In Valheim you not only choose from many different weapons, you can also block attacks with one of three shield types. You can pick the small bucklers to precisely deflect strikes. If you prefer solid all-around protection, round shields may be the better choice. Or you want to block even more damage and go for the large tower shields. In this guide, we take a closer look at when to use which shield and which playstyle they suit best. And of course, we also list all shields and their respective biomes, so you know when you can craft each one.
Valheim round shields with parry and block damage
Round shields are a great choice in Valheim, because you can craft one in almost every biome. They are a reliable, constant companion for Vikings who want a good balance in their defense. They block a solid share of incoming damage (6-144 block damage) while staying fairly light and nimble. Your movement speed is only reduced by -5%. Knockback is good, and the parry multiplier is 1.5x for both blocked damage and knockback. You can also briefly stun enemies this way.
Blocking damage with shields is also a skill you can level up. At level 100 you gain an additional 50% bonus to blocked damage. With parries you can level it faster, but your timing has to be on point! Practice this skill with a friend. Here you can rent a Valheim multiplayer server. That way you can test different shields and see which ones you like best.
As mentioned, there are eight round shields in Valheim. This makes it easy to follow your progression and keep equipping a better shield. You can also upgrade shields to level 2 and 3 to improve them further. Or use the Forge of Potentials.
Wood shield: Your first shield, which you can craft in the Meadows. Choose from four color schemes! A good starter shield, but not strictly necessary.
Reinforced shield: An improved iron shield you can craft in the Swamp. Also offers four styles to choose from.
Root shield: A new shield added in version 1.0 as an alternative to the reinforced shield. Blocks less, but reduces attack stamina by -10%. And it doesn’t slow you down — the only shield with this trait!
Silver shield: The round shield you can craft from silver in the Mountains. Comes in seven different color schemes.
Blackmetal shield: Use blackmetal from the Plains for this shield. It also has six colors to choose from when you craft it.
Chitin shield: A long, blue shield made from chitin and eitr. Gives you the highest knockback of all round shields in the game. No color selection.
Flame-core shield: A surprisingly straightforward shield for the Ashlands, with four colors to choose from.
Nord shield: The newest shield in Valheim requires a mold like all Nord gear. Then use bloodgold to craft it.
Valheim bucklers parry tips and builds
You can also opt for bucklers, a much smaller group of defensive tools. There are only four of them spread throughout the game.
Bucklers offer only a small surface area, so they are best for 1v1. In larger groups, they don’t block damage well. Overall, they block the least damage (16-100 block damage) and provide only modest knockback. In return, they have a parry multiplier of 2.5x, boosting both values. You really have to use them precisely — but then they’re a great choice!
Bronze buckler: The first buckler you can craft from bronze in the Black Forest. A good pick against trolls!
Iron buckler: A solid upgrade for all buckler enthusiasts, made with iron from the Swamps.
Chitin buckler: Arguably the best buckler, with the look of an insect from the Mistlands. Has more knockback than the other bucklers, which makes it so strong.
Nord buckler: A golden shield from the far north, once again requiring a mold. Blocks more than the chitin buckler, but has less knockback.
Valheim tower shields best protection for tanks
Finally, you can use the large tower shields, which play quite differently. They block the most damage (10-170 block damage) and have immense knockback. But you cannot parry with them, as they are simply too unwieldy. You also lose -10% movement speed. Dodging costs more stamina as well.
However, tower shields hold off damage from multiple enemies well and are especially good for tank builds. In multiplayer they can be very useful to keep damage at bay tactically and trade aggro during fights. You need to play them slowly and deliberately to get the most out of them.
Wooden tower shield: The first tower shield from the Meadows, available in seven different color schemes. Not essential at this stage.
Bone tower shield: A spooky shield from the Black Forest, made of skeletal parts. Can be handy in cave systems.
Iron tower shield: The Swamp’s staple shield, with seven colors to choose from when crafting. Not the best option though.
Serpent scale shield: Instead, hunt sea serpents and use their scales for this shield. It’s stronger and also grants pierce resistance. Definitely a better investment for your Swamp iron!
Blackmetal tower shield: A big upgrade once you reach the Plains. Has much more knockback than previous shields. Also comes in seven colors.
Flametal tower shield: A shield made from flametal and ashwood, craftable in four color schemes. A direct upgrade over blackmetal.
Nord greatshield: The shield with the highest block damage in the game. Once again find the right mold and craft it with plenty of bloodgold. Funnily enough, this shield is round rather than the rectangular, elongated shape of other tower shields.
Conclusion choosing the best shields in Valheim
Shields in Valheim are quite complex and add even more depth to the combat system. You don’t have to use them, but for one-handed weapons they can be a great complement. Use bucklers for quick maneuvers and strong knockback. Round shields are the safe and solid pick when you just want to block. And tower shields are best for tanks, large groups of enemies, or in multiplayer to consistently keep damage away. You can also fight entirely without a shield and rely on well-timed dodges to avoid damage.
