Shield
Shield is an armor type that is equipped in the off-hand slot. These are primarily used by gladiators and paladins. However, some low-level shields can also be equipped by conjurers and white mages if they equip a one-handed weapon, and thaumaturges and black mages if they equip a one-handed weapon.[1] Because all weapons for these classes/jobs are solely two-handed after Lv. 50, shields cannot be equipped by them at higher levels.
In duties, players can roll for set items that, when used, will transform into the separate sword and shield. That way, players do not need to separately roll for the sword and shield.
Blocking
Equipping a shield allows the player to passively block incoming attacks, reducing damage dealt. The effectiveness of the block depends on the shield's stats. Each IL 430 or higher shield gives an approximately 30% block rate and 20% block damage reduction.
Blocking has no effect on damage-over-time debuffs, most unique damage, or critical hits.
- Critical hits are absent from all level 71+ bosses (level 70 or lower bosses and most non-boss enemies can still deal critical hits).
The paladin actions 
Bulwark and 
Passage of Arms increases block rate to 100% for the duration of their effects.
Players cannot block while casting a spell or if they are 
stunned.
Blocking attacks is distinct from parrying, which only applies to physical damage and is available for all classes and jobs.
| Item | Icon | Level | Item Level | Requirement | Block Strength | Block Rate | Materia Slots | Stats and Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augmented Hellhound Kite Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Company Escutcheon | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA CNJ THM PLD WHM BLM | 33 | 33 | 0 | |
| Divine Beast Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Figmental Lid | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Gigas Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Hellhound Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| House Fortemps Kite Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Komainu Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Square Maple Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA CNJ THM PLD WHM BLM | 17 19 | 17 19 | 0 | |
| The Emperor's New Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Tropaios Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Ward Knight's Shield | 
|
1 | 1 | GLA PLD | 37 | 37 | 0 | |
| Immortal Flames Escutcheon | 
|
1 | 6 | GLA CNJ THM PLD WHM BLM | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| Maelstrom Escutcheon | 
|
1 | 6 | GLA CNJ THM PLD WHM BLM | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| Twin Adder Escutcheon | 
|
1 | 6 | GLA CNJ THM PLD WHM BLM | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| Bronze Hoplon | 
|
8 | 8 | GLA PLD | 44 49 | 44 49 | 0 | Strength +1 1 |
| Round Shield | 
|
10 | 10 | GLA CNJ PLD WHM | 23 26 | 23 26 | 0 | Mind +1 1 Direct Hit Rate +1 1 |
Lore
Military strategists claim that the best defense is a good offense. The soldiers who fight the strategists’ wars, however, will claim the best defense is a good shield. In fact, many will argue that save divine intervention, there is oft no better way to protect oneself from speeding missile, thrust of spear, or fall of axe than a well-placed wall of wood or metal. It is as such that for countless centuries have shields of all shapes and sizes accompanied men and women into battle.
Shields have seen much change through the ages, starting as naught but loosely fitted planks fastened with twine, and subsequently branching off into myriad variations to match the purpose or fighting style of their wielders. Materials range from wood and leather, to heavy bronze and steel; some round to protect the chest and arms, with others large and rectangular to provide cover from deadly storms of fire, stone, and arrows. Some are tooled to be held in the off hand, some to be fastened to arm, wrist, or back. Some are meant to double as blunt weapons, while still others are designed for interlocking to create impenetrable shield walls.
With advancements in metallurgy and smithing have new alloys been discovered, significantly reducing the weight of metal shields. Still, a metal shield can prove a burden for many, adversely affecting mobility, causing fatigue, and hampering, one’s ability to effectively wield their weapon. Because of this, wooden shields remain popular, though not just for their lightness. Softer woods will give way to ensnare a blade, allowing for an enemy’s disarmament. Wooden shields also are better attuned to elemental aether, making them more susceptive to aetherial enchantments which can both physically and magically boost defense.
Prominent Designs
Round Shield
One of the most basic of handheld defenses, a round shield consists of several thick, wooden planks held together with a metal rim and a central metal plate known as a boss. Inexpensive and easy to craft, round shields can be found used in most areas around the realm, save the treeless wastes of Thanalan and Gyr Abania.
Hoplon
The hoplon replaces the round shield’s planks of wood for hammered copper or bronze, resulting in increased protection against even the most forceful of blows. The extra weight, however, can make the hoplon difficult to wield, which is why most often their use is reserved for infantry-based shield-wall tactics.
Buckler
As a fighter becomes more adept with her shield, she may find that size no longer holds the importance it once did. A shield need not hide one’s entire body if it can be placed in the path of danger with an impeccably timed turn of the wrist. The size and weight of a buckler make it perfect for those who prefer to stay agile on the field of battle, while supplementary spikes and blades make it much more than just an instrument of defense.
Targe
By employing a face of hardened beast- or scalekin leather, the size of a targe can be increased to reach from shoulder to shin without encumbering its wielder. A metal boss and plentiful studding is oft applied to the shield to offset the loss of protection against piercing damage.
Kite Shield
The kite shield earns its name from its tapered, teardrop shape, said to resemble a pinion or kite. A preferred choice amongst knights, the shield’s face is oft decorated with an elaborate coat of arms, telling the tale of its wielder’s house or allegiance.
Scutum
These tall, rectangular shields are some of the heaviest in existence; however, when arranged in an overlapping wall, the resulting phalanx provides almost impenetrable cover, allowing an army to advance unscathed before both a deadly volley of arrows or an opponent’s charge.
Bladed Lantern Shield
While most certainly imposing, it is not this shield’s twin blades that set it apart from similar creations. Within its hollowed interior is an aetherial lantern which, when lit, can emit light through an array of slits on the shield’s face. Oft equipped by scouts and sentries who must work under cover of night, the shield comes complete with shutters which can be closed to prevent light from spilling forth and revealing one’s position in the darkness, or opened during battle to dazzle the enemy.
Holy Shield
Unlike the traditional kite shields borne by Ishgard’s Temple Knights, the Holy Shield does not feature a coat of arms—the unpainted silver a symbol of the Sultansworn’s purity of heart and untainted loyalty to the throne.
Svalin
Fabled shield of Ser Moulignauge, member of Thordan’s knights twelve, there is no mention of the item outside the Enchiridion, its whereabouts lost to the mists of time. For many winters, the Vault actively funded searches for the shield and other so-called holy relics, but since the Church’s recent reformation, these endeavors have been placed on permanent hold.
Asuran Greatshield
Inspiration for this greatshield of Doman design was taken from the scaled pauldrons of traditional Far Eastern samurai armor known as “osode.” The shields unique half-crescent body is thought to be effective in turning aside the sharp blows of similarly curved weaponry.
Prytwen
Shield of Caerkympf, grandfather of former Sultansworn captain Solkzagyl Keltnaglsyn, Prytwen was gifted to the Roegadyn along with the legendary creed armor for his leal duty to the sultanate. Its center is painted abyssal blue that none forget how even one beholden to a life of piracy might put his past behind him for a greater good.
Noct Hopton
Gerolt Blackthorn has rarely been particular when it comes to a customer’s background, provided they have the coin to see a project to its end. So, upon receiving an order for a full set of plate mail and a darksteel hoplon from the pirates of the Astalicia, the mastersmith had no reason to decline it. When a payment for materials did not arrive on time, however, Gerolt simply found another buyer for the set in gladiator Heimir the Simple, much to the chagrin of the pirates.
Aegis Shield
Pair to the holy sword, Excalibur, legend has that this shield was “unwavering, unyielding, unbreaking” and would forever protect he who stood behind it. The single blood-red ruby upon its boss (or umbo) is said to be a symbol of divine strength.
Mitsuba
Sanana, trader in the employ of Rowena’s House of Splendors, discovered this beautifully lacquered shield collecting dust in a curio parlor in Kugane. According to the antiquarian who sold it to her, the three-leaf insignia emblazoned on the shield’s face signifies that it was once owned by a warrior of Clan Miyumi—a noble house which served Clan Buhen, legendary founders of Suenokuni.
Ritter Shield
Ala Mhigan court records show that when King Theodoric presented one of his wife’s personal guards with a sword and the other with a shield, the two maiden knights—each refusing to believe that their liege favored the other more than her—fought a duel to prove their worth. The duel ended in a draw, with both participants succumbing to their wounds several days after. As was the sword, the Ritter Shield, too, was seized by the Garlean Empire following their successful annexation of Ala Mhigo.
Shield of the Twin Thegns
Legend has that this massive shield was wielded by twin brothers who literally fought side by side in battle—one holding the shield with his left hand, the other with his right. A recreation of the shield (albeit for use by a single warrior) was recently crafted by Gerolt Blackthorn and Ardashir Balyk in an attempt to replicate an ancient Allagan technique of imbuing weaponry with aetherial sentience.
References
- ↑ This is a remnant of 1.0 class design where these classes could equip the since-removed Sentinel sub-class, which specialized in shields. Ranking up Sentinel gave these classes unique skills and the ability to guard and block. The class was removed in Patch 1.20 and its abilities transferred to Gladiator.
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Eorzea: Volume II, page 221-222
