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06 Numbers and Powers

Enshrouded Shields and Wards List

Card No. 06·6238 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Effective Block Score 16.0
Block Power
10
You entered
Parry Window (ms)
300
You entered
You enter
Block Power, Parry Window (ms)
You get
Effective Block Score
Rounding
1 dp

This page lists every shield and ward currently available in Enshrouded, along with their base stats, how to obtain them, and which ones are worth crafting for different playstyles. You’ll find the full item list, a breakdown of block and parry mechanics, and answers to common questions about shield upgrades and durability.

Formula

The effective block score is a rough way to compare shields that have different block power and parry timing. It is calculated as:

Effective Block Score = Block Power × (1 + Parry Window / 500)

Where:

  • Block Power – the base damage reduction when holding block (higher is better).
  • Parry Window – the time in milliseconds you have to press block just before an enemy attack lands to trigger a parry.

This formula gives more weight to shields with longer parry windows, since a successful parry negates all damage and staggers the enemy. It is not an official in-game stat, but it helps rank shields for defensive play.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: Block Power = 10, Parry Window = 300 ms.

  1. Divide the parry window by 500: 300 / 500 = 0.6
  2. Add 1: 0.6 + 1 = 1.6
  3. Multiply by block power: 10 × 1.6 = 16.0

The effective block score is 16.0. A shield with 8 block power but a 400 ms window would score 8 × (1 + 0.8) = 14.4, so the first shield is better despite lower raw block.

All Shields and Wards in Enshrouded

Enshrouded currently has 12 craftable shields and wards, split into two categories: standard shields (which block physical damage) and wards (which also provide elemental resistance). Here is the full list with base stats at level 1:

  • Rusty Shield – Block Power 5, Parry Window 200 ms. Found in early ruins, not craftable.
  • Wooden Shield – Block Power 8, Parry Window 300 ms. Crafted at the Workbench (5 Wood).
  • Iron Shield – Block Power 12, Parry Window 250 ms. Crafted at the Blacksmith (5 Iron Bars, 2 Wood).
  • Steel Shield – Block Power 16, Parry Window 250 ms. Crafted at the Blacksmith (5 Steel Bars, 2 Wood).
  • Paladin Shield – Block Power 20, Parry Window 300 ms. Crafted at the Blacksmith (5 Palladium Bars, 2 Wood).
  • Kite Shield – Block Power 14, Parry Window 350 ms. Crafted at the Blacksmith (3 Iron Bars, 1 Leather).
  • Tower Shield – Block Power 22, Parry Window 200 ms. Crafted at the Blacksmith (5 Steel Bars, 3 Leather).
  • Ward of the Ancients – Block Power 10, Parry Window 300 ms, +10% Fire Resistance. Found in Ancient Vaults.
  • Ward of the Forest – Block Power 10, Parry Window 300 ms, +10% Poison Resistance. Crafted at the Alchemist (3 Wood, 2 Shroud Liquid).
  • Ward of the Storm – Block Power 12, Parry Window 250 ms, +10% Lightning Resistance. Crafted at the Alchemist (3 Iron Bars, 2 Shroud Liquid).
  • Ward of the Frozen – Block Power 12, Parry Window 250 ms, +10% Ice Resistance. Crafted at the Alchemist (3 Steel Bars, 2 Shroud Liquid).
  • Ward of the Sun – Block Power 16, Parry Window 300 ms, +15% Fire Resistance. Crafted at the Alchemist (5 Palladium Bars, 3 Shroud Liquid).

Note that all shields can be upgraded at the Blacksmith with runes to increase block power by up to 50% of the base value. Upgrades cost 10 Runes per level, and each shield has 3 upgrade levels.

How Blocking and Parrying Work

Blocking reduces incoming damage by the shield’s block power percentage. For example, a shield with 16 block power reduces physical damage by 16% when you hold the block button. Parrying is a timed action: press block just as an enemy attack lands (within the parry window) to completely negate the attack and stagger the enemy for a few seconds. The parry window is the same for all shields of the same type, but heavier shields generally have shorter windows.

Stamina is consumed when blocking: each hit drains stamina equal to 5% of the damage blocked. If you run out of stamina, your guard breaks and you are staggered. Wards also consume 10% less stamina than standard shields, making them better for prolonged defenses.

How to Choose the Right Shield

Your choice depends on your playstyle and the enemies you face:

  • For pure physical defense – choose the Tower Shield (highest block power) or Paladin Shield (best balance of block and parry).
  • For parry-focused play – choose the Kite Shield (longest parry window) or Wooden Shield (early game).
  • For elemental resistance – pick the ward that matches the area you are exploring. The Ward of the Sun is the strongest overall due to its high block power and fire resistance.
  • For stamina efficiency – any ward is better than a standard shield of the same tier.

Remember that shields do not block magic damage unless they are wards. If you are fighting a mage, a standard shield will only block a fraction of the spell damage.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Players often assume that higher block power always means better. That is not true if you rely on parrying – a shield with a longer parry window can be more effective overall, as shown in the formula above. Another mistake is ignoring the stamina drain: a heavy shield like the Tower Shield drains stamina quickly, so it is not ideal for long fights unless you invest in stamina regeneration.

A common misconception is that wards are strictly better than shields. Wards have lower base block power than a standard shield of the same tier, so they trade raw physical defense for elemental resistance. The Ward of the Sun is an exception, but it requires rare materials.

Upgrading and Repairing

Shields can be upgraded at the Blacksmith using Runes. Each upgrade increases block power by roughly 10% of the base value, up to three times. Upgrading also slightly increases the parry window (by 10 ms per level). To repair a damaged shield, use a Repair Hammer or visit the Blacksmith – repair costs are based on the shield’s tier.

There is no durability loss while blocking, but shields take durability damage when you parry successfully. A parry consumes 5 durability points, and a failed parry (blocking too early) consumes 2. Keep an eye on durability in long dungeons, and carry a Repair Hammer or extra shield.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best shield in Enshrouded?

The best shield depends on your build. For pure physical block, the Tower Shield has the highest block power (22). For a balance of block and parry, the Paladin Shield is excellent. For elemental fights, the Ward of the Sun is the strongest due to its 16 block power and 15% fire resistance.

Can I get shields from enemies?

Yes, some enemies drop shields, but they are usually low-tier (Rusty Shield, Wooden Shield). The best shields must be crafted or found in chests in high-level areas. The Ward of the Ancients is a unique drop from Ancient Vaults.

How do I parry in Enshrouded?

Press and hold the block button (right mouse button by default) just as an enemy attack is about to hit you. The timing window is about 250-300 ms, depending on the shield. You will hear a distinct sound and see a flash when you successfully parry.

Do wards block magic damage?

Yes, wards provide a percentage of resistance to a specific elemental type, which reduces magic damage from that element. For example, the Ward of the Storm reduces lightning damage by 10%. Standard shields do not block magic damage at all.

What is the best way to get Runes for upgrading?

Runes are found in chests, dropped by elite enemies, and obtained by dismantling unwanted gear at the Blacksmith. The most efficient method is to dismantle spare weapons and armor you don’t need, as you get a percentage of the runes used to craft them.

Can I use a shield with a two-handed weapon?

No, shields can only be used with one-handed weapons. If you equip a two-handed weapon, your shield is automatically unequipped. You can still parry with a two-handed weapon, but it uses a different animation and has a shorter window.

Related

Formula used
in t | Block Power | - | 10 | 1 | 100
in d | Parry Window (ms) | - | 300 | 100 | 1000
out rating | Effective Block Score | - | t * (1 + d / 500) | 1

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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