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1%%This page's examples section is sorted alphabetically. It would be lovely if you'd maintain this, thanks.
2%%
3[[quoteright:300:[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/300px-MoblinWoodShieldSS_1208.png]]]]
4[[caption-width-right:300:[[ExpositionFairy "When its shield is at the ready, most attacks will be quite futile."]]]]
5
6A mook that carries some sort of a shield that protects them from standard attacks from the front. They may be able to do a ShieldBash and can often protect other mooks with the shield. Usual ways to dispose of him are: attack him from the back or from the side; hit the shield enough times so that it breaks; use some sort of a special attack to break the shield or knock it out of their hands; hitting the enemy with an area-of-effect attack such as an explosive that the shield can't deflect; wait for him to drop his guard, [[TacticalSuicideBoss usually to attack]], and then quickly CounterAttack him.
7
8A variation of KungFuProofMook. Very often an EliteMook. See also LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe, ShieldsAreUseless, HeavilyArmoredMook, ArmorPiercingAttack, and AntiArmor.
9----
10!!Examples:
11
12[[foldercontrol]]
13
14!!Video Games
15[[folder:Action]]
16* ''VideoGame/ChewManFu'' features the {{Kappa}} whose shells protect them against attacks from behind.
17* One enemy from ''VideoGame/{{Ghostrunner}}'' has a laser shield that blocks your sword and sends you flying backwards if you come into contact with the shield. You either have to use one of your special attacks to get past the shield or run around to hit enemy's back.
18* ''VideoGame/JetForceGemini'': Some of the insectile Drones wear metallic rectangular shields that cover their whole bodies, so they're only vulnerable when they shoot (as they have to look at you with their heads and shoot with the pistols in their limbs).
19* ''VideoGame/LegendOfHeroTonma'' have knight enemies armed with shields, who can absorb plenty of your projectile attacks. You can defeat them by spamming blasts, or instead try to GoombaStomp them.
20* ''VideoGame/TheSufferingTiesThatBind'': Some [[GasMaskMooks Foundation soldiers]] are equipped with bulletproof riot shields. They often advance forward while trying to provide cover for the regular soldiers.
21* ''VideoGame/TopHunterRoddyAndCathy'' have taller, muscular pirate enemies armed with spiked shields that can take far more damage than regular enemies.
22[[/folder]]
23
24[[folder:Action-Adventure]]
25* ''VideoGame/AliceMadnessReturns'' had the [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent Madcaps]] in the Hatter's domain. They fought with spoons and table knives, wore cups as helmets and occasionally used dinner plates as shields. These were completely unbreakable, so the solution was usually to target one in the back by either waiting for one to perform their DeadlyLunge attack and get their weapon stuck in the ground or distracting them with the Rabbit.
26* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': The attack forces of [[NGOSuperpower The Consortium]] come equipped with shields to defend from attacks or use to bash for damage.
27* The ''Franchise/BatmanArkhamSeries'' have some mooks with riot shields in most areas.
28* In ''VideoGame/DanganronpaUltraDespairGirls'', Guard Monokuma use their shields to walk towards Komaru while defending other variants of [[BearsAreBadNews Monokuma]].
29* ''VideoGame/EternalDaughter'': Some Dungaga are enemies equipped with tall shields. They're completely immune to melee and require ranged attacks or the use of a GoombaStomp.
30* In ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed II'', the Wardroids carry a giant shield that blocks all attacks until the player enters an ActionCommand sequence where Starkiller rips off the shield and throws it.
31* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyroDawnOfTheDragon'': Some grublins are armed with shields, which allow them to block Spyro and Cynder's regular attacks but not their Fury breath.
32* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
33** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'': The Darknuts have shields that protect their fronts from attack.
34** ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'': Some humanoid enemies, primarily Gery, Iron Knuckles and Stalfos, carry shields to block most of Link's attacks and can only be harmed from the front when these are lowered or by striking at their legs.
35** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap'': Darknuts and Black Knights have a shield and a sword. They charge at you, but swash away any sword attack you may try to get in. The key to defeating them is to roll around (they are rather slow to turn around), then deliver massive hurtage from behind.
36** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' has [[LizardFolk Lizalfos and Aeralfos]], who must be stunned or shields destroyed in order to kill them, and [[BossInMookClothing Darknuts]], who are defeated via superior swordsmanship or by taking out their outer armor with bomb arrows.
37** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' gives these to the huge Moblins; one with a wooden, one with a banded shield. The ones with wooden shields can be chopped up or blown out of the Moblin's hand, but the only recourse for the banded shields is to climb them and jump over. For that matter, thanks to the [=MotionPlus=] based combat, nearly all enemies have ways to defend themselves from your attacks. Even the lowly Bokoblins are surprisingly able at blocking your sword. Each enemy also has different ways of getting past its defenses.
38** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' has enemies that will use shields liberally to block your attacks. You can wait for them to drop their guard or you can also use a heavy weapon like an axe or claymore to knock them off balance or, if the weapon's attack stat is higher than the shield's defense, knock it out of their hands. Shocking enemies with the Shock Arrows will force them to drop their weapons and shield as well.
39* ''VideoGame/MadMax2015'': Each of the three raider groups has some mooks that are equipped with shields.
40* ''VideoGame/MajinAndTheForsakenKingdom'' had a shield-bearing variation of normal and [[HeavilyArmoredMook armored]] Dark Warriors. These can only be damaged in melee when they lower them to attack. Later on, some will also get special stones in the shields that block one of majin's magical abilities. There's even a Headlong Rush achievement for [[ViolationOfCommonSense trying to attack them 100 times when their shield is still raised.]]
41* ''VideoGame/RememberMe'': Riot-shield-equipped Heavy Enforcers appear in the last few levels. They cannot be attacked from the front and they'll usually turn around before you can flank them. Luckily, one hit from your [[HardLight Junk]] [[HandBlast Shot]] will break the shields, after which they're no different from regular enforcers.
42* ''VideoGame/ShadowGuardian'' has Jason facing enemy mooks armed with riot shields, which provides slightly better defenses than unshielded enemies. But they can still be taken out using the RPG or shotgun.
43* ''VideoGame/ShrekTheThird'' has elite pirates with tridents and lobster-engraved silver shields, as well as knights with axes and heavy round shields. Both are immune to regular attacks and can only be defeated with the use of special abilities or if their shield is broken by the ChargedAttack first.
44* ''VideoGame/SonOfNor'': The more advanced Sarahul warriors are equipped with shields, and they'll defend themselves from any thrown items with them. Luckily, it's possible to pull the shields from their hands before throwing them right back at their original owners.
45* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'': Certain mooks carry shields that make them impervious to standard web and melee attacks from the front. Performing a melee and dodge combo, which allows Spidey to maneuver underneath them and hit them from behind, is the most straightforward way of dealing with them.
46[[/folder]]
47
48[[folder:Beat 'em Ups]]
49* ''VideoGame/BladeMaster'' has LizardFolk enemies carrying shields as mooks.
50* ''VideoGame/BladedFury'' has enemies using round bronze shields in several areas, their weapons offering them better defenses than regular mooks.
51* ''VideoGame/BloodyZombies'' have zombified SWAT personnel who still carries their riot shields around, which they repeatedly use to ShieldBash you.
52* The shield-carrying rat bandits from ''VideoGame/{{Chipmonk}}''. Their shields give them better cover, until the player managed to attack them from behind.
53* ''VideoGame/CrisisBeat'': Downplayed with the Janis-type enemies. They're armed with small, buckler shields that covers less area than a trashcan lid, but they can use their shields to break the player's RapidFireFisticuffs. It's far more effective to use grapple attacks and fling them over instead.
54* ''VideoGame/DustyRevenge'' and the prequel, ''VideoGame/DustyRagingFist'' both contains rhino-men mooks armed with shields.
55* ''VideoGame/AnEgyptianTale'' has burly cultists armed with thick wooden shields, giving them slightly better defense than the usual cultists.
56* ''VideoGame/ExorcistFairy'' has the Cube-Heads, who carries shields alongside curved swords and can use then to parry your forward slash. The False Knight, one of the earlier bosses, is notably a KingMook version of the shielded Cube-Heads.
57* The tortoise-men enemies from ''VideoGame/GaiaCrusaders'', whose shields are their shells.
58* ''VideoGame/HiddenDragonLegend'' has the Trigram's "Defender"-class mooks, green-clad enemies armed with light bronze shields alongside curved swords, their shields useful for parrying slashes. Their MookDebutCutscene sees the leader intimidating you with some ShieldBanging.
59* ''VideoGame/JusticeLeagueHeroesTheFlash'' has a robotic-type of mook which can block ComicBook/{{The Flash}}'s basic attacks.
60* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfValour'' have shield-carrying soldiers in ''all'' the games, all their shields having [[FaceDesignShield a scary demonic face]] painted at the front to intimidate their foes.
61* ''VideoGame/Legend1994'' has shield-carrying bandits who have slightly better defenses than regular mooks.
62* ''VideoGame/LegendOfHeroes'' has Hun swordsmen who carries wooden shields in conjunction with curved swords.
63* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfTianding'' has soldiers armed with riot shields who can take more damage, unless you destroy their shields by repeated punching or yank their shields off using your [[ClothFu sash]]. You can keep their shields afterwards for blocking other enemy attacks. As part of the game's AnachronismStew, the shields appears to be of the modern-day variety (the game is set in 1900s Taiwan).
64* ''VideoGame/NotDyingToday'' have SWAT zombies as well, which uses their riot shields to block your attacks while trying to hit you with batons from behind.
65* ''VideoGame/ShuihuzhuanLiangshanYingxiong'' has enemy mooks armed with bronze shields bearing painted tiger faces, and they're among the few enemys you can't knock down instantly with a projectile attack.
66* ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage4'': The "Murphy" enemy is a SWAT officer who defends himself with a deployable energy shield. Which makes you wonder what kind of police budget Wood Oak city has…
67[[/folder]]
68
69[[folder:First-Person Shooter]]
70* ''VideoGame/BeyondSunset'' has basic enemies with riot shields in a few levels. You can relive them of their shield using a ChargedAttack from your default pistol.
71* ''VideoGame/{{Putrefaction}} 2'' has putrids armed with crude shields in the earlier stages, and later on you uncover the secret Nazi base, complete with soldiers armed with riot shields.
72* ''VideoGame/Sharpshooter3D'' have the riot police enemies who can block your attacks, where you need to aim above their shields or try running behind them to shoot them in their backs.
73* ''VideoGame/Trepang2'':
74** Enemies with a ballistic shield can block your bullets. You have to shoot their exposed feet or hands, or flank them by using the Cloak. Alternatively, sliding into them knocks them into the air, allowing you to shoot or grab them.
75** Some enemies, notably some of the Corporate Soldiers, wield a smaller deployable combat shield. It only protects their upper torso, but has a slot through which they can fire a two-handed weapon (such as a rifle, SMG, or shotgun) while wielding it.
76[[/folder]]
77
78[[folder:Hack & Slash]]
79* ''VideoGame/{{Apotheon}}'': There are many shield-bearing enemies. Much like the player, they can hold it in top, middle and bottom positions to protect themselves from downward swings, central stabs and leg attacks, respectively. You need to either time your attacks correctly, attack in the back or at range, or equip warhammer to break the shield apart.
80* ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' has Ardor Angels, some of which are able to block most of your attacks with shields.
81* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'': There are plenty of shield-bearing demons in the series, but with varying defensive capabilities, gimmicks, or weaknesses.
82** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry1'': Fetish demons are equipped with two small, round sawblades that they also use like shields. The Blades are also equipped with small round shields that can deflect some attacks.
83** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'': The Dullahans are equipped with [[ChainsawGood buzzsaw-edged]] [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe shields]] that make them impervious to all frontal attacks.
84** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'': Bianco Angelos ("White Angels") and Alto Angelos ("High Angels") have collapsible one-handed {{wing shield}}s which grant them {{flight}}, offer them protection from your attacks, and allow them to [[ShieldBash bash you]] as a CounterAttack. Their shields can be broken to negate their protection and flight, but are eventually repaired after a while. The shield-bearing Blades from ''[=DMC1=]'' also have identical counterparts in this game (called Assaults) but their shields are easier to destroy than the Angelos'.
85** ''VideoGame/DMCDevilMayCry'': The game has shielded Bathos/Pathos and Death Knight enemies that are dealt with using specific attacks that can break through their defenses, mostly via heavier attacks and Demon-aligned weapons.
86** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'': Scudo Angelos are this game's version of a sword-and-shield demon knight, capable of blocking some of your attacks as usual, but are also left defenseless when their shields are broken after repeated hits.
87* ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'': Shield-carrying Defense Captains and their defense squads, usually assigned to protect bases. They carry large square iron shields and polearms, and had a maddening tendency to just block in your direction constantly and thus take forever to kill without a little help or creativity. ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' has the very similar Heavy Infantry unit, usually seen guarding castles or gates, but at least it's possible to destroy their wooden shields, reducing their threat to barely above that of a common spear Mook.
88* ''VideoGame/EasternExorcist'' has recurring shielded rat-men enemies, who carries round bronze shields capable of parrying most of your attacks.
89* ''VideoGame/FullMetalFuries'': The Hoplite and Legionnaire enemies are styled after their namesakes from the Ancient Greece and Rome, which includes the shields.
90* ''VideoGame/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'' had the Goblins and Orcs with shields. Orcs were tougher and more powerful, although Goblins had an additional DeadlyLunge attack. In both cases, they were immune to frontal blows until you smashed the shield with a heavy attack.
91* ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroesIII'': The Diversity deploys a shield whenever Travis gets close enough, but its backside is still exposed.
92* ''VideoGame/RyseSonOfRome'': Shield-bearing barbarians keep their guard up most of the time and need to be attacked only when they lower it.
93[[/folder]]
94
95[[folder:Metroidvanias]]
96* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'': Various enemies throughout the series. Some have shields that don't seem to do much, others can only be damaged if an attack reaches a non-shield area, and others still can completely block attacks with their shield. Examples of the latter are the dead crusader, which will block all attacks coming from the front, unless it is preparing to attack or is surprised, and the final guard, which is vulnerable normally but can get in a defensive stance that makes it invulnerable.
97* ''VideoGame/{{Chasm}}'' includes some skeletons who fight with swords and shields. However, they can still be harmed from the front through striking at the exposed skulls between their shields and helmets.
98* ''VideoGame/{{Iconoclasts}}'': The submachinegun-wielding One Concern Attackers are occasionally reinforced by the Defenders, who lack a gun, but are immune to regular melee and ranged attacks from the front due to their shields, and attack by producing a blue ShockwaveStomp instead. They are still somewhat affected by the bomb detonations, but the easiest way to knock them out is through GoombaStomp.
99* ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption'': Some of its SpacePirates are armed with energy shields; you can rip these off with your Grapple Lasso.
100* ''VideoGame/LaMulana'' has Masked Men, common {{Mooks}} whose shields block frontal attacks.
101* ''VideoGame/{{Unworthy}}'': Each Sentinel is a GiantMook {{Golem}} with a man-sized sword, and correspondingly high health and damage, partly compensated for by their slow speed. Now, the shielded Sentinels are the same thing, except that they are protected from frontal damage with a tower shield. Thankfully, a single GroundPound from the Hammer of Unmaking is enough to destroy the shield. Interestingly, [[MonsterCompendium Grimoire]] description states they created the shield on their own after gaining glimmers of sentience over time.
102[[/folder]]
103
104[[folder:MMORPG]]
105* ''VideoGame/SpiralKnights'' has T2 and higher Mecha Knights, Trojans and Deadnaughts. Subverted with the former, as they block only firearm shots and only for a brief time. The latter two also overlap with EliteMooks and BossInMookClothing.
106* ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'': Several Grineer soldiers carry shields that make the bulletproof from front. They occasionally expose themselves to open fire, but it's usually easier to attack them with your special abilities.
107* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'':
108** One of the bosses in Grim Batol switches between weapon sets, and one of them is a huge shield that protects him from the front.
109** Mooks with this feature were introduced during the Will of the Emperor encounter and have since become a common mechanic in boss fights, often to force the players to move around the field (such as the Sha of Fear encounter -- the raid mostly hangs out in an area protected from the boss's deadly breath weapons, but from there they can't hit the shielded mooks).
110[[/folder]]
111
112[[folder:Platformers]]
113* ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfRadGravity'': Many of the enemy robots on the planet Utopia, as well as its boss, are equipped with impenetrable frontal shields. For the former, you have to bait another robot into shooting them in the back, while the latter requires you to hand Crystal Bombs to a friendly NPC so she can hit it from behind, since it always turns to face Rad.
114* ''VideoGame/BionicCommando'': The Wired Gunner has a bulletproof shield and is nearly impossible to get behind. In the remake, the two [[KingMook platoon leaders]] each have a ChestOfMedals for a frontal shield, and there are also mooks with conventional shields.
115* ''VideoGame/{{Broforce}}'': Some enemies are unarmed, but protect fellow terrorists with the large riot shields that deflect any bullets fired at them from the front. Destroying their shields with explosives and melee attacks forces them to run away, if they can.
116* ''VideoGame/CurseCrackersForWhomTheBelleToils'': Early on, you'll find skeletons that carry shields, meaning that they can't be damaged from the side the shield is on. There are also skeletons that wear helmets, meaning you can't defeat them by jumping on them. As you progress, you'll find more enemies like this, with some having both a helmet and a shield, some also having weapons, and some that can throw their shields at you.
117* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry3DixieKongsDoubleTrouble'': Koin and Koindozer. The former have to be defeated in order to earn DK Coins for every level, while the latter are exclusive to one level where they ShieldBash you into {{Bottomless Pit}}s.
118* ''VideoGame/{{Flashback}}: The Quest For Identity'': The player and some opponents use [[DeflectorShields Force Field]] devices. When used, these completely protect from frontal attacks, but only for a few moments.
119* ''VideoGame/Gamer2'': Some of the police enemies wield riot shields, which let them block a bullet once a second.
120* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
121** ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic'' has the recurring Sniper Joes (whose shields block most shots), Metools (whose hardhats do the same), and Shield Attackers (an airborne version). Some games have other enemies protected by some measure of shields; in most cases, you have to wait for them to start attacking before you can actually destroy them.
122** ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends'' has one type of enemy that hides behind a shield; you can dismember their shields with the correct weapon, otherwise you have to wait for them to drop their guard.
123** ''VideoGame/MegaManX8'' gave X, Zero and Axl guard breaking attacks (charged shot, 3 hit saber combo or 8 rapid fire bullets, respectively) to deal with the increased number of shield bearing mavericks from previous games.
124* ''VideoGame/MercenaryKings'':
125** The game has The Shield Guard and his incendiary and electrical versions. All three of those are only vulnerable if you get behind him or when he lowers his guard to shoot. Weapons with corrosive damage can also corrode the shield, which causes them to [[TurnsRed panic and shoot rapidly]] at you. There's also the Abductor enemy, which functions the same, but [[HumanShield uses a hostage]] you're meant to save ([[VideoGameCrueltyPotential though nothing prevents you from not doing so]]) instead of a shield.
126** There are also the Charger enemies, which lack ranged weapons and will instead charge at you to inflict CollisionDamage with their spiked shield. Finally, there's a shield-equipped Mandragora '''turret''' late in the game.
127* ''VideoGame/Rayman3HoodlumHavoc'': There are occasional mooks who hide behind big wooden shields and who release tiny mooks that hold explosives and charge at you.
128* ''VideoGame/ShovelKnight'' features a few enemies who carry shields that make largely invulnerable: Hoppicleses who prance around with shields that nullify most frontal attacks and several variants of goldarmors who can raise their shields to resist attacks from above.
129* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
130** ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'' (and ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4'') has Crawl, a crablike robot who blocks all attacks from the front and from above with his shield.
131** ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' has the Shield Hunters. Sonic and Shadow can defeat them by somersaulting, while Tails and Eggman can shoot them when they are off guard, charging their lasers.
132** ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'': Certain Egg Pawn enemies have shields. Sonic, Shadow, Amy, and Espio can blow them away using their tornado attack. Some shields can be destroyed with several basic attacks, and others are equipped with spikes.
133* ''VideoGame/{{Spelunky}} HD'' has the Black Knight as a semi-major enemy in the Jungle area (specifically, [[spoiler:in the Haunted Castle, only accessible from a [[NightOfTheLivingMooks Restless Dead]] level]]). His shield reflects all projectiles, including bullets [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUMFHwDpkrU#t=18s and sticky bombs]][[note]]Starts about 18 seconds in, if the link doesn't skip to -that part[[/note]], and he can also [[OneHitKill crush other creatures and objects -- including you -- against the walls with it]]. Performing a GoombaStomp deprived him of it, however.
134* ''[[VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsCreatureFromTheKrustyKrab [=SpongeBob=] [=SquarePants=] Creature from the Krusty Krab]]'' has an enemy type that carries a shield. [=SpongeBob=] must use his Dash Attack to stun the foe and then attack it by using his Sand Slap move to defeat them. This shielded enemy comes in two aesthetics; a thuggish fish (encountered in the ''Dieseling Dreaming'' level) and a lobster-like creature (found in ''Alaskan Belly Trouble'').
135* ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'': Most enemies in the original series either have shields or are made of metal, which make them immune to your regular flame attack. The best way to defeat them is either use your tackle or use the much stronger Super Flame breath.
136[[/folder]]
137
138[[folder:Puzzle Games]]
139* ''VideoGame/{{Gruntz}}'': The dark green enemy gruntz always hold shields (in the levels made by the developers, anyway).
140* ''VideoGame/KickleCubicle'' has Rooker, whose shield will actually reflect Kickle's freezing attack back at him.
141[[/folder]]
142
143[[folder:Real-Time Strategy]]
144* ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresII'' has Skirmishers and their two upgraded variations as an alternative ranged unit to archers for all factions. They fight with throwing spears and so do less damage but compensate for that by being equipped with round shields, giving them higher resistance to ranged attacks. The Italians have the Genoese Crossbowmen as their unique, Castle-built unit. These have better defence against melee damage than the normal crossbowman due to their huge shield, and the Italians' unique Pavise technology (the name of the shield) increases both ranged and melee defence.
145* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3'': Allied Peacekeepers have riot shields that they can take cover behind, slowing them down but making them resistant to fire until they can bring their shotguns to bear.
146* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'':
147** Human Footmen, which were able to go into the Defending mode by raising their shield high up in front of them and moving slower. They would not only gain protection from standard ranged attacks but would even be able to occasionally [[AttackReflector deflect projectiles backwards]] after upgrades (it's not rare to see a "duel" between a flying unit and a defending footman end with the flyer dead after having its own attacks sent back).
148** While they aren't visible in the normal game, bandits (neutral units carrying a shield and an axe/javelin) have the Defend animation, but not the ability. Spell Breakers (elven AntiMagic units with ridiculously huge shields) also have the animation and there's a DummiedOut ability that makes them immune to magic by raising their shields ([[BoringButPractical in the regular game, they're permanently immune instead]]).
149[[/folder]]
150
151[[folder:Role-Playing Games]]
152* ''VideoGame/TheBannerSaga'': [[TheJuggernaut Dredge]] Stoneguards, whose shields greatly increase the number of hit points of an enemy that is already eight to nine feet tall and encased in armour from head to toe. They can also do a ShieldBash attack, which is ''area-of-effect''.
153* ''VideoGame/Borderlands2'':
154** The main game features Nomad Taskmasters, which carry man-height riot shields that soak up all bullets. However, they have a hole in the middle, which is covered by a chained midget. Destroy those chains and they'll fight each other, giving you time to flank them. Badass Nomads have huge (though still destructible) spikes on their shields instead, which makes their ShieldBash all the more devastating.
155** "Sir Hammerlock's Big Game Hunt" DLC has Savage Warriors, who carry oblong wooden Zulu-style shields. These shields mitigate all melee damage that hits them dead on, and while they don't do nearly as well against bullets, Warriors are appreciably harder to kill than other Savage enemy types.
156** In "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep", there are both Skeleton Gladiators, who wield small buckler shields, and knights, who have huge tower shields. In both cases, regular bullets bounce right off -- and knights will raise their shields and take a knee now and then.
157* ''VideoGame/{{Crowntakers}}'': There are both barbarians and members of the Royal Guard who carry shields. These enemies tend to have less health overall than the soldiers with two-handed weapons, but possess regenerating "magic armor" points instead.
158* ''VideoGame/DarkestDungeon'' starts out with the Bone Defender and its Veteran and Champion versions Bone Bulwark and Bone Shieldwall as the Ruins' area "tank" enemy. It deals slightly less damage with its axe than a Bone Soldier of the same rank, but can also stun your characters with ShieldBash attack "Dead Weight". Then, the Cove area introduced Pelagic Guardians/Gladiators, who cannot stun, but whose basic attack inflicts Bleed. Crucially, they are able to guard fellow Pelagics, taking all damage intended for them, although it can be countered by stunning them, or using [=AoE=] attacks, and the AIRoulette often meant they guard poor targets anyway. Post-release update added the guard ability, "Foul Ward", to Bone Defenders as well. The ''Crimson Court'' DLC features a subversion with Manservants, who guard their masters ([[AIRoulette or sometimes]], [[ArtificialStupidity random mosquitoes]]) with the closed meal trays. However, this only lasts up until they succumb to The Thirst and heal themselves with the blood of your characters. At that point, they only use the meal trays to shock your mercenaries through opening them to [[IAmAHumanitarian reveal their contents]].
159* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'':
160** ''VideoGame/DarkSouls1'' has a fair number of shield-bearing enemies. Most only gain a more effective block and are not actually invincible because of them. The one exception are the shield-bearing giants in Anor Londo, which have to be flanked to do any real damage.
161** ''VideoGame/DarkSouls2'' goes a step further with the Imperious Knights in the Undead Crypt, which carry two greatshields and no other weapons. They fight exclusively through {{Shield Bash}}ing. It's widely believed that these enemies are a reference to players in the original ''Dark Souls'' using shields exclusively as a SelfImposedChallenge (or just to troll people in [=PvP=]).
162* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' and its ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening'' expansion pack had plenty of human, [[DemBones skeleton]] and [[TheCorruption darkspawn]] enemies with shields, all of whom used the same skill tree as the shield warriors in the player party. Thus, they had better defence than others and spammed variations of ShieldBash but none required special tactics. The Legacy DLC for ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' was a [[ActionizedSequel different story]]. The new ape-like Genlock Alphas were practically invincible from the front and had to be flanked or magicked to death. Like ''Origins'', ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' has numerous shield-bearing enemy warriors; like ''II'', they deflect damage from the front but some special attacks can be used to stun them or knock them over, rendering them vulnerable for a short time.
163* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIX'': The Gum Shield and Grim Grinner, among others, use shields to great effect to block attacks. Fortunately for the player, they don't always use them.
164* A lot of rank-and-file soldiers found across ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' carry shields, and take ScratchDamage from frontal attacks while they're guarding. Some soldiers carry greatshields and spears and are harder to hit head-on. Attacking into their shields can expose ''you'' to a CounterAttack from them. You'll also find many types of shield-bearing knights that are really tanky in a straight fight.
165* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':
166** Defender Heartless are invincible to melee attacks from the front, so the only way to attack them effectively is to aim for the back or spam magic attacks at them.
167** ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance'': The various Kyroo dream eaters all pack shields and while not perpetually invulnerable from the front like the aforementioned enemy, they're smart enough to raise them in response to you randomly taking a swing at them, after which they'll retaliate while you're reeling. They can even FlashStep in front of an enemy who's about to take a hit in order to protect them.
168* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsFromZero'', an enemy 'Living Shield', which is an actual large shield construct made of alchemy, which makes its unique armor resistant to arts.
169* ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance'' has shield-bearing mooks. You have to either grapple their shields and pull them from their hands, strike them in the back or charge up a special move to bypass them.
170* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
171** ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': Cerberus Guardians are otherwise-normal mooks that carry large shields and slowly yet inexorably advance on you until they're in range to shotgun you. However, their feet are exposed, and there is also a thin slot in the upper center of the shield to provide vision(in fact, you gain an Achievement for killing 10 of them in this manner). Alternately, you can stagger them with certain powers, use [[{{Telekinesis}} Pull]] to rip it off them, or just equip an armor-piercing weapon mod to punch straight through the shield.
172** The ''Citadel'' DLC also has the [[PrivateMilitaryContractors CAT6]] Heavies, which generate the shield with their omni-tools. Not being a physical object, it cannot be pulled off them or shot through: however, it is also much smaller, can be taken out with Overload and still retains the slot in spite of being translucent. Annoyingly, they have armor rather than health bar [[KungFuProofMook preventing them from being targeted directly by Overload]], but Energy Drain works fine and Overload can still ''arc'' to them.
173* ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'': Aegislash has extreme defenses but pitiful offenses when it's in Shield Forme, but these are switched around in Sword Forme. Aegislash swaps to Sword Forme right before it attacks, but it can use the [[ActionInitiative priority move]] King's Shield to swap back to Shield Forme. Of course, being Pokemon, it's also [[PlayerMooks a playable mook]].
174* The ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' [=RPGs=] feature enemies with shields, reducing your attacks to ScratchDamage. Their shields can be broken using shield-breaking moves. ''VideoGame/SaveTheLight'' repositions your party so that they can hit shielded mooks from behind for more damage, while VideoGame/UnleashTheLight'' adds new enemies that give ''their'' allies shields. Some of them provide [[SingleUseShield Single-Use Shields]] while others provide Armor Packs, which absorb all your attacks until they break. [[ShootTheMedicFirst They should be the ones taken out first]], while those with Armor Packs are [[AntiArmor weak to armor-breaking moves.]]
175* ''VideoGame/WanderingHamster'' features enemy knights who aren't invincible with their shields, but with right combination of elemental attacks you can break their shields, greatly reducing their defence until they bring out another.
176[[/folder]]
177
178[[folder:Run & Gun]]
179* ''VideoGame/{{Commando}}'': Shield Soldiers are bulletproof from all directions and must be taken out with grenades.
180* ''VideoGame/ElevatorActionReturns'': Certain enemies are equipped with a shield, but a single shot will knock them out of their hands. Just don't forget to shoot them again.
181* ''VideoGame/MalditaCastilla'': The enemies include shielded knights who are vulnerable only a fraction of second after tossing a knife.
182* ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'': One of the regular mooks carries a shield, and only lets his guard down when he tries to slash/shoot you. One level lets you play the BattleshipRaid with one of the three, he tends to survive the longest, as the shield lets him survive more than a single bullet. The riot shields can be blown away with a grenade but it's more economical to just shoot them.
183[[/folder]]
184
185[[folder:Shooters]]
186* ''VideoGame/EightBitKiller'' features Roman-esque soldiers who stand in one place holding a shield that renders them invincible until they lower it to fire, which they will delay if you keep shooting them.
187* ''VideoGame/BinaryDomain'': Some enemy robots protect themselves with metal shields.
188* ''VideoGame/{{Black}}'' has two variants of soldiers with bulletproof shields. Type 1 has a bigger metal shield that [[DeployableCover he plants on the ground and peeks his submachine gun from behind to fire]]; Type 2 has a smaller, degradable (but still resistant) polymer shield that allows him to move around just like an unarmored mook. Both are best taken out with grenades: Type 1s won't react to them at all and will get blown up, while Type 2s will turn towards the grenade and crouch to protect himself from the blast, leaving himself fully exposed to the player's gunfire.
189* ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2'': Enemies with bulletproof riot shields are completely impervious to frontal attacks, and must either be flanked from the sides or taken out with explosives.
190* ''VideoGame/DeadstormPirates'': The giant crabs use their oversized right claw to block damage. Hence, they should only be attacked when they lift it up.
191* ''VideoGame/DeepRockGalactic'': Glyphid Grunt Guards can use their heavily-armored forelegs to block incoming damage, protecting their head and any other bugs that may be behind them. They do have a few weaknesses, however: they can't block explosives or elemental damage, stunning them makes them stumble and expose their head, and they can't keep their forelegs together for very long, and will stop blocking after several seconds.
192* ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'':
193** ''VideoGame/Doom3'': The rarest type of zombie soldier carries a large, bulletproof metal riot shield.
194** ''VideoGame/Doom2016'': Possessed Security carry energy shields that can absorb most forms of attack and can be used to bash you. Thankfully, the [[ChainsawGood chainsaw]] is [[OneHitKill more than up to the task]] of dealing with them. In the sequel, their shields can be overloaded with a couple of shots from a Plasma Rifle.
195** ''VideoGame/DoomEternal'': Carcasses aren't very threatening themselves, but they can project an energy wall at a range. It's less for protecting itself and more for blocking your movement and shots, especially [[SplashDamage rockets]]. The [[ThatOneBoss Marauder]], on the other hand, will block ''anything'' you throw at him with his shield and only gives you a small window of opportunity to damage him.
196* The Combine Chargers in ''VideoGame/HalfLifeAlyx'' can create an energy shield with a device on their arm to block incoming damage and release a [[BlindedByTheLight blinding flash of light]] as they deactivate the shield.
197* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'':
198** Jackals have a large circular energy shield on one arm to defend from frontal attacks. It completely deflects bullets, but can be disrupted by sufficient energy weapons fire or a melee attack. There's also a small slot in the corner for the Jackal to stick their weapon through; their bodies can be targeted through this gap if you have sufficiently good aim.
199** ''VideoGame/HaloReach'' adds Skirmishers, who are basically stronger and faster Jackals. Most of them don't carry shields, but one variant has smaller shields on both of their arms that are mainly there to protect against headshots.
200** Hunters, although they're heavily armored in general, also have a forearm shield to guard their weak points and smash down enemies who get too close.
201* ''VideoGame/{{Hexen}}'': Centaurs and Slaughtaurs carry missile-deflecting shields. You have to wait for them to lower them to attack again. The Heresiarch has a similar, more powerful mechanic, but it doesn't take the form of a literal shield.
202* ''VideoGame/KillzoneShadowFall'' has the Helghast soldiers equipped with bulletproof riot shields and shotguns, who are also smart enough to protect their allies whenever possible. The best way to kill them is usually to use the OWL drone to distract them from you.
203* ''VideoGame/MassEffectInfiltrator'' has shotgun-equipped Cerberus Riot Troopers. Their shields are fairly small, leaving more of their body exposed.
204* ''VideoGame/PAYDAYTheHeist'' has Shields, which are SWAT units that [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin carry bulletproof shields]]. They carry submachine guns and have more health than standard mooks, but are vulnerable to flanking attacks and the [[GrenadeLauncher GL40]]. They return in [[VideoGame/PAYDAY2 the sequel]], where they're now vulnerable to sniper rifles and fire as well. In addition, Captain Winters has his own squad of Shield-Bearing EliteMooks, which have half the health of a Bulldozer and can't be one-shot under most circumstances.
205* ''VideoGame/ProjectBrutality'': Shotgun guys wield giant riot shields, which make them invincible to punches and bullets when they're up (but not explosions or berserk-powered melee).
206* ''[[VideoGame/RainbowSix Rainbow Six Vegas 2]]'' has some mooks wield bulletproof riot shields. They either have to be flanked or require grenades and other explosives to take out. To make matters worse, they usually wield Raging Bull revolvers, which will chew through your health if you let them get a bead on you.
207* ''VideoGame/{{Singularity}}'': Some soldiers carry bulletproof riot shields around. Besides flanking them, it's possible to use the hero's powers to age them to dust or simply grab them out of their hands.
208* ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'':
209** Some Octotrooper variants in the singleplayer campaigns have a large shield protecting their front; while outright impervious to most attacks in [[VideoGame/Splatoon1 the first game]], subsequent entries allow them to eventually destroyed by any weapon (though they're still resilient enough that this should only be done as a last resort).
210** In [[MultiMookMelee Salmon Run]], Scrappers pilot an armored vehicle protected from the front, sides, and top, effectively being a motorized shield. However, they're completely exposed at the back, so players must either shoot the shields enough to stun the driver and [[AttackTheTail head to the back to splat the driver]], or shoot it once to distract them so another player can shoot them in the back.
211* ''VideoGame/TimeShift'': One of the SuperpoweredMooks types is equipped with an impenetrable arm-mounted energy shield. Explosives can damage them through the shield, and freezing time causes the shield to disappear entirely.
212* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
213** ''VideoGame/Transformers2004'': There are shielded Decepticlones in later levels; their shields can be destroyed with sustained firepower.
214** ''VideoGame/TransformersWarForCybertron'' has the Brute, a low-level heavy mook that blocks fire with an energy shield until it gets close enough to pummel you with its hammer. If you try to play keep away with a flyer, they whip out a missile launcher to swat you from the air and bring you back within reach.
215* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
216** ''VideoGame/FireWarrior'': Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priests and Chaos Sorcerers protect themselves with bubble shields while they try to fry you with Plasma/Warp fire. Unfortunately for them, shooting the shield enough will cause it to implode with them still in it.
217** ''VideoGame/Warhammer40000SpaceMarine'': The Ork 'Ard Boyz are [[HeavilyArmoredMook covered in slabs of armour]] much like in the source material, but also have riot shields with them.
218[[/folder]]
219
220[[folder:Simulation]]
221* In ''VideoGame/PotionPermit'', some monsters carry shields with them, and you need to break them with your axe.
222[[/folder]]
223
224[[folder:Stealth-Based Game]]
225* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' has squads of EliteMooks with riot shields who show up in certain areas if you're suspected of being nearby. Explosives and shots from behind the shield both work, but there's a special sense of accomplishment reserved for those who [[AttackItsWeakPoint headshot them right through the eye slot]].
226* Some enemy guards in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'' will equip bulletproof shields in response to you repeatedly engaging in combat while out on missions. When they're not using it in combat to protect themselves from the front, the shield rests on their back and protects them from attacks from behind.
227[[/folder]]
228
229[[folder:Survival Horror]]
230* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'': The later, {{actionised|Sequel}} games included humanoid enemies with human-sized shields. In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' and ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5'', many cultists carry large wooden shields that break apart piece by piece when shot with bullets, and can be pierced outright with high-powered weapons such as sniper rifles.
231[[/folder]]
232
233[[folder:Tower Defense]]
234* ''VideoGame/KingdomRush'' series:
235** The original game has a Shield-Bearing ''Boss'' in Ulguk-Hai. He's completely invulnerable to any form of damage when his shield is up, and he only puts it down when he's in combat with your troops.
236** ''Origins'' has the Twilight Avenger enemies that sport gigantic amounts of physical armor when not in combat. Their armor decreases when in combat as they have to put away their shield.
237** ''Vengeance'' has the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin appropriately-named]] Shieldbearers who hold a shield that's almost as big as they are and sport gigantic amounts of physical armor. They lose said physical armor when engaged in combat with your troops since they have to put away their shield.
238* ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies'':
239** The first game has Newspaper Zombies (weak shield, gets ''[[TurnsRed pissed]]'' when you destroy it), Screen Door Zombies (strong shield), and Ladder Zombies (medium-strength shield that can be placed on your defensive unit to bypass it). All three can block frontal shots, but are vulnerable to arced shots, fumes (produced by the Fume-Shroom and Gloom-Shroom), and spikes.
240** ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies2ItsAboutTime'' has the Excavator Zombie, whose shield (a golden, non-magnetic shovel) has infinite health, and can also throw plants to the front rows with it. It's vulnerable to piercing attacks like the Laser Bean, as well as lobbed shots. Then there's the Parasol Zombie who holds a parasol that bounces an indefinite amount of lobbed shots off, but is vulnerable to frontal attacks. And unfortunately, both of them appear in the same worlds and levels...
241[[/folder]]
242
243[[folder:Turn-Based Tactics]]
244* ''VideoGame/SkyshinesBedlam'': Every enemy faction has its own version of the shield-carrying, melee-only Frontliner class. Marauder Frontliners carry maces and red hexagonal shields with skulls drawn on them. Mutant ones have triangular shields that appear to grow out of their own bone, and wield similarly biological weapons. Cyborgs have rectangular metal shields and single-edged laser blades. Rogue A.I. Frontliners use round shields, purple laser beams and can teleport.
245[[/folder]]
246
247[[folder:Web Games]]
248* ''VideoGame/GetOffMyLawn2009'': Welderbeasts and their tougher cousin, Molesharks, have shields (a welding mask and a drill bit) in front of them to protect against frontal engagements.
249* ''VideoGame/UnionCity'', the sequel to ''VideoGame/TheLastStand'' games, has the riot police zombies. Even after death, they still carry their riot shields on top of the bulletproof helmets and armored vests, forcing the player to go for the feet to inflict more than ScratchDamage. Luckily, they have to lower the shield when attacking and are also the [[StoneWall slowest enemies]] in the game.
250[[/folder]]
251
252!!Non-Video Game Examples
253
254[[folder:Card Games]]
255* ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'':
256** One monster in Yugi's deck (Big Shield Gardna) is a man crouching behind a ginormous shield, with very high defense and ridiculously low attack.
257** Millennium Shield is an even more extreme example as it's literally a shield with no attack at all.
258[[/folder]]
259
260[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
261* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': Fire giant dreadnoughts double-wield immense, spiked tower shields, which provide them with formidable physical defense in addition to being usable for powerful {{Shield Bash}}es.
262[[/folder]]
263
264[[folder:Real Life]]
265* The ever-indefatigable Roman legionary. All of the main-line soldiers were equipped with huge tower shields to protect against enemy projectiles, and the whole formation could transition into a "tortoise" (''testudo'' -- forward rank locks shields to the front, those behind place them on their heads) for added protection to the whole group.
266* Greek hoplites, whose ''hoplos'' shield was so central to their fighting style that they were named after it.
267* Shield walls in general rely on the idea that the shields form an unbroken line both protecting and supporting the men on either side of the wielder. The counter-strategy in this case is to force the enemy to break formation.
268* Medieval infantry, equipped with thrusting spear and shield. Better than levies and forced peasant conscripts and able to keep cavalry at bay, but not necessarily match for dismounted knights with two-handed swords and poleaxes.
269* Another example would be pavisiers, soldiers carrying large shields that could often be set down as DeployableCover. And as an example of the "shieldbearer protecting an ally" occurance, they were commonly paired with an archer or crossbowman, assuming the pavise wasn't to be carried by the person using it as mobile cover.
270* Modern RealLife examples: riot police and their acryllic shields.
271[[/folder]]

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