Royal Guard Shield

Overview

The Royal Guard Shield is a shield in Crimson Desert. that once served as the standard issue for royal guards.

It provides a base Defense of 4 alongside Movement Speed Lv. 2, making it one of the more mobile shields available through the Vol. II crafting tier. The shield is crafted at a Blacksmith after reading the Shields of the World, Vol. II crafting manual. With higher base defense than most mobility-focused shields and a strong movement speed bonus, the Royal Guard Shield offers an appealing blend of protection and agility.

Stats

How to Obtain

The Royal Guard Shield is crafted at any Blacksmith after reading the Shields of the World, Vol. II crafting manual. This manual can be purchased at the Equipment Shop in Calphade, Hernand. The crafting recipe requires Timber x20 and Fine Timber x5. Both materials are common logging resources available throughout the Hernand region and surrounding areas.

Crafting Materials

The following materials are required to craft the Royal Guard Shield at a Blacksmith:

• Timber x20

• Fine Timber x5

Abyss Core Slots

The Royal Guard Shield has 2 Abyss Core slots, allowing players to customize the shield with passive bonuses. Cores can be socketed or removed through a witch NPC at no cost, making experimentation straightforward. Some recommended cores for this shield include:

• Fortification I (Defense +3): A straightforward defense boost that helps compensate for the shield's lower base defense.

• Fortitude I (Guard Stamina Consumption -3.0%): Reduces the stamina drained when blocking, making sustained defense more efficient.

• Aegis I (Damage Reduction 1.0): Provides flat damage reduction per hit, useful for absorbing chip damage from enemy combos.

Combat Usage

The Royal Guard Shield stands out among Vol. II craftable shields for combining DEF 4 with Movement Speed Lv. 2. This puts it in the same mobility category as the Sydmon Round Shield (DEF 5, MOV SPD Lv. 2) and the Sydmon Kite Shield (DEF 4, MOV SPD Lv. 2), but it is obtained through crafting rather than world loot. Players who value fast repositioning during combat will appreciate the Lv. 2 movement bonus, which noticeably improves dodge-and-reposition flow compared to shields with Lv. 1 or no movement bonus. At DEF 4, the base protection is moderate, placing it above the Grey Wolf Wooden Shield (DEF 3) and Eastern Wanderer's Shield (DEF 3) but below shields like the Balgran Shield (DEF 5) or Kite Shield (DEF 5). The two Abyss Core slots allow customization, and refinement at a Blacksmith increases the base defense. For players looking for a craftable mobility shield in the mid-game, the Royal Guard Shield is a strong choice.

Comparison with Similar Shields

The following table compares the Royal Guard Shield with other shields that have a similar stat profile.

Demeniss Royal Guard Shield

The Demeniss Royal Guard Shield is a regional variant of the Royal Guard Shield tied to the Demeniss region. While the base Royal Guard Shield is obtained through crafting, the Demeniss variant is a distinct item with its own name, lore, and slightly different stat profile. It uses a Guard Rate system (ranging from 5 to 30) rather than the flat Defense stat shown on the craftable version, and it has 2 sockets for Abyss Cores.

Lore

The Demeniss Royal Guard Shield carries a unique piece of history. Its in-game description reads: "Even in an era of confusion over whose orders to follow, the Guard held their formation behind this shield, their silence serving as the final vestige of the monarchy's dignity." This flavor text ties the shield to the political turmoil within the Demeniss kingdom, painting the royal guards as loyalists who maintained discipline through a period of collapsing authority.

How to Find

The Demeniss Royal Guard Shield can be found as a world pickup within the Demeniss region. Several community sources and video guides place its location along a road in the central part of Demeniss, roughly south of the letter "D" on the in-game map label. Players exploring the Demeniss countryside should watch for lootable containers, weapon racks, or item pickups near guard posts and roadside ruins in that area.

Stats Comparison

The following table compares the craftable Royal Guard Shield with the Demeniss regional variant:

Because the Demeniss variant uses Guard Rate instead of a flat Defense number, direct comparison is not straightforward. Guard Rate represents the percentage range of incoming damage that is blocked, scaling from a minimum to a maximum value. Players who prefer a predictable, fixed defense stat may lean toward the craftable version, while those who want variable but potentially higher mitigation at the top end may favor the Demeniss pickup.

Tips

• The Shields of the World, Vol. II manual is available at the Equipment Shop in Calphade, Hernand. Purchasing it unlocks a second tier of craftable shields with generally better stats than the Vol. 1 options.

• The Movement Speed Lv. 2 bonus is very noticeable in combat. Use it to stay mobile while blocking, circling around enemies to find openings rather than standing still and tanking hits.

• If you find a stronger shield, this one can be sold to free up inventory space. Check the Equipment section for other available shields.

• Pairing any shield with a fast one-handed sword or dagger creates a balanced loadout where you can block incoming attacks and quickly counterattack between enemy swings.

Demenace Underground Route

The Royal Guard Shield is tucked inside an underground passage under the church in the Demenace (Demeniss) area. From the fast travel point closest to the church, head to the church entrance and drop into the underground passage. Traps are scattered throughout the route, so move carefully. The first handle opens a door forward. Continue until you reach a room with three doors, each with its own handle. Only the handle on the right is safe: it opens the door holding the shield. The other two handles are trapped and should be left alone.

Two Handed Sword Build Shield Pick

The Royal Guard Shield is the preferred large shield for the end-game turning slash build. At max refinement it gives level two movement speed, which stacks with movement speed rolled on boots for noticeably faster repositioning between boss attacks. The Bolton Large Shield offers slightly higher defense, capping at 31 at max refinement, and is an acceptable substitute if the Royal Guard Shield is not yet available, but the movement speed roll on the Royal Guard Shield is worth the small defense loss for most setups.