Highlights
- Tears of the Kingdom introduces two new realms to the world of Hyrule, providing players with a vast open world to explore and make choices in their adventure.
- Combat is inevitable in the game, and players will need a good shield to stand a chance against Ganondorf's army. Different shields, such as the Soldier's Shield and Shield of the Mind's Eye, offer unique advantages and disadvantages.
- As players progress in the game, they will have access to more powerful shields, such as the Zora Shield and Hylian Shield, which provide higher defense ratings and durability. Acquiring these shields may require certain quests or defeating tough enemies.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom welcomes players back into the world of Hyrule for yet another adventure with the Hero of Time, Link. Using the same map as its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom adds two new realms both above and below Hyrule’s surface. With such a vast open world to explore, players have a lot of choices in how they spend their time.
But one unavoidable aspect is combat. Players can put it off for as long as possible, but eventually, Ganondorf’s army of Bokoblins, Gibdos, and Lynels will catch up with them. When they do, players will need a good shield if they hope to stand a chance. So, here are the best shields in Tears of the Kingdom.
Updated September 11, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: The combat in Tears of the Kingdom is pretty engaging, carrying over most of the systems from Breath of the Wild to make things familiar yet pretty challenging in its own right.
Given how much damage a vulnerable Link can sustain from a powerful enemy, it becomes important to wield the best equipment to turn the odds in the player's favor. A shield is especially useful for deflecting attacks, with Link having access to many powerful shields in the game that can protect him against some truly damaging enemy offense.
18 Soldier’s Shield
- How to find: Dropped by most mid-level enemies in Hyrule
One of the most accessible shields is the Soldier’s Shield, which can be found in Hyrule Field and Eldin Canyon. It’s commonly dropped by Bokoblin enemies, so it’s also easy to replace when it inevitably breaks. The Soldier’s Shield has a defense rating of 16 and is made of wood and metal.
Due to the materials, the Soldier’s Shield is a decent early option for players facing off against archer enemies, as arrows will shatter upon impact. However, it’s also susceptible to fire and has a much lower defense rating than other shields in the game.
17 Shield Of The Mind’s Eye
- How to find: Found in most Like Like chests
Another shield with the same defense level is the Shield of the Mind’s Eye, which will be given to players who assist Olkin in clearing the Ring Ruins of Bokoblins. This wooden shield features a unique design meant to eliminate blind spots in battle. This makes it great for players who prioritize visibility and swift reactions in combat.
The Shield of the Mind’s Eye is also a great option for fusing with materials due to its high agility. It also features a high friction rate, making it a fast shield surfing option. However, its susceptibility to fire and low defense rating means that other shields may be better choices.
16 Gerudo Shield
- How to find: Found while exploring the Gerudo Desert and Gerudo Highlands
To acquire the Gerudo Shield, players will need some luck on their side. The many Like Like enemies scattered across the Gerudo region will drop chests which randomly reward players with Gerudo weaponry. If Link is lucky, he'll get a drop with this golden shield with its defense rating of 20.
Like the Soldier’s Shield, the Gerudo Shield will break incoming arrows due to its metal composition. Its improved defense rating makes it a better option than the two previous entries, and it’s stylish as well. However, its vulnerability to lightning is a drawback, and it can be difficult to acquire.
15 Zora Shield
- How to find: Found in the areas in and around Zora's Domain
Another shield with cultural ties is the Zora Shield, which can be easily found within Zora's Domain. It has a defense rating of 24, is of strong metal construction, and features an intricate and beautiful design typical of the Zora aesthetic.
This shield is a great option for those heading to the Water Temple, as it can be easily grabbed along the way. The metal does make it vulnerable to lightning, of course, but it’s still a decent option early on. Later, however, players will have plenty of other choices to upgrade to.
14 Dragonbone Boko Shield
- How to find: Dropped by most mid to high-level enemies in Hyrule
With its base defense level of 25, the Dragonbone Boko Shield is another great choice. This wood and bone shield is commonly dropped by enemies in various regions. It holds up well against a variety of weapons and is handy for players hoping to collect enemy arrows.
Being wooden, the Dragonbone Boko Shield is great to have during a storm. It is, however, vulnerable to fire. But with how easy it is to come across, it’s a great shield to keep in rotation.
13 Lynel Shield
- How to find: Dropped by Red Lynels
Lynels were some of the toughest enemies in Breath of the Wild, and fans are either pleased or horrified at their return in this game. At lower levels, even the easiest Lynel in the game can pose a massive challenge for the player.
However, taking on these enemies is worthwhile for the wealth of powerful equipment that Link can attain as a result. The Lynel Shield is especially useful in the early game when players aren't really finding many shields of worthwhile quality.
12 Forest Dweller’s Shield
- How to find: Found in Korok Forest
Taking first place among the wooden shields is the Forest Dweller’s Shield, a useful option handmade by the Koroks. It has a base defense of 30 and can be found in Korok Forest at the coordinates 0421, 2150, 0150.
When facing off against electrical enemies, or simply being caught in a storm, Link will need to unequip any metal weapons if he doesn’t want to get shocked. In these cases, the Forest Dweller Shield comes in handy. Later, there’s armor to help in these situations, but until then, this shield is a good choice.
11 Radiant Shield
- How to find: Found while exploring the Gerudo Desert and Gerudo Highlands
This striking metal shield is wielded by the captain of the Gerudo warriors. However, somehow, Link is also allowed to use it. This purple, gold, and red shield can be found in the Gerudo Desert and Highlands area. It has a base defense level of 35 and a durability rating of 26.
Like all metal shields, it has the useful quality of shattering enemy arrows upon impact. However, this also makes it susceptible to electrical attacks. Its increased durability goes a long way to make up for it, as does its commonality.
10 Steel Lizal Shield
- How to find: Dropped by Lizalfos
The Steel Lizal Shield can also be found in the Gerudo Desert region and is of similar metallic construction. However, where it differs is its weighty design. The Steel Lizal Shield has a defense rating of 35 and is usually dropped by Lizalfos.
Being of heavy construction, the Steel Lizal Shield is effective against heavy blows and gives players more stability during combat. While it’s still susceptible to lightning, it’s a good defensive option for those in enemy-heavy areas.
9 Knight’s Shield
- How to find: Dropped by most high-level enemies in Hyrule
Though it may have seen better days, the metal Knight’s Shield is a staple of Tears of the Kingdom gameplay. It has a base defense rating of 40 and can be found in Northern Hyrule, Hyrule Castle, and various other locations around the map.
Like other high-level metal shields, it has a heavier construction that allows it to withstand tough blows. It’s an incredibly durable option to have in players’ inventories and usually worth dropping other shields for.
8 Mighty Lynel Shield
- How to find: Dropped by Blue Lynels
After facing off against a lower-level Lynel and attaining the means to become more powerful, the overworld will be populated by tougher variants of this enemy. The Blue Lynel is the next challenge that most players will face.
As one would expect, this enemy isn't easy in the slightest. With a combination of skills and pure luck, players can defeat this Lynel to get a really powerful piece of equipment called the Mighty Lynel Shield.
7 Daybreaker
- How to find: Crafted after finishing the Regional Phenomena in the Gerudo Region by giving 4 diamonds, 10 flints, a Gerudo Shield, and a Gerudo Scimitar
The Daybreaker Shield can be tricky to acquire, but with a base defense of 48 and a durability score of 60, it is one of the best shields to have. To get it, players will need to completeThe Missing Owner side quest and trade four diamonds, 10 flints, a Gerudo Scimitar, and a Gerudo Shield with Isha.
The Daybreaker Shield’s defense, durability, and handling are its major points of attraction. It pairs well with other Gerudo weapons and is less susceptible to elemental attacks than other metal shields. As shields go, it’s also one of the more striking designs.
6 Mighty Zonaite Shield
- How to find: Dropped by some high-level enemies as the player gets stronger
With the introduction of the Zonai, the game introduces a whole new kind of material in the form of Zonaite. Neither metal nor wood, Zonaite is impervious to both electricity and fire. As such, the Mighty Zonaite Shield, often found in shrines, is a fantastic shield to use.
With a base defense of 50, it’s incredibly durable when used in combat. It can harness energy from any Zonai device it is attached to and is a great protective tool at Link’s disposal. When players find this shield, they should be sure not to waste it on low-level enemies.
5 Royal Shield
- How to find: Found in Hyrule Fields and the Gerudo Highlands Depths
Part defensive tool, part collector’s item, the Royal Shield is another top choice in the game. Found in a turret in Hyrule Castle at coordinates -0096, 0933, 0296, this shield has a base defense of 55 and an ornate black and gold design.
The Royal Shield is durable, offers high defense, and withstands strong blows. Despite its difficulty to find, it’s well worth the search for those hoping for good defense in combat. As a bonus, it’s as stylish as it is useful, so Link will look great while he beats his enemies to a pulp.
4 Savage Lynel Shield
- How to find: Dropped by White and Silver Lynels
This shield is one of the rarest in the game, as it can only be acquired by defeating a White or Silver Lynel. These Lynels are one of the toughest enemies Link will face and can be found in the Akkala Highlands or the Central Hyrule Depths. When defeated, these Lynels will drop their shield for Link to take.
With its defense rating of 62, this shield can withstand even the most aggressive attacks. It does have a durability score of only 20, so this shield may not last long. If they do manage to get one, players should enjoy the time they have with this great shield.
3 Sea Breeze-Shield
- How to find: Scanning the Toon Link amiibo or going to Tabahl Grove in the Depths
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is one of the greatest action-adventure games of all time and a title that fans adore. The fact that this title is paid homage to in Tears of the Kingdom delights most players to no end.
The Sea Breeze-Shield is a powerful piece of equipment that is found in the Tabahl Grove, which one can access through the Depths. Players lucky enough to have the Toon Link amiibo on their person can also obtain this shield once every day with little effort!
2 Royal Guard’s Shield
- How to find: Inside Hyrule Castle
With a whopping base defense rating of 70, the Royal Guard’s Shield is a must-have for players facing tough enemies in Tears of the Kingdom. This shield can only be found in the floating Hyrule Castle, so can be a little difficult to get.
If players manage to get their hands on this shield, they’ll find themselves with one of the best defensive tools in the game. Even with its considerably low durability score of 14, the Royal Guard’s Shield is definitely one to seek out and save.
1 Hylian Shield
- How to find: Found in the docks of Hyrule Castle where players have to fight the Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon
A true icon of the entire Legend of Zelda series, the Hylian shield is without a doubt the best in the game. It has a base defense of 90, meaning it is the strongest defensive tool at Link’s disposal. The ultimate shield, however, does come at the ultimate price.
To get this shield, players will need to brave the hidden docks area of Hyrule Castle, where they will fight five Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon in combat. If successful, players can rest assured that they have the best shield in Tears of the Kingdom.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is currently available on Switch.