Hylian Shield

The Hylian Shield is a large metal shield and an iconic item in The Legend of Zelda series. It first appears in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The Hylian Shield has a dark blue plate with a metal border, and depicts a Triforce symbol above a red version of the crest of the Royal Family of Hyrule. Because it is made of metal, the Hylian Shield cannot be destroyed from fire. Originally, it was depicted as a standard, commonplace shield, but later games began depicting it as special. Ever since its introduction, the Hylian Shield has become one of the iconic symbols representing the series, even being part of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's logo.

In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a single golden triangle is depicted on the bottom of the shield's plate. In later appearances, the single triangle was removed, the red crest was made larger, and two more metal decals were added.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the Hylian Shield is stated to be the standard shield for Hylian Knights and can be purchased at the Bazaar in Castle Town for 80 Rupees. After Link shows Zelda's Letter to the gatekeeper of Death Mountain Trail, the guard sends the Bazaar's owner a message to give Link a discount for it. Alternatively, the Hylian Shield can found in a tomb in Kakariko Graveyard or in certain Treasure Chests. If Link already has the Hylian Shield, the Treasure Chests instead contain five Rupees. The Hylian Shield can deflect most projectiles back at enemies, block most melee range attacks, and protect Link from falling boulders.

Link can equip the Hylian Shield as either a child or an adult. The Hylian Shield is nearly the size of child Link, who has it strapped on his back and crouches as a means of protection, meaning he cannot deflect projectiles back at enemies. Adult Link, however, uses it as a normal shield.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the Hylian Shield can either be bought at Malo Mart in Kakariko Village for 200 Rupees or from a Goron merchant at Hyrule Castle Town at a slightly higher price of 210 Rupees. It first appears haphazardly placed on Malo Mart's counter, and if Link approaches, Malo, who is out of sight behind the counter, snarks that he needs to buy it first. Unlike the Ordon Shield or Wooden Shield, the Hylian Shield cannot be used to collect arrows from enemy archers, as any arrows that strike the Hylian Shield bounce off. Once again, though, it is immune to fire.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, the Hylian Shield is the strongest shield in the game, being the only indestructible one. It was created by the thunder dragon, Lanayru, in hopes of finding a warrior worthy of it. If Link completes all his boss fight challenges consecutively, he will earn it.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
In The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, the Hylian Shield replaces both the Red Shield and the Mirror Shield from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It is found in Turtle Rock and can be used to block many things, including the fire from a Lynel.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Hylian Shield again has the role of a hidden extremely durable shield, though it is not completely indestructible. It can be found in a treasure chest in Hyrule Castle's Lockup, with Link needing to defeat a Stalnox before obtaining it. Once one is gained initially, Link can alternative purchase replacements in Tarrey Town for 3000 Rupees if Link is not currently in possession of one.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Nintendo Switch)
Although the Hylian Shield does not specifically appear in the Nintendo Switch remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, the shield has the same design as it.

Super Smash Bros. series
In every Super Smash Bros. game, Link uses the Hylian Shield as his main defensive weapon. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it also appears as a sticker along with the Hero's Shield, itself misidentified as a Hylian Shield.

Soulcalibur II
In Soulcalibur II, the Hylian Shield is paired with many of Link's weapons, though attention is only drawn to it when paired with the Master Sword.

Mario Kart 8
In Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a Hylian Shield appears on both sides of the Master Cycle.