Shields in Skyrim are used to deflect physical attacks. Shields allow players to block effectively as well as provide additional armor to reduce physical damage taken further. Shields are available in both heavy and light variants, the shield is useful to many warriors and other offensive classes. The Block skill and the corresponding armor skills affect the effectiveness of the shields. When allocated with the right perks, shields are able to block not only direct melee attacks, but also incoming arrows, power attacks, and even fire, frost, and shock damage. Their bash ability can be used to stagger and even knock down opponents.
Why Use Shields In Skyrim
Shields are powerful tools that can help players fight through multiple combat situations. Blocking with a shield can additionally reduce the amount of damage players are taking and with the right perks can even mitigate arrows entirely and reduce damage from elemental magics.
Shield bashes can be used to interrupt enemy attacks preventing the attack entirely. Damage prevention is especially important against enemies that deal large amounts of damage such as dragons using dragon breaths.
Shield bashes are a good method to stagger enemies to stop them attacking and give the player plenty of time to do damage.
Shields also provide Armor to the player reducing damage taken from physical attacks for the attacks that make it past the shield.
All Skyrim Shields
Quick Search of All Skyrim Shields
Click the header to sort the table.
Name | Armor Type | Weight | Armor | Effects |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Chitin Shield |
Light Shields | 8 | 24.5 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Dragonscale Shield |
Light Shields | 6 | 29 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
![]() Elven Shield |
Light Shields | 4 | 21 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Glass Shield |
Light Shields | 6 | 27 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
![]() Hide Shield |
Light Shields | 4 | 15 | Can be made without any Smithing perks |
![]() Imperial Light Shield |
Light Shields | 4 | 19 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Stalhrim Shield |
Light Shields | 10 | 29.5 | Can be made with the Ebony Smithing perk and Smithing level 80 |
![]() Aela's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 24 | Can be found on Aela the Huntress after completing the quest Take Up Arms |
![]() Banded Iron Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 22 | Can be made without any Smithing perks |
![]() Blades Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 26 | Can be found in the Sky Haven Temple |
![]() Bonemold Shield |
Heavy Shields | 8 | 21 | Found on Solstheim Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Daedric Shield |
Heavy Shields | 15 | 36 | Can be made with the Daedric Smithing perk and Smithing level 90 Can also be made at the Atronach Forge |
![]() Dawnguard Shield |
Heavy Shields | 10 | 26 | Adds 10 damage to shield bash attacks against Vampires |
![]() Dented Iron Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 15 | Dropped by Hulkin Draugr |
![]() Dragonplate Shield |
Heavy Shields | 8 | 34 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
![]() Dwarven Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 26 | Can be made with the Dwarven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Ebony Shield |
Heavy Shields | 14 | 32 | Can be made with the Ebony Smithing perk and Smithing level 80 |
![]() Falmer Shield |
Heavy Shields | 15 | 28 | Can be found on Falmer and Falmer corpses |
![]() Hrolfdir's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 24 | Can be obtain during the quest Recover Hrolfdir's Shield |
![]() Imperial Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 20 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Improved Bonemold Shield |
Heavy Shields | 11 | 26 | Can be made after completing the quest Paid in Full |
![]() Iron Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 20 | Can be made without any Smithing perks |
![]() Nordic Shield |
Heavy Shields | 10 | 26.5 | Can be made with the Advanced Armors perk and Smithing level 50 |
![]() Orcish Shield |
Heavy Shields | 14 | 30 | Can be made with the Orcish Smithing perk and Smithing level 50 |
![]() Roggi's Ancestral Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 25 | Can be obtained during the quest Find Roggi Knot-Beard's Ancestral Shield |
![]() Steel Shield |
Heavy Shields | 12 | 20 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Falkreath Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Falkreath Hold Guards |
![]() Hjaalmarch Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Hjaalmarch Hold Guards |
![]() Markarth Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Markarth Hold Guards |
![]() Pale Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Pale Hold Guards |
![]() Riften Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Riften Hold Guards |
![]() Solitude Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Solitude Hold Guards |
![]() Whiterun Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Whiterun Hold Guards |
![]() Windhelm Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Windhelm Hold Guards |
![]() Winterhold Guard's Shield |
Heavy Shields | 3 | 17 | Can be found on Winterhold Hold Guards |
![]() Aetherial Shield |
Unique Shields | 12 | 26 | Can be crafted in the Aetherium Forge during the quest Lost to the Ages |
![]() Auriel's Shield |
Unique Shields | 14 | 32 | Stores the energy of blocked attacks. Performing a power bash will release the stored energy. |
![]() Dawnguard Rune Shield |
Unique Shields | 6 | 27 | +10 Bash damage against vampires, and sustained blocking creates a minor sun shield doing 10 points of damage while draining the wielder's stamina. |
![]() Shield of Solitude |
Unique Shields | 12 | 26-32 | Increases Magic Resistance by 10-30% Blocks 15-35% more damage |
![]() Shield of Ysgramor |
Unique Shields | 12 | 30 | Increases Magic Resistance by 20% Increases Health by 20 Points. |
![]() Spellbreaker |
Unique Shields | 12 | 38 | While blocking, creates a ward that protects against spells for up to 50 points |
![]() Targe of the Blooded |
Unique Shields | 8 | 20 | When bashing, does 3 points of bleeding damage for 5 seconds |