Shield

The shield is Link's primary protective defense used to deflect objects, guard from attack, and in some instances, reflect light onto other objects. By appearing in every Zelda title to date, the shield is not only a trademark of the series, but completes Link's hero-like appearance, along with any sword he happens to wield at the time. In the Zelda universe, three common shields exist: the Wooden, the Impregnable, and the Mirror shields - from which the games, at their own discretion, add different variations and unique shields to the mix that operate differently as required by the individual games themselves.

Wooden Shields

 * Related Articles: Wooden Shield, Ordon Shield, Deku Shield, and Fighter's Shield Deku Shield.png]] Shield 1.png

The Wooden Shield is often the first that Link encounters in his journey, either because like in, it is the most practical to carry and use at Link's size, or like in , the shield is the closest and most readily available to Link at the time. Though not specifically noted, many of the games such as and  incorporate wooden shields into their plot; they are noted as adequate protection from rocks and Octorok blasts, instead of by their rudimentary wooden makeup. Shields such as these are noted to protect against such simple attacks and enemies, that they rarely serve any practical form against tougher foes, or their worst adversary: fire. Unlike the other shields of the franchise, the wooden shield's weakness to fire makes it a relatively risky choice to use under volcanic and high heat conditions. In order to accomodate this aversion to fire, wooden shields can be replaced at nearby bazaars for a nomnial price, won through events, or found across the overworld of Hyrule.

Impregnable Shields

 * Related Articles: Hylian Shield, Hero's Shield, and Red Shield ALttPShield.png



The Impregnable Shield is the more durable counterpart to the wooden shield, in that it can not only deflect all enemy attacks and projectiles, but it does not fail in the presence of high heat. The Hero's Shield of fame and the Red Shield from, are prime examples of the impenetrability of these shields - even large boulders that rain down from the apex of Death Mountain don't leave a scratch on the surface of the Hylian Shield of. Unlike the wooden shield, which often has a minimalistic art design on its facing side, these impregnable shields commonly boast the Crest of the Royal Family and some aspect of the Triforce at their front. While the majority of these shields are metallic in construct, many in the series do not give any physical description beyond what they protect against, which is relatively more than that of the wooden variety. Shields such as these give Link a more complete look - Link is always pictured with a variation of the Hylian Shield in much of the game series' art and cover designs.

Mirror Shields

 * Related Article: Mirror Shield Mirror Shield.png



The Mirror Shield is usually the last, and sometimes even optional, shield variation Link can receive on his quest; this shield has only one main function: to reflect light. Because it's main purpose is not physically-based, it is not as effective in close battle and even during projectile deflection as its impregnable counterparts, such as the Hero's Shield of. Its plot usability is determined by game: incorporates a mirror shield that is required to beat the Spirit Temple, while  presents the shield as a reward for completing a lengthy sidequest unrelated to the plot. And in every case, the mirror shield is used most exclusively to complete the dungeon it was found in, and rarely throughout the rest of the game, save certain sidequests and other small situations.

Unique Shields
Many shields besides the wooden, impregnable, and mirror fill the Zelda universe, however, their presence requires different shield capabilities aside from the ones above for a certain situation. Examples include the Magical Shield from that can guard from Wizzrobe attacks, the upgradable shield from  that grows in defensive capability when augmented with certain powers from Neri, and shields that are assigned and used as actual items, like the ones in  and.

Trivia

 * In the majority of Zelda games, shields of all kinds are a favorite of Like Likes, choosing to steal them from Link along with any special tunic he may be wearing at the time, whenever they swallow him.