For use in combat, it is most recommended to reserve it during difficult sections or tough enemies. As the shield acts like a hamster ball, reducing your traction when moving and not allowing you to use your melee skills, it does limit your offensive capabilities. The shield spikes skill slightly helps, but it only works on contact and deals relatively minor damage. Plus the aforementioned lack of traction makes for a poor tactic when trying to use it to ram enemies, though it does work well when an enemy comes too close.