In The Legend of Zelda series, Link’s most trusty weapons include his sword and shield. While the shield serves to protect him against weak projectiles, beginning with Link’s Awakening, it gained more uses. Link could use his shield to move enemies out of his way and protect himself from close-ranged attacks.

Over the course of the series, Link’s standard shields have undergone numerous designs. Moreover, it gained even more purposes for battle and exploration alike. However, there is also no denying that the most useful ones are virtually indestructible.

10 Pot Lid

One of Link’s first available shields in Breath of the Wild served its purpose heating up food. When used as a shield, its low durability did not make it reliable for protection. However, it served its purpose early in the game protecting Link from Bokoblins and other creatures of the Great Plateau.

The Pot Lid helped symbolize the beginning of Link’s biggest adventure. This easily-available item could be found all over Hyrule. Plus, as with other shields in the game, Link could use it to board down slopes and parry enemy strikes.

9 Deku Shield

Link’s first shield in Ocarina of Time could defend him against fire. However, it served its purpose protecting him from everything else. Should it be destroyed, the Deku Shield replacement is easy to afford once more. The Deku Shield can be compared to the Ordon Shield in Twilight Princess in that both are entry-level shields that will burn when touched by fire.

Unlike the Hylian Shield, however, Young Link could move around guarding himself. This mobility made it ideal for battles against enemies who couldn’t use fire. To this day, Young Link’s trusty shield defends him in battle in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

8 Red Shield

Upgraded from the regular shield, Link’s second shield in A Link to the Past guarded him against fireballs. When meeting with the fairy, who lives behind the waterfall of Zora’s River, throwing in the normal shield upgraded it. This offered a much-needed layer of protection for newer players.

However, Link could still lose the shield. If an offshoot of the familiar Like Like enemy ate it, Link would have to buy a new one. Interestingly enough, a glitch involving their attack while casting Ether could turn the shield blue in the SNES version.

7 Guardian Shield

These beautiful, blue shields from Breath of the Wild come from ancient Sheikah technology. As the name implies, these are used with the same technology as the many Guardians planted around Hyrule. As such, they’re quite effective in combating them.

Guardian Shields are carried by mobile Guardian enemies which are found in Shrines. They’re the most effective shield at repelling Guardian beams. Moreover, they can be upgraded to two more levels.

6 Lynel Shield

While Lynels originated in the first Legend of Zelda, they became fearsome foes in Breath of the Wild. Now wielding blades and shields, these mountain-dwellers present a boss-like challenge to Link. However, those who overcome them will reward themselves with some of the best equipment available.

As with nearly every equipment piece, Lynel gear will break after a while. However, that is not to neglect how powerful they are. Lynel Shields are among the best for durability and should be hunted down for some of the best protection available.

5 Goddess Shield

The second strongest shield in Skyward Sword can be found after upgrading the Sacred Shield. This beautiful, ornate, purple shield initially starts off as the Sacred Shield. For 500 rupees, they can be purchased at the bazaar in Skyloft.

Unlike previous shields, the Goddess Shield can ward off elements. It provides ample protection to the player and is recommended heavily for a while. However, once the player completes the boss gauntlet, they’ll treat themselves to the superior Hylian Shield in the end.

4 Magic Shield

The Magic Shield initially appeared in the original NES Legend of Zelda. Serving as the upgrade from the initial shield, Link could purchase it for a large sum of rupees. As with most shields, it could be also eaten by a Like Like.

This larger equip could block fireballs akin to the Fire Shield. But in SoulCalibur II, it reappeared with a new design and a new purpose. While Link took more chip damage while blocking, the Magic Sword it came with could also dole out more chip damage in exchange.

3 Hero Shield

The Hero Shield sets the standard for Link’s defensive gear. Coming in various shapes and designs, this basic equip piece can be found in most 2D Zelda titles. However, its most notable designs come from Majora’s Mask and Wind Waker.

Utilizing a design featuring the crest of Hyrule, it varies in color usually between blue or brown depending on the game. Offering a level of protection to block all incoming attacks, it makes its name as one of the best possible equips. In Majora’s Mask, however, it can still be eaten by Like Likes.

2 Hylian Shield

Originally debuting in Ocarina of Time, the Hylian Shield has one of the biggest histories in the Zelda franchise. While it could be purchased for 80 rupees, players could nab a free one in the Graveyard. This hunk of metal could protect against nearly any attack in the game.

Guarding both Young Link and Adult Link, the Hylian Shield was invulnerable to all except for Like Likes and Ganondorf’s charged attack. The Hylian Shield also reappeared in later Zelda titles as the most durable shield in the game. This shield has come with Link in both SoulCalibur II and Smash Bros. and became practically synonymous with the character.

1 Mirror Shield

Originally seen in A Link to the Past, the Mirror Shield could block beams from the walled eye devices in Turtle Rock. Larger than the standard shields, it could not only block more projectiles but could not be eaten by Like Likes. The Mirror Shield returned in nearly every Zelda title since.

Due to its ability to reflect light to solve puzzles, its importance as a key equip may be why it cannot be lost once obtained. The Mirror Shield has undergone many designs from the gold plate to the two redesigns in versions of Ocarina of Time. Likewise, the howling face in Majora’s Mask became redesigned with the blue outline and Hylian Crest in Wind Waker. Surprisingly, outside of a costume change for Toon Link in Hyrule Warriors, as well as in the remake of Link’s Awakening on Switch, the Mirror Shield has not appeared since The Minish Cap in which it was a postgame item.

NEXT: The Legend of Zelda: Every Iteration of Zelda, Ranked By Design