Gerke's Sanctuary is a unique Pavise, a type of shield from Diablo II: Lord of Destruction.
A great defensive shield, Gerke's Sanctuary is a good option for physical fighters that prefer defensive bonuses to offense.
Gerke's Sanctuary has the highest chance to block out of all unique shields. Not only Paladins, but all classes can almost max out their block by using Gerke's Sanctuary. This and its high defense make Gerke's Sanctuary a sanctuary indeed.
Additionally, Gerke's Sanctuary gives a boost to all Resistances. Due to the lowered resistances in Nightmare and Hell difficulties, it is generally good for any shield to have this property.
Perhaps as a secondary property, Gerke's Sanctuary also gives a bonus to Life Replenish. Although no skill increases Life Replenish (unlike what Warmth does for Mana), it can be raised to effective amounts when combined with items such as Manald Heal, The Rising Sun, Skin of the Flayed One, or Verdungo's Hearty Cord.
This shield also provides high integer damage reduction to both physical and magical attacks. This is great to prevent damage dealt through multiple frames, such as Inferno or poison clouds.
Gerke's Sanctuary does require a very high amount of Strength to wield, making it problematic for those who would rather invest in other stats such as Vitality.
Stats[]
Gerke's Sanctuary
Pavise
Defense: 221-268
Required Level: 44
Required Strength: 133
Durability: 172
Chance to Block:
Paladin Smite Damage: 10 To 17
+180-240% Enhanced Defense
+30% Increased Chance to Block
All Resistances +20-30
Replenish Life +15
Damage Reduced By 11-16
Magic Damage Reduced By 14-18
Normal Shields — Pelta Lunata (Buckler) • Umbral Disk (Small Shield) • Stormguild (Large Shield) • Steelclash (Kite Shield) • Swordback Hold (Spiked Shield) • Bverrit Keep (Tower Shield) • Wall of the Eyeless (Bone Shield) • The Ward (Gothic Shield)
Exceptional Shields — Visceratuant (Defender) • Moser's Blessed Circle (Round Shield) • Stormchaser (Scutum) • Tiamat's Rebuke (Dragon Shield) • Lance Guard (Barbed Shield) • Gerke's Sanctuary (Pavise) • Lidless Wall (Grim Shield) • Radament's Sphere (Ancient Shield)
Elite Shields — Blackoak Shield (Luna) • Stormshield (Monarch) • Spike Thorn (Blade Barrier) • Medusa's Gaze (Aegis) • Head Hunter's Glory (Troll Nest) • Spirit Ward (Ward)