20 MORE Pointless Video Game Mechanics Nobody Used

3. Wooden Shield - Bloodborne (2015)

Unlike the slow and methodical combat that was required to survive the harshness of Dark Souls, developers FromSoftware took a drastically different approach to the gameplay in Bloodborne. Instead of patiently waiting for an opportunity to attack, this gothic horror encouraged speed and aggression by having players regain lost health with quick counter attacks.

Although this title shared some core elements with the developer's previous genre outings, it demanded a vastly different playstyle than what even the most seasoned veterans were used to. For those desiring something closer to the Dark Souls experience, Bloodborne included a shield. However, its benefits were greatly outweighed by severe drawbacks.

Located in the Cathedral Ward near the start of the game, the Wooden Shield allowed players to block some damage. While this could be helpful in certain situations, it couldn't be upgraded or used to parry attacks. Crucially, though, having the shield equipped meant that players couldn't use their ranged weapon, which put them at a massive disadvantage.

The Wooden Shield is a joke item included by the developers to poke fun at Dark Souls, with its in-game description stating "Shields are nice, but not if they engender passivity."