Shields

Shields are a type of defensive accessory. The shields shown on this page slightly increase the player's defense. Most shields can grant immunity to knockback and synergize with the and .
== Types ==
=== Pre-Hardmode ===
The , found in Gold Chests in the Dungeon, provides immunity to knockback and 1 defense. This can be combined with the Obsidian Skull at a Tinkerer's Workshop to craft an , which provides 1 more defense (for a total of 2), keeps the knockback immunity, and also grants immunity to Burning.
In Expert Mode, the is dropped by the Eye of Cthulhu's Treasure Bag. It allows the player to dash, and dashing into enemies will deal 30 (Melee) damage to the enemy and give the player invincibility frames. It also grants the player 2 defense. However, it does not grant knockback immunity.
=== Hardmode ===
In Hardmode, many more options are available, and the pre-Hardmode shields can be used in the Ankh Shield.
The is crafted by combining the Obsidian Shield with the Ankh Charm, and, along with the abilities from the Obsidian Shield, grants immunity to most debuffs and an additional 2 defense (for a total of 4). Like the Obsidian Shield, it synergizes with the Brand of the Inferno, obtained later on from the Old One's Army event.
The is a melee weapon sold by the Traveling Merchant, capable of bouncing off enemies and parrying attack. Though the parrying function needs a shield to work, this weapon is a shield itself, so it is possible to parry attacks while not attacking without a shield accessory equipped. 
Back at the Dungeon, the dropped by Paladins grants knockback immunity, but also absorbs damage taken by nearby players on the same team in Multiplayer. This can be combined with Flesh Knuckles or a Frozen Turtle Shell at a Tinkerer's Workshop to craft the and , respectively. Both the Paladin's Shield and the Frozen Shield grant 6 defense to the wearer, while the Hero Shield grants 10.
While not an item in itself, the set bonus of the makes a shield-like visual effect and enables dashing as well as a Thorns-like effect. Dashing into enemies or getting hit will use up charges in the form of the spikes on the shield, which stack up to 3. This set bonus will not synergize with the Brand of the Inferno or the Sergeant United Shield.
=== Summoner Shields ===
These Shields do not grant the usual boosts from Shields, but provide boosts to Summon weapons and are dropped by the Ogre during the Old One's Army event. The and allow the player to summon an additional sentry and increase minion damage. The Squire's Shield synergizes with the Brand of the Inferno and the Sergeant United Shield, but the Huntress's Buckler does not.
=== Shields Table ===
Shields 	Source 	Effects 	Equipped
Pre-Hardmode	Pre-Hardmode	Pre-Hardmode	Pre-Hardmode
Hardmode 	Hardmode 	Hardmode 	Hardmode
== History ==