Shields are types of secondary hand armaments meant for defense...most of the time. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, there are 2 types of shields: Light Shields and Heavy Shields. The lighter variety offers mobility and moderate defense while heavy ones appropriately do the opposite by anchoring Eivor while they raise their guard and providing higher impact reduction.

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However, shields in Assassin's Creed Valhalla can be equipped in the main hand as well to become offensive tools that can bash foes in the face with surprisingly effective strikes, especially when dual-wielded. The latter tactic is quite unorthodox, though grants high stamina damage, decent health damage, and a much more fortified guard.

Updated on October 19, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman:As there is a ton of variety among the Light Shields and Heavy Shields in regards to appearance and minor stat variables, there will surely be a defensive armament for any player wishing to use one. Those seeking the most fashionable shield to match their armor can find close to any color and design, so be sure to loot chests and complete main quests to find all of them! However, keep in mind that there are quite a few that are only obtainable through DLC packs, which can mean spending real money or Ubisoft Helix Credits.

Light Shields

Light shields are likely the first secondary weapon that most players will use in the game and offers a reliable way to negate the incoming damage of regular attacks and parry special ones with a yellow aura. Since one can use them to guard while moving, they can be immensely helpful in getting out of sticky situations without sustaining unnecessary injuries.

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In The Secondary Hand

In the off-hand, Light Shields are used to block or parry, depending on if the player holds down the input or taps it. This is the most reliable, though also most basic, function of a shield and will undeniably be the way most use them...though not all.

In The Main Hand

If one wants to change up the way they battle and raid, equipping a Light Shield in the main hand will grant a simple yet quick 3-hit combo where Eivor will bash enemies in front of them with horizontal swings that deal respectful health and stamina damage.

The heavy attack combo is rather unimpressive, as it is a max of 2 attacks that start with a short, shield-first lunge and is followed by an outward swing. The health and stamina damage are not really worth the stamina cost, though this move can hit multiple enemies and can be useful for crowd control.

With A Secondary Hand Weapon

Equipping certain weapons, like Bearded Axes, in the secondary hand while having a Light Shield in the main hand adds the attack animation of the weapon into the light attack combo as a sneaky swing that comes alongside the 3rd attack in the chain. Unfortunately, there is no change to the heavy attacks with any weapon combination.

Dual-Wielding Light Shields

Interestingly, having a Light Shield in either hand grants an effective boon to the light attack combo as well, though the offhand shield appears as a very fast 4th hit that comes after the 3rd attack in a straight jab that can break jaws. Though, once more, the heavy attacks are unchanged and should mostly be avoided. Furthermore, guarding with 2 shields raises both for a more solid defense.

Heavy Shields

Heavy Shields grant greater defense than their lighter brethren and also root Eivor to the ground while guarding, though still allows them to rotate. This is often not the best tactic upon a constantly shifting battlefield where mobility offers more efficient offensive and defensive tactics. Unexpectedly, Heavy Shields make up for this by possessing fierce attacks when equipped in the main hand or dual-wielded.

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In The Secondary Hand

Held up to guard and roots Eivor to their current position, effective in short bursts, though the lack of movement is more of a liability than a boon.

In The Main Hand

When in the main hand, a Heavy Shield can deliver painful slams that can easily knock teeth free from the mouths of foes. The light attack combo offers a straight shield-jab followed by a couple of horizontal swings for a gnarly 3-hit combo that is great on both health and stamina damage.

The heavy attacks consist of a high-stamina cost shield-forward charge that can shove enemies to the ground and clear a path. This can be followed up with a brutal jab that will hurt foes about as much as a finishing attack from a Spear thrust.

With A Secondary Hand Weapon

With oddly versatile pairings, almost every weapon type in the game can be equipped in the secondary hand to compliment a main hand Heavy Shield's combos. The light attack combo gets a bonus hit alongside the final swing much like with Light Shields and is similarly effective. The heavy attacks remain unchanged with all weapons except another Heavy Shield

Dual-Wielding Heavy Shields

Equipping Eivor with 2 titanic plates of metal will offer up a light attack combo that many players have deemed worthy to give their Jomsviking for online raids as it can unleash near-indomitable attacks. As with dual-wielding all weapons of the same type, the attack speed of Eivor's assaults increases, albeit with a minor drop in damage output. This grants the devastating 4-hit chain greater stamina efficiency and other benefits.

The heavy attack's initial charge will now incorporate both shields and have twice the impact, making Eivor seems like a metal bull to adversaries. Raising one's guard, like with Light Shields, allows the player to guard 2 directions at once, allowing one to become a veritable fortress.

Every Light & Heavy Shield In Assassin's Creed Valhalla & How To Get Them

Light Shields

Heavy Shields

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is available on Amazon Luna, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Google Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5.

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