Shields (skill)

Version 0.30: 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.

Shields skill will:

• Give a bonus to SH from physical shields. Bonus equals 2.5% * (Base_SH) + 0.19 SH per level. The first 3 levels of Shields get an extra +0.19 SH on top of that.
• Reduce shield encumbrance penalties at a linear rate. At 0 skill, you'll get 100% penalties. At 27 skill, you'll get 0% penalties.

Aptitudes

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

History

• In 0.31, the first 3 levels of Shields won't give extra SH. Instead, this SH (+0.57 in total) will be given no mater your skill.
• 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 benefitted 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.