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 Fire. Oddly, it will protect itself from Poison 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 may do a slow backdash if you are 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 you to get close, and your melee attacks can bump into their shield and leave you vulnerable to other enemies. Shieldbearers are a high priority target in groups and should be isolated from other enemies whenever possible.