U4GM - How to Break Shields and Guard in Elden Ring: 5 Tips
Breaking through enemy shields and guard stances in Elden Ring can be one of the most satisfying—and necessary—parts of combat, especially when you're facing heavily armored foes or PvP opponents who rely on defense. As someone who's spent hundreds of hours exploring the Lands Between, farming Elden Ring runes, and testing out countless weapon builds, I've learned the importance of mastering guard-breaking techniques. Whether you're a seasoned Tarnished or just starting your journey, these five tips will help you overwhelm even the toughest defenders.
1. Use Guard Counters Effectively
One of the best mechanics Elden Ring introduced is the guard counter. After blocking an enemy’s attack with a shield, immediately following up with a heavy attack (R2/RT) can quickly break their guard or stagger them. This is especially effective against humanoid enemies and even works on some bosses. Timing is key—don’t just mash the button. Practice the rhythm, and you’ll find guard counters extremely reliable in breaking shields.
Personal Tip: I used a medium shield and Claymore combo in my early playthroughs. Learning to guard counter turned tough fights into manageable skirmishes and helped me save precious Elden Ring runes by avoiding unnecessary deaths.
2. Use Jumping Attacks to Pressure Guarding Enemies
Jumping attacks are a powerful way to put pressure on enemies who love hiding behind shields. When timed right, a jumping heavy attack can knock back enemies or break their posture entirely, opening them up for a critical hit. This tactic is especially effective in PvP, where players often turtle up.
Advice: Equip a heavy weapon like a Greatsword or Colossal Weapon if you’re planning to use jumping attacks frequently. Their poise damage is high, and they drain stamina quickly from guarded opponents.
3. Two-Hand Your Weapon for Extra Poise Damage
When you two-hand your weapon (by pressing Triangle + R1/RB or L1/LB), your attacks deal more stamina and poise damage to enemies. This means you’re more likely to break through shields and guard stances. Two-handing also slightly boosts your strength scaling, making every hit count more.
From Experience: In battles against shield-bearing knights, two-handing my weapon helped me break their stance within a few swings. It also allowed me to preserve my own stamina since I didn’t have to waste time trying to circle around them.
4. Equip and Use Guard-Breaking Ashes of War
Certain Ashes of War are specifically designed to break through shields and defensive enemies. Ashes like Flaming Strike, Flaming Slam, or Hoarfrost Stomp can deal area damage or multiple hits, making it hard for enemies to maintain their guard. Infusing your weapon with fire or lightning also increases stamina damage to shielded foes.
Recommendation: Try combining a guard-breaking Ash of War with a weapon that already has good stagger potential. This synergy can tear through even the most defensive enemies quickly.
5. Invest in Stamina and Weapon Upgrades
Many players focus solely on Vigor or Dexterity but forget that Endurance—which governs stamina—is key for sustained aggression and guard pressure. If you run out of stamina while trying to break a shield, you’ll leave yourself vulnerable.
Likewise, don’t neglect upgrading your weapon. A fully upgraded weapon deals significantly more posture and stamina damage, which directly impacts your ability to break shields.
Time Saver Tip: If you're short on runes for leveling or upgrades, using a trusted Elden Ring runes buy bot service like U4GM can save time. While I prefer farming runes the traditional way, there were times I used the service to quickly test builds and mechanics without grinding for hours.
Final Thoughts
Breaking shields and guard in Elden Ring isn’t just about brute force—it’s about using the right strategies and tools. Whether you're facing a shielded boss or a PvP opponent hiding behind a greatshield, these tips will give you the upper hand. Don’t forget to experiment and adjust based on your build, and remember: pressure, timing, and smart play always win.
As always, make sure you’re managing your Elden Ring runes wisely—whether through farming or using services like an Elden Ring runes buy bot service when you're in a pinch. Good luck, Tarnished, and may your blades break every guard in your path.Try This:How to Get the 5 Best Elden Ring Healing Items Early
U4GM - How to Break Shields and Guard in Elden Ring: 5 Tips
Breaking through enemy shields and guard stances in Elden Ring can be one of the most satisfying—and necessary—parts of combat, especially when you're facing heavily armored foes or PvP opponents who rely on defense. As someone who's spent hundreds of hours exploring the Lands Between, farming Elden Ring runes, and testing out countless weapon builds, I've learned the importance of mastering guard-breaking techniques. Whether you're a seasoned Tarnished or just starting your journey, these five tips will help you overwhelm even the toughest defenders.
1. Use Guard Counters Effectively
One of the best mechanics Elden Ring introduced is the guard counter. After blocking an enemy’s attack with a shield, immediately following up with a heavy attack (R2/RT) can quickly break their guard or stagger them. This is especially effective against humanoid enemies and even works on some bosses. Timing is key—don’t just mash the button. Practice the rhythm, and you’ll find guard counters extremely reliable in breaking shields.
Personal Tip: I used a medium shield and Claymore combo in my early playthroughs. Learning to guard counter turned tough fights into manageable skirmishes and helped me save precious Elden Ring runes by avoiding unnecessary deaths.
2. Use Jumping Attacks to Pressure Guarding Enemies
Jumping attacks are a powerful way to put pressure on enemies who love hiding behind shields. When timed right, a jumping heavy attack can knock back enemies or break their posture entirely, opening them up for a critical hit. This tactic is especially effective in PvP, where players often turtle up.
Advice: Equip a heavy weapon like a Greatsword or Colossal Weapon if you’re planning to use jumping attacks frequently. Their poise damage is high, and they drain stamina quickly from guarded opponents.
3. Two-Hand Your Weapon for Extra Poise Damage
When you two-hand your weapon (by pressing Triangle + R1/RB or L1/LB), your attacks deal more stamina and poise damage to enemies. This means you’re more likely to break through shields and guard stances. Two-handing also slightly boosts your strength scaling, making every hit count more.
From Experience: In battles against shield-bearing knights, two-handing my weapon helped me break their stance within a few swings. It also allowed me to preserve my own stamina since I didn’t have to waste time trying to circle around them.
4. Equip and Use Guard-Breaking Ashes of War
Certain Ashes of War are specifically designed to break through shields and defensive enemies. Ashes like Flaming Strike, Flaming Slam, or Hoarfrost Stomp can deal area damage or multiple hits, making it hard for enemies to maintain their guard. Infusing your weapon with fire or lightning also increases stamina damage to shielded foes.
Recommendation: Try combining a guard-breaking Ash of War with a weapon that already has good stagger potential. This synergy can tear through even the most defensive enemies quickly.
5. Invest in Stamina and Weapon Upgrades
Many players focus solely on Vigor or Dexterity but forget that Endurance—which governs stamina—is key for sustained aggression and guard pressure. If you run out of stamina while trying to break a shield, you’ll leave yourself vulnerable.
Likewise, don’t neglect upgrading your weapon. A fully upgraded weapon deals significantly more posture and stamina damage, which directly impacts your ability to break shields.
Time Saver Tip: If you're short on runes for leveling or upgrades, using a trusted Elden Ring runes buy bot service like U4GM can save time. While I prefer farming runes the traditional way, there were times I used the service to quickly test builds and mechanics without grinding for hours.
Final Thoughts
Breaking shields and guard in Elden Ring isn’t just about brute force—it’s about using the right strategies and tools. Whether you're facing a shielded boss or a PvP opponent hiding behind a greatshield, these tips will give you the upper hand. Don’t forget to experiment and adjust based on your build, and remember: pressure, timing, and smart play always win.
As always, make sure you’re managing your Elden Ring runes wisely—whether through farming or using services like an Elden Ring runes buy bot service when you're in a pinch. Good luck, Tarnished, and may your blades break every guard in your path.Try This:How to Get the 5 Best Elden Ring Healing Items Early