Best Shield in God of War Ragnarok

While 2018’s God of War provided players with a single shield, God of War Ragnarok defensive options swell to five different shields. Though all the serve the basic function of blocking and parrying attacks, each one comes with a unique skill and supplementary stat boost, which can make choosing the right one difficult. Shatter Star Shield? Stone Wall Shield? Dauntless Shield?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what we consider to be the best shields in God of War Ragnarok so you can spend your hacksilver wisely and boost you defensive stats to take on any enemy from Garm to Gna. Whether you’re a master of the perfectly-timed parry or need a reliable tool to keep you safe and sound when things get dicey in combat, there’s a shield option for everyone.

READ MORE: Best Armor Sets in God of War Ragnarok

Guardian Shield

The one and the same shield available in 2018’s God of War, the Guardian Shield makes our list not just for reasons of nostalgia. It’s the most well-rounded option, balancing both blocking and parrying, with a few defensive flourishes up its sleeve.

The Shield Check skill allows you to bash the shield into an enemy to break their guard, while also also granting special counterattacks after every successful parry. The downside is that the Guardian Shield has no stat boosts other than the standard defense increase, which all the shields have. We’d recommend this for the average player that’s reasonably confident in their parrying ability and needs the flexibility of a shield that can quickly open windows for attacks.

How to Get the Guardian Shield

You’ll automatically pick up the Guardian Shield as you progress through the game’s opening chapter, Surviving Fimbulwinter. But, unfortunately, it’s broken. Hand it over to Sindri and Brok, who’ll give it back fixed and ready to go just before Kratos’ leaves their home during The Word of Fate main story mission.

Onslaught Shield

The Onslaught Shield is a great pick for the defensive-minded player. It features a welcome boost to luck, which helps activate chance abilities more regularly. But, the real appeal is in the Shield Rush ability.

By double tapping L1, Kratos barges forward, shield first, into an enemy, blocking any incoming attacks in the process. This can prove useful in situations when your surrounded by multiple enemies and need a quick way to make some space without sustaining damage. You can also use Shield Rush from afar to initiate fights and even launch enemies on impact from greater distances.

How to Get the Onslaught Shield

The Onslaught Shield is available from a legendary chest during your second visit to Helheim to fight Garm during the Reunion chapter. After defeating Garm, follow the path ahead until you reach a locked door. To the right of the door is the legendary chest containing the Onslaught Shield.

Dauntless Shield

Described as a high risk and high reward option, the Dauntless Shield is arguably the best shield in God of War Ragnarok for player’s who’ve got timed parrying down to an art. The Shield Bash skill deals stun after each successful parry, with perfect parries cranking up the effect with a further buff.

Parries also empower the skill’s secondary bashing function, which causes high stun damage when double tapping L1. The Dauntless Shield also comes with a reasonable cooldown reduction stat, giving you the option to follow up parries with runic attacks more regularly.

How to Get the Dauntless Shield

The Dauntless Shield is available to craft at any of Brok and Sindri’s blacksmith shop throughout the realms from your very first visit to the shop in Tyr’s temple onward.

That about wraps up our guide to the best shield in God of War Ragnarok. For more help with your journey across the Nine Realms, check out our dedicated guides hub for walkthroughs, realm 100% completion guides including Vanaheim, best Leviathan Axe pommels, Blades of Chaos attachments, collectibles, ravens, armor sets, and more. We’ve also got a guide to the best shield attachment in the game.