Talk:Shields (Dark Souls II)/@comment-25950924-20150320062235/@comment-5264386-20150320090122

If starting without a shield is a really big concern for you, you can find a shield that blocks 70~75% of physical damage (the Crimson Parma)) on the way to Heide's Tower of Flame. In fairness, though, it's often more useful to just dodge attacks. I know that people say the same thing of Dark Souls I, but I guess dodging is generally easier (or at least, it was for me) in Dark Souls II. See how you go, I suppose, and see what works better for you.