Black Steel Greatshield

Black Steel Greatshield

Attack	119 Physical
Critical	100
Scaling	Str D
Requires	Str 35
Effect
Guard	100% physical, 69 guard boost
Type	Greatshield
Attack Type	Strike
Skill	Shield Bash
FP Cost	-
Weight	19.5
Upgrades With	Smithing Stones, to +25
Sell Price	100

The Black Steel Greatshield is a Greatshield in Elden Ring. It is part of Shadow of the Erdtree, found in Scadu Altus.

The Black Steel Greatshield is the weighty shield carried by the Black Knights, servants of Messmer the Impaler, made of black steel with decorative embellishments in gold and symbolic of a conviction in their crusade that will never yield. It is the reward for defeating Black Knight Garrew at the Fog Rift Fort in Scadu Altus, reached by dropping down the ledges northwest of the Scadu Altus, West Site of Grace. It weighs 19.5 and needs 35 Strength, and it offers a high guard boost. With a Sacred infusion it reaches virtually full holy damage negation from mid upgrade levels, which makes it a strong answer to holy-damage bosses. It suits a heavy block-counter build, especially one themed on the Black Knights.

How to Get Black Steel Greatshield Guide

Dropped by Black Knight Garrew at the Fog Rift Fort, accessible from the Scadu Altus.

Where to find Black Steel Greatshield Location?

Black Steel Greatshield map location:

Map credit by Map Genie.

Upgrades

Reinforcing it uses ordinary Smithing Stones, up to +25.

Level	Material	Amount	Attack	Scaling
+1	Smithing Stone [1]	x2	125 Physical	Str D
+2	Smithing Stone [1]	x4	132 Physical	Str D
+3	Smithing Stone [1]	x6	139 Physical	Str D
+4	Smithing Stone [2]	x2	146 Physical	Str D
+5	Smithing Stone [2]	x4	153 Physical	Str C
+6	Smithing Stone [2]	x6	160 Physical	Str C
+7	Smithing Stone [3]	x2	167 Physical	Str C
+8	Smithing Stone [3]	x4	174 Physical	Str C
+9	Smithing Stone [3]	x6	181 Physical	Str C
+10	Smithing Stone [4]	x2	188 Physical	Str C
+11	Smithing Stone [4]	x4	194 Physical	Str C
+12	Smithing Stone [4]	x6	201 Physical	Str C
+13	Smithing Stone [5]	x2	208 Physical	Str C
+14	Smithing Stone [5]	x4	215 Physical	Str C
+15	Smithing Stone [5]	x6	222 Physical	Str C
+16	Smithing Stone [6]	x2	229 Physical	Str C
+17	Smithing Stone [6]	x4	236 Physical	Str C
+18	Smithing Stone [6]	x6	243 Physical	Str C
+19	Smithing Stone [7]	x2	250 Physical	Str C
+20	Smithing Stone [7]	x4	257 Physical	Str C
+21	Smithing Stone [7]	x6	263 Physical	Str C
+22	Smithing Stone [8]	x2	270 Physical	Str C
+23	Smithing Stone [8]	x4	277 Physical	Str C
+24	Smithing Stone [8]	x6	284 Physical	Str C
+25	Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone	x1	291 Physical	Str B

Skill

Shield Bash costs no FP. The wielder braces behind the shield and rams forward with full body weight while keeping guard up. Weaker enemies are shoved back and can be staggered, and because the guard holds through the motion, the bash can be thrown out against incoming attacks. It is the weapon's default Ash of War, so another can take its place.

"Brace behind shield before using bodyweight to ram foes while maintaining guarding stance. Weaker enemies will be shoved backwards, and can even be staggered."

Guarding

With a guard boost of 69, a blocked hit that would cost 100 stamina only costs 31. It blocks all physical damage, and against the elements it holds up best to holy, at 84%, and worst to lightning, at 55%. A block that drains the last of the stamina bar breaks the guard, leaving an opening for a critical.

Build

Paired with the Black Steel Greathammer in a Faith block-counter build: guard, punish with guard counters and critical hits, and buff with Golden Vow.

Stats	Faith 50, Strength 35, Vigor 55, Mind 27, Endurance 40
Affinity	Sacred, which gives it virtually full holy damage negation against holy-damage bosses.
Ash of War	No Skill, which frees the main-hand weapon's skill such as Sacred Blade; Barricade Shield or Shield Crash are alternatives.
Talismans	Two-Headed Turtle Talisman, Curved Sword Talisman, Blade of Mercy
Pairs With	Black Steel Greathammer, Black Knight armor set, Golden Vow

All Greatshields

Name	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit. Boost	Weight	Str.	Dex.	Fai.	Sell Price	Skill
Ant's Skull Plate	136 100	0 47	0 42	0 57	0 57	100 59	13.5	D 28	0	0	200	Shield Bash
Black Steel Greatshield	119 100	0 61	0 59	0 55	0 84	100 69	19.5	D 35	0	0	100	Shield Bash
Briar Greatshield	98 93	0 50	0 43	0 50	0 50	0 58	9.5	D 21	0	0	500	Shield Bash
Crossed-Tree Towershield	111 100	0 56	0 66	0 53	0 66	100 67	16	D 30	0	0	200	Shield Bash
Crucible Hornshield	147 100	0 51	0 50	0 46	0 64	100 60	11.5	D 26	0	0	500	Shield Bash
Cuckoo Greatshield	110 100	0 70	0 56	0 52	0 60	100 64	15	D 32	0	0	200	No Skill
Distinguished Greatshield	112 100	0 65	0 63	0 54	0 60	100 68	17	D 32	0	0	200	No Skill
Dragon Towershield	115 100	0 61	0 67	0 55	0 64	100 69	17.5	D 30	0	0	100	Shield Bash
Dragonclaw Shield	118 100	0 52	0 52	76 76	0 47	100 61	13.5	D 28	E 12	0	500	Shield Bash
Eclipse Crest Greatshield	110 100	0 72	0 57	0 51	0 59	100 67	15	D 32	0	0	200	No Skill
Erdtree Greatshield	120 100	0 66	0 49	0 45	78 76	100 60	13.5	D 30	0	D 12	500	Golden Retaliation
Fingerprint Stone Shield	139 100	0 77	0 81	0 79	0 75	100 77	29	D 48	0	0	200	Shield Bash
Gilded Greatshield	115 100	0 60	0 66	0 54	0 65	100 69	17.5	D 36	0	0	200	No Skill
Golden Beast Crest Shield	104 100	0 55	0 55	0 48	0 55	100 60	12.5	D 24	0	0	200	No Skill
Golden Greatshield	113 100	0 57	0 60	0 57	0 68	100 70	17	D 34	0	0	200	No Skill
Haligtree Crest Greatshield	116 100	0 61	0 67	0 55	0 79	100 71	18.5	D 36	0	0	200	No Skill
Icon Shield	133 95	0 49	0 45	0 51	0 48	100 59	11.5	D 22	0	0	500	No Skill
Inverted Hawk Towershield	111 100	0 66	0 56	0 54	0 66	100 65	16	D 30	0	0	100	Shield Bash
Jellyfish Shield	123 100	0 52	0 52	0 40	0 48	100 52	8	D 20	14	0	200	Contagious Fury
Lordsworn's Shield	99 94	0 51	0 44	0 52	0 52	100 60	10.0	D 16	0	0	100	Shield Bash
Manor Towershield	111 100	0 66	0 66	0 51	0 56	100 67	16	D 30	0	0	200	Shield Bash
One-Eyed Shield	175 100	0 57	0 69	0 59	0 63	100 67	20.5	D 36	0	0	200	Flame Spit
Redmane Greatshield	108 100	0 54	0 70	0 53	0 52	100 65	14	D 30	0	0	200	No Skill
Spiked Palisade Shield	116 93	0 50	0 43	0 50	0 50	100 58	11.5	D 20	0	0	200	Shield Bash
Verdigris Greatshield	194 100	0 72	0 74	0 67	0 68	100 82	28	D 49	0	0	200	Moore's Charge
Visage Shield	186 100	0 62	0 81	0 65	0 62	100 75	24	D 44	0	0	200	Tongues of Fire
Wooden Greatshield	95 91	0 49	0 41	0 51	0 47	100 56	8.0	D 14	0	0	100	No Skill

Notes

"Weighty shields carried by the Black Knights, servants of Messmer the Impaler. Made of black steel with decorative embellishments in gold. Symbolic of their iron conviction in their crusade, the Black Knights will never yield. Nor will they ever doubt their purpose."