Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Best Shields [Top 13]
Out of 36 Shields in Tears of the Kingdom, here's my list of 13 best options to go for.
In the perilous world of Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, selecting the most effective shield is crucial for Link’s survival. With a staggering array of 36 shields to choose from, careful consideration is essential. Each shield possesses unique attributes that can greatly impact Link’s defense against enemies. Thus, I’ve compiled a list of the best options you should keep in consideration.
Related: Tears of the Kingdom BEST Armor Sets
- Why Trust Us: After having spent hours upon hours in Tears of the Kingdom, I think you’ll find me plenty insightful about the best shields.
Comparison Of The Best Shields in Tears of the Kingdom
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom features a total of 36 shields, and not all of them offer a high defense. I have ranked all the best Tears of the Kingdom shields based on the defense rating they offer & have compared each one of them here in the table.
| S.no | Shield's Name | Best For | Defense Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Shield of Mind's Eye | The Best Early-Game Option For Shield-Surf | 16 |
| 12 | Soldier's Shield | The Best Shield For Early-Game | 16 |
| 11 | Gerudo Shield | N/A | 20 |
| 10 | Dragonbone Boko Shield | The Best Defenses In Boko Shields | 25 |
| 9 | Radiant Shield | The Best Friction-Reducing Shield | 35 |
| 8 | Steel Lizal Shield | The Best Defenses In Lizal Shields | 35 |
| 7 | Knight's Shield | N/A | 40 |
| 6 | Daybreaker | The Best Shield Among Gerudo-Series | 48 |
| 5 | Mighty Zonaite Shield | The Best Zonaite Shield In Totk | 50 |
| 4 | Royal Shield | The Most Versatile Shield For Fusions | 55 |
| 3 | Savage Lynel Shield | The Best Shield For Offensive Parrying | 62 |
| 2 | Royal Guard's Shield | The Best Defensive Shield In Fusions | 70 |
| 1 | Hylian Shield | The Most Durable Shield In Totk | 90 |
13. Shield of Mind’s Eye
| Strength | Weak |
| Durability | 16 |
| Defense | 16 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Necluda |
- Why I Chose This: The Shield of Mind’s Eye is the best early shield if you want to surf around Hyrule.
The Shield of Mind’s Eye in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is a compact Sheikah creation. It’s a one-handed shield, designed to minimize blind spots without compromising defense.
How To Get
- To get this shield, you’ll have to tag along with Olkin as he ventures to the Ring Ruins.
- You must help him vanquish the Bokoblins.
- Once completed, Olkin rewards you with the shield, recognizing your valor and assistance.
Best Feature Of Shield of Mind’s Eye
When it comes to defense, I believe the Shield of Mind’s Eye shines despite its lower durability. Its unique design allows for increased visibility in battles, a vital edge when facing multiple enemies. It balances protection and agility. This design feature makes it a valuable asset to fuse with other shields.
If you are later in the game and want a Shield for more defenses rather than shield-surfing, then I suggest just using the Reinforced Lizal Shield. It can be found by defeating Lizal enemies on higher XP levels.
- Easy to handle, with a solid defense rating of 16.
- Great for shield-surfing due to low friction (0.25).
- Not suitable for heavy combat with only 16 durability.
- Not the highest defense among all shields.
12. Soldier’s Shield
| Strength | Weak |
| Durability | 16 |
| Defense | 16 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Hyrule Field, Elden Canyon |
- Why I Chose This: The Soldier’s Shield is found almost anywhere in early stages of the game and is your best protection early-on.
The Soldier’s Shield in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is a former staple of Hyrule Castle’s guards. This metal shield boasts a high base protection, combining ease of use with decent defense, though it can’t handle fire due to its wooden core, so I suggest exercising caution against fire-wielding enemies.
How To Get
- You’ll find the Soldier’s Shield mainly in two places: Hyrule Field and Eldin Canyon.
- Bokoblins frequently drop it, so confronting these foes can be a way to acquire it.
Best Feature of Soldier’s Shield
I found that Soldier’s Shield metal structure makes it a formidable barrier against enemy attacks, especially the arrows that simply shatter upon impact.Additionally, its ease of use makes it accessible in various combat situations, allowing you to maintain your agility and speed. Despite its susceptibility to lightning.
- Metallic structure breaks incoming arrows.
- Offers solid protection with a defense rating of 16.
- Vulnerable to fire dmg due to its wooden core.
- Attracts lightning, posing an additional threat.
11. Gerudo Shield
| Strength | Weak |
| Durability | 28 |
| Defense | 20 |
| Uses | Defense, reforging the daybreaker |
| Location | Gerudo desert, Gerudo Highlands |
- Why I Chose This: Gerudo Shield offers great protection at the start of the desert and is way better than other starting shields.
The Gerudo Shield in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is one of the best items. This metallic shield, has evolved over time to complement Gerudo’s unique sword-and-shield combat style and is appreciated by soldiers and travelers alike.
How To Get
- You’ll obtain the Gerudo Shield from the Gerudo Desert and Gerudo Highlands.
- Also found in a chest nestled beneath a giant rib cage at coordinates -4659, -1986, 0025.
- Be prepared, as there’s a formidable foe guarding this prize.
- Alternatively, continually reloading the game before opening the chest can grant you this shield.
Best Feature of Gerudo Shield
Despite its challenging acquisition process, I think the Gerudo Shield provides stellar defense. Its metallic build allows it to shatter arrows on impact, granting Link an advantage against archer enemies. Even though it’s vulnerable to lightning and fire, the Gerudo Shield, when used effectively, can offer an exceptional defense.
If you are having trouble getting the Gerudo Shield, I suggest using the Zora Shield. It has slightly weaker defenses and durability but can be found easily.
- High defense and durability score of 20.
- Breaks incoming arrows due to its metal composition.
- Vulnerable to lightning and protection to fire dmg is limited.
- Difficult to acquire due to harsh environment.
10. Dragonbone Boko Shield
| Strength | Weak |
| Durability | 8 |
| Defense | 25 |
| Uses | Protecting Link |
| Location | Gerudo desert, Gerudo Highlands |
- Why I Chose This: The Dragonbone Boko Shield is acqiured at higher XP levels but is pretty solid than other boko shields.
The Dragonbone Boko Shield, found in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, is a sturdy shield. Made from a Boko shield reinforced with fossilized bone, it has good defensive power but falls short in durability.
How To Get
- Acquiring this shield requires a visit to the Gerudo Highlands or the Gerudo Desert.
- This shield is a common find in these areas but beware: these regions are home to numerous dangerous creatures and harsh environmental conditions.
Best Feature of Dragonbone Boko Shield
Despite its limited durability, the Dragonbone Boko Shield stands out as an excellent defensive tool. Its wooden structure allows Link to block arrows safely. This feature offers an advantage during ranged combat. Moreover, it provides safety against lightning attacks due to its wooden structure.
For a more durable but rare shield wooden shield with better defenses, I recommend the Forest Dweller’s Shield instead.
- High base defense of 25, with resistance to Lightning.
- Wooden structure allows safe blocking of arrows.
- Low durability and vulnerable to fire attacks.
- Found in a relatively difficult area.
9. Radiant Shield
| Strength | Strong |
| Durability | 26 |
| Defense | 35 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Gerudo desert, Gerudo Highlands |
- Why I Chose This: The Radiant Shield is the best shield for shield-surfing as it has very high friction reduction and also high defenses.
The Radiant Shield in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is a symbol of honor, typically bestowed upon Gerudo warriors who achieve the rank of captain. This metal shield pairs luxury with impressive combat ability.
How To Get
- To get your hands on the Radiant Shield, venture into the Gerudo Desert or Gerudo Highlands.
- But remember, these are tough regions to navigate, filled with formidable foes.
- The Radiant Shield is a common find in these places, making your journey worthwhile.
Best Feature of Radiant Shield
It offers a high defenses, providing substantial protection against enemy attacks. Its metal structure shatters incoming arrows, allowing you to confront ranged threats confidently. Moreover, its durability ensures it lasts longer in combat than many other shields. Plus, I’ve found its friction-resistant capabilities to be exceptional when opting for traversal.
- High defense rating of 35.
- Highly durable (26), can break incoming arrows.
- Low availability in a challenging area.
- Attracts Lightning and vulnerable to Fire.
8. Steel Lizal Shield
| Strength | Strong |
| Durability | 15 |
| Defense | 35 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Gerudo desert, Mount Lanayru |
- Why I Chose This: Steel Lizal Sields are quite rare but worth the find as they provide solid protection and are pretty durable.
The Steel Lizal Shield in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is a sturdy defense tool. Its considerable weight demands a skilled hand for effective use. The shield is reinforced with metal shells for heightened protection.
How To Get
- To find the Steel Lizal Shield, you’ll need to navigate the Gerudo Desert or Mount Lanayru.
- These locations are popular spots for this shield, but they’re also known for their hostile environment and tough enemies.
Best Feature of Steel Lizal Shield
Steel Lizal Shield has excellent defensive capability that makes it a powerful ally in Link’s arsenal. The shield’s weight, which may be seen as a drawback, ensures stability during combat, particularly against hefty blows. I think the Steel Lizal Shield is a great choice when strength and durability are paramount in your defense strategy.
- Reinforced with metal shells for added durability.
- High defense rating of 35.
- Metal composition makes it vulnerable to Lightning.
- Requires a skilled soldier due to its heavy weight.
7. Knight’s Shield
| Strength | Strong |
| Durability | 23 |
| Defense | 40 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Tabatha frontier depths, Gerudo desert |
- Why I Chose This: Knight’s Shield provides great defenses and plenty can be found in hyrule castle and also on higher levels.
In Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, the Knight’s Shield is a trusted ally of those serving the Hyrulean royal family. Made of sturdy metal, demanding skilled handling due to its weight.
How To Get
- To locate the Knight’s Shield, you must venture into the arid expanses of the Gerudo Desert
- Or delve into the depths of the Tabantha Frontier. These challenging locations often reward successful adventurers with this formidable shield.
Best Feature of Knight’s Shield
The Knight’s Shield’s potential as the best defensive tool in Link’s arsenal is hard to deny. It offers an impressively high defense, promising to ward off even the harshest of blows. Despite the difficulty in acquiring the Knight’s Shield due to its challenging locations, I believe the defense it provides makes it an unrivaled choice.
- High protection rate of 40.
- Robust and durable due to its metal construction.
- Heavyweight requires skilled handling.
- Found in potentialy hazardous locations.
6. Daybreaker
| Strength | Strong |
| Durability | 60 |
| Defense | 48 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Gerudo town |
- Why I Chose This: Daybreaker is one of the legendary shields in Totk and is also very strong. It is also a returning figure from Botw making it worth for my list.
The Daybreaker Shield is a significant piece in the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, a cherished possession of Gerudo Champion Urbosa. Made with carefully selected gold, this shield marries lightweight handling with impressive durability.
How To Get
- To acquire the Daybreaker Shield, you must venture into Gerudo Town.
- After defeating the creature controlling the Divine Beast, you’re rewarded with this legendary shield.
- However, there’s a catch. The shield degrades over time and eventually breaks.
- It can be repaired using the Rock Octorock system, but this comes at the steep cost of 2000 rupees and four diamonds.
Best Feature of Daybreaker Shield
With a solid defense rating and high durability, Daybreaker provides Link with excellent protection against attacks. Its lightweight design ensures swift reactions during combat. It has high durability and is resistant to elemental attacks. The Daybreaker Shield’s reliability in the heat of battle justifies its viability in my opinion, making it as a potent safeguard in Link’s journey.
It is easiy outclassed by another legendary shield; The Sea-Breeze Shield. This Shield has far greater defenses and durability then Daybreaker and is a reference to the Wind-Waker Shield (Hero’s Shield).
- High defense and durability.
- Lightweight for easy handling.
- Difficult to aquire again if broken.
- Very expensive to repair.
5. Mighty Zonaite Shield
| Strength | Strong |
| Durability | 20 |
| Defense | 50 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Inside a chest located in the North Lomei Castle Top Floor area. |
- Why I Chose This: The Mighty Zonaite Shield is the best shield if you like fusing zonaite machines to your shield and also provides substantial defenses.
The Mighty Zonaite Shield is a force to be reckoned with in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. Crafted by the ancient Zonai and made from sturdy Zonaite. Its unique ability lies in efficiently harnessing energy cells from an attached Zonai device.
How To Get
- Getting your hands on the Mighty Zonaite Shield involves some puzzle-solving inside the Gemimik Shrine.
- In this hidden Shrine, you’ll have to navigate through tricky paths and face challenges.
- Once you overcome them, you’ll find the shield nestled inside a treasure chest, waiting to be claimed.
Best Feature of Mighty Zonaite Shield
The Mighty Zonaite Shield excels as a top-tier protective tool in the game. Its high defense rating and durability make it a reliable shield in battles, absorbing enemy hits and ensuring your safety. its unique feature of efficiently using energy from a Zonai device adds to its utility, opening up possibilities for unique strategic approaches.
- Strong defense rating of 50 with high durability.
- Can efficiently use energy from an attached Zonai device.
- Requires challenging puzzle solving to acquire.
- Limited to using energy from Zonai devices.
4. Royal Shield
| Strength | Strong |
| Durability | 29 |
| Defense | 55 |
| Location | Hyrule’s castle |
- Why I Chose This: The Royal Shield is found at late-game areas but becomes a very frequent find afterwards and provides balanced defense and durability.
The Royal Shield in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is a symbol of nobility. Originally designed for the royal family’s guard, it’s as much a piece of art as it is a defensive tool.
How To Get
- To find the Royal Shield, you’ll need to venture to a tower located northeast of the Second Gatehouse.
- The journey may not be easy, but I assure you the reward is worth it.
- Inside a chest in this tower, the Royal Shield awaits the worthy adventurer.
Best Feature of Royal Shield
In defense terms, the Royal Shield stands among the best shields in the game. It’s high defense ensures that you are well-protected in any battle situation. The shield’s durability adds to its reliability, withstanding blows without breaking easily.
- Provides high base defense of 55.
- Pretty durable with a rating of 29.
- Difficult and challenging to obtain.
- Has low defensive stat as compared to it’s conterpart.
3. Savage Lynel Shield
| Strength | Strong |
| Durability | 20 |
| Defense | 62 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Hebra mountains, Akkala Highlands, Central Hyrule depths |
- Why I Chose This: The Savage Lynel Shield provides substantial defense and dmg. Difficult to obtain but well worth the efforts.
The Savage Lynel Shield is the cream of the crop in the world of shields. Made by the white-haired Lynels, the toughest of their kind, allowing it to endure the most punishing attacks.
How To Get
- To lay your hands on this formidable piece of defense, you’ll need to challenge a white-haired Lynel.
- These powerful adversaries can be found at several locations across Hyrule in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.
- Prepare yourself well for a tough fight, as I think the Lynels are among the strongest foes in the game.
- Defeating them can be a tall task, but the reward – the Savage Lynel Shield – is worth the effort.
Best Feature of Savage Lynel Shield
The Savage Lynel Shield is a top-tier shield due to its exceptional defense capabilities. With a high defense, it’s capable of withstanding aggressive attacks, making it ideal for encounters with strong enemies. The ability to cut down powerful foes when deflecting adds another layer of utility.
You can always use Other Lynel Shield Varients If you can’t manage to defeat a white-maned lynel as all the lynel shields can shield bash and possess solid defenses.
- Considerably high defense rating of 62.
- Can deflect incoming attacks easily.
- Challenging to acquire.
- Lower duribility than some other shields.
2. Royal Guard’s Shield
| Strength | Versatile |
| Durability | 14 |
| Defense | 70 |
| Uses | Defense |
| Location | Hyrule’s castle |
- Why I Chose This: The Royal Guard’s Shield possesses great defense stats but has a demerit of low durability. Great for Fusions.
The Royal Guard’s Shield, crafted using ancient Sheikah tech, is a defensive marvel in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. It’s designed for unparalleled stopping power, despite its structural fragility.
How To Get
- Acquiring this mighty shield requires a trip to Hyrule Castle.
- Located in the Second Gatehouse, you’ll need stamina-boosting the best recipes for the journey.
- From Landing Skyview Tower, glide north to the castle, and navigate to the castle’s backside.
- The shield, along with other Royal Guard equipment, is found here.
Best Feature of Royal Guard’s Shield
The Royal Guard’s Shield reigns supreme in defense. With a high defense rating, it provides superior protection, blocking even the most potent of enemy attacks. Its durability may not be its strongest feature, but after my testing, I conclude that this shield’s defense capability makes it a worthwhile piece of equipment.
- Provides high attack protection of 70.
- Can be used in fusions for increased defense.
- Very low durability rate of 14.
- Difficult to obtain, as is complex to find.
1. Hylian Shield
| Strength | Strongest |
| Durability | 800 |
| Defense | 90 |
| Uses | Defending, Blocking fire, electric & curse attacks |
| Location | Hyrule castle |
- Why I Chose This: The Hylian Shield takes the spot of The Best Shield in Totk too. This is the most durable and has the highest defense, viable for every situation.
The Hylian Shield, recognized as a classic symbol of Link’s adventure, is a powerhouse in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. With an unmatched defense, this shield, while challenging to acquire, promises an extraordinary level of protection.
How To Get
- To secure the Hylian Shield, you must brave the docks under Hyrule Castle.
- Embark on your journey via a boat, aiming for the castle’s northwest moat.
- Upon finding the hidden docks, ascend the stairs and prepare for an encounter with five Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon.
- Defeat or bypass them and light the central brazier to reveal the prized Hylian Shield.
Best Feature of Hylian Shield
The Hylian Shield stands as an unbeatable defense tool in your arsenal. With its high defense, it surpasses all other shields, allowing you to endure even the most powerful attacks. This resilience, combined with the iconic status of the Hylian Shield, makes it an invaluable asset for crucial battles. It has a whopping 800 durability. I think it’s safe to say that it wipes the floor with the competition.
- Exceptionaly high defense value of 90.
- Can tank fire, electric and curse attacks easily.
- Requires a challenging journey to obtain.
- Costly to replace if broken.
Other Honorable Mentions
Here are some other shields in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom that you might consider using based on your own personal preferences.
- Sea-Breeze Shield: An excellent shield, but you need to follow a long process in order to get your hands on this one.
- Zora Shield: A decent option for early gameplay, but because of its metal, it is much more vulnerable to the lightning, which makes it weaker.
- Forest Dweller’s Shield: An overall useful shield, but I suggest you not use this one for head-on attacks, as it can break easily.
- Spiked Boko Shield: This shield is easier to find than the others mentioned above, and also offers slightly more protection.
- Lynel Shield: Another good early game option that can easily take down enemies.
My Thoughts On The Best Shields In Tears Of The Kingdom
When it comes to shields in Tears of the Kingdom, you need to be aware of how long it would take for your shield to break when facing enemy attacks. Thus, picking durable shields with high guard should be your focus. If I say about myself though, I just put up a Hylian Shield and call it a day, it’s just that tanky.
Other than the Hylian Shield which is the best defensive option by a mile, you can opt for other less-durable shields to save as much of your durability on the “boss” shield as possible. Thus, you can use the Sea-Breeze Shield or the Daybreaker Shield to get good defenses and durability as well.
With this, I summarize my Tears of the Kingdom Best Shield guide. Now that you know about the amazing shields, which one are you going after besides the Hylian Shield? Just in case you move on to the next read, do consider visiting Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Dinraal, Master Cycle Guide, Where Is Foothill Stable, and Bubble Gem guides.
Next:
- Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Best Bows
- Tears of the Kingdom Best Weapons
- Tears of the Kingdom Best Horses
- Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: Paraglider
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