Dueling Shield

Dueling Shield

Attack	125 Physical
Critical	100
Scaling	Str D, Dex D
Requires	Str 15, Dex 14
Effect
Guard	88% physical, 58 guard boost
Type	Thrusting Shield
Attack Type	Standard/Pierce
Skill	Shield Strike
FP Cost	-
Weight	9
Upgrades With	Smithing Stones, to +25
Sell Price	100

The Dueling Shield is a Thrusting Shield in Elden Ring. It belongs to Shadow of the Erdtree and waits in Shadow Keep.

The Dueling Shield is a thrusting shield of golden ornamentation that lets the wielder attack and guard at the same time, a sign that ritual combat still held weight in the realm of shadow far from the Erdtree. It lies on a corpse on a stone platform reached by narrow beams off the third floor walkway of the Specimen Storehouse in Shadow Keep, near a Fire Knight. It combines a high guard boost and broad damage negation with pierce thrusts, so it can block and counter without a separate weapon. Shield Strike attacks with the shield and chains up to three follow-ups, and unlike ordinary shields it accepts many Ashes of War meant for weapons. It suits a Strength and Dexterity character who prefers a defensive, counter-based style.

How to Get Dueling Shield Guide

Found on a corpse inside the Shadow Keep's Specimen Storehouse.
From the Site of Grace, proceed upstairs until reaching the original position of the feet of the humanoid specimen.
Then, jump over the railing to the left to take a path to a ledge where the shield awaits.

Where to find Dueling Shield Location?

Dueling Shield map location:

Map credit by Map Genie.

Upgrades

Regular Smithing Stones take it all the way to +25.

Level	Material	Amount	Attack	Scaling
+1	Smithing Stone [1]	x2	132 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+2	Smithing Stone [1]	x4	139 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+3	Smithing Stone [1]	x6	146 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+4	Smithing Stone [2]	x2	154 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+5	Smithing Stone [2]	x4	161 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+6	Smithing Stone [2]	x6	168 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+7	Smithing Stone [3]	x2	175 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+8	Smithing Stone [3]	x4	183 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+9	Smithing Stone [3]	x6	190 Physical	Str D, Dex D
+10	Smithing Stone [4]	x2	197 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+11	Smithing Stone [4]	x4	204 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+12	Smithing Stone [4]	x6	212 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+13	Smithing Stone [5]	x2	219 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+14	Smithing Stone [5]	x4	226 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+15	Smithing Stone [5]	x6	233 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+16	Smithing Stone [6]	x2	241 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+17	Smithing Stone [6]	x4	248 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+18	Smithing Stone [6]	x6	255 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+19	Smithing Stone [7]	x2	262 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+20	Smithing Stone [7]	x4	270 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+21	Smithing Stone [7]	x6	277 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+22	Smithing Stone [8]	x2	284 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+23	Smithing Stone [8]	x4	291 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+24	Smithing Stone [8]	x6	299 Physical	Str D, Dex C
+25	Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone	x1	306 Physical	Str D, Dex C

Skill

Shield Strike costs no FP. The skill lets an off-hand shield perform its own chain of light attacks instead of the main weapon's skill, with repeated inputs carrying the chain through several strikes. It costs no FP. It is the weapon's default Ash of War, so another can take its place.

"A skill that uses the shield to attack. Repeated inputs allow for up to three follow-up attacks."

Guarding

With a guard boost of 58, a blocked hit that would cost 100 stamina only costs 42. Only one other thrusting shield guards better, at 64. It lets 12% of physical damage through, and against the elements it holds up best to lightning, at 55%, and worst to fire, at 39%. A block that drains the last of the stamina bar breaks the guard, leaving an opening for a critical.

Build

Played as a block-and-poke weapon: raise the guard through enemy strings, then punish with thrusts, guard counters and Ash of War attacks.

Stats	Strength to 60 or 70, Vigor 60, Endurance 40, Mind 27, Dexterity 14 to meet the requirement
Affinity	Heavy, the affinity Cragblade brings, for a Strength build, or Keen for a Dexterity build.
Ash of War	Cragblade to proc staggers while its pierce damage still lands, or Piercing Fang for a gap closer with an unblockable attack.
Talismans	Spear Talisman, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Two-Headed Turtle Talisman, Blade of Mercy
Pairs With	Deflecting Hardtear

All Thrusting Shields

Name	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit. Boost	Weight	Str.	Dex.	Int.	Sell Price	Skill
Carian Thrusting Shield	122 94	36 64	0 36	0 34	0 35	100 64	10.5	D 17	D 13	D 15	100	Shield Strike
Dueling Shield	125 88	0 44	0 39	0 55	0 53	100 58	9	D 15	D 14	0	100	Shield Strike
Ritual Thrusting Shield	135 82.0	0 42.0	0 35.0	0 52.0	0 50.0	100 55	9.0	D 13	D 12	0	0	Shield Strike

Notes

"A thrusting shield of golden ornamentation which enables the wielder to attack and guard simultaneously. In the realm of shadow, though far away from the Erdtree, ritual combat continued to hold weight."