Paladin Shield Throw / Bash Guide
Shield Throw (ST) and Shield Bash (SB) are two closely related Paladin builds centered around reflect damage.
- Shield Bash offers slightly higher single-target DPS but requires the Fortified Guardwall shield.
- Shield Throw is smoother to play, has better AoE coverage, and provides stronger sustain thanks to more frequent life leech, requiring Heaven’s Orbit.
A fully optimized Shield Bash build with +10 gear and boss gems can reach approximately 1.6 million damage per 10 seconds on the training dummy. Boss gems and high-level gear upgrades provide a substantial increase in damage.
Skill Rotation
Shield Bash
- Cast Taunt to increase Shield Bash damage.
- Place Consecration beneath yourself.
- Provides healing.
- Deals a small amount of damage.
- Activates the hidden Combo Ready buff for 4 seconds, increasing Shield Throw damage by 50%.
- Use Shield Bash whenever it is off cooldown.
- Hold down Shield Throw between Shield Bash casts to weave in approximately two Shield Throws.
- When Shield Bash becomes available, briefly release Shield Throw, cast Shield Bash, then resume holding Shield Throw.
Shield Throw
- Cast Taunt (optional but still useful).
- Place Consecration beneath yourself.
- Hold down Shield Throw continuously.
- Refresh Combo Ready by using:
- Shield Bash when needed.
- Consecration whenever it comes off cooldown.
Stat Priority
- Vitality to 99.
- Agility until reaching 170 Attack Speed while buffed (usually fewer than 50 points).
- Luck to 99 for Critical Chance and Critical Damage.
- Put all remaining points into Intelligence.
- At 50 Intelligence you gain Mana on Hit, improving mana sustain.
Strength and Dexterity do not increase Shield Throw or Shield Bash damage.
Damage Scaling
The following stats increase your damage:
- Defense
- Vitality
- Reflect Damage
- Critical Chance
- Critical Damage
- Attack Speed (up to 170 buffed)
- Elemental Damage (if your weapon has the corresponding enchant)
Additional modifiers:
- Shield Bash: Melee Damage
- Shield Throw: Ranged Damage
Attack and Magic Attack do not affect the build’s damage.
Recommended Gear Stats
Weapon
- Vitality
- Critical Damage
- Critical Chance or Melee/Ranged Damage (depending on build)
Shield
- Vitality
- Healing Received
- Defense for higher DPS, or HP% for survivability
Chest
- Vitality
- Healing Received
- Defense or HP%
Legwear
- Vitality
- Health Leech Power
- MP Cost Reduction or HP Regeneration
Shoes
- Vitality
- Attack Speed (only if needed to reach 170)
- Movement Speed
Headgear, Face, Utility, Accessories
Attack and Magic Attack rolls provide no benefit.
Titanplate Artifacts
Attack is not useful for Shield Throw or Shield Bash.
Recommended Equipment
Headgear
- Paladin Crest
- Spikesteel Helm
- Elemental helmets (such as Holy Bishop’s Hood)
Face
Utility
- Crown of Spikes
- Insect Carapace
Chest
- Endurance Plate
- Plasma Suit (for additional survivability)
Weapon
Shield
- Fortified Guardwall (Shield Bash)
- Heaven’s Orbit (Shield Throw)
Legwear
- Bloodbound
- Endurance Greaves (recommended when using the Bloodfang Boss Gem)
Shoes
Accessories
Always equip:
Second accessory:
- Obsidian Band for maximum DPS
- Safety Gloves for additional survivability
Recommended Gems
Core gems:
- Shield Bash
- Shield Throw
- Counter Slash
- Spike (Boss Gem)
- Bastion (Boss Gem)
Additional recommended gems:
- Bloodfang
- Elemental Gem matching your weapon enchant (such as Holy)
General DPS priority:
- Shield Bash / Shield Throw
- Spike
- Elemental
- Bastion
The optimal order may vary depending on your current stats.
Using the Bloodfang Boss Gem allows you to replace Bloodbound with Endurance Greaves for a small DPS increase.
Leveling as a Reflect Paladin
Many endgame items are unavailable while leveling, but the build remains effective.
Early priorities:
- Upgrade Reflect Shield to 5/5 as soon as possible.
- Use Counter Stance and Shield Charge as your primary damage skills.
Useful leveling equipment:
- Stoneguard Chest
- Solar Spear
- Sunflower Clips (Forest Labyrinth)
These items provide excellent survivability and HP regeneration.
Farm the following in Windy Desert:
- Titanplate Artifacts
- Crown of Spikes
