Screenshot by PC Invasion

Halls of Torment presents a cast of diverse characters, each with their own unique abilities to navigate the terrifying corridors. The Shield Maiden, one of the final secrets to uncover, excels in close-quarters combat and has the durability to withstand more punishment than her less resilient counterparts. This guide will provide you with the necessary steps to unlock the Shield Maiden in Halls of Torment.

Halls of Torment – Unlocking the Shield Maiden

Most of the characters you unlock utilize projectile weapons or melee weapons like the Swordsman. Despite also employing projectiles, the Shield Maiden truly shines in close-range battles. To unlock the Shield Maiden, you must defeat the Wraith Horseman in the Forgotten Viaduct region.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

The Forgotten Viaduct serves as the game’s third stage. Additionally, it holds the key to unlocking the Sorceress. The Wraith Horseman will appear after approximately six minutes of gameplay in this area. It moves swiftly, galloping in a loop around you. At times, it summons ghostly riders who briefly pause before gliding along the path with their blades drawn. Position yourself between them to avoid harm. Other times, the rider hurls a javelin. Green markings along the path will signify an impending thrust, allowing you to easily evade it. Similarly, the Wraith Horseman occasionally rains down arrows from its bow. Steer clear of the green circles that indicate incoming arrows. Finally, avoid being struck by the horse itself, as it inflicts substantial damage upon contact.

In addition to battling the Wraith Horseman, you must also contend with mobs in this area. However, as you progress and level up during this potentially lengthy battle, it is possible to defeat them. For the Forgotten Viaduct, and indeed throughout the game, I recommend equipping the Ruby Circlet and the Collar of Confidence. With these items, combined with fire attacks, your offensive power effectively doubles when facing large groups of enemies. Given the frequent encounters with mobs in the Forgotten Viaduct, this setup proves highly effective during the battle with the Wraith Horseman.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Upon defeating the Wraith Horseman, you will unlock the Shield Maiden. Her signature ability, Kugelblitz, unleashes an electric ball that hovers in the area, damaging enemies. Her standard attack consists of two parts: first, she strikes a nearby target in the direction she is facing, followed by the release of a short-range projectile half a second later. Improving her attack speed is crucial to maximize her effectiveness in hitting multiple enemies quickly. Her Parry ability is also valuable as it rapidly improves her blocking ability. Mastering this skill unlocks the Block Strength blessing, providing other characters with stronger defenses from the start. Prioritize unlocking this blessing early in the game.

Halls of Torment is available for purchase on Steam.

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