All enemy shield types - Destiny 2

Learn the elemental shields of each enemy combatant in Destiny 2, whether they're in normal activities or Nightfalls.

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There are a lot of enemies in Destiny 2 and several of them have elemental shields. For those that are planning out a Nightfall run or even those who have trouble differentiating between the various colors, below is a table that lists all enemy shield types. Be sure to refer to this as you’re gearing up for a Lost Sector or Nightfall run.

All enemy shield types

destiny 2 enemy shield types
A lot of enemies in Destiny 2 feature shields. Some of these are elemental and benefit from being taken down with matching weapons.

There are several different enemy factions in Destiny 2 and each tends to have one or more units with an elemental shield type. Knowing what these are, and which enemies gain a shield in Nightfall strikes, will ensure you can tackle end-game content with ease.

Keep in mind that there are unique shields in Destiny 2. These are often white and require some mechanic to be disabled – such as the Praetorian shields in Vault of Glass that must be hit with the Relic. More often than not, these are bosses or found during mechanic-heavy encounters, like Barrier Champions. Take a look at our other guides that may be of interest if you're investigating shield types:

Enemy Normal Shield Type Modifier: Extra Shields
Fallen
Captain Arc Arc
Shank - Solar
Heavy Shank - Solar
Servitor - Void
Hive
Acolyte - Void
Knight - Arc
Wizard Solar Solar
Vex
Minotaur Void Void
Harpy - Arc
Cabal
Centurion Solar Solar
Colossus - Arc
Incendior - Void
Psion - Void
Taken
Captain Solar Solar
Acolyte Void Void
Knight Solar Solar
Wizard Void Void
Minotaur Arc Arc
Centurions Arc Arc
Scorn
Chieftain Arc/Solar/Void Arc/Solar/Void
Wraith - Solar

This information is critical when Match Game is active. Match Game makes it so that it is incredibly difficult to break a shield using a weapon that does not match its elemental type. Ensure you and your team have a good coverage of elemental types to be able to effectively handle whatever Destiny 2 can throw at you.

Anticipate updates for this enemy shield type table as more enemies are introduced or shield types are changed. Remember that Legend & Master Lost Sectors and Nightfalls affect enemy shield types, so plan your high level runs accordingly. Be sure to check out the Shacknews Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide for more tips to help you be a better Guardian.

Head of Guides

Hailing from the land down under, Sam Chandler brings a bit of the southern hemisphere flair to his work. After bouncing round a few universities, securing a bachelor degree, and entering the video game industry, he's found his new family here at Shacknews as Head of Guides. There's nothing he loves more than crafting a guide that will help someone. If you need help with a guide, or notice something not quite right, you can message him on X: @SamuelChandler 

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  • reply
    May 31, 2021 9:30 PM

    Sam Chandler posted a new article, All enemy shield types - Destiny 2

    • reply
      May 31, 2021 9:50 PM

      A comment on the Discord: it would be nice to have a list of all the Nightfalls/Hunts/Lost Sections and other content that would list out the types of champs and types of shields that would be encountered. Some can be easily memorized but having a nice list to reference would be nice tor refer to once in a while.

      • reply
        June 1, 2021 1:12 AM

        Good tip. I'll have to start taking note of this. Sounds like a long-form task! Hopefully Bungie don't continually change it though

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