The Best Shields in Skyrim (& Where to Unlock Them)

The best shields in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim provide a balance between defense and agility. When players are trying to keep their defense and armor rating high without cumbersome sets of armor, they can use shields. Shields must be wielded with a one-handed weapon, but their versatility makes up for the lack of power that characters gain when dual-wielding or using Skyrim’s two-handed melee weapons. When players want to create a character with a light armor, one-handed melee weapon build in Skyrim, shields are the natural choice for defense.

Shields allow players to keep their armor rating high while also giving them the opportunity to block incoming attacks. Players can block enemy attacks to reduce damage taken and potentially stagger enemies in the process. Using a shield is essential for one-handed weapon classes and especially useful for agility-based light armor Skyrim classes. Since light armor provides little defense against attacks, shields on these classes prove effective on defense.

Players equipped with light armor and a dagger, small blade, axe, or one-handed bludgeon will almost certainly need a shield if they are not dual wielding. The best shields in Skyrim have high armor ratings and special imbued effects that alter their usage. These shields can be found in various locations around Skyrim, and some shields are only acquirable after completing certain questlines.

Finding The Best Shields In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The best shields in Skyrim are the following:

• Spellbreaker – Armor: 38, Weight: 12. The coveted Spellbreaker shield summons a ward that grants players +50 protection from magic damage while blocking. Players can get it by completing “The Only Cure” questline.
• Shield of Solitude – Armor: 32, Weight: 12. Gives the player +30% magic resistance and +35% damage blocked. Players can get it from Falk Firebeard after completing the quest, “The Wolf Queen Awakens.”
• Auriel’s Shield – Armor: 32, Weight: 14. Stores the energy of blocked attacks and releases the energy when players bash enemies with the shield. Players unlock it in the Skyrim: Dawnguard DLC, after defeating the Falmer Warmonger in the Forgotten Vale Forest.
• Shield of Ysgramor – Armor: 30, Weight: 12. Gives the player +20% magic resistance and +20% health. Players can find it inside Ysgramor’s Tomb during the Companion’s main questline.
• Daedric Shield – Armor: 36, Weight: 15. Offers the highest base armor stats in the heavy armor type category. No other effects. Players can get it by finding and crafting with ebony ingots and a Daedra heart, as well as random loot at higher levels.

Each of these Skyrim shields provides high base armor stats, comparatively low weight, and special effects that heighten player efficiency. Players going with a one-handed melee weapon class build, especially one that uses light armor, will want to find one of these shields for maximum effectiveness. Depending on the other attributes of a player’s class build, certain shield effects work better than others. However, any of these shields will work well at higher levels in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

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Joe Johnson
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Joe Johnson is a Game Guides writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. Working in journalism since his graduation from Appalachian State University, Joe is a fan of all things video games!

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