Welcome, Tarnished! If you're tired of getting caught in the chaos of Elden Ring's unforgiving world and Elden Ring Runes want a build that lets you stand tall against the deadliest enemies, a shield build is the way to go. This guide will walk you through the essential mechanics, weapon choices, talismans, and strategies that make the Carrying and Thrusting Shield build a formidable force in the Lands Between. With a combination of unmatched defense and devastating offensive thrusting attacks, you can become a true tank, capable of surviving intense battles while dealing serious damage. Let’s dive into this unstoppable build!

The Shield Build: The Carrying and Thrusting Shield as the Core
The Main Attraction: The Carrying and Thrusting Shield
The Carrying and Thrusting Shield is the star of this build. It's not just any shield; it’s one that redefines how shields can be used in Elden Ring. Known for its versatility, this shield offers two key advantages:

Impressive Defense: It provides the ability to absorb large amounts of damage while allowing you to block incoming attacks with ease.

Powerful Thrusting Attacks: Unlike other shields, the Carrying and Thrusting Shield allows you to perform thrusting attacks without consuming stamina. This is a game-changer for players who want to combine defense and offense seamlessly. These thrusts hit hard, and they give you the ability to maintain constant pressure on your enemies while keeping your shield up.

This shield becomes your defensive anchor, and its thrusting capabilities make it a potent weapon that you can use to strike down foes without ever needing to drop your guard.

Weapon Choice: Flame Skewer Ash of War
When crafting a shield build, the weapon choice matters greatly, and in this case, the Flame Skewer Ash of War is the perfect fit. Here's why:

Increased Damage Output: The Flame Skewer not only adds a fiery touch to your thrusting attacks but also amplifies your damage potential significantly. When fully charged, it can deal over 8,000 damage, making it one of the most devastating Ash of War abilities available for a shield-based build.

Versatility and Style: This Ash of War adds a fiery, AoE damage effect, making it a great tool for clearing mobs or dealing with tough bosses. It also helps to manage crowds in PvE and PvP encounters.

Pairing the Carrying and Thrusting Shield with the Flame Skewer gives you a solid combination of defense, stamina conservation, and significant damage potential. Whether you're slamming through enemies or laying down a fiery barrage, this setup ensures you're ready for any fight.

Talismans That Enhance Your Build
Talismans are one of the most critical components in optimizing your shield build, and with the right selection, you can boost both your defensive and offensive potential. Here's a look at the essential talismans for this build:

Great-Jar's Arsenal: This talisman boosts your equip load, allowing you to wear heavier armor without affecting your mobility. Since you’ll be using a heavy shield and possibly heavier armor, this talisman ensures you don't get slowed down, making it easier to keep your distance or dodge when necessary.

Shard of Alexander: If you want to make your Flame Skewer Ash of War even more devastating, this talisman is a must. It amplifies the damage of your Ash of War attacks, making every thrust count even more. With the Shard of Alexander, you’ll see your damage skyrocket, turning every strike into a powerful blow.

Spears Talisman: This talisman specifically boosts the effectiveness of thrusting attacks, ensuring that every hit with your shield is maximized for damage. It synergizes perfectly with the Carrying and Thrusting Shield, allowing you to maximize your thrusting damage while keeping your defense high.

With these talismans, your build will be both more resilient and more powerful, giving you the tools to take on the toughest bosses and invaders.

Stat Allocation for Level 200
To make the most out of your shield build, you'll need to focus your stat allocation on strength, endurance, and vigor. Here’s a recommended stat spread at level 200:

60 Vigor: Vigor is essential for surviving heavy damage. At 60 vigor, you'll have enough health to endure tough fights and take hits that would otherwise incapacitate other builds. This stat is crucial for tanking in PvE and PvP.

40 Endurance: Endurance not only increases your stamina but also boosts your equip load, which is important when wearing heavy armor and using a shield. You’ll need this stat to maintain consistent offensive pressure and dodging abilities without becoming overburdened.

80 Strength: The Carrying and Thrusting Shield benefits from strength scaling, so you’ll want to push this stat to 80 to maximize your damage output. This will allow you to deliver powerful blows with your shield and improve your overall damage potential with heavy weapons and thrusting attacks.

55 Dexterity: Dexterity scales well with the thrusting attacks of the shield, making it a necessary stat to boost. At 55 Dexterity, you'll significantly improve your thrusting damage, allowing for fast, lethal strikes.

18 Intelligence: A minor investment in Intelligence is worth considering for utility, especially if you want to use magic-enhanced buffs or utility spells. This stat also opens up some flexibility for equipment choices and provides a solid base for using a few magic-related items.

This stat distribution ensures that you are an unyielding tank on the battlefield, capable of dishing out consistent damage while maintaining a robust defense.

Crafting Your Combat Strategy
The Carrying and Thrusting Shield build excels in both defensive positioning and offensive pressure. Here's how to use your gear and stats effectively in different scenarios:

Engaging in Combat
When entering battles, always start with your shield raised. Use the thrusting attack from your shield to maintain constant pressure on your enemies. Unlike many other builds, you can attack while still keeping your defense up. This allows you to chip away at enemy health while minimizing risk. The key to success with this build is to balance defense and offense—never drop your shield too early, but don’t hesitate to unleash a thrusting attack when you see an opening.

Dealing with Magic Users
Magic users can be tricky, but with your shield up, you can block incoming spells and retaliate once you close the distance. Use your shield to absorb magic projectiles, then charge in with your thrusting attacks to punish them. Be mindful of spellcasters who use AoE magic, as you may need to time your movement to avoid damage while remaining aggressive.

Handling Multiple Opponents
In group fights, positioning is key. Always stay close to your allies but watch out for surrounding enemies. Your shield is excellent for absorbing damage from multiple foes at once, and your thrusting attacks can deal with one enemy at a time. In group PvP, use your Flame Skewer to disorient opponents and create openings for your teammates to capitalize on.

Recovery After Close Calls
If you find yourself low on health during a fight, the Flask of Wondrous Physick is a great tool for recovery. Ensure you’re in a safe position before healing—timing is crucial. You can also use items like the Hefty Rock Pots to deal damage or create a diversion while you heal.

Conclusion: Unstoppable Defense, Devastating Offense
With this shield build, you become an unmovable fortress in Elden Ring. The Carrying and Thrusting Shield, combined with the Flame Skewer Ash of War and carefully chosen talismans, gives you an unstoppable defense and the offensive capabilities to punish your enemies when they least expect it. Whether you’re tanking damage in a team scenario or taking on tough invaders and bosses, this build ensures you are always in control of the battlefield.

Remember to practice your timing, learn your enemies’ patterns, and keep an eye on your stamina and health. With the right setup and knowledge, you can dominate the Lands Between, shield raised high, and enemies falling one by one.

For those who want to enhance their build even further, consider visiting MMOEXP for all your Elden Ring item needs. Whether you’re looking for cheap Elden Ring runes or need resources to level up your build, MMOEXP offers a variety of items that will help you become an even greater force in the game.

Now, take up your shield, Tarnished, and Elden Ring Items carve your path through the world of Elden Ring!