Shield (equipment)

Shields are a recurring type of Armor in the Final Fantasy series. They generally increase defense and may also have a random chance to block an attack. A recurring shield from the series is the Aegis Shield.

Final Fantasy
In the first game, shields are items equipable by the Fighter and Knight job class. They give high defense boosts, and increase the chance of blocking an attack.

Final Fantasy II
Shields can be equipped by every character, unless they have a bow equipped, as bows are two-handed weapons. They increase the defense and evasion of the character, and can be erplaced by another weapon.

Final Fantasy III
Shields are exclusive to melee jobs, tough most are only available to the heaviest ones. They grant defense and evasion bonuses, as well as protection against certain status ailments. Two can be equipped for a greater defense boost, but the character will have no attack power.

Final Fantasy IV
Shields are exclusive to Cecil, Kain and Cid. They cannot be equipped at the same time as a two-handed weapon, like a Hammer or a Knightsword.

Final Fantasy V
Shields can be equipped by the heavier melee jobs, but theycan also be equipped by any job, as long as the character has equipped the ability "Equip Shields".

Final Fantasy VI
There are two types of shields in Final Fantasy VI: universal shields, that can be equipped by every character with the exception of Umaro, and heavy shields, that can only be equipped by Terra, Edgar, Celes,Cyan, Setzer and Mog.

Final Fantasy X
Tidus, Rikku and Wakka use shields and guards as armor. The other party members use types of Armlets instead.

Final Fantasy XI
Shields are items equipable in the sub-equipment slot. They may only be wielded when using either a one-handed weapon or no weapons. When equipped, the shield will decrease damage taken and occasionally block attacks. The chance of blocking an attack is governed by the player's Shield Skill, with Paladins having the best aptitude by far. Shields are available at different sizes and block rates.

Final Fantasy XII
Shields can be equipped by any character as long as they possess the required license to equip them, and have not equipped a two-handed weapon.

Final Fantasy Tactics
Shields can be equipped by Knights, Archers, Geomancers, Dragoons, Dark Knights, Onion Knights and any other job, as long as the character has equipped the "Equip Shields" ability. Many special jobs, like the Sword Saint or the Sky Pirate can aslo equip shields by default.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Shields can be equipped by every job, as long as they have equipped the "Shieldbearer" ability, taught by the Soldier, Warrior, Fencer, Mog Knight and Sage jobs.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
In this sequel, Shields can be, again, equipped by any job, as long as the character as equipped the "Shieldbearer" ability. The Gria and the Seeq can learn the ability too, by the Raptor and Viking jobs.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Shields are the tribe-specific armor of the Clavat.

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
Benjamin can equip shields, and Phoebe uses the Ether Shield as armor.