Shield ( equipment ) Shields are a recurring type of armor in the " Final Fantasy " series . They generally increase Defense and may also have a random chance to block an attack . Examples of recurring shields from the series include the Aegis Shield and the Hero ' s Shield . Shields tend to have two subdivisions : " heavy " shields and " light " or " universal " shields . " Heavy " shields can only be used by physical attackers like Warriors and Dragoons . " Light " or " universal " shields can be used by any class , including mages . Appearances . " Final Fantasy " . Shields give high Defense boosts and increase the chance of blocking an attack . Most shields can only be used by the Warrior , Knight , and Ninja classes . " Final Fantasy II " . Shields can be equipped by every character , unless they have a bow equipped , as bows are two - handed weapons . They increase the Evasion of the character based on the quality of the shield and their skill level with shields . A character can equip a shield in both hands for greater defense , but will not be able to use physical attacks . " Final Fantasy III " . Shields are exclusive to melee jobs , though most are only available to the heaviest ones . They grant Defense and Evasion bonuses , as well as protection against certain status ailments . Two can be equipped for a greater Defense boost , but the character will have no Attack power . " Final Fantasy IV " . Shields are exclusive to Cecil , Kain , and Cid , except for the Hero ' s Shield , which can be equipped by any character . They cannot be equipped at the same time as a two - handed weapon , like a Hammer or a Knightsword . Dark Shields can only be equipped by Dark Knight Cecil , while Light Shields can only be equipped by Paladin Cecil . " Final Fantasy V " . Shields can be equipped by the heavier melee jobs , but they can also be equipped by any job , as long as the character has equipped the ability Equip Shields . " Final Fantasy VI " . There are two types of shields available : universal shields , that can be equipped by every character with the exception of Umaro , and heavy shields , that can only be equipped by Terra , Edgar , Celes , Cyan , Setzer , and Mog . " Final Fantasy X " . Tidus , Rikku and Wakka use shields , targes , and armguards as armor . The other party members use types of armlet s instead . The Shield is a basic armor for Tidus , two - slot with no abilities . " Final Fantasy XI " . Shields are items equippable in the sub - equipment slot . They may only be wielded when using either a one - handed weapon or no weapons . When equipped , the shield will decrease damage taken and occasionally block attacks . The chance of blocking an attack is governed by the player ' s Shield Skill , with Paladins having the best aptitude by far . Shields are available at different sizes and block rates . Shields are also the basis for many Paladin abilities and spells , such as Shield Bash or Reprisal . " Final Fantasy XII " . Shields can be equipped by any character as long as they possess the required License to equip them , and have not equipped a two - handed weapon . Equipping a shield only adds to evasion , not to defense . The only shield that appears , " Ba ' Gabuckler " , can only be equipped by Ba ' Gamnan . It slightly increases his group ' s Stamina . Shields are a type of equipment available to Lightning . Their abilities and stats are varied , but they commonly boost her HP and reduce damage when Lightning guards against enemy attacks . Uniquely in the series , there are many types of shields , each type defined by several key attributes . " Final Fantasy XIV " . Shields are a type of armor available to Gladiators , Conjurers and Thaumaturge s . They are equipped to the off - hand slot and , as such , may only be equipped while wielding a one handed weapon . Shields specialize in boosting a character ' s block rate and block strength . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . Shields can be equipped by Knights , Archers , Geomancers , Dragoons , Dark Knights , Onion Knights , and any other job , as long as the character has equipped the Equip Shields ability . Many special jobs , like the Sword Saint or the Sky Pirate can also equip shields by default . There is also a second escutcheon called by the same name but this one has the highest evasion stats of all shields and has a different color than it ' s counterpart . " Final Fantasy Tactics Advance " . Shields can be equipped by every job , as long as they have equipped the Shieldbearer ability , taught by the Soldier , Warrior , Fencer , Mog Knight , and Sage jobs . In this sequel , shields can be , again , equipped by any job , as long as the character as equipped the Shieldbearer ability . The gria and the seeq can learn the ability too , by the Raptor and Viking jobs . " Vagrant Story " . List of shields : " Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles " . Shields are the tribe - specific armor of the Clavat . " Final Fantasy Mystic Quest " . Benjamin is the only one who can equip shields , and Phoebe uses the Ether Shield . " Final Fantasy Adventure " . Shields works differently from other games , if Sumo ' s level is high enough , he ' ll be able to push the enemy out of his way . Shield do not increase defense power , but can block and neutralize some weapon and magic attacks by the enemies . List of shields : " The Final Fantasy Legend " . Shields are a piece of equipment available for the party . List of Shields : " Final Fantasy Legend II " . Shields are a piece of equipment available for the party . List of Shields : " Final Fantasy Legend III " . Shields can be equipped by all four main characters . List of Shields : " Bravely Default " . List of Shields : " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Shields focus on increasing Wall Rush HP defense . They can be equipped by Warrior of Light , Garland , Firion , Cecil , Golbez , Bartz , Exdeath , Cloud , Sephiroth , Squall , Tidus , Jecht and Gabranth . The Warrior of Light and Firion utilize shields in combat . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Shields again specialize in Wall rush HP defense , and can be equipped by Warrior of Light , Garland , Firion , Cecil , Kain , Golbez , Bartz , Exdeath , Gilgamesh , Cloud , Sephiroth , Squall , Laguna , Tidus , Jecht , Vaan , Gabranth , and Lightning . Newcomer Vaan uses shields in combat in addition to the returning Warrior of Light and Firion . There is also a new set of equipment , large shields . They focus on increasing warp defense , and can be equipped by Warrior of Light , Garland , Cecil , Kain , Golbez , Bartz , Exdeath , Gilgamesh , Cloud , Squall , Gabranth , and Feral Chaos .