Best Talismans For Shield Users

Summary

• Elden Ring offers a variety of shields and talismans to enhance tankiness and versatility.
• Talismans like Dragoncrest and Curved Sword offer unique buffs to counter and offensive playstyles.
• Talismans like Bull-Goat and Greatshield raise poise and reduce stamina damage for enhanced defense.

When it comes to becoming an unstoppable tank that can take dozens of hits and retaliate with some devastating blows, Elden Ring does not disappoint in the shield category. There are plenty of options for a variety of playstyles, like the frontline juggernaut or the agile parrying assassin. The shield class never fails to please.

In addition to the shield itself and a matching armor set, talismans are equally important and useful for rounding out a specific build, providing invaluable buffs and boots to the already overpowered levels of tankiness and stability. Similar to the variety of shields, the talismans come in all shapes and sizes, offering something for every player and every approach.

8

Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman

Become The Wall

• Reduces Physical Damage taken by 20%.
• Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree: Found in a chest on an elevated platform inside the large building in the northeast. Full Guide
• Base Game

No talisman is quite as universally used and approved of as the go-to tank option. A whopping 20% reduced damage makes it one of the highest single instances of resistance, and it can be equipped with no downsides. Tanky shield users will love the multiplier debuff that it adds to all physical damage taken, which was already minuscule through shields.

For a talisman of this power, of course, Fromsoftware decided to hide it right at the top and end of the map. Journey all the way to the Haligtree beyond the frozen peaks and progress past the annoying parasite enemies and golden guards to acquire this great addition to any build, specifically shields.

7

Curved Sword Talisman

Reel Them In And Strike Back Hard

• Increases guard counter damage by 20%.
• By Stormveil Cliffside Site of Grace in Stormveil Castle. Full Guide
• Base Game

Sometimes being a big lump that soaks up all the damage doesn’t cut it. If going on the offensive is more appealing, this is the talisman to pick up. Simply hold up the shield and follow up with a heavy after a hit for some enormous damage, amplified by this talisman.

Accessing it is fairly straightforward and can be done without killing a single major boss. Early in Stormveil Castle, players can pick up the talisman and start counterattacking any and all foes in their way.

6

Pearl Shield Talisman

Everyone Behind Me!

• Reduces Elemental Damage taken by 20% while guarding.
• Found inside a chest in a small camp of Messmer soldiers in the woods. Southwestern of Taylew’s Ruined Forge Site of Grace. Full Guide
• Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

A mage’s worst nightmare, the Pearl Shield Talisman puts up a barricade against casters and spells coming in the player’s direction. There are several other elemental resistance talismans, but this is by far the most consistent and powerful. When paired with a Pearldrake Talisman and more, the elements barely even dent the user’s HP bar.

Getting to it can be a trek, since it is fairly far into the DLC towards the north side of the map. But it is worth going for, particularly if the player is considering a second playthrough and wants to test shields to their full potential.

5

Viridian Amber Medallion +3

Keep Up The Barrier

• Raises maximum Stamina by 17%.
• Found in Darklight Catacombs. Full Guide
• Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

Holding up a heavy shield and sustaining powerful blows gets tiring quickly. Having a talisman that provides enormous amounts of stamina is the perfect pairing for dealing with large foes with giant weapons. There are several smaller versions of the Viridian Amber Medallion throughout the base game. The earliest can be found in the Weeping Peninsula, and is worth picking up for an early-game talisman that can be upgraded later on.

Another talisman is hidden far out of the player’s reach, tucked inside a catacombs at the east face of the Land of Shadow. It is recommended that anyone venturing in or around the area scouts it out, as the DLC requires an immense amount of dodging or holding of shields to take down bosses.

4

Great-Jar’s Arsenal

Stronger And Better

• Raises maximum Equip Load by 19%.
• Reward for completing The Great-Jar’s challenge of defeating three NPC duelists in Dragonbarrow. Full Guide
• Base Game

Big heavy shields and armor take a toll on a character, and equip loads are a scarce resource that needs to be managed in order to avoid a fat roll. Having this jar around makes carrying heavy weaponry a lot easier, and mitigates the need for overstatting into endurance just to be able to wield one’s shield of choice.

A slight detour into northern Caelid and a few battles later, and the player is rewarded with immense strength and the power to wield both a great shield and a colossal hammer at once with no trouble.

3

Bull-Goat’s Talisman

Stand Tall And Mighty

• Raises Poise by 33%.
• In the back of Dragonbarrow Cave, on the left.
• Base Game

Easy to get and super useful, Poise is a shield user’s best friend. Standing strong and sustaining hits is only good if the player has enough poise to do so. Multiplying one’s existing poise granted by the shield and other sources, changes the Tarnished from a staggering mess to an unstoppable blockage.

This is another talisman that doesn’t require too many hours to acquire. Moving into Caelid, just above the Dragonbarrow Erdtree, and enter the bear-infested cave. This will net players a substantial buff to their juggernaut fantasy.

2

Verdigris Discus

The Immovable Object

• The player takes 10% less damage when at heavy load, and 20% when overloaded.
• Due west of the Highroad Cross site of grace is a waygate that can be unlocked with an Imbued Sword Key. Full Guide
• Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

Taking on weight is natural, and can even be a boon in some situations. If the player doesn’t mind being unable to roll like a ninja, this is the perfect talisman. Encouraging players to add more equip load for the bonus, it removes any worries regarding swapping certain armor pieces for a lighter set. The player can go ahead and go all out, adding the heaviest and tanky items possible.

Late into the DLC, players can pick up this talisman after dodging stone archers and diving through waterfalls in the upper reaches of the Lands of Shadow. They will also need an imbued stone sword key to access the waygate which, though infrequent, are readily available in a variety of locations.

1

Greatshield Talisman

Become Nigh Invincible

• Reduces stamina damage taken while blocking by 20%.
• Found in a Carriage chest, east of the Erdtree-Gazing Hill site of grace. Watch out for the three fire-arrow balistae guarding the carriage.
• Base Game

This talisman is the perfect way to round out a shield build. Holding up one’s guard and being able to maintain the stance for prolonged periods can make enemy damage nigh impossible. When combined with shields like the Spiralhorn, the Greatshield Talisman turns the user from a defensive turtle to a deadly porcupine that cannot take damage and deals an incredible amount.

After reaching Altus Plateau, the player can make a quick stop to the north by the giant-drawn carriage and pick up the talisman without having to engage. With this talisman in hand, the shield build is at its strongest and the player becomes virtually unstoppable against any melee-based enemies.