Crimson Desert: Shield Challenge Locations & Interactive Tracking Guide

Crimson Desert Shield Challenges are six combat trials — all named Shield of Unchanging Will (I through VI) — listed under the Mastery category in the Challenges menu.

Completing the full set unlocks the Master of Shields trophy on PlayStation and the equivalent achievement on Xbox and PC.

Every challenge location is included on MapMaster's interactive maps with step-by-step completion instructions in the checklist below, all available on our Crimson Desert 100% completion hub.

What are Shield Challenges in Crimson Desert?

These challenges focus on offensive shield use rather than blocking — asking you to knock down and defeat enemies with shield bashes and throws.

Each challenge is gated behind a Sealed Abyss Artifact in the open world.

Challenge progress doesn't count until you physically pick up the associated artifact — find and collect each artifact first, then complete its objective.

Six Challenges, One Trophy: Master of Shields

All six Shield of Unchanging Will challenges fall under the Mastery — Goyen's Advice category. Four artifacts are in Hernand, and two are in Demeniss.

The efficient route is Hernand first (I, II, III, VI), then Demeniss (IV, V). The checklist below has exact locations, objectives, button inputs, and recommended enemy locations for each — including the tip that Kuku Birds near the Embernest Beacon are the optimal targets for Challenge IV's "5 kills without taking damage" requirement.

Shield Challenge 5 is Damiane-Only

Challenge V requires Damiane's shield throw ability, which is unique to her moveset. Kliff does not have an equivalent move.

You need to progress the main story until Damiane becomes a playable character on your roster before this challenge is accessible. Attempting it as Kliff will never register progress, regardless of what you do.

Switch to Damiane, equip a round shield (only round shields support the Shield Flip for this challenge — large shields do not), then complete the objective.

Shield Challenge 6 Requires the Charge Ability

Challenge VI asks you to land 10 hits on enemies within 1 minute using the shield's Charge move. Charge must be unlocked first — it's the third tier of Kliff's Armed Combat tree.

While guarding, press X/A twice to dash forward with the shield, colliding with enemies and knocking them back.

The challenge appears to require hitting 10 different enemies rather than the same enemy repeatedly — use it against a large group rather than farming a single target.

Fastest Completion Route and Key Tips

Since shield damage is relatively low, the easiest approach for kill-based challenges is to weaken enemies first with your weapon, then switch to a Shield Bash for the final hit.

Shield Bash inputs: hold Guard (L1/LB/Right Click) then press Heavy Attack (R2/RT).

For consecutive block challenges, allow a single fast-attacking enemy to strike your raised shield repeatedly — ensure your stamina bar stays full, as a guard break resets the consecutive counter.

If Kliff has Keen Sense Lv 3, Shield Bash is converted into Shield Parry — which breaks the mechanics of Challenge V entirely.

Either use Damiane for that challenge or respec the skill before attempting it.

All six confirmed Shield Challenge locations are pinned on the Hernand interactive map (Challenges I, II, III, VI) and Demeniss map guide (Challenges IV, V), with full objectives, button inputs, and optimal enemy locations in the checklist below.

For all shield locations and rankings, see the Shield guide.