Shields (skill)

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

This page is about the skill. For general information see Shields.

The Shields skill denotes how effective your character is at blocking melee or ranged attacks with shields. A higher Shields skill raises your SH score and decreases the penalties to your EV, spellcasting, and attack speed. At 27 skill, all penalties will be removed.

Aptitudes

At	Ba	Co	DE	Dg	Ds	Dj	Dr	Fe	Fo	Gr	Gh	Gn	Hu	Ko	Mf	Mi	MD	Mu	Na	Op	On	Sp	Te	Tr	Vp	VS
1	1	-3	-2	-1	-1	0	0	N/A	3	1	-1	8	0	-2	0	2	1	-2	-1	0	-1	-3	0	-1	-1	-1

Useful Info

Shields skill will:

• Give a bonus to SH from physical shields. Bonus equals 2.5% * (Base_SH) + 0.19 SH per level.
• Reduce shield encumbrance penalties at a linear rate. At 0 skill, you'll get 100% penalties. At 27 skill, you'll get 0% penalties.

History

• Prior to 0.31, the first 3 levels of Shields gave an extra +0.19 SH/level. (The extra SH from these levels is now given by default.)
• Prior to 0.28, shield penalty formulas were different, completely negated at certain Shields skill thresholds. The skill also reduced the shield accuracy penalty.
• Prior to 0.16, the Shining One's Divine Shield benefited from Shields skill.
• Prior to 0.15, you had to be wearing a shield to train the skill.
• Prior to 0.12, Condensation Shield spell was affected by Shields skill.
• Prior to 0.7, wearing shields didn't reduce attack speed.