Shield & Mace
Stand firm, shield high—crack their ranks.
The Shield & Mace is a weapon combination for the stalwart heroes of the Ubersreik Five, most notably Markus Kruber in his Foot Knight or Mercenary careers. This pairing balances defensive resilience with crowd-control offense: you shield-bash enemies into stumbling, then deliver measured, crushing blows with the mace. It's a soldier's classic, favoring endurance and tactical positioning over raw speed or damage output.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Melee weapon combination (Shield & Mace)
- Role
- Defensive crowd control and stagger
- Affiliation
- Ubersreik Five (primarily Markus Kruber)
- First appears
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2
- Notable careers
- Foot Knight, Mercenary (Kruber); Ironbreaker (Bardin Goreksson, with Shield & Hammer equivalent)
Lore & Background
Forged in the forges of the Empire, the shield and mace are the bread-and-butter of state troops and road wardens. The shield, often emblazoned with a crest or simple heraldry, is a bulwark against the claws and fangs of the Skaven and the rotting grasp of the Rotbloods. The mace, a heavy-headed weapon of iron or steel, is designed not to cut but to crush—ideal for cracking armor and shattering the brittle bones of ratmen. Together, they represent the disciplined tactics of the Empire's armies: hold the line, weather the assault, then strike back with measured fury.
Reader's Guide
The Shield & Mace excels at controlling enemy density and protecting teammates. Its charged shield bash staggers entire infantry packs—including Stormvermin—giving your party breathing room. The mace's heavy attacks deal decent armor damage and can reliably headshot with practice. This weapon shines in co-op when paired with a damage-focused career like Waystalker or Bounty Hunter: you hold the line while they pick off elites. For Kruber's Foot Knight, the shield's push-block angle is wide, and stamina regeneration from talents like 'The Curse of the Lost' makes you nearly unbreakable. Drop sources: chests and loot dice from any mission on Recruit or higher; no specific boss drop required. Flavor text: 'A soldier's best friend—keeps you alive long enough to win.'
Did You Know?
- The Shield & Mace is one of the few weapon combinations that lets Kruber block incoming projectiles from the front, including warpfire thrower blasts.
- Its heavy shield bash can interrupt a Ratling Gunner's firing sequence, making it invaluable for pushing objectives.
- In the game files, this weapon is classified under the 'shield' family, sharing some animations with Bardin's Shield & Hammer.
- The mace's head is modeled after the classic Empire mace design from Warhammer Fantasy Battles.
More in Skills, Relics & Gear
Elsewhere in Warhammer Vermintide
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