U4GM - How to Use Greatshields Effectively – Elden Ring Defensive Guide
Greatshields are some of the most powerful defensive tools in Elden Ring Runes, offering unmatched protection and stability in combat. Whether you're a new Tarnished struggling to survive or a veteran looking to refine your defensive tactics, this guide will help you master the use of greatshields effectively. Understanding when and how to block, how to build around your shield, and when to counterattack can be the difference between victory and defeat. This is your complete defensive guide to using greatshields with confidence and purpose.
Why Use Greatshields?
Greatshields offer the highest guard boost in the game, meaning they absorb most physical damage with minimal stamina loss. While they’re heavier and slower than medium or small shields, they’re ideal for players who favor tanky builds and like to face enemies head-on.
Their benefits include:
High stability, reducing stamina loss on block
Strong resistance against physical and elemental attacks
Effective in crowd control and boss fights
Good synergy with heavy armor and strength builds
Choosing the Right Greatshield
Some of the most reliable greatshields include:
Erdtree Greatshield – Excellent holy damage negation and comes with a unique Ash of War that can reflect spells.
Beast Crest Heater Shield – A smaller, early-game option with good performance for its weight.
Fingerprint Stone Shield – The best choice for pure block builds due to its extremely high guard boost.
When choosing a greatshield, consider your equipment load and strength requirements. Investing runes into strength and endurance is key to optimizing your greatshield performance.
How to Build Around a Greatshield
To use greatshields effectively, your build should emphasize:
Strength: Most greatshields require high strength to wield.
Endurance: Boosts stamina and equip load, allowing you to block more attacks and wear heavier armor.
Vigor: Helps you survive chip damage and elemental attacks that still go through blocks.
Armor with high poise and talismans like the Green Turtle Talisman (which increases stamina recovery) work great in a shield-focused build. A spear or thrusting sword can be an ideal weapon pairing, allowing you to attack while keeping your shield raised.
Shield Mechanics and Advanced Blocking Tips
Guard Counters: After blocking an attack, immediately pressing a heavy attack will unleash a powerful counter. This works well with strength weapons.
Stamina Management: Watch your stamina bar carefully; if it runs out during blocking, you will be guard-broken and left vulnerable.
Elemental Defense: Not all greatshields block elemental damage equally. If facing fire, magic, or holy damage, make sure your shield has good resistance against those types.
Ashes of War: Equip defensive Ashes of War like Barricade Shield to increase guard effectiveness or No Skill if you want your weapon’s Ash of War to be available while shielding.
Where to Get Runes for Your Greatshield Build
A strong greatshield build demands investment in stats like strength and endurance, and that means collecting a lot of Elden Ring runes. Here are a few effective ways to farm them:
Mohgwyn Palace: A late-game area with high rune drops, especially efficient with the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot or the Gold Scarab talisman.
Rune Farming Glitches: Some players use parkour or physics-based exploits to earn large amounts of runes quickly.
Repeated Boss Runs: Certain bosses like the Tree Sentinel and Erdtree Avatars can be farmed for reliable rune income.
If you're short on time and need a quick boost, many players choose to look for Elden Ring runes buy options through reputable third-party sources. It’s essential to do your research and only purchase from trustworthy sellers to avoid any risk to your game account.
When to Use Greatshields
Greatshields shine in the following scenarios:
Boss fights with heavy melee focus, like Crucible Knights or the Tree Sentinel
PVE exploration, where ambushes and multiple enemies make active blocking essential
PVP duels, where stamina-efficient blocking and guard counters can throw off aggressive players
However, greatshields are less effective in fast-paced fights or situations requiring mobility. You may want to switch to a lighter shield or two-hand your weapon when facing magic-heavy opponents or needing fast roll capabilities.
Using a greatshield in Elden Ring is about more than just hiding behind a wall of metal — it’s a strategic choice that rewards smart play, patience, and resource management. With the right build and tactics, greatshields can turn even the most intense battles into manageable encounters.
Remember, investing your Elden Ring runes wisely and optimizing your gear around your defensive strategy will go a long way. And if you're ever in need of a boost, don't hesitate to explore Elden Ring runes buy services from reliable sources. Stay vigilant, stay defensive, and may your blocks never break.