Welcome to the Shield Maiden experience in Halls of Torment, where blocking hits translate directly into dishing out sweet, sweet pain.
Additionally, Shieldmaden’s attacks knock back enemies. As a hero, she combines damage with survivability and is a great choice for an all-around build.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through my all-time favorite Shieldmaiden build. I’ll cover what makes her tick, which traits and abilities you should chase, and the items that keep her strong.
If you’re interested in trying a different class, check out our guide on the best Cleric build in Halls of Torment or the best sorceress build.
Shield Maiden Stats
Looking at the stats below, you might think, “Where’s the damage?” The Shield Maiden’s secret sauce is her Block Strength.
Because her damage scales with it, every point you stack in Block Strength is both for your defense, but also for hitting enemies harder.
| HP | 400 |
| HP Regen | 0.2 |
| Defense | 15 |
| Block Strength | 10 |
| Damage | 0 |
| Range | 6.1 |
| Area/Size | 5 |
| Attack Speed | 0.2 |
| Critical Hit Chance | 5% |
| Critical Hit Damage | 200% |
| Piercing | 100 |
| Projectiles | 0 |
| Movement Speed | 4.7 |
| XP Gain | 100% |
| Pickup Range | 3 |
Based on those stats, let’s examine the best Shieldmaiden build that utilizes everything to its full potential.
Best Shield Maiden Traits in Halls of Torment
When upgrading her traits, you want to boost Block Strength whenever possible, then stack critical hits and speed to turn defensive stats into offensive payoffs.
Here is what you should focus on getting (if given the change by the game’s RNG):
- Parry (+Block Strength): Your bread and butter. I’ve personally stacked this so high that enemies looked confused as their attacks bounced off me like foam darts.
- Cunning Technique (+Critical Hit Chance): Turning your block-based hits into head-rattling crits is just too delicious to pass up.
- Ruthlessness (+Critical Damage): Because what’s better than a crit? An even bigger crit.
- Quick Hands (Attack Speed): More swings mean more hits mean more monsters crying for mommy.
Ignore Weapon Proficiency and Strength as they offer useless stats for the Shield Maiden, and you should be ready to deal with almost any enemy.
Also read: Halls of Torment: Best Warlock Build
Best Shieldmaiden Abilities in Halls of Torment
When it comes to abilities, you’re looking for high damage, good crowd control, and bonuses that let you keep swinging. I’ve tested a bunch, and these three always come out on top:
- Radiant Aura – Damages all enemies in range and deals great damage.
- Dragon’s Breath – Deals fire damage in a line in front of you and has a high chance to apply Burn on enemies.
- Lightning Strike – Strikes random surrounding enemies with bolts of lightning, which causes them to get electrocuted and stunned.
Ability Upgrades to Prioritize:
Boost attack speed for more hits over time.
Increase damage so every strike feels like a wrecking ball.
If you ever stumble upon upgrades that enhance your crit chance or block capabilities, grab them. They stack beautifully with your traits.
Also read: Halls of Torment: Best Archer Build
Best Shield Maiden Items in Halls of Torment
Your items should support your main goal: pumping up Block Strength and keeping you swinging fast and free. Here are some top picks that have served me well:
- Elven Slippers – Increases Block Strength while moving. This item is made for the Shieldmaiden and is considered the best item for her.
- Blood-Soaked Shirt – 3% chance to gain one health point after killing an enemy.
- Quickhand Gloves – 20% Attack Speed.
Extra Item Ideas:
If you spot anything that boosts movement speed or AoE, consider it. Sure, you’re a tank, but you don’t want to be a slow tank.
Gear that provides elemental damage can also synergize with Dragon’s Breath and Lightning Strike. You might find that mixing a bit of fire or lightning damage from items can create a fun chain reaction of destruction.
Also read: How to Unlock All Characters in the Game
Advanced Tips for Playing the Shield Maiden in Halls of Torment
I’ve spent hours tweaking my Shield Maiden strategy, and here are a few insights that helped push my runs from mediocre to magnificent:
1. Early-Game Strategy
Focus on stacking Block Strength as soon as possible. The moment your shield starts hitting like a truck, even the pesky skeletons that used to swarm you will think twice before stepping up.
2. Mid-Game Adjustments
When you’ve got your block and crit scaling, look to increase attack speed. With enough speed, your Shieldmaiden will swat down mobs before they understand what hit them.
Also, if you’re encountering any specific enemy types that give you grief, consider tossing in a different ability to control them – maybe something that slows them or adds AoE damage.
3. Boss Battles
Boss fights can get hairy. Keep moving, let your Elven Slippers work their magic, and make sure you’ve got at least one ability that can keep the boss at bay (like Lightning Strike’s stun).
4. Experimentation
Don’t be afraid to tweak your build. Maybe try swapping Radiant Aura for another AoE ability if it shows up. The Shieldmaiden’s block-scaling gimmick means even modest changes can feel dramatic.
What’s your favorite Shieldmaden build? Do you have any other traits, abilities, or items to recommend? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you enjoyed this guide, don’t forget to check out our article on the best Swordsman build in Halls of Torment.
He has a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, which allows him to always come up with a fresh approach to solving in-game puzzles and challenges, but also to create content that’s to the point, clean and easy to follow.
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