Shield
Shields have been with Link for as long as his Swords have and been about as important. Protecting him from all sorts of otherwise fatal damage.
Various Properties
Throughout the years, Link has collected all types of different shields. These types could be wood, metal, iron, or in some cases, a Special Shield.
Wood
Wooden Shields are made of wood, and therefore they share properties with its main material. Wood, while durable, will burn when exposed to fire, and considering how much Link's enemies tend to use fire based attacks, this is a fatal weakness for any shield Link carries around. They can usually be stolen by Like Likes.
Metal
Metal shields have no special properties besides the fact that being made out of metal, they cannot burn in fire and therefore are much more durable and useful than their wooden counterparts. However, in the newest Zelda title The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, metal shield are given a new characteristic; they are weak against electricity based attacks. They can also be stolen by Like Likes.
Special Shields
These shields are usually only acquirable once per game, and rarely, if ever, through a shop. These shields have magical or unique properties. These shields will block almost anything, including fire, electrical, and magic attacks. They can also block against rocks from an Octorok or a River Zora. They cannot be stolen by Like Likes. These shields are the best of the entire Zelda series.
Functionality
There are two different ways Link uses his shields; Automatic and Manual.
Automatic
In some games, Link's shield functions automatically, regardless of what the player does. These games are The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link, A Link to the Past, Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks
Manual
Starting in Link's Awakening the shield must be used manually, by having it equipped. This function is also used in Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. This function appears again in Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures, in which the shield can bounce some attacks back at enemies.
Ocarina of Time was the first game to require you to press and hold the shield button while the shield was active, but you were able to hold other items as well, this method allowed for two methods of use. He can hold it while crouching, tilting it in whatever direction he faces. He can also, while targeting, Link can focus on his enemy while moving freely and defending with his shield, all at the same time. All manual shields can deflect certain enemy projectiles.
Twilight Princess while using the targeting system, Link automatically lifts his shield in defense. Projectiles can be reflected with the Shield Attack
Shields Appearances in Games
This section covers each shield as it is in each Zelda game.
The Legend of Zelda (Game)
Link starts out with his first shield, the Small Shield. This can block simple projectiles such as arrows, spears, and rocks, however it cannot stop magical attacks. Link is able to buy the Magic Shield from any shop that sells it, assuming he has the rupees. This shield can block any projectile thrown at Link, however it's quickly stolen by Like Likes, whereas the Small Shield isn't.
Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link
Link's shield doesn't have a name in this game. Regardless, Link's shield can't be stolen, and blocks all projectiles that come at you.
Link can learn a magic spell that reduces all damage you take, its called the Shield Spell.
A Link To The Past
Link recieves the Fighter's Shield fairly early on in the game from his uncle. He gets it at the same time as the Fighter's Sword. The Fighter's Shield can be ugraded very early on into the Fire Shield. This upgrade can be done two different ways. Link can buy the Fire Shield at a shop for a nice little sum, or he can drop his old shield in the Great Fairy's pond that is near the Waterfall of Wishing, and exchange it there for free. This shield can block fireballs as well as all the stuff the Fighter's Shield can block. Both of these shields can be eaten by Like-Likes. The final shield in the game, the Mirror Shield, can be found in Turtle Rock, and is larger and blocks more attacks than the previous two shields. The Mirror Shield can't be eaten by Like Likes, and it can reflect Beamos lasers.
Link's Awakening
Link recieves a nameless shield very early on. In the Eagle's Tower, he finds the Mirror Shield. It cannot reflect attacks, but it does stop pretty much anything throw at Link.
Ocarina of Time
You can buy the Deku Shield as soon as you manage to get 40 rupees at the Kokiri's shop. It's a wooden shield though, and has all the properties of wood. Later, Link can find the Hylian Shield in one of the graves in Kakariko Village's graveyard for free, or pay 80 rupees to buy it at the Castle Town Bazaar. Both can be stolen by Like Likes. Once Link reaches the Spirit Temple, he can find the Mirror Shield as an adult. This shield cannot be stolen by Like Likes, and it can reflect beams of intensely bright light.
Majora's Mask
You start the game with the Hero's Shield, which is incredibly similar in appearance to the Hylian Shield. You can find the Mirror Shield much later on, at the end of the Well in Ikana Canyon.
Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages
The only shield Link uses in these games are the nameless ones he starts with.
Wind Waker
Link gets the Hero's Shield from his Grandma after Aryll is kidnapped. Once Link reaches the Earth Temple he will find the Mirror Shield.
Four Swords & Four Swords Adventures
The only shield Link will find throughout these entire games are the ones featured on Item Stands that can be found within the games. It is nameless.
Minish Cap
You obtain the Small Shield and can obtain the Mirror Shield only once Link has already completed his quest once. You have to fuse Kinstones with a certain Goron (this causes Biggoron to appear) then you have to feed Biggoron Links Small Shield. He will later give you the Mirror Shield. This one works the same way as the Small Shield, only difference being that if a projectile hits it, the shield will fire off a retaliatory beam.
Twilight Princess
Link can find the Ordon Shield in the loft of the house with the waterwheel in Ordon Village when he returns as a wolf. Link can also buy Wooden Shields at various shops, these shields are larger and have a different design, but function exactly the same as the Ordon Shield. Link can buy the Hylian Shield from the Malo Mart in Kakariko Village for 200 Rupees.
Phantom Hourglass
The Wooden Shield can be purchased at any of the shops on Mercay, Molida, and Goron Island for 80 rupees. Despite its name, it doesn't qualify as a Wooden Shield since it doesnt burn from fire.
Spirit Tracks
Link can buy the Wooden Shield at many different shops throughout New Hyrule, but the first shop is the one in Castle Town. If Link is able to collect 10 stamps, Niko will rewardand Link with the Shield of Antiquity, which cannot be stolen by Like Likes. It is the best shield found within the game.
The Shield of Antiquity looks very similar to the shield Link used at the beginning of The Wind Waker.
Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword features the most expansive collection of shields ever. There are 10 different shields that can be acquired throughout the game. These shields are separated by four categories: Wood, Iron, Sacred, and Hylian.
====Woo