Shield

A Hylian Shield as seen in Twilight Princess.
Shield
Type	Shield
Owner	Link
Debut	The Legend of Zelda

The shield is one of the fundamental items appearing in nearly all The Legend of Zelda Zelda games, and it acts as the primary defensive item matched with Link's sword.

Information

Shields always serve the same purpose as Link's basic defense, but the actual mechanics of the item vary from game-to-game. In some games, Link has a shield from the beginning of the game, while in other cases the shield must be found like other weapons. In most cases, the shield is automatically equipped and will be out whenever Link is not using a different item. In some of the other games (particularly the handheld games), the shield is treated as a separate item and must be equipped through the inventory to be use. In the 3-D games, the shield is always out, but Link will only actually use it when a specific button is pressed. The shield can be used to fend off or flip over enemies and deflect projectiles, although which projectiles can be deflected depends on the shield. In Twilight Princess, the shield can only be fully wielded in this manner once Link learns the shield attack from the Hero's Spirit; this is the only skill Link learns in the game that is not actually a sword skill. In most games, Link can upgrade his shield or get a new one, with around two or three different shield forms being available. The most basic shield is a wooden shield, but this shield will noticeably burn up in fire. The Hylian Shield is a more standard shield that is used more often and can handle most kinds of projectiles, and most other "normal" shields seem to be of a similar quality. The most advanced shield type is the Mirror Shield, which can also handle laser-like beams or reflect beams of light depending on the game.

Shields are actually perishable materials in most games. As mentioned previously, wooden shields will burn up into nothing if exposed to fire. Additionally, the Like Likes which appear throughout the series most commonly consume shields. In this case, a replacement shield must be bought from one of the Hylian shops. In most cases, shops will also offer advanced shields to make them easier to replace, although in some cases Link can only buy a more basic shield and will have to upgrade it again. Skyward Sword revamped the shield item with the introduction of a shield system in which three types of shield were available. A shield had a "shield meter" that reflected its durability, and the shield would break if the meter was drained. The individual shields differ on their durability and their other special advantages or disadvantages. It is possible to obtain and carry multiple shields, although Link can only carry as many as could be fit into empty spaces of the Adventure Pouch, and only one could be used at a time. Gondo could repair and upgrade shields, and shields could also be repaired by Revitalizing Potions. Completing Lanayru's boss battle challenge at the end of the game could earn the Hylian Shield, which acts as the game's ultimate shield do to being unbreakable.

Some enemies also occasionally wield shields of their own, as do other soldiers.

Different Shields

• The Legend of Zelda
  • Wooden Shield - This is the default shield. It is small and provides minimal protection. This shield cannot be lost, and if the Magical Shield is eaten Link's shield will revert to the Wooden Shield.
  • Magical Shield - This is a larger shield bearing a cross. It can be bought from several shops across Hyrule. Although it affords greater protection, the Magical Shield is the one vulnerable to Like Like attacks.

• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
  • Magical Shield - Link has the same shield for the duration of the game. The instruction manual story refers to it as the Magical Shield, which implies that it is the same shield from the previous game. Although it cannot be upgraded, the Reflect spell could be used to strengthen the shield so that it can reflect shields and block fireballs as well as clubs and axes that are tossed at Link.

• A Link to the Past
  • Shield - Link receives the basic shield from his uncle at the beginning of the game along with his sword.
  • Red Shield - The shield could be upgraded by being tossed into the Fountain of Happiness. The Great Fairy upgrades it to make it larger and resistant to fireballs. This upgrade is optional and can be bypassed to get the Mirror Shield.
  • Mirror Shield - This shield is gained at Turtle Rock and is protected against beam attacks.

• Link's Awakening
  • Shield - This is the first item in that game. He owned it prior to the game, and Tarin was able to find it and return it to him after the shipwreck. Link's name was already printed on it. In the Switch remake, its appearance as changed to resemble a Hylian Shield.
  • Mirror Shield - This upgraded shield is found in Eagle's Tower. It offers protection against beams and jets of flame.

• Ocarina of Time
  • Deku Shield - This is a basic wooden sheld that can be initially bought at Kokiri Forest. It is the only shield that Link can properly wield as a child, despite the disadvantages of it being made out of wood.
  • Hylian Shield - Hylian Shields can be purchased independently as Link progresses through the game. Link can only properly hold it as an adult. Link can use it a child, but it is large enough that Link can only duck under it as a cover.
  • Mirror Shield - The Mirror Shield is found in the Spirit Temple and can only be used when Link is older. In case the Mirror Shield is lost, replacements go on sale in several shops.

• Majora's Mask
  • Hero's Shield - Link has this shield from the beginning. It resembles a smaller version of the Hylian Shield.
  • Mirror Shield - This shield is found under the well at Ikana Canyon.

• Oracle of Ages/Seasons
  • Wooden Shield - The Wooden Shield could be bought from several areas, or at the beginning of a linked game it is given to Link by Impa.
  • Iron Shield - In Ages, it is upgraded after being polished by a Tokay for four hundred years, and he returns it to Link when he appears. In Seasons, it can be upgraded by the Subrosian Smithy.
  • Mirror Shield - This advanced shield is found only through an upgrade in a linked game. In Ages it is given by the old man at Eyeglass Isle Library. In Seasons, it is upgraded by the Subrosian Smithy.

• The Wind Waker
  • Hero's Shield - This is the family shield which is said to have been wielded by the Hero of Time himself, but it is uncertain if this is true as its markings and colorings do not correspond to any of the shields from Ocarina of Time. It is a brownish color and appears to be wooden, although it does not appear to be wooden. Link's Grandma gives it to him when he speaks to her while preparing to leave Outset Island at the beginning of the game.
  • Mirror Shield - The Mirror Shield is obtained in the Earth Temple.

• Four Swords
  • Shield - This shield acts like a normal inventory item and resembles the Wind Waker shield with Hylian Shield coloring. Shields are found on item podiums throughout the game and then can be used until switched with another item on a different podium.

• Four Swords Adventures
  • Shield - Each Link automatically has their own shield for the duration of the game. The shields are unidentified, although they strongly resemble the Wind Waker shield and have the defensive power of a normal shield.

• The Minish Cap
  • Small Shield - Princess Zelda wins this shield for Link at the Picori Festival at the beginning of the game. It is a particularly small shield, but it is the only shield he has for the initial playthrough of the game.
  • Mirror Shield - Biggoron can upgrade the normal shield into a larger Mirror Shield, but this can only be unlocked after the final boss has been beaten at least once. If Link loses the shield, Biggoron can also upgrade Link's replacement shield.

• Twilight Princess
  • Ordon Shield/Wooden Shield - The Ordon Shield is a wooden shield which Jaggle makes for Rusl to present at Hyrule as an additional gift. Link has to steal it in wolf form early in the game to progress. The shops also sell wooden shields which are virtually identical and serve as replacements for a burned up wooden shield.
  • Hylian Shield - The Hylian Shield can be bought from various shops throughout Hyrule, although it is somewhat pricey.

• Phantom Hourglass
  • Wooden Shield - In this game, the shield can be bought from most shops. It has no upgrade, although it could be temporarily powered up by the by the Spirit of Wisdom when the Wisdom gems were gathered. Despite being described as wooden, it does not burn up.

• Spirit Tracks
  • Shield - Link can buy a basic shield from most shops.
  • Shield of Antiquity - This is a shield held by Niko and was originally the shield of the Hero of Winds. It is actually the previous game's Wooden Shield. Once Link fills up the stamp book, Niko will let Link have it and hold onto his old shield. Afterwards, he can see Niko if he ever wants to switch between the two shields.

• Skyward Sword
  • Wooden Shield - This basic shield is available at the Skyloft Bazaar at the beginning of the game. It is resistant to electric attacks, but it will burn up immediately upon contact with fire. It is also the least durable of the shields. Gondo can upgrade it into the Banded and then Braced Shield, which have augmented durability.
  • Iron Shield - This thick shield is the most durable of the game's three main shields, and it becomes available at Skyloft Bazaar upon completion of Skyview Temple. The Iron Shield's primary drawback is that cannot defend against electric attacks. It can be upgraded into the more durable Reinforced and Fortified Shields, which share the same problems with electricity.
  • Sacred Shield - The Sacred Shield is the last shield available from Skyloft Bazaar and becomes available after the first Imprisoned battle. This shield is fairly durable and can defend against all attacks. The Sacred Shield will also slowly recover any and all damage to it shield meter unless the shield is completely destroyed. Its main drawback is that it has a low shield meter to begin with. The Sacred Shield can be upgraded to the more durable Divine and Goddess Shields.
  • Hylian Shield - The Hylian Shield is a bonus which is unlocked only by completing Lanayru's boss challenge. It is the strongest shield in the game, as it has no weaknesses and is unbreakable. This shield is said to be meant for the defenders of the goddess's holy power.

• A Link Between Worlds
  • Shield - Link can purchase a standard shield from most shops.
  • Hylian Shield - The Hylian Shield is found as a treasure in the Turtle Rock dungeon. This version cannot be eaten by Like Likes, and it can repel magic as well as the fire breath of Lynels.

• Breath of the Wild
  • In this game, there are numerous shields that can be found and obtained in various ways throughout the game, without any set order. All of the shields eventually break when used enough, and they bear different properties, advantages and drawbacks. By expanding his inventory with the help of the Korok named Hetsu, Link can eventually hold up to 20 shields at a time. For more information on different shields, see List of Items in Breath of the Wild.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In the Super Smash Bros. series, Link (as well as Young and Toon Link) wields a shield in battle. However, the shield is not used in any moves and will only deflect projectiles that happen to hit it. Link uses the Hylian Shield, Young Link uses the Deku Shield, and Toon Link wields the Hero's Shield. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, two stickers for the Hylian Shield (using artwork from The Minish Cap and Twilight Princess) appear.
• In Soulcalibur II, Link also uses a shield in battle. The default shield is the Hylian Shield, although Link can also obtain the Mirror and Magic Shields to use instead,
• In Cadence of Hyrule, shields can be acquired for use by both Link and Cadence, while Zelda instead uses magic to defend herself. The three levels of shields that are acquired throughout the game are the Small Shield, Tower Shield and Mirror Shield.

Trivia

• In the first two Zelda games, each shield had a cross engraved on it. This reflects developer comments that the Zelda world was intended as being monotheistic (and specifically based on Christianity) until they established the multiple goddesses in A Link to the Past. Most games since have had shields bearing the Hylian crest (especially the Hylian Shield itself).
• The only Zelda game to lack any shields at all is Tri Force Heroes.