Auriel's Shield
| Auriel's Shield | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armor Rating | 32 |
| Weight | 14 |
| Value | 755 |
| Slot | Shield |
| Set | - |
| Level | - |
| Class | Shields |
| Skill | Heavy Armor |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | xx00284d |
| Game/DLC | Dawnguard |
Auriel's Shield is a unique heavy shield from Dawnguard. It has a base armor rating of 32 and weighs 14. A Falmer Warmonger carries it in the Forgotten Vale Forest, which opens with the Ruby Paragon.
Armor Enchantment
The shield stores the energy of blocked attacks, and a power bash releases it. It starts to glow after 5 blocks and grows stronger at 10 and 15. At full charge, the blast throws enemies like the Unrelenting Force shout.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every armor enchantment.
Auriel's Shield Map Location and Quest Guide
Auriel's Shield map location:
Auriel's Shield is carried by a Falmer Warmonger in the Forgotten Vale Forest. The forest opens with the Ruby Paragon once the Forgotten Vale is reached in Touching the Sky.
- Reach the Forgotten Vale during Touching the Sky.
- Open the secret passage in the Inner Sanctum.
- Kill the frost giant inside and take the Ruby Paragon.
- Place the Ruby Paragon on the paragon platform to open the portal.
- Kill the Falmer Warmonger in the Forgotten Vale Forest.
- Take Auriel's Shield from the body.
Map credit by Map Genie.
How It Plays
Auriel's Shield stores the energy of blocked attacks, and a power bash releases it. The charge builds in three steps. Five blocked attacks give the first charge, ten give the second, and fifteen fill the shield. A fully charged shield glows.
The released energy works like the stages of the Unrelenting Force shout. The first charge staggers enemies, much like the single word Fus. The second charge staggers harder, like Fus Ro. The full charge sends enemies flying, like the complete shout.
The shield rewards a patient fighter. Block a few blows from a group of enemies, then answer with a power bash. The blast throws back everyone in front of the shield and turns a crowded fight around.
Smithing
Auriel's Shield is tempered at a workbench with Refined Moonstone. The Elven Smithing perk doubles each improvement. As an enchanted artifact, it also needs the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
Perks and Builds
The Block skill tree builds on the shield. The power bash that releases the stored energy comes from the Power Bash perk at 30 Block. Deadly Bash then makes bashing do five times more damage, and Quick Reflexes slows time while blocking an enemy's power attack. Every successful block adds to the charge, so a character who blocks often fills the shield fastest.
A one-handed weapon fills the other hand. A sword or mace pairs with the shield for a classic heavy armor warrior who wants a strong answer to crowds.
Location
The shield lies in the Forgotten Vale, the hidden valley explored during the Dawnguard questline. The vale holds paragon gems, and each one opens a portal. Placing the Ruby Paragon in the recess on top of the short pillar beside the paragon platform opens a portal to the Forgotten Vale Forest.
A Falmer Warmonger in the forest carries Auriel's Shield. Defeating him and looting the body yields the shield.
Lore
Auriel's Shield is an artifact of Auri-El, the elven god of time. Legend says Anui-El made it at Auri-El's request, for his war against Lorkhan in the Dawn Era. The shield is the twin of Auriel's Bow, the other great artifact of Auri-El.
The shield has changed hands many times. It appeared in High Rock and on Vvardenfell long before it came to Skyrim. Its form has changed with it, from ebony in earlier tales to moonstone in the Forgotten Vale. An old fable says the shield has a will of its own and once abandoned its owner in her greatest hour of need, though the tale may be only a story.
Gameplay Tips
- Block a few hits, then power bash to stagger or throw back a group of enemies.
- Temper it at a workbench with one Refined Moonstone. The Elven Smithing perk doubles the improvement, and the Arcane Blacksmith perk is needed.
- Its 32 armor matches the Ebony Shield.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
Auriel's Shield is improved at a workbench with one Refined Moonstone per improvement. The Elven Smithing perk doubles the improvement, so each quality tier needs less Smithing skill. An enchanted copy can only be improved with the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
| Quality | Smithing | With Perk | Armor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | 14 | 14 | +1 |
| Superior | 31 | 22 | +3 |
| Exquisite | 65 | 40 | +5 |
| Flawless | 100 | 57 | +7 |
| Epic | 134 | 74 | +8 to +9 |
| Legendary | 168 | 91 | +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.
