Shields

Shields are incredibly useful items in Diablo II. They work to block all physical and many types of elemental attacks, completely negating those attacks when successfully blocked. Shields are also an excellent source of resistance, when socketed with gems or various runes.

Blocking Basics

Main article: Blocking

Blocking % in Classic: Characters block at the % listed on the shield (when equipped) + any other bonuses. Total blocking is capped at 75%. A character 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 can be blocked. 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)

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 who do not devote considerable resources to raising their dexterity will find their blocking at a very low level above Clvl 50, so should pick shields based on their magical bonuses, not for the blocking percent.

• Blocking is reduced to 33% of this value when running, but uses regular values when walking, standing still, or melee attacking.

Notes

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

• Item Level: Chests and monsters must be at least this level to drop the item. Ilvl is used in gambling, sales and other calculations as well.
• Clvl Req: Your character must be this level or higher to equip the item. No Uniques had Clvl requirements prior to v1.07 D2.
• Listed Blocking: All shields vary in blocking percent by character. The Paladin's is always 5% higher than an Amazon/Assassin/Barbarian, and 10% higher than a Druid/Sorceress/Necromancer.
• Weight: All shields are light, medium, or heavy. Light shields have no negative effects, medium have a -5% speed and -5% stamina regen rate, and heavy have -10% speed and -10% stamina regen.
• Speed: A penalty governed by weight; 0 is no penalty, 5 is slightly slower running and stamina regen (but rounds to 0 anyway) and 10 is a bigger running speed and stamina regen penalty. % Faster Block Rate can lower this number to below zero.
• Smite Damage: Only Paladins have the Smite skill, so only they see this damage. It's only of importance to other characters when considering a trade.

Normal

Item	Item Name	Properties	Misc Stats
	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 Base Blocking: 0%
	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 Base Blocking: 5%
	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 Base Blocking: 12%
	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 Base Blocking: 8%
	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: 2 Base Blocking: 10%
	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 Base Blocking: 20%
	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 Base Blocking: 24%
	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 Base Blocking: 16%

Exceptional

Item	Item Name	Properties	Misc Stats
	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 Base Blocking: 10%
	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 Base Blocking: 12%
	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 Base Blocking: 14%
	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 Base Blocking: 18%
	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 Base Blocking: 17%
	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 Base Blocking: 20%
	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 Base Blocking: 24%
	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 Base Blocking: 16%

Elite

Item	Item Name	Properties	Misc Stats
	Heater	95-110 Defense 88 Durability 77 Str Required 16-30 Smite Damage Item Level: 58 Clvl Req: 43	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2 Base Blocking: 22%
	Luna	108-123 Defense 84 Durability 100 Str Required 17-29 Smite Damage Item Level: 61 Clvl Req: 45	Inv Space: 2x2 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM/Hell: 2 Base Blocking: 20%
	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 Base Blocking: 24%
	Monarch	133-148 Defense 86 Durability 156 Str Required 12-34 Smite Damage Item Level: 72 Clvl Req: 54	Inv Space: 2x3 Weight: Light Speed: 0 Max Sockets: * Norm/NM: 3 Hell: 4 Base Blocking: 22%
	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 Base Blocking: 20%
	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 Base Blocking: 20%
	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 Base Blocking: 24%
	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 Base Blocking: 24%

* 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.