Spirit Ward

Spirit Ward is an elite Ward shield built for pure defense against spellcasters. With its 5% Chance to Cast Level 8 Fade When Struck proc and substantial resistances, this shield excels in scenarios where elemental damage is the primary threat.

The Fade Proc

Spirit Ward is the only unique item in the game that can cast Fade when struck. Level 8 Fade provides +50 to All Resistances and 8% Physical Damage Reduction for 204 seconds. This makes Spirit Ward valuable for pre-buffing, similar to Treachery armor. Once Fade triggers, you can swap to a different shield while retaining the buff, making it a utility item for preparation rather than permanent use.

Defensive Stats

The shield offers +30-40 All Resistances innately, combined with +25% Faster Block Rate, 20-30% Increased Chance of Blocking, and +6-11 Cold Absorb. These stats create a formidable defensive package, particularly on Paladins who can reach 74-84% blocking chance with this shield and sufficient dexterity investment.

When to Use

Spirit Ward shines against elemental damage dealers in areas like the Chaos Sanctuary or Worldstone Keep. The high blocking chance and resistances make it effective for characters who can invest in dexterity. However, the lack of +skills, FCR, or significant offensive bonuses means most players will prefer Spirit for casters or Stormshield for physical damage mitigation.

Pre-Buff Strategy

The optimal use of Spirit Ward is often as a pre-buff tool. Equip the shield, get hit until Fade procs, then swap to your main shield while keeping the Fade buff active. This strategy works particularly well in party play or when preparing for dangerous boss encounters where the extra resistances and damage reduction provide crucial survivability.