What is the best shield for fighting the Wraith in the Swamp?

When fighting the Wraith in the Swamp biome of Valheim, the best shield to use is the Iron Buckler. This shield excels in parrying, which is crucial for dealing with the Wraith''s high-damage attacks. The Wraith is a dangerous enemy that floats above the ground, making it difficult to hit with melee weapons unless you time your attacks carefully. Its attacks deal significant damage, so blocking or parrying is essential to survive the encounter.\n\nThe Iron Buckler is crafted using 10 Iron and 2 Fine Wood, which can be obtained by smelting Scrap Iron found in Sunken Crypts within the Swamp biome. Fine Wood is gathered from Birch or Oak trees in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. The Iron Buckler has a high parry bonus, allowing you to stagger the Wraith and create an opening for counterattacks. This is particularly effective because the Wraith has a slow attack animation, making it easier to time your parry.\n\nTo effectively use the Iron Buckler against the Wraith, you need to master the parry mechanic. Parrying involves blocking an attack at the exact moment it lands, which staggers the enemy and increases the damage of your next attack. To parry, hold the right mouse button to raise your shield, then release and press it again just as the Wraith''s attack is about to hit you. Successful parries will leave the Wraith vulnerable, allowing you to follow up with a powerful melee strike.\n\nOne common challenge when fighting Wraiths is their ability to phase through terrain and attack from unexpected angles. To mitigate this, always fight in open areas of the Swamp where you have room to maneuver. Avoid fighting near water or dense trees, as these can obstruct your movement and make it harder to dodge or parry. Additionally, Wraiths are more active at night, so consider fighting them during the day to reduce the risk of encountering other hostile creatures.\n\nFor new players, it''s important to prepare adequately before engaging a Wraith. Equip the best armor you have, such as Troll Leather or Bronze Armor, and bring healing items like Cooked Meat or Honey. If you''re struggling with parrying, practice on weaker enemies like Greylings or Skeletons in the Meadows or Black Forest biomes. This will help you get a feel for the timing required to parry effectively.\n\nExperienced Vikings can optimize their strategy by using weapons with high stagger damage, such as the Iron Mace or Iron Sword, to capitalize on the Wraith''s staggered state after a parry. Combining parries with well-timed dodges can also help you avoid damage entirely. Dodging is performed by pressing the spacebar while holding a direction key, allowing you to roll out of harm''s way. This is particularly useful if you miss a parry or need to reposition during the fight.\n\nIn summary, the Iron Buckler is the best shield for fighting Wraiths in the Swamp biome due to its high parry bonus. Mastering the parry mechanic, choosing the right battlefield, and preparing with adequate gear and healing items are key to defeating this formidable enemy. Whether you''re a new player or an experienced Viking, these strategies will help you overcome the Wraith and continue your journey through Valheim.