Shieldbearer

Shieldbearers are one of the earlier enemy encounters in the first few biomes of the game. It carries a shield which protects it from all attacks dealt to the front.

Behavior
The shield the Shieldbearer carries blocks all attacks dealt from the front, which includes dive attacks. It does not protect against ground effects like. Oddly, it will protect itself from clouds. While stunned, the Shieldbearer is vulnerable from all sides.

Hitting the shield with a melee attack will bump the player, which knocks them back and prevents movement for a short time.

Shieldbearers can dash backwards a short distance if the player is too close to them.

Strategy
Shieldbearers are vulnerable from behind, so simply rolling behind them will leave them vulnerable. They are slow to turn around, giving you time to attack right after even with slower weapons. Parrying their shield charge also leaves them vulnerable.

Some skills that can go through shields like Fire Grenade, Lightspeed and Cleavers. Electric Whip, Valmont's Whip and Wrenching Whip also bypass shields, which requires no repositioning.

Shieldbearers are more dangerous when in a group of multiple enemies. They protect ranged enemies and make it harder for the player to get close, and the bump from hitting their shields can leave the player vulnerable to other enemies.

Shieldbearers are a high priority target in groups and should be isolated from other enemies whenever possible.