The Fingerprint Stone Shield stands as one of Elden Ring's most formidable defensive tools, offering players an almost impenetrable barrier against the dangers of the Lands Between. In 2025, with the game's multiple expansions and patches behind us, this iconic greatshield remains a cornerstone for tank builds and continues to be a hot topic in the PvP community.

The shield's distinctive appearance—featuring an intricately carved fingerprint design—isn't just for show. According to the lore, it's actually part of an ancient god's tomb, where the Readerless Fingers communicated through these imprints. These very patterns are said to be the seeds from which frenzy first sprouted in the world. Talk about holding madness in your hands!

Where to Find the Fingerprint Stone Shield

Obtaining this powerhouse requires some serious platforming skills and progression in the main storyline. You'll need to venture deep into the Cathedral of the Forsaken, located in the Subterranean Shunning Grounds beneath Leyndell.

Important Prerequisites:

• Defeat Morgott, the Omen King first (otherwise, a seal blocks the path)

• Defeat Mohg, the Omen (not to be confused with Mohg, Lord of Blood)

• Be prepared for some tricky platforming jumps

After defeating Mohg, you'll need to attack the altar behind his chest to reveal a hidden path. This leads to a vertical shaft with several precarious drops onto tiny gravestones jutting from the wall. The journey down requires precision and patience—I swear, I died more times getting this shield than using it afterward!

The final stretch involves finding a Nomad playing a violin on the southernmost platform. From there, you'll need to carefully drop down onto four consecutive headstones, following the eastern wall. The shield awaits in an alcove at the bottom, guarded by another Nomad.

What Makes This Shield Special?

The Fingerprint Stone Shield isn't just another greatshield—it's practically a portable wall. At max upgrade (+25), it boasts:

• 340 Physical Attack Power

• 90 Strength Scaling (B rating)

• Madness buildup (70)

• Exceptional physical damage reduction

• Guard Boost of 90 at max level (one of the highest in the game)

What truly sets this shield apart is its versatility. Unlike many unique weapons and shields, the Fingerprint Stone Shield can be infused with Ashes of War, allowing you to customize it to your playstyle. It can also be buffed with defensive magic or consumables for even greater protection.

As one player on Steam forums put it: "Because ultimately this isn't a difficult game or DLC. It really depends on what gear you have equipped as opposed to player ability." And boy, does this shield tip the scales in your favor!

Best Infusions and Builds

The shield comes with Shield Bash as its default skill, but you can apply several other Ashes of War:

• Shield Crash (great for offense)

• Barricade Shield (for even more stability)

• Shield Strike (balanced option)

• No Skill (if you want to use your main weapon's skill)

Infusion-wise, there are some interesting options to consider:

• Fire Infusion: Can reach up to 100% fire damage reduction, making you completely immune to fire damage at a slight cost to guard boost

• Magic Infusion: Provides up to 96.25% magic damage reduction

• Arcane Scaling (Blood or Poison): Increases the shield's Madness buildup based on your Arcane stat

Pro tip: Avoid Occult infusion as it removes the Madness buildup effect entirely!

The Fingerprint Shield Controversy

Let's address the elephant in the room—this shield is considered somewhat cheesy by many players. With its near-perfect blocking capabilities and minimal stamina drain when blocking, it has been criticized for making certain encounters too easy.

"The fingerprint shield tactic has ruined the DLC for me," lamented one player on Steam discussions. The controversy stems from how the shield can trivialize even the toughest boss fights with proper stat investment.

But hey, as another player wisely noted: "People make the game far easier all the time by using magic, summons, coop. Never made game less fun for me." Ultimately, Elden Ring is about crafting your own experience and challenge level.

Comparison to Other Top Shields

How does the Fingerprint Stone Shield stack up against other contenders?

Greatshields:

1. Fingerprint Stone Shield (top tier for blocking)

2. Visage Shield (unique weapon skill but no customization)

3. Haligtree Crest Shield (lighter alternative)

Medium Shields:

1. Brass Shield (the reliable all-rounder)

2. Silver Mirrorshield (best for magic negation)

The Fingerprint Stone Shield beats the competition by being 6 pounds lighter than the Golden Beast Crest with only one less guard boost point, while offering superior protection.

Final Thoughts

Whether you consider it a legitimate strategy or a crutch, there's no denying the Fingerprint Stone Shield's effectiveness. It represents one end of Elden Ring's spectrum of player choice—the game allows you to make encounters as challenging or manageable as you wish.

Remember that while this shield can make blocking nearly effortless, it does come with tradeoffs in weight and mobility. And let's be honest—sometimes it's just satisfying to stand your ground against a boss that's been pummeling you for hours!

As with all things in Elden Ring, the true mastery comes not from using the most powerful tools, but from finding the playstyle that brings you the most enjoyment in this vast, challenging world.

Have you incorporated the Fingerprint Stone Shield into your build? What's your experience been like? Whatever your approach to Elden Ring, may your journeys through the Lands Between be glorious—whether hidden behind an impenetrable shield or dancing naked with nothing but a club!