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This article is about the protective item type. For the region within the Wushanko isles, see The Shield.
Steel full helm detail old
Due to an update, the information in this article may be out-of-date.
Reason: Update life point boosts for adamant/rune spike/berserker shields, and Daemonheim shields.
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A shield is a protective item wielded in the off-hand slot. A shield adds substantial bonuses to armour and to life points when wielded, and unlocks the use of some Defence abilities. However, use of a shield carries a price of not being able to wield a two-handed weapon or an off-hand weapon, resulting in a lower damage per second (DPS) value. Most shields carry a Defence level requirement to wield. Players who wield shields for extra endurance are commonly referred to as tanks.

History[]

For most of RuneScape's history, shields had largely been reserved for the melee class. Shields generally gave melee and Ranged defensive bonuses, making them most suitable for melee users, though rangers sometimes used shields with one-handed Ranged weapons. Mages had few options when it came to shield use, as most shields gave substantial penalties to Magic accuracy. Rangers and mages alike tended to wield books in the offhand, if not wielding a two-handed weapon, for their accuracy and Prayer bonuses. Traditionally, shields were made with the Smithing skill, or received as monster drops.

Gradually, a more diverse selection of shields began to enter the game. The dragonfire shield, released on 18 June 2007, provided a viable defensive option for players of all classes, with its high defensive bonuses and reasonably low offensive bonuses for non-meleers. The release of Summer's End on 15 September 2008 also saw the release of the spirit shields, two of which, the arcane spirit shield and spectral spirit shield, provided high bonuses to Magic offence and Magic defence, respectively. Additionally, new high-level shields for each class were added with the release of Dungeoneering on 12 April 2010.

Many new shields were added to the game with the Evolution of Combat on 20 November 2012, particularly low- and mid-level shields for rangers and mages. Additionally, the update made shield usage more attractive by increasing the effectiveness of a shield, as well as adding powerful abilities that require them.

Usage[]

File:Resonance.gif

A player using a malevolent kiteshield to activate the Resonance ability.

Since the Evolution of Combat, the use of a shield has a more profound effect on a player's combat ability than before. Compared to a head-slot item of equal level, a shield adds the same amount of armour and more life points. Shields also allow for the usage of the strongest Defence abilities. Between a shield's extra armour, life point bonuses, and these abilities, players who choose to wield shields are significantly more capable of dealing with enemies' powerful attacks. Shield usage can be very helpful for players who are attempting to battle enemies with a much higher combat level.

Shield usage carries a tradeoff. Players who wield shields cannot use two-handed weapons or offhand weapons, both of which carry an extra 50% bonus to DPS versus wielding a single one-handed weapon. Additionally, abilities that require a two-handed weapon or offhand weapon cannot be used. This generally means that players must choose whether to focus on offence with a two-handed weapon or dual-wielded weapons, or focus on defence with a shield. In general, it is recommended to use a two-handed weapon or to dual-wield unless a shield is required for survivability.

In a group bossing team, one player may serve as the tank by wielding a shield and activating Incite, which will draw the boss's attention to them. The shield makes it much easier for the tank to survive the boss's focus, and the remaining team members can attack the boss more freely. A similar strategy may be employed in player-vs-player combat by a player who uses Provoke.

List of notable shields[]

For a comprehensive list of all shields in the game, see Category:Shields.

Melee[]

Each type of metal in RuneScape, from bronze to dragon, has a square shield and a kiteshield. Prior to the Evolution of Combat, the two types of shields were more distinct, giving slightly different defensive bonuses. Now, however, square shields give slightly lower armour bonuses than kiteshields, though with the same life point bonuses. Square shields also tend to be slightly less expensive than kiteshields. Square shields and kiteshields, with the exception of the dragon sq shield and dragon kiteshield, can be made through the Smithing skill. In the interest of brevity, only kiteshields are listed below.

Icon Name P2P? Skill
requirements
Armour bonus Life point bonus Notes
Bronze kiteshield Bronze kiteshield File:F2P icon.png 1 Defence-icon 30 0
File:Anti-dragon shield.png Anti-dragon shield File:F2P icon.png 1 Defence-icon 30 0 Provides strong protection versus dragonfire attacks.
Iron kiteshield Iron kiteshield File:F2P icon.png 10 Defence-icon 40 0
Steel kiteshield Steel kiteshield File:F2P icon.png 20 Defence-icon 63 0
Black kiteshield Black kiteshield File:F2P icon.png 25 Defence-icon 76 0
White kiteshield White kiteshield P2P icon 25 Defence-icon 76 0
1 Prayer bonus. Requires completion of Wanted! in order to weild.
Mithril kiteshield Mithril kiteshield File:F2P icon.png 30 Defence-icon 90 0
Adamant kiteshield Adamant kiteshield File:F2P icon.png 40 Defence-icon 125 0
File:Spirit shield.png Spirit shield P2P icon 40 Defence-icon
55 Prayer-icon
125 0 +1 prayer bonus. Requires completion of Summer's End.
Adamant spikeshield Adamant spikeshield File:F2P icon.png 45 Defence-icon 137 0 Obtained from Fist of Guthix. Degrades.
Adamant berserker shield Adamant berserker shield File:F2P icon.png 45 Defence-icon 146 0
Rune kiteshield Rune kiteshield File:F2P icon.png 50 Defence-icon 170 0
Rune spikeshield Rune spikeshield File:F2P icon.png 55 Defence-icon 185 0 Obtained from Fist of Guthix. Degrades.
Rune berserker shield Rune berserker shield File:F2P icon.png 55 Defence-icon 196 0
File:Granite shield.png Granite shield P2P icon 55 Defence-icon
55 Strength-icon
196 0
Dragon kiteshield Dragon kiteshield P2P icon 60 Defence-icon 226 0
File:Toktz-ket-xil.png Toktz-ket-xil P2P icon 60 Defence-icon 226 0
File:Third-age kiteshield.png Third-age kiteshield P2P icon 65 Defence-icon 259 0 Obtained extremely rarely from Treasure Trails.
File:Crystal shield.png Crystal shield P2P icon 70 Defence-icon
50 Agility-icon
297 35 Requires completion of Roving Elves. Degrades.
File:Bandos warshield.png Bandos warshield P2P icon 70 Defence-icon 297 35 +1 prayer bonus.
File:Blessed spirit shield.png Blessed spirit shield P2P icon 70 Defence-icon
60 Prayer-icon
297 35 +3 prayer bonus. Requires completion of Summer's End.
File:Dragonfire shield.png Dragonfire shield P2P icon 70 Defence-icon 297 35 Provides protection from dragonfire as an anti-dragon shield. Must first be charged with dragonfire attacks in order to reach its highest armour bonus.
File:Divine spirit shield.png Divine spirit shield P2P icon 75 Defence-icon
75 Prayer-icon
338 0 Absorbs 30% of incoming damage in exchange for draining 6% of the original hit in prayer points. Requires completion of Summer's End. This is currently the strongest non-degrading melee shield available.
File:Chaotic kiteshield.png Chaotic kiteshield P2P icon 80 Defence-icon
80 File:Stats.png
384 385 Obtained from the rewards trader at Daemonheim. Degrades.
File:Attuned crystal shield.png Attuned crystal shield P2P icon 80 Defence-icon
50 Agility-icon
384 385 Requires 90 Smithing-icon to make with Crystal Singing. Requires completion of Plague's End. Degrades.
File:Malevolent kiteshield.png Malevolent kiteshield P2P icon 90 Defence-icon 491 735 This is currently the highest tier Melee shield available. Degrades.

Ranged[]

Many Ranged shields, particularly the lower- to mid-levelled shields, were added to the game with the Evolution of Combat and can be made through the Crafting skill. Shieldbows are not included here, despite them allowing the use of shield abilities.

Icon Name P2P? Skill
requirements
Armour bonus Life point bonus Notes
File:Leather shield.png Leather shield File:F2P icon.png None 30 0
File:Hard leather shield.png Hard leather shield File:F2P icon.png 10 Defence-icon
10 Ranged-icon
40 0
File:Studded leather shield.png Studded leather shield File:F2P icon.png 20 Defence-icon
20 Ranged-icon
63 0
File:Green d'hide shield.png Green d'hide shield File:F2P icon.png 40 Defence-icon 125 0
File:Blue d'hide shield.png Blue d'hide shield File:F2P icon.png 50 Defence-icon 170 0
File:Red d'hide shield.png Red d'hide shield P2P icon 55 Defence-icon 196 0
File:Black d'hide shield.png Black d'hide shield P2P icon 60 Defence-icon 226 0
File:Crystal deflector.png Crystal deflector P2P icon 70 Defence-icon
50 Agility-icon
297 35 Requires completion of Roving Elves. Degrades.
File:Armadyl buckler.png Armadyl buckler P2P icon 70 Defence-icon
70 Ranged-icon
297 35 +1 prayer bonus.
File:Dragonfire shield.png Dragonfire shield (ranged) P2P icon 70 Defence-icon 297 35 Provides protection from dragonfire as an anti-dragon shield. Must first be charged with dragonfire attacks in order to reach its highest armour bonus.
File:Elysian spirit shield.png Elysian spirit shield P2P icon 75 Defence-icon
75 Prayer-icon
338 0 Absorbs 30% of incoming damage in exchange for draining 6% of the original hit in prayer points. Requires completion of Summer's End. This is currently the strongest non-degrading Ranged shield available.
File:Eagle-eye kiteshield.png Eagle-eye kiteshield P2P icon 80 Defence-icon
80 File:Stats.png
384 385 Obtained from the rewards trader at Daemonheim. Degrades.
File:Attuned crystal deflector.png Attuned crystal deflector P2P icon 80 Ranged-icon
50 Agility-icon
384 385 Requires 90 Smithing-icon to make with Crystal Singing. Requires completion of Plague's End. Degrades.
File:Vengeful kiteshield.png Vengeful kiteshield P2P icon 90 Defence-icon 491 735 This is currently the highest tier Ranged shield available. Degrades.

Magic[]

Many Magic shields, particularly the lower- to mid-levelled shields, were added to the game with the Evolution of Combat. A few can be made through the Crafting skill.

Icon Name P2P? Skill
requirements
Armour bonus Life point bonus Notes
File:Imphide shield.png Imphide shield File:F2P icon.png 10 Defence-icon 40 0
File:Mystic shield.png Mystic shield P2P icon 30 Defence-icon 90 0
File:Splitbark shield.png Splitbark shield P2P icon 40 Defence-icon 125 0
Batwing shield Batwing shield File:F2P icon.png 50 Defence-icon 170 0
File:Grifolic shield.png Grifolic shield P2P icon 60 Defence-icon 226 0 Does not degrade, unlike other grifolic armour.
Dragon ward Dragon ward P2P icon 60 Defence-icon 226 0
File:Crystal ward.png Crystal ward P2P icon 70 Defence-icon
50 Agility-icon
297 35 Requires completion of Roving Elves. Degrades.
File:Ward of subjugation.png Ward of subjugation P2P icon 70 Defence-icon 297 35 +1 prayer bonus.
File:Dragonfire shield.png Dragonfire shield (magic) P2P icon 70 Defence-icon 297 35 Provides protection from dragonfire as an anti-dragon shield. Must first be charged with dragonfire attacks in order to reach its highest armour bonus.
File:Spectral spirit shield.png Spectral spirit shield P2P icon 75 Defence-icon
75 Prayer-icon
65 Magic-icon
338 210 Requires completion of Summer's End. Does not absorb damage unlike other spirit shields, however has a life point bonus instead; this and the arcane spirit shield are currently the strongest non-degrading Magic shields available.
File:Arcane spirit shield.png Arcane spirit shield P2P icon 75 Defence-icon
70 Prayer-icon
65 Magic-icon
338 0 Absorbs 30% of incoming damage in exchange for draining 6% of the original hit in prayer points. Requires completion of Summer's End. Lacks the life point bonus that the spectral spirit shield has; this and the spectral spirit shield are currently the strongest non-degrading Magic shields available.
File:Farseer kiteshield.png Farseer kiteshield P2P icon 80 Defence-icon
80 File:Stats.png
384 385 Obtained from the rewards trader at Daemonheim. Degrades.
File:Attuned crystal ward.png Attuned crystal ward P2P icon 80 Magic-icon
50 Agility-icon
384 385 Requires 90 Smithing-icon to make with Crystal Singing. Requires completion of Plague's End. Degrades.
File:Merciless kiteshield.png Merciless kiteshield P2P icon 90 Defence-icon 491 735 This is currently the highest tier Magic shield available. Degrades.

In Daemonheim[]

Shields of all classes may be found and equipped while Dungeoneering.

Dungeoneering Tier
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Melee-icon Name File:Novite kiteshield.png File:Bathus kiteshield.png File:Marmaros kiteshield.png File:Kratonite kiteshield.png File:Fractite kiteshield.png File:Zephyrium kiteshield.png File:Argonite kiteshield.png File:Katagon kiteshield.png File:Gorgonite kiteshield.png File:Promethium kiteshield.png File:Primal kiteshield.png
Reqs 1 Defence-icon 10 Defence-icon 20 Defence-icon 30 Defence-icon 40 Defence-icon 50 Defence-icon 60 Defence-icon 70 Defence-icon 80 Defence-icon 90 Defence-icon 99 Defence-icon
Armour 22 40 63 90 125 170 226 297 384 491 606
HP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 385 735 1050
Level Smithing-icon 6 16 26 36 46 56 66 76 86 96 --
Materials 3x File:Novite bar.png 3x File:Bathus bar.png 3x File:Marmaros bar.png 3x File:Kratonite bar.png 3x File:Fractite bar.png 3x File:Zephyrium bar.png 3x File:Argonite bar.png 3x File:Katagon bar.png 3x File:Gorgonite bar.png 3x File:Promethium bar.png This item may only be obtained as a drop from Shadow-forger Ihlakhizan.
Ranged-icon Name File:Protoleather shield.png File:Subleather shield.png File:Paraleather shield.png File:Archleather shield.png File:Dromoleather shield.png File:Spinoleather shield.png File:Gallileather shield.png File:Stegoleather shield.png File:Megaleather shield.png File:Tyrannoleather shield.png File:Sagittarian shield.png
Reqs 1 Defence-icon
1 Ranged-icon
10 Defence-icon
10 Ranged-icon
20 Defence-icon
20 Ranged-icon
30 Defence-icon
30 Ranged-icon
40 Defence-icon
40 Ranged-icon
50 Defence-icon
50 Ranged-icon
60 Defence-icon
60 Ranged-icon
70 Defence-icon
70 Ranged-icon
80 Defence-icon
80 Ranged-icon
90 Defence-icon
90 Ranged-icon
99 Defence-icon
99 Ranged-icon
Armour 22 40 63 90 125 170 226 297 384 491 606
HP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 385 735 1050
Level Crafting-icon 6 16 26 36 46 56 66 76 86 96 --
Materials 3x File:Protomastyx hide.png 3x File:Submastyx hide.png 3x File:Paramastyx hide.png 3x File:Archaemastyx hide.png 3x File:Dromomastyx hide.png 3x File:Spinomastyx hide.png 3x File:Gallimastyx hide.png 3x File:Stegomastyx hide.png 3x File:Megamastyx hide.png 3x File:Tyrannomastyx hide.png This item may only be obtained as a drop from Stomp.
Magic-icon Name File:Salve shield.png File:Wildercress shield.png File:Blightleaf shield.png File:Roseblood shield.png File:Bryll shield.png File:Duskweed shield.png File:Soulbell shield.png File:Ectoshield.png File:Runic shield.png File:Spiritbloom shield.png File:Celestial shield.png
Reqs 1 Defence-icon
1 Magic-icon
10 Defence-icon
10 Magic-icon
20 Defence-icon
20 Magic-icon
30 Defence-icon
30 Magic-icon
40 Defence-icon
40 Magic-icon
50 Defence-icon
50 Magic-icon
60 Defence-icon
60 Magic-icon
70 Defence-icon
70 Magic-icon
80 Defence-icon
80 Magic-icon
90 Defence-icon
90 Magic-icon
99 Defence-icon
99 Magic-icon
Armour 22 40 63 90 125 170 226 297 384 491 606
HP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 385 735 1050
Level Crafting-icon 6 16 26 36 46 56 66 76 86 96 --
Materials 3x File:Salve cloth.png 3x File:Wildercress cloth.png 3x File:Blightleaf cloth.png 3x File:Roseblood cloth.png 3x File:Bryll cloth.png 3x File:Duskweed cloth.png 3x File:Soulbell cloth.png 3x File:Ectocloth.png 3x File:Runic cloth.png 3x File:Spiritbloom cloth.png This item may only be obtained as a drop from the runebound behemoth.

See also[]

  • Defender
  • Off-hand weapons
  • Orb (equipment type)
  • Book (equipment type)

nl:Shield fi:Shield

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