Welcome to another Elden Ring DLC build guide! Today, we’re going to dive into a truly unique and powerful build, entirely centered around maximizing the damage of the Carrying Thrusting Shield. If you’re looking to block and deal damage at the same time, this is the build for you. It’s not just a shield—it’s a weapon of pure chaos in trades! And if you’re looking to improve your character’s progression, you can always buy Elden Ring Runes to speed up your journey to maxing out your stats and gearing up for these intense PvP battles.

Build Overview: The Carrying Thrusting Shield

The Carrying Thrusting Shield is one of the best trading weapons in Elden Ring. It allows you to block attacks while simultaneously dealing pierce damage with a quick thrust. If you're facing off against an enemy trading blows with you, the shield’s thrust will deal bonus damage. Adding to that, the Spear Talisman amplifies the damage output, making you a trading machine.

Character Stats:

· Level: 200

· Strength: 54 (increases physical damage for two-handed thrust attacks)

· Intelligence: 80 (boosts magic damage for the shield, as it has innate magic scaling)

· Vitality and Endurance: Invest enough to have decent health and stamina for extended trades and defense.

· Mind: Optional, depending on your need for spells or buffs.

Weapon Setup:

1. Weapon: Carrying Thrusting Shield (the core of this build)

2. Main Buff: Scholar's Armament 

· Buffing the shield with Scholar's Armament boosts its magic damage due to the shield’s innate intelligence scaling.

3. Talisman Setup:

o Spear Talisman: Maximizes damage during trading by boosting thrusting attacks.

o Two-Handed Sword Talisman: Increases damage when using the shield in a two-handed setup.

o Greatshield Talisman: Enhances your blocking power and stabilizes your defense.

o Urchins +2: Boosts stamina regen to keep your attacks and blocks flowing.

4. Buffs:

· Exalted Flesh: Boosts physical attack power for even more damage.

· Uplifting Aromatic: Enhances physical damage further for massive burst.

Combat Strategy:

This build is all about trading with your enemies. The Carrying Thrusting Shield allows you to block attacks and immediately retaliate with a piercing thrust, dealing significant damage in the process. When using the shield two-handed, you can focus on maximizing your thrust damage while maintaining excellent defense.

Here’s how to trade effectively:

1. Block incoming attacks with the shield’s innate defense.

2. Thrust back with the shield's piercing attack.

3. Use Scholar's Armament to buff the magic damage of your shield, which will increase your overall AR (Attack Rating). At level 200, you can reach up to 1,200 AR with buffs.

4. Keep poise in mind: This setup lets you trade efficiently without worrying too much about getting interrupted. It works best when enemies try to attack you head-on.

Strengths of the Build:

· Amazing Trading Potential: This build is built for one thing—trading. The shield's unique ability to block and thrust at the same time makes it a menace in close combat.

· Great for Invasions: The Carrying Thrusting Shield shines in PvP, where trading hits is common. It allows you to soak up damage while simultaneously dealing a high amount back.

· Efficient Buffing: Using buffs like Scholar's Armament, Uplifting Aromatic, and Exalted Flesh boosts your overall damage, making your trades even scarier.

· Versatile Playstyle: It can be adjusted for more defensive or offensive playstyles depending on your opponent and the situation.

Weaknesses:

· Stamina Management: Because you’ll be actively trading and blocking, stamina management becomes crucial. Make sure to keep an eye on your stamina bar to avoid getting caught without enough stamina for a trade.

· Vulnerable to High Poise Breakers: While the build excels at trading with other players, high poise-breaker weapons or multiple enemies may pose a challenge.

How to Use the Build in PvP:

This build shines in invasions and open-world PvP. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to take advantage of its strengths:

1. Positioning: Find a spot where you can cover both offense and defense. The Carrying Thrusting Shield allows you to block projectiles and counter with a quick thrust.

2. Initiate Trades: Use your thrust to engage enemies, and always be ready to block in case they retaliate. This works well against slower enemies or those who try to rush in with melee weapons.

3. Buff Early: Always keep buffs like Scholar’s Armament up for maximum damage output. The shield's innate magic scaling makes it a powerhouse when buffed.

4. Monitor Stamina: You’ll need to carefully manage your stamina when using this setup. Watch your stamina bar, as you’ll need it to sustain trading without getting interrupted.

How the Build Performs in Different PvP Situations:

1. 1v1: The Carrying Thrusting Shield excels in one-on-one fights. Against most melee builds, you can block their attacks and thrust back, dealing massive damage. This works best when you’re playing defensively, baiting your opponent to attack while you prepare for a counterstrike. It’s especially strong when trading blows with slower, heavier weapons.

2. Group Fights (2v2 or Invasions): In team settings, the shield proves to be a nightmare. You can engage multiple enemies at once, disrupting their attacks with your powerful thrusts. The shield’s range and ability to block damage make you a solid frontline tank, able to hold the line while your team focuses on the backline.

3. Against Magic Builds: This build can be particularly effective against magic users. You can use the shield to block most projectiles while charging in for a powerful thrust. Your high poise and ability to tank damage will make trading with magic users much more manageable.

Conclusion:

The Carrying Thrusting Shield Build is a fantastic choice for players who enjoy trading in combat while maintaining solid defense. With its combination of piercing thrusts and the ability to block attacks, this setup offers both offensive and defensive strengths that are hard to beat in both PvP and invasions. By following the tips above and maximizing your buffs, you can deal massive damage and put your enemies in a tough spot. It’s a build that rewards precision, timing, and an understanding of how to engage in trades effectively. If you're looking to enhance your progress even faster, you can always buy Elden Ring Items to boost your gear and stats. For all your in-game needs, be sure to check out MMOEXP for reliable services and items to enhance your adventure!