Shields

Shields are incredibly useful items in Diablo II. They work to block all physical and many types of elemental attacks the % of time they say they do, regardless of whether you are walking, running, attacking, casting spells, etc. If it say 69% blocking, that's what % of attacks it's going to stop. In addition to this, socketing Diamonds to create a 57% resist all shield is incredibly useful. Shields are still very useful in the Expansion, but how they work for blocking is toned down and made a lot more realistic.

Blocking % in Diablo II: You block at the % listed on the shield when equipped on your character + any other bonuses. Total blocking is capped at 75%. You can get more than this with a good shield + Twitchthroe, or a Paladin can use his Holy Shield skill, but no matter how high the display is, 75% is all that you can block. This is while standing still, running, walking, fighting, casting spells, etc.

Blocking % in the Expansion: The way blocking works is changed in the expansion. The new formula for blocking is:

Total Blocking % = [Blocking x (Dexterity – 15)] / (Character Level x 2)

If your character is moving, then % chance to block is reduced to 1/3 of its original value.

This formula basically means that if you have less than half of your stat points into Dexterity, you will have a lower block rating than your shield displays, but if more than half of your stat points are in Dex, then you will have a higher blocking %. Blocking is capped at 5% minimum and 75% maximum and displays if you hover on your Defense in the Character window. Sorcs and Necros will almost always be blocking at 5% past Clvl 50, so should pick shields based on their magical bonuses, not for the blocking percent. Blocking is reduced by 33% when attacking or running, but uses regular values when walking or standing still.

All shields are one-handed. No character, including the Barbarian, can wield two shields at a time.

• Smite damage is for the Paladin only.
• Weight: All shields are light, medium, or heavy. In Diablo II this only matters for tower shields, which slow your running speed and increase stamina drain 10%.
• Speed: Relates to weight, 0 is no penalty, 5 is slightly slower running and stamina regen and 10 is a bigger running speed and stamina regeneration penalty. 5 rounds to 0 in D2, so only Tower shields have this penalty.
• Item Level: Monsters must be of this level to drop a particular item.
• Clvl Req: A character must be this level to equip the item.

Normal

Item	Item Name	Properties	Misc Stats	Blocking %
	Buckler	4-6 Defense 12 Durability 12 Str Required 1-3 Smite Damage Item Level: 1 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 1	Listed Blocking: Pal: 30% Am/As/B: 25% D/S/N: 20%
	Small Shield	8-10 Defense 16 Durability 22 Str Required 2-3 Smite Damage Item Level: 5 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2	Listed Blocking: Pal: 35% Am/As/B: 30% D/S/N: 25%
	Large Shield	12-14 Defense 24 Durability 34 Str Required 2-4 Smite Damage Item Level: 11 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Medium Speed: 5 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed Blocking: Pal: 42% Am/As/B: 37% D/S/N: 32%
	Kite Shield	16-18 Defense 30 Durability 47 Str Required 2-5 Smite Damage Item Level: 15 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed Blocking: Pal: 38% Am/As/B: 33% D/S/N: 27%
	Spiked Shield	15-25 Defense 40 Durability 30 Str Required 5-9 Smite Damage Item Level: 11 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed Blocking: Pal: 40% Am/As/B: 35% D/S/N: 30%
	Bone Shield	10-30 Defense 40 Durability 25 Str Required 3-6 Smite Damage Item Level: 19 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2	Listed Blocking: Pal: 50% Am/As/B: 45% D/S/N: 40%
	Tower Shield	22-24 Defense 60 Durability 75 Str Required 1-5 Smite Damage Item Level: 22 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Heavy Speed: 10 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed Blocking: Pal: 54% Am/As/B: 49% D/S/N: 44%
	Gothic Shield	30-35 Defense 40 Durability 60 Str Required 2-6 Smite Damage Item Level: 30 Clvl Req: None	Inv Space: 2x4 Weight: Medium Speed: 5 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed Blocking: Pal: 46% Am/As/B: 41% D/S/N: 36%

Exceptional

Item	Item Name	Properties	Misc Stats	Blocking %
	Defender	41-49 Defense 68 Durability 38 Str Required 8-12 Smite Damage Item Level: 34 Clvl Req: 22	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 1	Listed Blocking: Pal: 40% Am/As/B: 35% D/ S/N: 30%
	Round Shield	47-55 Defense 62 Durability 53 Str Required 7-14 Smite Damage Item Level: 37 Clvl Req: 25	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2	Listed Blocking: Pal: 42% Am/As/B: 37% D/ S/N: 32%
	Scutum	53-61 Defense 64 Durability 71 Str Required 11-15 Smite Damage Item Level: 42 Clvl Req: 25	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Medium Speed: 5 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed Blocking: Pal: 44% Am/As/B: 39% D/ S/N: 34%
	Dragon Shield	59-67 Defense 76 Durability 91 Str Required 15-24 Smite Damage Item Level: 45 Clvl Req: 25	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed Blocking: Pal: 48% Am/As/B: 43% D/ S/N: 38%
	Barbed Shield	68-78 Defense 55 Durability 65 Str Required 18-35 Smite Damage Item Level: 42 Clvl Req: 25	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed D2 Blocking: Pal: 47% Am/As/B - 42% D/ S/N - 37%
	Grim Shield	50-150 Defense 70 Durability 58 Str Required 14-20 Smite Damage Item Level: 48 Clvl Req: 25	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2	Listed D2 Blocking: Pal: 50% Am/As/B: 45% D/ S/N: 40%
	Pavise	68-78 Defense 72 Durability 133 Str Required 10-17 Smite Damage Item Level: 50 Clvl Req: 25	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Heavy Speed: 10 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed D2 Blocking: Pal: 54% Am/As/B: 49% D/ S/N: 44%
	Ancient Shield	80-93 Defense 80 Durability 110 Str Required 12-16 Smite Damage Item Level: 56 Clvl Req: 25	Inv Space: 2x4 Weight: Medium Speed: 5 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	Listed D2 Blocking: Pal: 46% Am/As/B: 41% D/ S/N: 36%

Elite

Item	Item Name	Properties	Misc Stats	Blocking %
	Heater	95-110 Defense 88 Durability 16-30 Smite Damage 77 Str Required 1-3 Smite Damage Item Level: 58 Clvl Req: 43	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2	Listed Blocking: Pal: 52% Am/As/B: 47% D/ S/N: 42%
	Luna	108-123 Defense 84 Durability 100 Str Required 17-29 Smite Damage Item Level: 51 Clvl Req: 45	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2	D2 Blocking: Pal: 50% Am/As/B: 45% D/S/N: 40%
	Hyperion	119-135 Defense 82 Durability 127 Str Required 14-32 Smite Damage Item Level: 64 Clvl Req: 48	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Medium Speed: 5 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	D2 Blocking: Pal: 54% Am/As/B: 49% D/S/N: 44%
	Monarch	133-148 Defense 86 Durability 156 Str Required 12-34 Smite Damage Clvl Req: 54	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM: 3 Hell: 4	Listed Blocking: Pal: 52% Am/As/B: 47% D/ S/N: 42%
	Blade Barrier	147-163 Defense 83 Durability 118 Str Required 26-40 Smite Damage Item Level: 68 Clvl Req: 51	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	D2 Blocking: Pal: 50% Am/As/B: 45% D/S/N: 40%
	Troll Nest	158-173 Defense 74 Durability 106 Str Required 24-38 Smite Damage Item Level: 76 Clvl Req: 57	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 3	D2 Blocking: Pal: 50% Am/As/B: 45% D/S/N: 40%
	Aegis	145-161 Defense 92 Durability 219 Str Required 18-28 Smite Damage Item Level: 79 Clvl Req: 59	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Heavy Speed: 10 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM: 3 Hell: 4	D2 Blocking: Pal: 54% Am/As/B: 49% D/S/N: 44%
	Ward	153-170 Defense 100 Durability 185 Str Required 11-35 Smite Damage Item Level: 84 Clvl Req: 63	Inv Space: 2x4 Weight: Medium Speed: 5 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM: 3 Hell: 4	D2 Blocking: Pal: 54% Am/As/B: 49% D/ S/N: 44%

* Normal (non-Paladin) shields can be found with at most 3 sockets on Normal/Nightmare, and 4 on Hell. Only a few non-Paladin shields, all Elite, can have 4 sockets.