Shields in God of War Ragnarok are essential items that Kratos can equip. In contrast to earlier God of War titles, the Norse pantheon games place significant emphasis on defense, highlighting Kratos’s character development and reduced recklessness.
There are numerous Shields in God of War Ragnarok that players can both craft and discover. In this article, we will explore five of the best shields available in God of War Ragnarok.
Disclaimer: This list represents the writer’s subjective views and is not ranked in any specific order.
5 Must-Use Shields in God of War Ragnarok
1) Guardian Shield
- Location: Unlocked during the Main Quest, The Word of Fate.
- Attribute: Balanced offense and defense, featuring a generous Parry window and Shield Check ability.
The Guardian Shield stands as Kratos’ iconic shield, a gift from his second wife, Faye. It offers an ideal balance between defense and offense, making it the most versatile shield in the game. The Shield Check ability allows players to break an enemy’s guard quickly, perfect for interrupting attacks and setting them up for additional damage.
This shield also provides a forgiving parry mechanism, allowing you a generous window to block incoming attacks at the last moment, stunning your foes. This stun enhances the subsequent Shield Bash, opening up opportunities for powerful combos and attack sequences.
2) Spartan Aspis
- Location: Crafted at the Huldra Brothers’ Workshop in New Game+ mode.
- Attribute: High-risk, high-reward Parry attacks with a narrow Parry window.
The Spartan Aspis is a high-skill shield crafted for players who excel at parrying. While its parry window is noticeably smaller than that of other shields, the rewards for successful parries are enormous. A successful parry triggers powerful counterattacks, dealing significantly higher damage than the Guardian Shield, making it incredibly effective against formidable foes.
Reflecting Kratos’ Spartan lineage, this shield epitomizes the courage and fierce spirit of the Spartans. While it stands out as one of the best offensive shields in the game, it is best utilized by those who can consistently time their parries, as its Shield Check ability also breaks an opponent’s guard.
3) Stone Wall Shield
- Location: Crafted at the Huldra Brothers’ Workshop.
- Attribute: Absorbs damage to build charge, enabling a powerful Shield Slam.
The Stone Wall Shield caters to players who prefer a defensive strategy, allowing them to absorb damage and launch a robust retaliation. Unlike shields that rely on precise timing and parries, the Stone Wall Shield enables blocking of attacks and accumulating charge with each hit taken. Once fully charged, it allows for a devastating Shield Slam that launches enemies into the air.
This shield is especially effective against aggressive adversaries and those employing guard-break tactics, as it can block those hits effectively. However, it lacks the offensive flexibility of other shields.
4) Dauntless Shield
- Location: Crafted at the Huldra Brothers’ Workshop.
- Attribute: High stun damage through precise Parry and Shield Bash abilities.
This shield promotes an aggressive playstyle, focusing on timely parries to deal massive stun damage. Parrying not only stuns enemies but also empowers the following Shield Bash, delivering exceptional crowd control potential.
However, the Dauntless Shield is less forgiving than the Guardian Shield—players who misjudge their parry timing may leave themselves exposed. Thus, this shield is best suited for players who favor an offensive approach over defense.
5) Shatter Star Shield
- Location: Found in a Legendary Chest in The Abandoned Village, Vanaheim.
- Attribute: Charged Shield Punch that launches enemies backwards.
The Shatter Star Shield is designed for players who prioritize mobility in combat, focusing on charging up a powerful Shield Punch to repel foes. This shield’s unique feature allows you to charge it, and if timed precisely, unleash a devastating attack that sends enemies flying.
The effectiveness of the Shield Punch is amplified if you block an attack just before it strikes, absorbing energy to produce a powerful burst. As such, the Shatter Star Shield is perfect for players who embrace a fast-paced and agile combat style.
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