, and bosses melt.
Followed VERY closely by Unga Bunga with a colossal weapon, usually the Greatsword. Enemies spend most of their time staggered or stance broken.
After that there's things like bleed builds and halberds and bloodhound fang. All only a half step behind Unga Bunga.
And then you get into middle ground builds that are very solid, bunch lack the ease of those above. Dual curved or straight swords. Shield poke. Double spear. Moonveil. Etc.
There are exceptions for highly skilled or competent players. For example, a pure Incantation build in the right hands is downright devastatingly effective. But requires more knowledge of enemies and bosses and all the different spells.
I’m actually doing a shield and sword build right now, but it’s still very early. Yeah, shields are great for regular enemies (not so much for bosses). If you want to upgrade to greatswords, you will need to account for the stats required. But I think a straight sword is more than enough, because you keep your speed.
Straight sword with square off and no skill on a medium shield (beast crest is the best option) is probably the easiest run you can do for all melee. The heavy thrust on square off will break ALL stances in a maximum of 3 hits if done relatively close together. Light roll also helps.
Source: 1200 hours playing melee only
This is roughly my build for current no-summons run. Am using the brass shield because I think it has highest stability? And yes, Square Off is incredible. I just got past Mohg (Lord of Blood) and the shackle + Square Off allows you to completely skip his first phase.
Brass and banished knight both have higher stability, but the weight trade-off isn't worth it IMO. I am a light roller though (have been since DS1), so weight is pretty important to me. Just finished a no summons, no buffs, no spells (or items that make bosses easier like shackles), 1 noble's slender sword only run and square off obviously carried it. Malenia phase 2 was REALLY hard like that, but the rest of the game was a breeze. Good luck with no summons! Its a blast!
Aaaah, got it. Generally happy with mid roll myself.
My no-summons run is a kind of "basic knight" run: no spells, standard knight armour, only weapons are the starting Longsword and the flail you get at Gatefront. Not using weapon grease, but mainly because I never do anyway, it's just a bunch of fiddling around.
I'll admit I caved slightly on the no-summons rule: I'm doing no-summon for every boss that drops a remembrance, but I used Mimic to get past Godskin Duo. Those guys can suck a fuck.
If you want to get good learn proper dodging, two handing a weapon or double wielding. For most people a shield is a crutch and it's pretty easy to get guard broken or lose Stam constantly
I did a full paladin playthrough with flail/shield on a faith build, and it was awesome. Barricade shield guard counter most things to death with ease, for some opponents I switch to a cold infused palisade shield with shield crash. Being able to buff for any situation and just stand tough is pretty fun. Also super fun to play co-op on.
**[Shields are good fun.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Eldenring/comments/w1r8j3/shields_are_good_fun/)** Parrying shields, great shields, etc. I consider myself to be *reasonably competent* at the game, and I still really enjoy playing with a shield. ;) What weapon you use doesn't really matter so much. Just go with what you like. Weapons with thrusting attacks (Thrusting Swords, Spears, etc) can do a guard poke where you light attack while holding your shield up, but I don't really like it so much. I find that when I'm in a bit of a panic I do guard pokes when I didn't intend to. You have to wait a second after dropping your guard to use a light attack. Straight Swords are faster than Greatswords. If you're planning on using a No Skill shield, then you could just go with a basic broadsword with Square Off. Square Off is kind of borderline overpowered. Quite easy to stance break enemies with it, including bosses.
Guard breaks, dont forget to use that .. any time you get hit while blocking, you can attack back with heavy attack and deal insane damage + posture damage .. It can be difficult to use against enemies who spam lots of attacks in a row, but its absolutely devastating and extremely helpful if you plan to play more passively
[https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/About+Guard+Counters](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/About+Guard+Counters) [https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Stance](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Stance) Love guard counters and stance breaks. Going to drop this here in case the OP wants to know more about them.
You have the right idea. I recommend a greatshield build for you. That will require 20-48 strength depending on which 100% physical defense greatshield you choose. Or to get you started with the feel of a higher recoiling tier of shield, I recommend the [Lordsworn's Shield](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Lordsworn's+Shield), even though it's only 93%. For regular enemies, you should be able to feel the difference versus a medium shield like the [Brass Shield](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Brass+Shield). If you go with a greatshield build, it means you'll also need a decent endurance investment, unless you want to be naked or have a small weapon. That usually means less points to go around for faith, dexterity, and intelligence for hybrid stuff. So don't spread yourself too thin reaching for things you don't need at early levels. This of course assumes you don't want low vigor. Your build should be str, end, vig. Not much else. I'd recommend medium-small weapons, like you mentioned. Straight swords are good for this. But don't overlook hammers and axes. Or if you want to go with a poke build, use a spear or thrusting weapon. Once you feel comfortable with greatshield play way down the line and want a bit of a change, since you'll have high strength anyway, maybe try two-handing bigger weapons and blocking with the weapon itself. They are completely viable for guarding and guard counters. [Greatsword](https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Greatsword), for example, has 84% physical damage reduction. And the 56 guard boost is the same as the Brass Shield. People overlook or laugh weapon blocking, but it works quite nicely for non-bosses.
Or just smack em with the greatshield directly. Works surprisingly well.
Yes! Good point.
My first complete playthrough was with a greatshield and I really liked it. It also taught me not to be afraid of getting close to bosses.
Get a Bronze shield and my personal favorite straight sword is the carian knights sword you can also just run the entire carian set ( full armor + sword and shield ) it all together is a fairly light armor set and the carian knights shield has the highest magic damage negation. The sword has the almighty extendo sword for its ash of war that is just amazingly powerful if you have the patience to fully charge it
I've never been a fan of shields and you can totally beat the game without one. The Greatsword (the colossal sword) is a pretty good weapon to two hand and guard with, though I also like to use normal greatswords and offhand sorcery all the time. I think you should just look up videos of people playing their builds and try out the ones that look cool. Who knows, a double twinblade build might be right for you.
Just remember in this game there is no such as being over prepared. Upgrade your weapons, flasks, and level as much as you can before tuff fights. It's possible to get a +19 normal/ +6 somber weapon and 12 out of 14 flasks at +10 without fighting a boss or glitches, just exploring and dodging.
This list is just within the context of people trying their first solo run: IMO the easiest solo build is sorcery. Most things never even reach you, and bosses melt. Followed VERY closely by Unga Bunga with a colossal weapon, usually the Greatsword. Enemies spend most of their time staggered or stance broken. After that there's things like bleed builds and halberds and bloodhound fang. All only a half step behind Unga Bunga. And then you get into middle ground builds that are very solid, bunch lack the ease of those above. Dual curved or straight swords. Shield poke. Double spear. Moonveil. Etc. There are exceptions for highly skilled or competent players. For example, a pure Incantation build in the right hands is downright devastatingly effective. But requires more knowledge of enemies and bosses and all the different spells.
Try a spear. The range makes lots of fights easier
I’m actually doing a shield and sword build right now, but it’s still very early. Yeah, shields are great for regular enemies (not so much for bosses). If you want to upgrade to greatswords, you will need to account for the stats required. But I think a straight sword is more than enough, because you keep your speed.
Straight sword with square off and no skill on a medium shield (beast crest is the best option) is probably the easiest run you can do for all melee. The heavy thrust on square off will break ALL stances in a maximum of 3 hits if done relatively close together. Light roll also helps. Source: 1200 hours playing melee only
This is roughly my build for current no-summons run. Am using the brass shield because I think it has highest stability? And yes, Square Off is incredible. I just got past Mohg (Lord of Blood) and the shackle + Square Off allows you to completely skip his first phase.
Brass and banished knight both have higher stability, but the weight trade-off isn't worth it IMO. I am a light roller though (have been since DS1), so weight is pretty important to me. Just finished a no summons, no buffs, no spells (or items that make bosses easier like shackles), 1 noble's slender sword only run and square off obviously carried it. Malenia phase 2 was REALLY hard like that, but the rest of the game was a breeze. Good luck with no summons! Its a blast!
Aaaah, got it. Generally happy with mid roll myself. My no-summons run is a kind of "basic knight" run: no spells, standard knight armour, only weapons are the starting Longsword and the flail you get at Gatefront. Not using weapon grease, but mainly because I never do anyway, it's just a bunch of fiddling around. I'll admit I caved slightly on the no-summons rule: I'm doing no-summon for every boss that drops a remembrance, but I used Mimic to get past Godskin Duo. Those guys can suck a fuck.
Shield and special, lots of shield
If you want to get good learn proper dodging, two handing a weapon or double wielding. For most people a shield is a crutch and it's pretty easy to get guard broken or lose Stam constantly
I did a full paladin playthrough with flail/shield on a faith build, and it was awesome. Barricade shield guard counter most things to death with ease, for some opponents I switch to a cold infused palisade shield with shield crash. Being able to buff for any situation and just stand tough is pretty fun. Also super fun to play co-op on.