Shield

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Shields are recurring Items in The Legend of Zelda series.[1][2][name references needed] It is Link's primary protective defense used to deflect objects, guard from attack, and in some instances, reflect light onto other objects. As a common and recurring item in nearly every Zelda title, 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. From defending Link to being the favorite snack of Like Likes, the design and function of the Shield greatly differs throughout the series.

Location and Uses

The Legend of Zelda

In The Legend of Zelda, Link begins his adventure already equipped with a Shield. The Shield can be used to block non-magical projectiles if Link is facing them and not attacking. It can be replaced by the Magical Shield, which can be bought from certain Merchants found throughout Hyrule for 90-160 Rupees. If Link loses the Magical Shield to a Like Like, he will again equip his original Shield. The Shield cannot be eaten by Like Likes.

The Adventure of Link

In The Adventure of Link, Link starts with the Magical Shield and does not receive any other Shields throughout the game. While holding down, the Magical Shield covers the bottom half of Link's body. By default, the Magical Shield covers the top half of Link's body. The Reflect Spell can temporarily increase the power of the Magical Shield.

Link's Awakening

Link's Awakening Manual Descriptionhide ▲
Link's Awakening logo
Shield
You can use this to protect yourself from enemy arrows or stone attacks. If you find a way to make your Shield more powerful, you can protect yourself from attacks that your regular Shield couldn't handle.

The Shield is the first Item that Link obtains in Link's Awakening. Link was separated from the Shield when he shipwrecked on Koholint Island, but was found and returned to him by Tarin. Tarin mentions that Link's name is inscribed on the back.[3] In the artwork for the original and DX versions of Link's Awakening, the Shield has the appearance of the Fighter's Shield from A Link to the Past. However, in Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch, it resembles the Hylian Shield.

If the Shield is eaten by a Like Like, Link can buy an identical one at the Town Tool Shop for 20 Rupees.

Ocarina of Time

There are three types of Shields in Ocarina of Time. Shields can be freely equipped in the Equipment menu. Link can hold a Shield in front of him using the R button. While L-Targeting, Link is able to hold a Shield while moving. Attacking while brandishing a Shield will cause Link to perform a crouch stab. During the Child Era, Link cannot properly use the Hylian Shield due to its weight. As a result, using the R button will result in him ducking under the Hylian Shield instead of holding it in front of him.

List of Shields


The following data table is incomplete. You can help Zelda Wiki by editing the page to fill in the empty cells.


Shield
Location

Master Quest

Description
Shield
Location
Description
Shield
Location
Description

Majora's Mask

File:MM3D Deku Link Shield Model.png
Deku Link ducking under a wooden shield.

Majora's Mask adopts the shielding system from Ocarina of Time with a few differences. Only two Shields can be found, though each Mask transformation allows Link to defend himself. Link cannot freely switch between Shields. The Mirror Shield will completely replace the Hero's Shield.

List of Shields


The following data table is incomplete. You can help Zelda Wiki by editing the page to fill in the empty cells.


Shield
Location
Description
Shield
Location
Description

Four Swords

Four Swords Manual Descriptionhide ▲
Four Swords logo
Shield
Use the shield to deflect enemy attacks. Some enemies can't be defeated without it.


Four Swords Adventures



Phantom Hourglass



Only one Shield is available in Phantom Hourglass: the Wooden Shield. The Wooden Shield resembles the Hero's Shield from The Wind Waker in shape and color, though it features a different design on the front, replacing the winged creature with a lobster. The Wooden Shield can be purchased from many Shops, including Mercay Island, for 50 Rupees. The Wooden Shield can be eaten by Like Likes.

Spirit Tracks



In Spirit Tracks, the Shield is the first Shield that Link obtains. It can be purchased from numerous Shops, with the price varying from Shop to Shop. The Shield is capable of reflecting most projectiles, and small enemies will bump off it should they run into Link. The Shield, however, can be consumed by Like Likes. In the event that Link loses his Shield, he may purchase a new one.

Skyward Sword

Skyward Sword introduces shields with limited durability; they are damaged when used strenuously. The level of damage sustained is indicated by the Shield Gauge. Shields can be repaired at the Scrap Shop or with a Revitalizing Potion. When the Shield Gauge empties, the shield is broken beyond repair,[4] unless Link possesses an Revitalizing Potion+ at that moment. Like many items in Skyward Sword, shields can be upgraded at the Scrap Shop, improving their durability but otherwise retaining their qualities. The Hylian Shield, obtained by completing the Thunder Dragon's Lightning Round, is indestructible and cannot be upgraded.[5][6]

Every shield in Skyward Sword has a specific amount of damage it can take before breaking. This is laid out in the table below. In general, for a given tier of shield (i.e. basic, 1st upgrade, 2nd upgrade), the Sacred Shield derivative is the weakest, the Wooden Shield derivative is the second strongest (being 1.6 times as strong as the Sacred Shield derivative), and the Iron Shield derivative is the strongest (being 2.4 times as strong as the Sacred Shield derivative or 1.5 times as strong as the Wooden Shield derivative). For a given type of shield, the first upgrade is 1.5 times as strong as the basic shield, and the second upgrade is twice as strong as the basic shield.[7][8]

The damage dealt to a shield by an enemy attack or other damage source is proportional to the damage it would do to Link. Therefore, if a given attack does twice as much damage to Link as another attack does, it will also damage his shield twice as much. However, this does not apply to the increased damage attacks deal to Link in Hero Mode; shields take the same amount of damage from a given attack in Hero Mode that they do in regular gameplay. The number in the "strength" column in the table below indicates the number of hits required to break that shield provided the hits would each deal one heart of damage to Link in regular gameplay or two hearts in Hero Mode. (In the case of the Sacred Shield and its upgrades, the total number of hits does not take into account recovery of shield integrity over time.)

List of Shields

Shield
Type
Wooden
Tier
Normal
Strength
4
Shield
Type
Wooden
Tier
Better
Strength
6
Shield
Type
Wooden
Tier
Best
Strength
8
Shield
Type
Iron
Tier
Normal
Strength
6
Shield
Type
Iron
Tier
Better
Strength
9
Shield
Type
Iron
Tier
Best
Strength
12
Shield
Type
Sacred
Tier
Normal
Strength
2.5
Shield
Type
Sacred
Tier
Better
Strength
3.75
Shield
Type
Sacred
Tier
Best
Strength
5
Shield
Type
Hylian
Tier
Cannot be upgraded
Strength
ShieldTypeTierStrength
Wooden
Normal
4
Wooden
Better
6
Wooden
Best
8
Iron
Normal
6
Iron
Better
9
Iron
Best
12
Sacred
Normal
2.5
Sacred
Better
3.75
Sacred
Best
5
Hylian
Cannot be upgraded

A Link Between Worlds



In A Link Between Worlds, Shields can be bought at any Shop for 50 Rupees. They will block most ranged attacks like Arrows and melee attacks from Enemies, but cannot block magical attacks and Lynels' fire breath. If Link is trapped by a Like Like, his Shield can be eaten. In this event, Link cannot retrieve his shield from the Like Like and will need to purchase a new one. The Shield is later replaced by the Hylian Shield found in Turtle Rock.

Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild features several different pieces of equipment to use as protection. The diverse range of Shields available allows Link to deviate from the standard Sword and Shield dynamic. Many of these Shields follow a series of archetypes, such as "Boko," "Soldier's," and "Traveler's." Initially, Link can carry up to four Shields at a time in his inventory; however, he can obtain additional slots by giving Korok Seeds to Hestu. Hestu will upgrade Link's slots up to a full page, or 20 slots, of Shields. If Link takes another Shield while his inventory is full, he will drop the Shield or put it back if it came from a Treasure Chest. You can also obtain Shields from Selmie; however, she will turn you away if your inventory is full. Each Shield, including duplicates, occupies its own slot in the inventory.

Each hit a Shield receives while Link is Blocking lowers it durability, breaking once it reaches zero. Performing a Perfect Guard prevents the Shield from taking damage, while simultaneously stunning the enemy or deflecting its projectile. The Lynel Shield and its upgrades can also be used to deal direct damage when used to guard. By using a Shield while aerial, Link is capable of Shield Surfing at the cost of the Shield's integrity (provided the Shield is being ridden on coarse terrain; if Link Shield Surfs on snow or sand, the Shield will not take damage).

Tears of the Kingdom

Several types of Shields appear in Tears of the Kingdom. They can be Fused with Materials and Objects as a means of enhancement.

Along with many reuccuring shields from Breath of the Wild, the game also introduces a series of new shields, manily a new archetype - the "Zonaite" shields. Fusing these with Zonai devices reduces the battery usage of them when blocking. Like in the last game, Hestu can upgrade the Shield Inventory in exchange for Korok Seeds.

Equally to its predecessor, Link has the ability to Shield Surf. Doing this on coarse terrain lowers the shields durability, but fusing frozen meat to the shield makes for a smooth ride, no matter the terrain.

Levels of Shields

In the Zelda universe, three common shields exist: the Wooden, the Durable, 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. A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time both contain examples of all three varieties.[9]

Wooden Shields

Related Articles: Wooden Shield, Ordon Shield, and Deku Shield
Deku Shield
Deku Shield
The Ordon Shield from Twilight Princess.
The Ordon Shield from Twilight Princess.

The Wooden Shield is often the first that Link acquires in his journey, as this type of shield is the closest and most readily available to Link at the time. Though not specifically noted, many of the games such as The Legend of Zelda and A Link to the Past incorporate wooden shields; they are noted by their adequate protection from rocks and arrows and weakness against fire, instead of by their rudimentary wooden makeup. In 3D The Legend of Zelda titles, the wooden shield's weakness to fire makes it a relatively risky choice to use under volcanic and high heat conditions because contact with fire will burn the shield, namely the Deku Shield and the Ordon Shield, away completely. Unlike the more durable Iron Shield in Skyward Sword, the Wooden Shield is resistant to electricity. In order to accommodate this aversion to fire, wooden shields can be replaced at many bazaars for a nominal price. Also, in A Link Between Worlds, the basic shield has the same properties as most other basic, wooden shields, blocking most basic enemy attacks, but not such attacks as beams or fire, but it cannot be burned away.

Durable Shields

Related Articles: Fighter's Shield, Hylian Shield, Sacred Shield, Hero's Shield, Iron Shield, Red Shield, and Magical Shield
A metallic shield in 'A Link to the Past
A metallic shield in 'A Link to the Past
The Hero's Shield in Majora's Mask
The Hero's Shield in Majora's Mask

The Durable Shield is the more durable counterpart to the wooden shield, in that it can not only deflect most enemy attacks and projectiles, but it does not fail in the presence of high heat. The Magical Shield of The Legend of Zelda is the first form of this shield, and the Red Shield from A Link to the Past and Hero's Shield of Majora's Mask fame are prime examples of the impenetrability of these shields - even large boulders that rain down from the apex of Death Mountain do not leave a scratch on the surface of the Hylian Shield of Ocarina of Time. However, in Skyward Sword, the Iron Shield, which is normally indestructible, can be damaged when attacked, especially with electricity, but it is among the most durable shields in the title. Also in Skyward Sword, the Sacred Shield has limited durability, but it is resistant to most elements and will repair itself when damaged. Contrary to the wooden shield, which often has a minimalistic art design on its facing side, these often impregnable shields commonly boast the Hylian Crest and 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.

Mirror Shields

Main Article: Mirror Shield
The Mirror Shield of The Wind Waker
The Mirror Shield of The Wind Waker
Mirror shield from Ocarina of Time
Mirror shield from Ocarina of Time

Always having a smooth, reflective face, the Mirror Shield is usually the last, and sometimes even optional, shield variation Link can receive on his quest; this shield is an impregnable shield with one added function: the ability to reflect light. Its plot usability is determined by game; for example, Ocarina of Time incorporates a mirror shield that is required to beat the Spirit Temple, while The Minish Cap presents the shield as a reward for completing a lengthy side-quest unrelated to the plot. The mirror shield is used almost exclusively to complete the dungeon it was found in, and rarely throughout the rest of the game, save certain side-quests and other small situations.

Function

Link has always used the shield to defend himself. Sometimes, the shield is even necessary to defeat specific enemies. However, the way the shield is utilized varies; depending on the game, Link is limited to defending either automatically or manually.

Automatic

In The Legend of Zelda, Link automatically carries his shield, but it can only block projectile attacks as long he faces the direction of attack.[10] Once again, in A Link to the Past, the shield exclusively deflects ranged attacks. However, he doesn't only need to use it in the direction he's facing. As he charges his sword for a Spin Attack, Link can hold his shield on his right side (except when looking east, in which case he holds it on his left side), leaving that side guarded but his front open.

Link, in The Adventure of Link, may use his shield against not only ranged attacks, but direct ones as well, which is crucial during combat with Iron Knuckles and Stalfos. However, this shield cannot defend against strikes from chain hammers, axes, clubs, and fireballs.[11] The Reflect magic, one of the many spells Link can use in The Adventure of Link, increases the defensive powers of the shield, allowing it to bounce back projectiles. The shield of Four Swords Adventures can also deflect both ranged and direct attacks, but as before, they are vulnerable to certain attacks.[12] In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, Link's can protect against ranged and close-ranged attacks. Only in Phantom Hourglass, however, can Link use the power of Wisdom Gems to augment the defensive powers of his shield.

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
See also: SmashWiki's article on Link's shield

In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, aside from the bubble shield given to all characters, Link, Young Link, and Toon Link can use their shields to block opponents' projectile attacks. By standing still, slowly walking, or crouching, any projectiles that strike the face of the shield are nullified and simply push Link back according to how strong it was. However, there are several caveats: idle animations may cause Link to drop his guard, Link cannot hold his shield if he is holding an item, and projectiles that are unblockable or unreflectable cannot be defended against.

Manual

The shield in Link's Awakening is used as any other item in the game; by assigning it a button command. Because of this, for the first time, Link may utilize the shield whenever desired.[13] This function is reused in Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. The system reappears in Four Swords and again in The Minish Cap, in which the shield can bounce some attacks back at enemies.[14]

Ocarina of Time greatly changed the way the shield functions. All shields must be equipped before using. Link can use the shield in two ways. He can hold it while remaining stationary, tilting it in whatever direction he faces. Contrarily, when targeting, Link can focus on his enemy while moving freely and defending with his shield at the same time. Similarly to the Reflect magic, Link's shield can reflect certain enemy projectiles back at the attacker, an ability that comes with the item (except for the Mirror Shield in Ocarina of Time). In a special case, if Link equips the Hylian Shield as a child, he must carry it on his back at all times, even when defending, because the shield is too heavy for him to lift. This method can be used to block debris shooting from Death Mountain. The shield mechanics of Majora's Mask and The Wind Waker are the same as those in Ocarina of Time, except shields are equipped automatically.[15]

Twilight Princess takes the Shield mechanics of the previous 3D titles and expands on them. Now when targeting an enemy, Link automatically lifts his Shield in defense.[16] However, he can't automatically reflect projectiles without use of the Shield Attack, a learned ability he can also use to open the defenses of enemies and stun them. To defend with the Shield in Skyward Sword, the Wii Remote's Nunchuk must be thrust forward.[17] The same motion is used to perform a Shield Bash, a move similar to the Shield Attack.[18] If used just as an enemy's attack lands, the Shield Bash will act as a parry and temporarily stun them.[18] Performing this parry does not decrease the Shield's durability. In Breath of the Wild, Link can perform a Deflect by pressing the 'A' button while guarding by holding 'ZL'. This move will bash enemies and even cause damage as a slash attack when used with any type of Lynel Shield.[19] Similar to the Shield Bash in Skyward Sword, Link can perform a Perfect Guard by Deflecting just as an enemy's attack lands. This acts as a parry and temporarily stuns the enemy. Perfect Guards can be performed on Guardian lasers as well, which will deflect their lasers back at them and cause a high amount of damage. Deflecting can also be used to deflect certain projectiles back at enemies. Link can also use his Shield to Shield Surf down hills in Breath of the Wild. This, like Deflecting, is also performed by pressing the 'A' button while holding 'ZL', but while in the air.

Other Appearances

The Faces of Evil

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.

In The Faces of Evil, Link uses the Shield to defend himself from enemy attacks.[20] The Shield is able to block most projectile attacks, but only when Link is standing still or crouching. On the inventory screen, the Shield bears the initial "L" for Link.

The Shield is later upgraded by Suprena in Serigon Caves into the Reflecting Shield, after Link brings her the Crystal of Reflection.

The Wand of Gamelon

The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.

In The Wand of Gamelon, Zelda uses the Shield to defend herself from enemy attacks.[21] Identically to The Faces of Evil, it is able to block most projectile attacks provided that Zelda is standing still or crouching. On the inventory screen, the Shield bears the initial "Z" for Zelda.

Zelda can later find the stronger Reflecting Shield. It replaces her standard Shield.

Trivia

  • The Shield from A Link to the Past is the first shield to feature a bird design.
  • There is a recurring pattern in the designs of shields in Skyward Sword. Basic shields have a bird's foot in their design. Improved shields have stylized bird silhouettes with spread wings. Final-stage shields have swirling wind patterns.
  • Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword are the only games in which more than one shield can be kept in the inventory and in which it is possible to use a shield other than the "best" one Link currently possesses. Of these, Ocarina of Time is the only game to feature the Mirror Shield, making it the only game in the series where the Mirror Shield can be carried unequipped.
  • Originally, in games where the Hylian Shield is the highest-level shield (Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword), Like Likes did not appear, while they (or Pikits, in the case of A Link to the Past) appeared in all other games that feature the Hylian Shield. As Like Likes are able to eat Hylian Shields in games where they appear, their absence in these titles may be related to there being no superior, inedible shield present. However, A Link Between Worlds provides an exception: Both the Hylian Shield and Like Likes are present, and Like Likes are unable to eat it.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Regions
LanguageNamesMeanings
Japan
Japanese
  • シールド (Shīrudo) (TLoZThe Legend of Zelda)[26]
  • 小さな盾 (Chiisana Tate) (ALttPA Link to the Past)[25]
  • Same as English.
  • Small Shield
The People's Republic of China
ChineseSISimplified
盾 (Dùn) (TLoZThe Legend of Zelda | LALink's Awakening | FSFour Swords | BotWBreath of the Wild)[29][30]Same as English.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands
Dutch
Schild (BotWBreath of the Wild)[31]Same as English.
The French Republic
FrenchEUEuropean
Bouclier (LALink's Awakening | BotWBreath of the Wild)[28]Same as English.
The Federal Republic of Germany
German
Schild (LALink's Awakening)[27]Same as English.
The Italian Republic
Italian
  • Scudo (TLoZThe Legend of Zelda | LALink's Awakening | LADXLink's Awakening DX | FSFour Swords)[23][24]
  • Scudo del Guerriero (ALttPA Link to the Past)[22]
  • Shield
  • Warrior's Shield
The Kingdom of Spain
SpanishEUEuropean
Vestimenta (BotWBreath of the Wild) 
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery

See Also

References

  1. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 138(TLoZThe Legend of Zelda | FSFour Swords | FSAFour Swords Adventures | PHPhantom Hourglass | STSpirit Tracks | ALBWA Link Between Worlds)
  2. Shield
    A shield with your name written on it. Hold it up with [R]IconFile:LANS R Button Icon.png.
    — Inventory (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
  3. Well, Link, ya finally snapped out of it... Name's Tarin. Hope yer feelin' better... What? How did I know your name? You think it's weird, eh? Well, I saw it on backshould be: on the back [sicThis is not an error. This word was misspelled in the original source.] of this shield! — Tarin (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
  4. Your shield will break when your shield gauge drops to zero. — N/A (Skyward Sword)
  5. Do well enough, and I might give you something truly special: an absurdly sturdy shield! — Lanayru (Skyward Sword)
  6. You got the Hylian Shield!
    This legendary shield is imbued with heroic power, making it completely indestructable!
    — N/A (Skyward Sword)
  7. I can use the stuff you find to upgrade your gear and make it even stronger! — Gondo (Skyward Sword)
  8. If you have any doubts about the durability of your shield, I suggest you have it examined at the Scrap Shop. — Rupin (Skyward Sword)
  9. The shield has three potential levels of power. Your first shield can only fend off the enemy's arrows, spears and rocks. If you improve your shield or find a better one, you can defend yourself against different attacks. (A Link to the Past manual, pg. 23)
  10. When Link is not attacking, he can use his shield that is always by his side to defend from enemy attacks. Don't forget! There are some enemy attacks Link can't defend against. (The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 20)
  11. Dodge objects which you can't fend off with a shield... (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 31)
  12. When you're not using your sword or any other item, you can use your shield to fend off direct blows. Be careful, though! There are some attacks your shield can't defend against. (Four Swords Adventures manual, pg. 28)
  13. You can defend yourself against enemy arrows or stones using the shield. Note that you must press the Button to bring your shield up into a ready position. This will repel most enemy attacks. (Link's Awakening manual, pg. 14)
  14. [The shield] Blocks (and sometimes reflect) enemy attacks. Some enemies can't be defeated without a shield, but it's also just a good idea to know when to defend yourself. (The Minish Cap manual, pg. 18)
  15. Normally, Link will crouch as he raises his shield, but he can also move with his shield raised when Z-Targeting is activated. You can also change the direction Link guards against by tilting the Control Stick while he is crouching behind his shield. (Majora's Mask manual, pg. 23)
  16. While holding down L, you will lock on to the enemy and defend simultaneously. (Twilight Princess manual, pg. 18)
  17. Ready Shield / Shake the Nunchuk forward to ready your shield. Swing the Wii Remote to return to a normal stance. — N/A (Skyward Sword)
  18. 18.0 18.1 Shield Bash / Shake the Nunchuk again to bash your shield forward. Time it just right for the full effect. — N/A (Skyward Sword)
  19. A sturdy shield favored by Lynels for its defensive and offensive capabilities. First and foremost a shield, but the banded edges can deal slashing attacks when deflecting. — N/A (Breath of the Wild)
  20. The Shield When an enemy throws a weapon, you can use the shield to defend yourself. When you stop moving, you automatically lift the shield while standing or crouching. (The Faces of Evil manual, pg. 3)
  21. The Shield When an enemy throws a weapon, you can use the shield to defend yourself. When you stop moving, you automatically lift the shield while standing or crouching. (The Faces of Evil manual, pg. 4)
  22. Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 139
  23. "Spada, scudo e arguzia ti serviranno per recuperare gli otto frammenti della Triforza e salvare la principessa Zelda."The Legend of Zelda | NES | Giochi | Nintendo , www.nintendo.it, retrieved September 10, 2020.
  24. Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 138
  25. Nintendo Official Guidebook: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 21
  26. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 19
  27. Du hast Deinen Schild wieder! Damit kannst Du die Angriffe der Gegner abwehren! Halte den Knopf gedrückt, um den Schild vor Dich zu halten. — N/A (Link's Awakening, German version)
  28. Tu as récupéré ton Bouclier! Tu peux repousser les ennemis! — N/A (Link's Awakening, European French version)
  29. 塞尔达传说:百科全书, New Star Press, pg. 119
  30. — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
  31. Schilden — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)