Elden Ring Nightreign Guardian: Shield Play, Relics, and Weapons Guide ~ HaploGamingChef

Getting Started With the Guardian Class

The Guardian in Elden Ring: Nightreign stands out as a true defensive powerhouse. This class is all about staying solid with a shield and punishing enemies with guard counters. You won’t be dealing massive damage like some others, but what you trade in raw offense, you gain back in control and survivability. This guide will walk you through how to make the most of this tanky playstyle — from the basics of blocking to the best weapons and relics you’ll want to chase down.

Understanding Guard Counters

A core mechanic for Guardians is the guard counter. When an enemy hits your shield, follow it up with a quick heavy attack (R2 / RT) to deal posture damage. This move is your bread and butter. It’s especially good against aggressive enemies with slow windups. Just make sure to manage stamina carefully — keep an eye on the bar and drop your shield when you’re not actively blocking to let it refill.

Timing Your Shield Use

It’s easy to get stuck behind your shield, but keeping it up all the time drains stamina fast. The key is finding a rhythm. Raise your shield right before an enemy lands a hit, then either dodge forward into the attack or counter with a heavy strike. The idea is to stay aggressive while being defensive — think of your shield as both protection and bait.

Halberds and Rapiers: Top Weapon Picks

While the Guardian has only B-scaling in strength, the class still benefits from heavy-ish weapons that pair well with shield play. Halberds are especially strong — they let you poke from behind your guard and deal good posture damage. The Ansper Rapier is also a standout choice thanks to its Scarlet Rot effect, which works on nearly every boss. It’s fast, pokes through shields, and applies one of the most annoying status effects in the game.

Bleed and Rot Weapons

Status effects are your secret weapon as a Guardian. Since you're not rushing enemies down with DPS, using things like Scarlet Rot or Bleed helps wear down tougher foes over time. Look for weapons like the Muin Spear with Blood Boon Ritual for added bleed. Hit with your shield up, apply a status, and back off — rinse and repeat.

Recommended Halberds for Guardians

Not every halberd works the same, but a few rise above the rest for Guardians:

Commander’s Standard: Comes with a unique skill for group buffs.
Gargoyle’s Halberd: Can roll with various elemental types.
Loretta’s War Sickle: Great weapon art and high posture damage.
Vykes War Spear: Applies Madness and scales decently with strength.

If you can find a purple or gold rarity halberd, go for it — they're worth the upgrade.

Best Greatshields to Use

Shields are what define the Guardian, so picking the right one matters. Here are a few strong options:

Fingerprint Stone Shield: Great all-around defense from the base game.
One-Eyed Shield / Vis Shield: Shoots fire — useful and fun.
Urge Greatshield: Reflects magic; perfect against casters.
Golden Retaliation Shield: Great for parrying spells and staying safe.

Some shields come with skills, but ideally, you want one with no skill so you can use your weapon art instead. Alternatively, skills like Shield Bash aren’t too bad if you’re aggressive.

Weapon Switching and Hybrid Combat

Don’t feel locked into one weapon. A good Guardian switches things up. Use a rapier to apply status effects, then swap to a halberd for strong counterattacks. If you get a relic that buffs halberds specifically, don’t worry — just swap back when needed. The idea is to stay flexible and adapt to the enemies or boss you're facing.

Relics That Work Well With Guardian

There are a few relics that really make the Guardian shine. Look for ones that:

Draw enemy attention when guarding (this is huge for your role).
Restore partial health after a posture break or counterattack.
Boost stamina or vigor.
Increase guard counter damage based on remaining health.
Enhance status effects like bleed or rot.

Combining these can make you hard to kill and a big threat even without high raw damage.

Early Game Tips for Guardian Players

In the early game, find a halberd and a status weapon ASAP. Poison, bleed, or rot are all strong. Farm basic enemies or raid camps until you pick up something solid. Against early bosses or castle guards, your job is to hold aggro, block key attacks, and land consistent guard counters while teammates (or summons) do the damage.

Advanced Combat Strategy

Once you're used to blocking and countering, it's time to level up your play. The Guardian shines when you're not just tanking hits but controlling fights. Use your positioning to bait enemies into attacking you. Step in with your shield raised, draw attention, and then strike back when they commit. Against multiple enemies, stay mobile and keep your shield between you and the most dangerous threat.

Try mixing in charged guard counters when there's time. These do extra posture damage and can stagger even bigger enemies. Just make sure you’ve got enough stamina to absorb the initial hit.

Watch Out for Grapple Attacks

One of the biggest weaknesses for the Guardian is grab attacks. These moves go through your shield entirely and deal heavy damage. If you hear a distinct audio cue or see a purple glow, it’s time to dodge, not block. Roll away from the enemy instead of toward them, and reposition quickly to reset your defense.

You’ll learn to recognize the animations for grabs over time. Just don’t try to tank them — even the best shield won’t help.

Making the Most of Your Ultimate

The Guardian’s ultimate, Wings of Salvation, is a lifesaver — literally. When a teammate goes down, you can revive them by casting it and holding it in place. While you’re holding it, you’re invincible. That said, if you lift it early, you lose that protection, so be patient.

Here’s the pro move: if you don’t use the full effect of the ultimate (i.e., no revive), you get 20% charge back. So, don’t waste it. Use it at the right moment and hold it all the way to get maximum value.

Guardian vs. Specific Boss Types

The Guardian works best against bosses that fight up close and use physical attacks. You can block their hits, build posture damage, and help your team stay alive. But for faster or magical bosses, like Morgot or Gladius, you’ll need to be more reactive.

Use the Golden Retaliation shield or the Urge Greatshield to reflect magic. And for dragon-style bosses, try staying by their legs with your shield up — it can bait attacks that leave them wide open.

When bosses start ignoring you and attacking your allies, that’s when relics that draw aggro while guarding really come in clutch.

The Best Relics to Prioritize

Here’s a quick breakdown of relics that pair best with the Guardian:

Draw aggro when guarding – for keeping bosses locked on you.
Health on posture damage – lets you heal from strong guard counters.
Stamina and poise boost – helps you stay standing longer.
Bleed or rot amplification – works if you’re using status weapons.
Guard counter scaling with health – more effective when you’re at full HP.

Also, if you find one that creates a whirlwind during charged attacks, it’s especially useful against groups or jellyfish-style mobs.

Late Game Weapon Priorities

As you get deeper into the game, look for purple or gold-tier halberds. These offer higher base stats and usually come with strong weapon arts. Some top picks include:

Dragon Halberd (for lightning damage)
Loretta’s War Sickle (long range + posture damage)
Vykes War Spear (great with shield poking and Madness buildup)

If you’re lucky, get them fully upgraded via Shifting Earth Events, especially before big fights. The difference a maxed-out weapon makes is huge.

Shields With Extra Utility

Certain greatshields do more than block. If you find the One-Eyed Shield or Vis Shield, you’ll be able to shoot fire while still staying protected. These hybrid options are good for players who like to apply pressure while tanking.

Just be aware: some of these skills take a second to activate, so use them when you’ve got a safe window or when enemies are staggered.

Managing Stamina and Recovery

Stamina is your lifeline as a Guardian. Don’t let it drain completely — if you do, you’ll be wide open. Drop your shield between enemy attacks to recover. Also, using items or relics that boost stamina regeneration or your total stamina pool can make a big difference.

If possible, stay just behind your team. Let them dish out damage while you keep the enemy focused on you. That way, you’re protecting the squad and still helping apply status effects or posture breaks.

Mob Control and Team Support

As a Guardian, you’re more than a tank. You’re also a support. Items that buff nearby allies or apply area effects are worth equipping. And since you’re often in the middle of the fight, you’re in a good spot to activate those effects at the right time.

Against mobs, use charged attacks and wide swings. If you’ve got that whirlwind relic, clear out groups fast before they overwhelm your allies.

Final Thoughts on Playing Guardian

The Guardian class in Elden Ring: Nightreign is perfect for players who like a more patient, methodical approach. You’re not rushing in for kills — you’re baiting hits, blocking for your squad, and landing powerful counters.

Equip the right weapons, focus on stamina and health, and choose relics that enhance your role. Whether you’re in a dungeon with randoms or taking on the final boss with a coordinated group, you’ll always have value — especially with that ultimate revive ready to go.

Conclusion

If you're looking to play a reliable, sturdy class in Elden Ring: Nightreign, the Guardian is one of the best choices. With strong stamina management, excellent posture-breaking capabilities through guard counters, and defensive flexibility thanks to a wide variety of shields and status weapons, the Guardian excels in team support and solo endurance.

Focus on weapons that synergize with your strengths, use relics that support aggro management and stamina recovery, and practice perfecting the timing of your guard counters. By doing this, you’ll unlock the full potential of this class — whether you’re up against swarms of enemies or taking down massive bosses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the best weapon for a Guardian in Elden Ring: Nightreign?
A: Halberds like Loretta’s War Sickle and Vykes War Spear are top picks. Rapiers like the Ansper Rapier are also useful due to status effects.

Q: How do I perform a guard counter?
A: Block with your shield, then press the heavy attack button (R2/RT) immediately after absorbing an enemy hit to deal posture damage.

Q: Which shield should I use for Guardian builds?
A: Use greatshields like the Fingerprint Stone Shield or Urge Greatshield. Ideally, pick one with no skill so you can use your weapon arts freely.

Q: Can the Guardian class heal allies?
A: No direct healing, but you can revive allies with your ultimate, Wings of Salvation, and support with buffing relics.

Q: What’s the Guardian’s biggest weakness?
A: Grapple attacks and magic-heavy bosses. Use dodge rolls for grabs and magic-reflecting shields for sorcery users.

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