Is the new Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, too troublesome? Opinions are blended, however luckily, there are various choices to make the DLC extra doable when you’re struggling. One of them that is notably beloved by the group proper now could be one of the new weapons launched in mentioned DLC: thrusting shields.
The Elden Ring group has reached a consensus: these shields are good. Actual good. There are dozens of threads on the Elden Ring subreddit praising them over the last few weeks, with one thread in particular taking pictures to the high of the subreddit in current days with the following topic: “New Thrusting shields are the strongest weapons in the total sport and it isn’t even shut. NG+ DLC was completely obliterated. Thrusting shields could be enchanted with any affinity/harm kind that makes them extraordinarily versatile. And it is simply a lot enjoyable to slap the grace out of each single boss!”
Based mostly on all the upvotes and feedback, the group agrees. Some individuals are even suggesting the shields are too good, and that they are bugged, although different gamers insist their excellence is intended behavior.
Should you’re not conversant in thrusting shields, this new weapon kind was added in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC together with different weapons like fragrance bottles, hand-to-hand arts, and throwing blades. Sadly, there are solely two of these shields in the total sport: the Dueling Defend and the Carian Thrusting Defend. These shields enable gamers to each assault and defend directly, and two-handed thrusting protect builds are particularly highly effective, permitting gamers to carry out lunging stabs that deal main harm, all whereas nonetheless guarding from enemy assaults. And if you throw sure talisman or flask advantages on high of that (akin to the Two-Handed Sword Talisman or the Deflecting Hardtear), the construct turns into much more highly effective.
Thrusting shields are so good, they enabled one participant to beat Messmer…utilizing a saxophone as a controller.
WE DOOTED HIM
In the end: after solely half-hour of making an attempt, I defeated Messmer the Impaler utilizing an electrical saxophone as a controller.
No summons. Simply doots and the Carian Thrusting Defend.
This DLC is a masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/dX42XFYDRD
— Dr. Doot 🎷 (@DrDecomposing) June 28, 2024
Regardless of how you’re feeling about the thrusting protect construct, it was inevitable that with time and observe individuals would discover ridiculous new construct combos in Shadow of the Erdtree that enable for “cheese” boss strats. Brutal as the enlargement could be, tips like this may also help gamers push by means of its most difficult fights. That, or simply discovering sufficient Scadutree Fragments like everybody retains telling them to.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Received a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.