Elden Ring is the latest action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware. It offers players an expansive open world to explore, filled with dangerous foes to vanquish. When creating a build in Elden Ring, one of the most important choices is whether to dual wield weapons or use a shield. Both options have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on your preferred playstyle.
The Case for Dual Wielding
Dual wielding allows you to equip a weapon in each hand, granting faster attacks and greater damage output. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a dual wield build in Elden Ring:
- Higher damage per second (DPS) – With two weapons, you can unleash a flurry of fast attacks that quickly shred enemies. Dual wield builds excel at bursting down foes.
- Varied movesets – Each weapon class has its own set of moves. With two equipped, you have access to more versatile movesets to take down enemies.
- Power stance – When dual wielding weapons of the same type, you can enter a “power stance” to access strong, sweeping attacks that hit with both weapons simultaneously.
- Status buildup – Dual wielding allows you to build up bleed, frost, or other status effects extremely quickly to devastate enemies.
- Parry potential – You can parry with either weapon. Having twice as many parry tools makes it easier to perform this defensive technique.
In summary, dual wielding enables you to unleash a whirlwind of steel upon your foes, overcoming them with a fierce flurry of attacks. The damage output and versatility of movesets is the greatest strength of this playstyle.
The Case for Using a Shield
While dual wielding focuses on offense, shields provide defensive options that can be extremely useful in Elden Ring’s dangerous world. Here are some benefits of equipping a shield:
- Damage blocking – Shields allow you to block incoming attacks, completely negating damage when you properly time your blocks.
- Stability – The higher a shield’s stability, the less stamina it takes to block heavy hits. Greatshields with 100% physical damage negation can block nearly anything.
- Guard counters – Blocking an attack at the right time allows you to follow up with a devastating guard counterattack.
- Parry potential – Small and medium shields can parry attacks when timed correctly, opening enemies up for a riposte.
- Passive buffs – Many shields offer useful passive effects such as boosts to stats, damage resistance, or stamina recovery speed.
In summary, shields provide a highly defensive playstyle focused on avoiding damage through blocking and countering attacks. This shines against hard-hitting enemies and bosses.
How to Decide: Dual Wield vs. Shield
So how do you decide between the high-octane offense of dual wielding versus the stalwart defense of a shield? Here are some things to consider:
- Your build and stats – To dual wield effectively, you need high endurance and good dexterity. Strength builds often favor a shield in one hand and heavy weapon in the other.
- Your playstyle – Dodge-heavy players benefit more from dual wielding’s mobility, while block-focused players favor the protection of a shield.
- PVE vs PVP – Dual wielding dominates PVE thanks to the DPS. Shields are very strong for PVP as skilled players exploit the defensive options.
- Enemies and bosses – For groups and weaker enemies, dual wielding allows you to mow them down rapidly. Shields help greatly against hard hitting bosses.
In the end, there is no universally “better” option. Both dual wielding and shields are viable in the right situations. Many players switch between the two playstyles regularly to adapt to different challenges. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a blend that suits your preferred tactics.
Strong Dual Wield and Shield Builds
Here are some recommended builds that utilize dual wielding or a shield effectively in Elden Ring:
Dual Wield Builds
- Powerstancing Colossal Swords – Two colossal greatswords wielded aggressively with strength and endurance.
- Double Katana Bleed Build – Dual katanas with frost or bleed infusions to quickly hemorrhage enemies.
- Sword & Dagger – A fast sword paired with a bleeding dagger for versatility.
- Paired Weapons – Weapons like the Twinblade explicitly designed to be dual wielded together.
Shield Builds
- Knight’s Greatshield – A heavy, stability focused greatshield to enable super aggressive blocks.
- Parry Shield – A small shield in the off-hand focused on parrying attacks.
- Greatshield + Colossal Weapon – A colossal weapon two-handed with a greatshield on your back for situational blocking.
- Spellcasting Shield – A shield that boosts sorcery/incantations and provides defense when casting.
Conclusion
Deciding between dual wielding and a shield comes down to balancing offense versus defense and catering to your preferred playstyle. Both options are viable in Elden Ring. Dual wielding provides exceptional damage output at the cost of protection. Shields sacrifice some offense for superior defense. Build your stats, equipment, and tactics around your choice to excel.
The best approach is experimenting with both playstyles to learn their strengths and weaknesses. Many players switch between the two regularly to adapt to different combat scenarios. Don’t be afraid to adjust your tactics – the lands between reward versatility and the ability to master multiple techniques. With skill, knowledge and patience, you can overcome any challenge in Elden Ring, whether you choose to wield two weapons or a trusty shield at your side.