Aetherial Shield
| Aetherial Shield | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armor Rating | 26 |
| Weight | 12 |
| Value | 2000 |
| Slot | Shield |
| Set | - |
| Level | - |
| Class | Shields |
| Skill | Heavy Armor |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | xx005759 |
| Game/DLC | Dawnguard |
The Aetherial Shield is a unique heavy shield from Dawnguard, built on the Dwarven Shield and set with Aetherium. It has a base armor rating of 26 and weighs 12. It is forged at the Aetherium Forge at the end of the quest Lost to the Ages.
Armor Enchantment
A shield bash turns the target ethereal for 15 seconds. While ethereal, it can neither attack nor be attacked, and it runs away in fear. Dragons are immune.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every armor enchantment.
Aetherial Shield Map Location and Quest Guide
Aetherial Shield map location:
The Aetherial Shield is made at the Aetherium Forge below the Ruins of Bthalft. It is one of three rewards at the end of Lost to the Ages.
- Read The Aetherium Wars or travel straight to Arkngthamz.
- Climb to the summit of Arkngthamz with the ghost of Katria.
- Solve the Tonal Lock and claim the treasure of Arkngthamz.
- Collect the remaining Aetherium Shards.
- Travel to the Ruins of Bthalft and place the shards to make the Aetherium Crest.
- Follow the way down to the forge and defeat its guardians.
- Use the Aetherium Forge and choose the Aetherial Shield.
Map credit by Map Genie.
- Only one Aetherial item can be made.
- The materials for the shield lie in the forge room.
How It Plays
The Aetherial Shield works through the shield bash. A bashed enemy turns ethereal and harmless for a short time. While the effect lasts, the enemy also flees in fear. The effect lands on every creature in the game except dragons, whatever the enemy's level.
The bash takes one enemy out of a fight for a while. A warrior surrounded by a group can bash the most dangerous foe and deal with the rest first. The shield also offers a way out of a fight that is going badly. A bash on a higher level enemy opens a window to run while it flees.
Perks and Builds
A plain bash carries the enchantment, and so does a power bash. With the Disarming Bash perk, only normal bashes carry the ethereal and fear effects.
The shield is tempered at a workbench with a Dwarven Metal Ingot. As an enchanted item it needs the Arcane Blacksmith perk for tempering.
Compared with the Crown and Staff
The Aetherium Forge allows one item, and the choice is final. The Aetherial Crown holds a second Standing Stone power. The Aetherial Staff summons a Dwarven Spider or Dwarven Sphere for 60 seconds. The shield is the choice for a sword and board warrior who wants crowd control.
Forging the shield takes the Aetherium Crest, four Dwarven Metal Ingots and two Refined Malachite. The materials wait on tables to the left and right of the forge.
Quest Background
The shield is made at the Aetherium Forge at the end of Lost to the Ages, a Dawnguard quest. The ghost of the adventurer Katria guides the search, starting in Arkngthamz in the Reach. Four Aetherium Shards lie in Dwarven ruins, and together they form the key to the forge. The forge lies below the Ruins of Bthalft, southeast of Ivarstead, where its ancient guardians wait.
Gameplay Tips
- Bash a dangerous enemy to take it out of the fight while dealing with the rest of a group, or to escape.
- Temper it at a workbench with one Dwarven Metal Ingot. The Arcane Blacksmith perk is needed because it is enchanted.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
Aetherial Shield is improved at a workbench with one Dwarven Metal Ingot per improvement. An enchanted copy can only be improved with the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
| Quality | Smithing | Armor |
|---|---|---|
| Fine | 14 | +1 |
| Superior | 31 | +3 |
| Exquisite | 65 | +5 |
| Flawless | 100 | +7 |
| Epic | 134 | +8 to +9 |
| Legendary | 168 | +10 |
Armor Categories
All Shields
Light Armor
All light armor shields are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
Heavy Armor
All heavy armor shields are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
