With the release of Patch 1.14 for Elden Ring, medium and small shields received significant buffs, making the classic sword and shield setup more viable than ever. Whether you're a seasoned player or someone looking to experiment with new setups, this guide will walk you through the best shield and sword combinations, talismans, and strategies to maximize your effectiveness in both PvE and PvP.

Patch 1.16 Shield Buffs Overview

Patch 1.14 introduced some notable improvements to medium and small shields, which are essential for the classic "sword and board" setup. Specifically:

• Increased Guard Strength: Medium shields now have higher guard boost, making them comparable to some great shields in terms of stamina efficiency when blocking.

• Damage Negation Boosts: Damage negation has been improved on certain shields, reducing the amount of damage taken when blocking.

As a result, medium shields like the Wolf Crest and Serpent Crest now offer a guard boost that rivals heavier shields such as the Erdtree Greatshield, all while maintaining a much lower weight. This makes them ideal for builds focused on mobility and stamina management.

Recommended Shields

Here are some standout shields to consider for your build:

1. Wolf Crest Shield:

• Guard Boost: 56 (comparable to great shields)

• Weight: 5.5 units

• Specialty: Great balance of guard boost and weight, ideal for dexterity builds.

Serpent Crest Shield:

• Guard Boost: 56

• Weight: 5.5 units

• Specialty: Similar to the Wolf Crest, but with a different aesthetic.

Banish Knight Shield:

• Guard Boost: 55

• Weight: 7.0 units

• Specialty: Slightly heavier but offers a solid mix of defense and guard stability.

Parry and Ashes of War

Medium shields now excel not only in defense but also in offense, thanks to the ability to equip Ashes of War such as:

• Carian Retaliation: A parry-based Ash of War that can deflect spells and projectiles while allowing for a counterattack.

• Other Parry Ashes: Parry Ashes of War are ideal for players who enjoy a reactive playstyle, setting up opportunities for critical hits.

Sword Recommendations

The sword and shield setup typically favors one-handed weapons that scale well with dexterity, especially when Keenor Lightning infused. Here are a few swords that pair well with this setup:

1. Uchigatana:

• Scaling: High dexterity scaling when Keen infused.

• Specialty: Quick attacks and bleed build-up make this sword excellent for dueling and invasions.

Straight Swords:

• Example: Lordsworn’s Straight Sword or Broadsword.

• Scaling: Scales well with dexterity and strength, offering versatile movesets.

• Specialty: These swords are great for spacing and poking when using a shield.

Estoc:

• Scaling: Good dex scaling when Keen infused.

• Specialty: A thrusting sword that excels at poke attacks from behind a shield.

Talismans to Enhance the Build

Your talisman setup can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your sword and shield build. Here are some top picks:

1. Dagger Talisman:

• Effect: Increases critical hit damage.

• Use: Since this build focuses on parrying and backstabs, this talisman will significantly increase your damage output in those windows.

Shard of Alexander:

• Effect: Boosts the power of Ashes of War.

• Use: If you find yourself using Ashes of War frequently, this talisman will make them hit harder.

Greatshield Talisman:

• Effect: Increases guard boost.

• Use: Perfect for players who rely heavily on blocking, further reducing the stamina consumed when guarding attacks.

Playstyle and Strategy

1. Parry and Punish

This setup shines in situations where you can parry incoming attacks and follow up with devastating critical hits. Thanks to the recent buffs:

• Medium shields now offer excellent stability, meaning you can block efficiently and wait for the perfect moment to parry.

• With Critical-boosting Talismans, landing a parry and following up with a critical hit will deal significant damage, often turning the tide of battle.

2. Shield Poke Strategy

For those who prefer a more defensive playstyle, the shield poke strategy is highly effective:

• Equip a thrusting weapon like the Estocor Short Spear.

• Use your shield to block incoming attacks and counter with quick, safe pokes.

• With high guard boost, your shield will mitigate most of the stamina drain, allowing you to maintain pressure without losing your defensive posture.

3. Backstabs and Spacing

Sword and shield setups excel at controlling space. Use the fast movesets of your chosen sword to chip away at your opponent's health while keeping them at arm’s length. This playstyle is particularly useful in duels, where careful spacing and timing can whittle down your opponent.

• Fishing for Backstabs: Use your maneuverability to create openings for backstabs, especially after your opponent whiffs an attack.

• Spacing: Fast swords like the Straight Sword or Uchigatana are great for punishing poorly spaced attacks.

PvP and PvE Application

PvP: Duels and Invasions

In duels, the sword and shield setup excels at punishing opponents who overcommit. The parry offers a high-risk, high-reward strategy, while the shield poke keeps pressure on your opponent. This build may not offer the burst damage of colossal weapons, but it more than makes up for it with consistency and survivability.

• Best Use: Fishing for parries and backstabs, maintaining pressure with fast R1 attacks, and using your shield to block and counter.

PvE: Boss Fights and Exploration

In PvE, the sword and shield setup provides a safe and effective way to deal with both regular enemies and bosses. The high guard boost of medium shields allows you to safely block attacks while waiting for an opportunity to strike back. The versatility of straight swords ensures that you can deal with a variety of enemy types effectively.

• Best Use: Blocking and countering in boss fights, efficient stamina management, and exploiting enemy weaknesses with critical hits and Ashes of War.