Swordback Hold

Swordback Hold is a unique Spiked Shield featuring an offensive twist with its Open Wounds proc. Requiring level 15, this shield combines decent blocking with a damage-over-time effect that can help characters take down tougher enemies during Normal difficulty.

Open Wounds Mechanic

The signature feature is 50% Chance of Open Wounds, which causes monsters to bleed and lose health over time. This effect is particularly useful against high-HP enemies and bosses in early difficulties, making fights shorter. The shield also features Attacker Takes Damage of 10, punishing melee attackers who hit you.

Defensive Stats

Swordback Hold provides +30-60% Enhanced Defense, +10 Defense, and 20% Increased Chance of Blocking. While these defensive stats are moderate, they're sufficient for Normal difficulty. The Open Wounds proc makes this shield more interesting than pure defensive alternatives for characters who actively block attacks. However, as you progress into Nightmare and Hell, shields with resistances or better blocking become essential, making Swordback Hold a temporary solution at best.