In Elden Ring, shields serve as protective gear that offers defense against foes and formidable bosses throughout the world. Usually held in the non-dominant hand, these shields offer various defensive functions such as guarding, parrying, striking, or presenting distinctive abilities through their specific Ashes of War. They can also be wielded with both hands to enhance stability when facing incoming assaults. Virtually all character builds can gain advantages from having a shield equipped, even if used only occasionally.

When choosing an early game shield, it's beneficial to consider certain key factors:

1. **Low stat requirements for usage** 2. **Accessibility for acquisition** 3. **Solid Guard Boost (Efficient stamina consumption per block)** 4. **Full 100% Physical Damage Reduction (Critical for most builds)**

Potential options:

Beast Crest Heater Shield: - 100% physical damage negation, 51 Guard Boost, requires 10 Strength, weighs 3.5 units - Found in a chest located northeast of Limgrave, beyond the Warmaster's Shack - This shield is notably lightweight for a Medium Shield, boasting low requirements yet offering complete physical damage negation and a respectable Guard Boost. It stands as an excellent early game choice suitable for various character builds.

Brass Shield: - Provides 100% physical damage negation along with solid elemental defense, 56 Guard Boost, demands 16 Strength, and weighs 7.0 units - Readily obtainable from Soldiers scattered throughout the game - This shield boasts the highest Guard Boost among Medium Shields but comes with the trade-off of being the heaviest and necessitating a considerable investment in Strength.

Certainly:

Great Turtle Shell: - Includes the Barricade Shield skill, enhancing Guard Boost temporarily and enabling the shield to deflect a broader range of attacks. - Offers a passive stamina regeneration boost (+8%) while in use, which remains active even if you're two-handing your primary weapon. - Provides 87% physical damage negation, 49 Guard Boost, requires 14 Strength, and weighs 5.5 units. - Acquired at the pinnacle of a tower accessed through Spiritspring Jump near the Castle Morne Rampart Site of Grace in the Weeping Peninsula. - Previously a popular choice until its physical damage negation was reduced in v1.03.

Certainly:

Carian Knight's Shield: - Offers 100% physical damage negation, 71% magic damage negation, 49 Guard Boost, necessitates 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity, and 15 Intelligence, and weighs 4.5 units. - Acquired as a drop from Moongrum, the Carian Knight, located near the boss room of Raya Lucaria Academy. - Provides exceptional defense against both physical and magical assaults, requiring an investment in Intelligence and the defeat of a midboss for acquisition.

Sure thing:

Buckler: - Comes equipped with the Buckler Parry skill and offers a generous window for successful parries. - Exhibits poor damage negation and Guard Boost. Requires 8 Strength and 13 Dexterity, weighing 1.5 units. - Initially provided to Bandits or available for purchase from Gatekeeper Gostoc at Stormveil Castle. - Ideal for players preferring to parry rather than block attacks. - Can be replaced by applying Ash of War: Golden Parry or Ash of War: Carian Retaliation to any small or medium shield. - When choosing a shield, players must consider various factors including requirements, weight, Guard Boost, and the shield's damage reductions.

Requirements: The necessary stats required to wield the shield effectively, determining if your character meets the prerequisites for use.

Weight: The shield's mass, affecting your Equip Load and potentially impacting your character's mobility and agility.

Guard Boost: This factor determines the amount of Stamina consumed when blocking attacks. Upgrading a shield can increase its Guard Boost periodically.

Type: Shields fall into categories - small, medium, or great - impacting the attacks they can deflect or bounce back. Different types have varying capabilities to repel attacks, with greatshields bouncing the most and small shields bouncing fewer attacks.

Damage Reduction: Reflects the shield's effectiveness in reducing various types of damage when blocking. This reduction applies to Standard, Strike, Slash, Pierce, and elemental damage, lessening the incoming damage upon successful blocks.

Damage: Shields can be used for offensive purposes if two-handed or equipped in the right hand. Otherwise, their damage stats are inconsequential.

Special Skill: Infusing Ash of War: No Skill allows continued use of the shield for blocking attacks without losing access to your primary weapon's skill.