The Guardian Shield is a retractable round shield seen in God of War present on Kratos' left gauntlet. It is used to parry and block enemy attacks and can also be used offensively in combination with the Blades of Chaos, Leviathan Axe, and Kratos' fists.
In God of War (2018), the shield has its own skill tree and can be upgraded, in addition to acquiring various skins. In God of War Ragnarök, there are multiple types of shields, each with different effects, and multiple types of shield ronds that can be equipped on them. Shields in Ragnarök also have an attack called a Shield Strike, which is used to stun enemies during certain attacks indicated by two blue rings.
God of War (2018)
Skills
Kratos can unlock various skills linked to the Guardian Shield, including counterattacks, move-sets, and more.
- Block Break: Double tap
to break an enemy's block. Costs 500 XP.
- Countering Strike: Press
after a last-second block to counter the attack with a powerful shield strike. Costs 1000 XP.
- Countering Crush: Press
after a last second block to counter the attack with a shield slam. Costs 1500 XP.
- Countering Crush: Press
- Countering Strike: Press
- Countering Blast: Blocking a projectile attack at the last second absorbs the impact and redirects the projectile back at the attacker. Costs 3000 XP.
- Guardian Sweep: While Bare-handed, Hold to sweep enemies off their feet and inflict a moderate amount of Stun damage. Costs 1500 XP.
- Guardian's Justice: While Bare-Handed, Hold to preform a shield slam and inflict a moderate amount of Stun damage. Costs 2000 XP.
- Guardian's Judgement: Press after preforming the Guardian's Justice shield slam to add a concussive blast to the attack that inflicts a massive amount of Stun damage on enemies. Costs 3000 XP.
- Guardian's Judgement: Press
- Agile Strike: While Bare-Handed and evading, Hold
forward and Press to perform a quick attack. Costs 1000 XP. - Haymaker Crush: While sprinting Bare-Handed, Press to perform a powerful running haymaker attack that sends enemies tumbling across the ground. Costs 1500 XP.
- Shoulder Barrage: While sprinting Bare-Handed, Press to perform a powerful shoulder ram attack that sends enemies flying back. Costs 2000 XP.
- Guardian's Revenge: Switch stances by pausing momentarily after any Bare-Handed attack. Once in a new stance, Press to preform a powerful uppercut. Press again to perform a follow-up slam attack. Costs 3000 XP.
- Guardians Fury: Switch stances by pausing momentarily after any Bare-Handed attack. Once in a new stance, Press to perform a leaping shield attack. After the shield attack, Press to perform a follow-up slam attack. Costs 2000 XP.
- Guardians Fury: Switch stances by pausing momentarily after any Bare-Handed attack. Once in a new stance, Press
Skins
In God of War (2018), skins for the Guardian Shield can be obtained through Pre-Order/Digital Deluxe Edition Bonuses, by starting and completing NG+ mode, and finally by beating God Mode (Give Me God of War).
| Aegis of Reconciliation | |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | Image |
| Begin NG+ |  |
| Barrier of The Fjörd | |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | Image |
| Complete NG+ |  |
| Aspis of Spartan Fury | |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | Image |
| Complete GMGOW difficulty |  |
| Radiant Shield of Unity | |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | Image |
| Complete GMGOW difficulty |  |
| The Exile's Guardian | |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | Image |
| Pre-Order/Digital Deluxe Edition Bonus | |
God of War Ragnarök
| “ | "A shield gifted to Kratos by his beloved wife Laufey. Wielded by the Just." | ” |
― In-Game Description | ||
The Guardian Shield makes a return in God of War Ragnarök, as Kratos' primary shield for the start of the game. However, during a fight with Thor this shield is damaged by Mjölnir is rendered inoperable, and has to be repaired by the Huldra Brothers. In the meantime, Kratos can acquire other shields, but will have to wait until the Guardian Shield's repairs are complete. Sindri will return it to you, just before you set out to seek the Nornir. Kratos can also customise which Rönd fastens his shield to his gauntlet, with the Rönd of Volition coming as standard with the Guardian Shield.
| Guardian Shield | |
|---|---|
| Stats | Acquisition |
| Level 4 | Acquire from Sindri, before commencing your search for the Nornir. |
| 55 DEF | |
| Level 5 | Upgrade: - 5000 Hacksilver - 6 Honed Metal |
| 70 DEF | |
| Level 6 | Upgrade: - 7500 Hacksilver - 2 Luminous Alloy |
| 85 DEF | |
| Level 7 | Upgrade: - 11000 Hacksilver - 4 Luminous Alloy |
| 100 DEF | |
| Level 8 | Upgrade: - 15000 Hacksilver - 6 Luminous Alloy - 25 Dust of Realms |
| 115 DEF | |
| Level 9 | Upgrade: - 20000 Hacksilver - 50 Dust of Realms - 3 Blazing Embers |
| 130 DEF | |
| Shield Strike | Shield Check |
| Double Tap L1 to quickly Shield Check an enemy and break their guard. Parry (Press L1 right before getting hit) and then immediately Press R1 or R2 to do special counterattacks. | |
New Game+
Upon upgrading the shield to Level 9, Kratos has the option to replace and further upgrade it with the "Guardian Shield +", at Brok and Sindri's shops, in New Game+. Additionally, a modified version of the shield becomes available for purchase and use, for more seasoned players wishing to test their skills.
| Guardian Shield + | |
|---|---|
| Stats | Acquisition/Costs |
| Level 9 • | Craft: - 21,000 Hacksilver - 10 Skap Slag |
| 145 DEF | |
| Level 9 •• | Upgrade: - 22,000 Hacksilver - 20 Skap Slag - 5 Dust of Realms |
| 160 DEF | |
| Level 9 ••• | Upgrade: - 23,000 Hacksilver - 30 Skap Slag - 10 Blazing Embers |
| 175 DEF | |
| Level 10 | Upgrade: - 25,000 Hacksilver - 40 Skap Slag - 1 Forsaken Breath |
| 190 DEF | |
| Shield Strike | Shield Check |
| Double Tap L1 to quickly Shield Check an enemy and break their guard. Parry (Press L1 right before getting hit) and then immediately Press R1 or R2 to do special counterattacks. | |
| Usage | A shield fit for a balance of defensive options. |
Trivia:
- The Guardian Shield is a gift given to Kratos by his beloved wife on the anniversary of the night they met.
- While playing God of War 2018 on the "Give me God of War" difficulty, combat with the Guardian Shield can be much more effective than using weapons in the early game for several reasons:
- Guardian Shield's entire moveset are completely unlockable by default given players accumulated enough XP.
- It is much easier to kill enemies by filling their stun bar in early game than to rely on exhausting their health. This advantage slowly fades as players base Strength attribute increases from upgrading Leviathan and getting better gear/enchantment.
- As an extension of the point above, since enemies can get powered-up in GMGOW, granting them increased power level and stagger resistance, killing them as fast as possible is usually the priority to survive. Early in the game, the only effective means to do this is to fill up their stun bar by striking from behind and pushing the enemy to a wall surface, or to kill them by pushing them off a ledge. Leviathan in early levels lack the effective move set versatility, Runic attacks or speed to accomplish this cleanly.
- In GMGOW, advanced varieties of Reavers (who can regenerate health) and Hel-Walkers (who are resistant against Leviathan) appears much earlier in the game, whilst Leviathan and the supporting ability of Atreus is very underdeveloped and constrained. The ability to counterattack, push, stun and deflecting projectiles are invaluable in the absence of ideal and more direct offensive options.
- This shield takes the place of the Golden Fleece, used by Kratos long before and was destroyed. Like the Golden Fleece it could absorb attacks and redirect them back.
- Similar to the Fleece, the shield could deflect projectiles back and helps Kratos execute counter-attacks after well-timed parries
- However, unlike the Golden Fleece which could absorb all types of attacks, physical, long range, to even magic, The Guardian Shield can only redirect some attacks before Kratos’ defenses are breached.
Gallery
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