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. Examples of recurring shields from the series include the Aegis Shield and the Hero's Shield. Shields tend to have two subdivisions - "heavy" shields, which only physical attackers like Warriors and Dragoons can use, and "light" or "universal" shields, which any class including mages can use.

Final Fantasy
In the first game, shields are items equippable 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 replaced by another weapon.

Final Fantasy III
Shields are exclusive to melee Jobs, though 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, except for the Hero's Shield, which can be equipped by any character. They cannot be equipped at the same time as a two-handed weapon, like a Hammer or a Knightsword. Dark Shields can only be equipped by Dark Knight Cecil, while Light Shields can only be equipped by Paladin Cecil.

Final Fantasy V
Shields can be equipped by the heavier melee Jobs, but they can 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. The shield is a basic armor for Tidus, two-slot with no abilities.

Final Fantasy XI
Shields are items equippable 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. Shields are also the basis for many Paladin abilities and spells, such as Shield Bash or Reprisal.

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. Uniquely in the series, equipping a shield only adds to evasion, not to defense.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
The only Shield in the game, "Ba'Gabuckler", can only be equipped by Ba'Gamnan. It slightly increases his group's Stamina.

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 also equip shields by default. There is also a second escutcheon called by the same name but this one has the highest evasion stats of all shields and has a different color than it's counterpart.

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 is the only one who can equip shields, and Phoebe uses the Ether Shield.


 * Steel Shield
 * Venus Shield
 * Aegis Shield
 * Ether Shield