KoA:R Race Challenge #1

Any% Shield-Only
Goal: Beat the game using shields as your only damage source.

Rules:
- You are allowed to equip other items and weapons but your damage output has to come from Parries, Shield Bash or entering Reckoning Mode. The only allowed exceptions are items with a chance to stun on getting hit.
- You can only use abilities which don't cause direct damage for example increasing damage of your shield attacks.
- Putting skills into banned abilities is fine as long as their damaging effects aren't used. Activate Smoke Bomb only if no enemy is within the detonation radius!
- Allestar Tower forces you to fight the first two Tuatha with a Longsword, the fifth and sixth with Longbow and using a Staff to burn down two webs. You're allowed to attack the Troll with fists once both Tuatha are dead. In all other instances you must use your shield if you have to fight.
- Using DLC to gain a time advantage is banned (including HoV, LoDK, ToN, contents of Special Delivery Chest).
- All glitches are allowed but hacks, cheat mode and other modifications of the game are banned.

Ability examples:
Allowed - Relentless Assault, Sphere of Protection, Battle Frenzy, Bulwark, Enduring Agony, Healing Surge, Conservative Casting
Banned - Vengeance, Sphere of Reprisal, Shadow Flare, Mysterious Toxins, Bloodlust, Execution, Frost Trap, Summon Faer Gorta

Tips:
- It's a good approach to base your route off of regular any% and incorporate adjustments such as killing more enemies to fill Fate Meter or farming XP from additional mobs to make up for a potential deficit.
- Found, bought or crafted equipment and potions can increase your damage output significantly. Spend your gold wisely!
- Saving every now and then can help preventing horrible situations.
- All shield damage is considered Melee Damage. Kite Shields deal Physical, Bucklers deal Physical/Piercing and Talismans deal Elemental/Damage over Time. Only Parries and charged Shield Bashes apply DoT.
- Kite Shields have the highest raw damage but enemies come with different resistances and armor ratings making the "best shield" situational. Raw shield damage depends on tier and quality besides being different for Might/Finesse/Sorcery.
- Seeker, Wayfarer, etc. lower equip requirements for Shields, too, so you can equip fine tier 5 as early as level 12.
- If your character gets locked into the charging stance because you interact with something while your shield is up, a simple roll will cancel this state and regain full control.