Shield

Always accompanying Link's sword, a shield is a defensive item which has appeared in every game of The Legend of Zelda series. It allows Link to block certain enemy attacks to avoid damage. The way shields are used varies and their designs greatly differ throughout the series.

The Legend of Zelda
In The Legend of Zelda, Link carries a shield marked with a cross. He can only use to block projectile attacks as long he faces the direction they come and isn't using an item or his sword.
 * Shield - Link begins his journey with the shield. It can defend against Octorok rocks and Moblin spears.
 * Magic Shield - The Magic Shield is larger and can protect against all projectiles, including River Zora fireballs and Wizzrobe spells. It can be purchased at most shops of the Hyrule overworld with prices varying from 90 to 130 Rupees.

The Adventure of Link
Link only uses one shield throughout The Adventure of Link. He begins his quest with a cross-bearing shield, as in the first game, though its capabilities have have improved. Not only can it deflect most projectiles, but it can also defend against melee attacks, which is crucial during combat with Iron Knuckles and Stalfos. The shield can't defend against attacks from chain hammers, axes, clubs, and fireballs. Again, the shield isn't effective as Link is attacking.

The Adventure of Link includes two spells that increase Link's defensive capabilities.
 * Shield Spell - The Shield Spell makes Link's tunic red and halves the damage he receives.
 * Reflect Spell - The Reflect Spell increases the defensive powers of the shield and protects against projectiles that it couldn't before.

A Link to the Past
A Link to the Past is the first game to have a bird symbol depicted on Link's shield and to have Link start out without a shield in hand. Once again, Link can only use the shield to block projectile strikes. However, he doesn't only need to use it in the direction he's facing. As he charges his sword, Link can hold his shield on his right side, a technique that can be used to solve certain puzzles. There are three different shields in A Link to the Past.


 * Fighter's Shield - Link originally receives the Fighter's Shield from his dying uncle, along with the Fighter's Sword. It cannot defend against fireballs or Beamos.
 * Red Shield - The Red Shield is larger and can block against fireballs. Link can obtain it from either tossing in to a Great Fairy Fountain or buying in the the Dark World's shield shop.

Link's Awakening, and the Oracle Games
Link made his debut on the Game Boy with Link's Awakening, along with a new shield setup. He acquires the shield from the people who rescued him on the island he was stranded on. It can be purchased from the Town Tool Shop. The shield is used when holding the button the shield was assigned to, therefore allowing certain situations where Link didn't wear his shield at all. This trend continued in the Oracle Games (Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons) and also in The Minish Cap. Persnickety

Tetraforce theorists believe that the two triangles beside the Triforce may be a reference to the Light Force and the missing piece of the Tetraforce.

Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker
Into the world of 3D, Link once again changes his shield setup. In the acclaimed game Ocarina of Time, the shield is bought at the beginning of the game and is used when holding down the R-Button. If the shield is used as is, Link would crouch and block attacks in that stance. If the shield is used with Z-Targeting (or L-Targeting in the Gamecube version), Link is able to move around while blocking attacks. This system is also used in Majora's Mask. In the GameCube game The Wind Waker, the same system is used, but the buttons were rearranged. Z-Targeting became L-Targeting, but the shield remained on the R-Button.

Twilight Princess
Link first receives the Ordon Shield during his first trip in Ordon Village as a wolf. Link can keep the shield raised when Z-Targeting, as opposed to using the R button in previous games. Later, Link can learn the Shield Attack from one of the Golden Wolves around Hyrule. Like the Deku Shield in Ocarina of Time, the Ordon Shield burns after catching fire. The Hylian Shield can later be purchased from Malo Mart in Kakariko Village.

Phantom Hourglass
Only one shield, the Wooden Shield, can be found within the game. It works much like the shields from A Link to the Past and the other 2D games, blocking any attack that hits it directly when Link is not using another item or weapon. It is bought relatively early on in the game, and automatically becomes available at the nearest store if it is stolen by a Like Like. The design is remarkably similar to that of the Hero's Shield from The Wind Waker, except that it has the same lobster design as Link's pajamas on it. Curiously, it makes a metallic sound when attacks rebound against it.

Collecting ten or more Wisdom Gems allows Link to augment his shield with Neri's powers, drastically increasing its defensive abilities. When powered up, it can block a much wider variety of attacks, and any enemies who come in contact with it are thrown back.

Gallery
Different incarnations of the Hylian Shield