What is best SHIELD for level 65?

[Stonebreaker]

Hi, I'm level 65 and have finished the Epics in the latest region through Thror's Coomb. In previous Epic chains I could usually count on a new shield as a reward, but in this last chapter, the end reward is a pair of armored trousers that is worse than the Moria set.

What are people using for the best shield at lvl 65? I'm using:

Bori's Grand Shield
Bind on Acquire Unique
Heavy Shield
2059 Armour
+1220 All Critical Defence Ratings
+19 Might
+169 Maximum Morale
+19 Agility
+19 Vitality
+488 Block Rating
Durability 100 / 100 Normal
Bori has collected a wide range of items in his travels. This large shield is a token of his appreciation for you rescuing him from the dungeons of Dol Guldur.

Is there a better one that this out there? How do you get it?
Hralnek

[Kreegan]

You'll get different opinions from other GRDs, of course. My own preference is the Superb Lothlorien Heavy Shield.

Stats:
2093 Armour
+1240 All Critical Defence Ratings
+20 Might
+176 Maximum Morale
+20 Agility
no vitality
+496 Block Rating
+496 Melee Defense
Durability 100 / 100 Tough

I've compared it to a lot of different shields out there since I first crafted this shield a long time ago -- there are some with more armor (e.g., the rep shield out in Enedwaith), but all of the ones I've looked at had poorer stats in other areas.

[Macfeast]

You'll get different opinions from other GRDs, of course. My own preference is the Superb Lothlorien Heavy Shield.

Stats:
2093 Armour
+1240 All Critical Defence Ratings
+20 Might
+176 Maximum Morale
+20 Agility
no vitality
+496 Block Rating
+496 Melee Defense
Durability 100 / 100 Tough

I've compared i to a lot of different shields out there since I first crafted this shield a long time ago -- there are some with more armor (e.g., the rep shield out in Enedwaith), but all of the ones I've looked at had poorer stats in other areas.

Using this one as well, and I must admit it feels nice relying on a shield you crafted yourself.

When I'm soloing though (and not going Overpower) I usually mix it up with the Wall of the Resolute Guardian. I've ventured into some level 50-or-lower instances with it, and it's hilarious watching 10+ mobs beating on you and not making a scratch because you absorb so much damage thanks to the shield (and a few other armour pieces).

Wall of the Resolute Guardian
2059 Armour
+1220 All Critical Defence Ratings
+8 Will
+8 Might
+34 Maximum Morale
+8 Vitality
+488 Block Rating

[Iracham]

I prefer the superb lothlorien heavy shield as well. There are other shields which have higher in certain stats, but are otherwise unbalanced. The Lothlorien shield stats are all useful (yes it is lacking vitality but that is not a problem considering everything else that it does have.)

I'm thinking about getting the Enedwaith shield and pocket combo to try out in 3 days when I hit kindred with Algraig.

I collect shields, including ones that are generally terrible, but I never did manage to get the Wall of the Resolute Guardian. The one time I saw it drop a captain rolled for it to sell to vendor, on the assumption we were just farming GS for cash/deeds (prior to medallions.) Although I do have a much less awesome quest reward shield with the damage mitigation effect on it to fuss around with if I want.

[Alexmook]

There are a ton of choices out there. I carry 6 at most times and have even more in my vault. In addition to those mentioned (Wall is great and from Grand Stairs):

Heroic Noble's Shield (crafted)

2025 Armour
+1200 All Critical Defence Ratings
+73 Maximum Power
+19 Might
+81 Maximum Morale
+19 Agility
+19 Vitality
+720 Melee Defence Rating


Golden Host (crafted)
1755 Armour
+1300 All Critical Defence Ratings
+21 Might
+21 Agility
+520 Block Rating
+780 Melee Defence Rating

Avornamath (Sword Hall Drop)
1782 Armour
+22 Might
+22 Vitality
+1320 All Critical Defence Ratings
+99.6 in-Combat Power Regen
+204 Maximum Morale

Loramath (BG first Boss)
1810 Armour
+1340 All Critical Defence Ratings
+22 Might
+211 Maximum Morale
+22 Agility
+268 Block Rating
+536 Melee Defence Rating

What I use depends on what I am running and the group. Wall is great for HoC, 16th, FG, or GS. Anyplace where there is a bunch of ankle bitters to pound on you for a bit. I usually am traited for less than the max for melee defense, so if someone wants to pop scrolls, out comes the Wall. No scrolls and out comes the Loth shield or maybe Loramath or Golden Host. So that my melee defense is maxed. Avornamath is a morale shield only imo and only comes out when max morale is needed (21st or Turtle ).

I just like to have lots of gear options and hate going to the bard and spending coin on scrolls. I have repair bills to think about, so the squishies in the back can pop for scrolls.

Obviously, Moria was the golden age of heavy shields since everything since then has been weak and much less impressive.

Forgot the Heavy Shell Shield (Turtle Raid)

2127 Armour
+1260 All Critical Defence Ratings
+97.8 in-Combat Power Regen
+91 Maximum Morale
+20 Vitality
+504 Block Rating

[Schirf]

A +20 fate ring is better than a +65 might ring if your might is capped without it. Everything really comes down to the other gear you have and where you stand in terms of caps. Alone it does not compare well, but depending on the armor combination, consider the set bonus on things like the Annum shield.

[Eliel]

Heroic Noble's Shield and Superb Lothlorien Shield are the two I keep around, although the Noble's Shield has been unused in my vault for a very long time.

The Enedwaith heavy shield (with set-bonus pocket item) is something I'm working toward, but I'm a ways off on the rep so far.

Bori's is all right. I also have it in my vault, although I've never used it. It's probably the best choice if you can't get the crafted, instance-drop, or reputation shields yet. Something to use while you work toward acquiring one of the others.

[FailSauce]

if i had it, id prolly take loromath as a only use 1 shield ever type. it has less armor then the superb loth but more morale and crit defense and you can never have too much of either of those stats.

otherwise superb loth is pretty much the standard shield. youd be hard pressed to prove something else is better unless your trying great feats of soloing.

[NameAlreadyTaken]

I settled on Loramath and stopped carrying other shields myself. I still need to go back to GS for the Wall (sigh). I just can't seem to get it to drop for my Guardian. Sometimes that -RCD is exactly what you want.

[jhwort]

Any of the top tier shields work. Personally I use Loremath. Loth shield is good too. There's also a couple of new ones from GC and Enedwaith rep as well as from Helegrod and Annuminas marks that looked decent. (too lazy to find and link at the moment)

Basically you're trying to strike a balance between stats, morale/power, b/p/e rating, inc healing, and melee defense. Whatever shield works with the rest of your gear to meet that end is totally fine - there isn't really a "best" shield. Also remember that you can shuffle stat traits (i.e. Determination, Loyalty, Discipline, etc.) around a bit to balance any gear changes as well.

[Stonebreaker]

Thanks guys. You basically confirmed that there is not a "super shield" an order of magnitude better than Bori's out there in some dank dungeon..... I was afraid I was missing something.

I'm not sure I'd notice the differences between the shields above, because the stats/attributes, etc are so confusing. Basically I just try stuff on until I get max green bar plus try to maximize Might.

Someone mentioned "maximums allowed" for example, for Fate, or Might. How does one find out what the maxes are? Not that I think I've ever gotten close...

Guess I'll stick with Bori's for now, unless I manage to get Rep with the Algraig (seems like a lotta work....)

Cheers.
Hralnek

[Iracham]

Someone mentioned "maximums allowed" for example, for Fate, or Might. How does one find out what the maxes are? Not that I think I've ever gotten close...

10*(max level) = stat cap (e.g. 650 currently)
b/p/e, melee defence, cap at 15% against current level opponent (so higher rating even if you're at 15% vs 65 helps against higher level mobs)

[Spectus]

I too go with the Heroic Noble's Heavy Shield for my Guardian. The reason is that it gives my character the best mix of stats that helps balance out his particular build. It's a good all-around shield, so for this character, the deciding factor is its good Melee Defense boost.

Heroic Noble's Shield (crafted)

2025 Armour
+1200 All Critical Defence Ratings
+73 Maximum Power
+19 Might
+81 Maximum Morale
+19 Agility
+19 Vitality
+720 Melee Defence Rating

[jbruderly]

I'm thinking about getting the Enedwaith shield and pocket combo to try out in 3 days when I hit kindred with Algraig.

What is the pocket item combo for the shield? I haven't seen that yet.

[Crissaegrim]

Everyone always forgets about Dithalion's...

[Alexmook]

Rangers Token of Resilience

[Nemmerle]

I really like th Algraig Heavy Shield of Resilience, combined with the Ranger's Token of Resilience.

[jbruderly]

Rangers Token of Resilience

Wow that looks like a fantastic combo. I really need to get my Guard in the new area and work on that rep.

[Nicepants42]

For raiding and more 'challenging' single boss fights, you want Loramath or the Loth shield.

For everything else, you want the Wall of the Resolute Guardian (along with the rest of the RCD and self-healing gear).

[jhwort]

For raiding and more 'challenging' solo fights, you want Loramath or the Loth shield.

For everything else, you want the Wall of the Resolute Guardian (along with the rest of the RCD and self-healing gear).

Why would you want the non-healing gear for situations other than solo? I'd think, if you were actually soloing with a shield, that it would be the other way around. I'm honestly just curious.

I am gonna check out that pocket/shield combo though when I get a chance.

Also, I've seen guards soloing in GT stance. Please stop doing this, it's embarrassing.

[Viniel]

Lots of good choices already posted. I actually have 4 shields I use to balance my stats against, depending on what armour I am wearing, so that I don't cap things out.

But one that has not been mentioned yet is an oldy but a goody. I get a kick out of Threkrand when running some of the instances with a lot of trash. Not quite as good stat-wise when compared to other L65 shields. But that 5% stun chance on any common damage is fun.

https://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Armour:Threkrand

[Nicepants42]

Why would you want the non-healing gear for situations other than solo? I'd think, if you were actually soloing with a shield, that it would be the other way around. I'm honestly just curious.

I meant to say that you'd want something with better stats for single bosses, not solo. I always rock the self healing gear when solo. Post has been edited.

[DackRover]

I keep Loramath and the Super-Loth in my bags at all times...Resolute in my vault. Think I will also add the ranger set shield/pocket as well into my "bags of tricks"...can see some interesting adjustments I could make with those, though am not as psyched for the +vitality instead of +morale it entails.

[Alexmook]

https://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Armour:Threkrand

Any chance he can be solo'd at 65? It has been awhile since I have been into the Rift and I never did win the roll on this shield for my collection. If he cant be solo'd, how many and of what class would be needed (roughly)?

[Nicepants42]

Any chance he can be solo'd at 65? It has been awhile since I have been into the Rift and I never did win the roll on this shield for my collection. If he cant be solo'd, how many and of what class would be needed (roughly)?

I'd suggest bringing at least 3 people. Being able to stun or interrupt the Slave Masters will help.
If it were me, I'd try to bring GRD-CPT-CHM, but other combos will probably work.

The shield can also drop from Zurm. I'd expect that fight to be harder than Barz though, with the ranged boulder-stuns and no convenient kite path.