Shield Transmutation Transmutation · max level 5
- Materials to max
- 7
- Max level
- 5
- Upgrade traits
- 5
- Methodology
- Data Methodology
- Author
- Dakota Chinnick
The Shield Transmutation is a Transmutation in Valor Mortis (Durable), upgraded from level 1 to 5 with Transmutation materials: 7 in total (2× Crude Transmutation Material, 2× Pure Transmutation Material, 2× Distilled Transmutation Material, 1× Quintessential Transmutation Material). Its upgrade tree holds 5 traits.
- Damage
- 1 → 1.75Level 1 → level 5
- Max level
- 57 materials to max
- Catalysts to max
- 28,000Plus 1 material no merchant sells
- Upgrade traits
- 51 either/or pick
- Where to get it
- UniversityNearest Lantern: Main Hall
Is the Shield Transmutation good? Our verdict
CalculatedHow the Shield Transmutation plays, where it wins and where it loses, read from its stats, traits and moveset.
- Playstyle
- The Shield is the last Transmutation, from the University (region 9). Holding Aim raises a barrier that fully blocks attacks at a Nephtoglobin cost and protects you from Infestation effects, and releasing it after a block fires a wave whose damage scales with what you blocked (the wave factor grows from 1x to 1.75x with upgrades). Impenetrable Defence at level 4 is the reason to invest: it makes the barrier protect against Unblockable Attacks. Level 3 offers Absorb (projectiles become Nephtoglobin) or Deflect (bullets fly back), and Shield Bash (level 5) bashes for 20 damage and 100 posture.
- Strengths
- Blocks red attacks with Impenetrable Defence (level 4)
- Protects from Infestation
- Wave damage scales with damage blocked (1x to 1.75x)
- Absorb turns projectiles into Nephtoglobin
- Shield Bash deals 100 posture
- Weaknesses
- Arrives late: only the Orphan, Captain Raphael and Entity remain
- Drains Nephtoglobin while held
- No damage until you release the wave
- Red-attack protection needs level 4 (6 Transmutation Materials)
- Ambers that fit
- Bottomless Well and Potent Concoction keep the barrier up, Equivalent Exchange lets you pay Health when Nephtoglobin runs dry, and Transmuted Persistence restores Recoverable Health when Transmutations deal damage.
Shield Transmutation overview
Game dataThe weapon's trait and the in-game description, then how its damage compares with the other Transmutations.
Trait: Durable
- Can block all sorts of threats.
- Focused on retaliating against enemies.
A Shield Transmutation that can protect against enemies and environmental hazards.
Transmutations list their own damage value per level; Stasis and Shield store it as a small scaling factor (1 → 1.5 or 1.75), not as hit damage.
Shield Transmutation stats by level
Game dataEvery stat the game stores for each weapon level, the materials that level costs, and the running total from level 1.
| Level | Damage | Materials for this level | Total from level 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lv 1 | 1 | Starting level | — |
| Lv 2 | 1.15 | 2× Crude Transmutation Material | |
| Lv 3 | 1.3 | 2× Crude Transmutation Material, 2× Pure Transmutation Material | |
| Lv 4 | 1.45 | 2× Crude Transmutation Material, 2× Pure Transmutation Material, 2× Distilled Transmutation Material | |
| Lv 5 | 1.75 | 2× Crude Transmutation Material, 2× Pure Transmutation Material, 2× Distilled Transmutation Material, 1× Quintessential Transmutation Material |
Transmutation values are the game's own per-level numbers; Stasis and Shield use a scaling factor rather than hit damage.
Materials to max the Shield Transmutation
CalculatedEverything needed to go from level 1 to 5: 7 materials, 28,000 Catalysts if you buy every one a merchant sells.
Crude Transmutation Material×2
Pure Transmutation Material×2
Distilled Transmutation Material×2
Quintessential Transmutation Material×1
| Item | Tier | Amount | Price | Subtotal (Catalysts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Transmutation Material | Tier 1 | 2 | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| Pure Transmutation Material | Tier 2 | 2 | 4,000 | 8,000 |
| Distilled Transmutation Material | Tier 3 | 2 | 8,000 | 16,000 |
| Quintessential Transmutation Material | Tier 4 | 1 | Not sold | — |
| Total | 7 | 28,000 |
Calculated from the level table × the cheapest merchant price. No merchant sells 1× Quintessential Transmutation Material: those come only from the world, so the Catalyst total covers the rest.
Shield Transmutation damage curve
Game dataHow the damage values rise from level 1 to 5 (+75% overall).
| Lv 1 | 1 |
|---|---|
| Lv 2 | 1.15 |
| Lv 3 | 1.3 |
| Lv 4 | 1.45 |
| Lv 5 | 1.75 |
Hover a level for its values; the same numbers are in the level table above.
Shield Transmutation upgrade tree
Game data5 traits unlock as the weapon levels up. Where two traits share a slot you choose one of them: Absorb / Deflect.
- Weapon lv 2
ReachIncreases the range of the damaging wave released after defending against attacks.
- Wave width scale 1
- Wave depth scale 1
- Wave height scale 1.8
- Weapon lv 3Pick one
AbsorbIncoming projectiles are transformed into Nephtoglobin.
- Conversion multiplier ×1
DeflectIncoming bullets are deflected back at enemies.
- Weapon lv 4
Impenetrable DefenceProtects from Unblockable Attacks.
- Weapon lv 5
Shield BashPress [Attack] to bash enemies with the Shield.
- Damage 20
- Posture 100
- Endurance 15
- Nephtoglobin cost 40
- Lunge distance 8 m
- Knockback distance 5 m
Traits unlock at the weapon level shown. Parameters are the game's own values (seconds, metres, multipliers); [Reload] / [Attack] are your key bindings.
Where to get the Shield Transmutation
Game dataThe Shield Transmutation is acquired in a story scene in University; the nearest Lantern is Main Hall, about 43 m away.
- Location: University · acquired in a story scene
- Nearest Lantern: Main Hall · about 43 m away (straight line, calculated)
- Show the spot on the map
Compare the Shield Transmutation
Side-by-side comparisons with similar weapons, or pick any two in the comparison tool.
Open the weapon comparison tool with the Shield Transmutation
Data: Steam build 25907482 (1.0 launch). How we source this
The Shield Transmutation is a Transmutation with 5 levels and 5 upgrade traits. Maxing it costs 7 materials, 28,000 Catalysts where a merchant sells them. On the upgrade tree you choose between Absorb / Deflect. You get it in University (acquired in a story scene).
See Also
Help us maintain accuracy! If you notice incorrect stats, missing data, or any issues, your feedback directly improves the quality of our data for the entire community.
Shield Transmutation FAQ
Is the Shield Transmutation good in Valor Mortis?
The Shield is the last Transmutation, from the University (region 9). Holding Aim raises a barrier that fully blocks attacks at a Nephtoglobin cost and protects you from Infestation effects, and releasing it after a block fires a wave whose damage scales with what you blocked (the wave factor grows from 1x to 1.75x with upgrades). The Shield Transmutation (Durable) deals 1 damage at level 1 and 1.75 at level 5, #2 of 3 Transmutations by max damage.
What are the best Ambers for the Shield Transmutation in Valor Mortis?
Bottomless Well and Potent Concoction keep the barrier up, Equivalent Exchange lets you pay Health when Nephtoglobin runs dry, and Transmuted Persistence restores Recoverable Health when Transmutations deal damage.
How do you upgrade the Shield Transmutation?
Each level costs materials: from level 1 to 5 you need 2× Crude Transmutation Material, 2× Pure Transmutation Material, 2× Distilled Transmutation Material, 1× Quintessential Transmutation Material (7 in total). Buying every material a merchant sells costs 28,000 Catalysts. 1× Quintessential Transmutation Material cannot be bought and must be found in the world.
How much damage does the Shield Transmutation do at max level?
At level 5 the Shield Transmutation deals 1.75 damage, up 75% from 1 at level 1, before attack multipliers, Ambers and upgrades.
Where do you get the Shield Transmutation in Valor Mortis?
The Shield Transmutation is acquired in a story scene in University. The nearest Lantern is Main Hall, about 43 m away.
What upgrades does the Shield Transmutation have?
Its upgrade tree has 5 traits that unlock as the weapon levels up. Some slots are either/or: Absorb / Deflect.