Let me be totally honest with you: I don’t really like using a shield.
Most of the characters I’ve made in all these years of playing Skyrim have been focused on core DPS, while my defence stats have been almost completely ignored.
I know that some of you might think I’m crazy. But I think that a strong offence is the best defence.
But I’ve decided to try out a couple of shield mods to see what the big deal is. Even though these amazing mods didn’t make me want to carry a shield all the time, I had a lot of fun using most of them.
If you’re not like me and you like to defend, or even if you are like me and you want to change your ways, take a look at some of these mods. Compared to the original shields in the base game, some of them are very different and new.
Keep in mind that not all of these mods add shields to the game; some change how shields work.
I’m also listing shields that are at least a little bit related to the lore, so there are no Game of Thrones shields on my list.
- 15. Nicos Raven Shield SE
- 14. Nicos Dragon Shield SE
- 13. Daedric Solar Shield
- 12. Imperial Iron Greatshield
- 11. Shield of the Forgotten Jarl
- 10. Black Iron Greatshield
- 9. Shield Enhancements
- 8. Azura’s Shield
- 7. Shield of Solitude Replacer (Texture Mod)
- 6. Ethereal Oak Shield
- 5. Gray Aegis Resurrection
- 4. Traveler’s Shield
- 3. The Lionheart
- 2. Dragon Slayer Shields Collection
- 1. Shields Protect from Magic
15. Nicos Raven Shield SE
This mod adds two new shields to the game featuring (and used with permissions) carved wood artwork created by MARYNA from Godsnorth. One light and one heavy can be found at Dead Crone Rock.
This mod does not have any known dependencies other than the base game.
Can also be crafted, enchanted, and upgraded
14. Nicos Dragon Shield SE
This mod adds two new shields to the game featuring artwork from Markswallartdecor from Etsy (with his permission). Both can be found at the throat of the world leaning up against the word wall.
They can also be crafted, enchanted, and upgraded with Dragon smithing perk. Both have vanilla stats equal to dragonbone or dragonscale.
This mod is not opted-in to receive Donation Points
13. Daedric Solar Shield
A custom textured daedric shield that burns nearby enemies when blocking.
The Solar Shield has base stats matching a daedric shield and is heavy armour. When blocking, it creates a flame cloak around the shield wielder that damages nearby opponents.
The shield can be tempered like a daedric shield and requires the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
The Solar Shield is found at the burning farmhouse south-east of Riften and east of Lost Tongue Overlook.
12. Imperial Iron Greatshield
Alright, when I got my head down to write this list, I first said to myself that I was only going to add shields that were either unique or offered cool enchantments.
I know I’m not starting with the right foot on that regard, but check this one out.
It’s a retexture of the original iron shield, and it looks COOL!
11. Shield of the Forgotten Jarl
This majestic shield needs to be crafted by someone well versed in the arts of Daedric smithing, so beware.
It has a high base armor rating as well as a decent weight for a heavy shield.
And it’s fully enchantable too, so enhance it however you like!
10. Black Iron Greatshield
The Black Iron Greatshield doesn’t offer anything in particular other than the most badass look in the game if you’re a shield-bearer.
If you’re reading this list, you probably are.
And if so, then why are you wasting your time and not downloading this fantastic shield? It once belonged to a mighty warrior, and it can now belong to you.
9. Shield Enhancements
Shield enhancements adds three new shields to the game, all of which carry fantastic enchantments.
These enchantments aren’t tied to the shields themselves, though. And you can freely disenchant them and place the buffs on any other shield of your liking.
8. Azura’s Shield
This shield is blessed by none other than Azura herself, and it provides quite a list of buffs to the wearer.
Bonuses to health, stamina, and magicka are its main advantages.
But it also gives you quite a solid list of defensive attributes to go alongside these useful buffs.
7. Shield of Solitude Replacer (Texture Mod)
The Shield of Solitude truly deserves a better look than the one it got given by Bethesda.
This dude thought the same thing, so he made a cooler-looking Shield of Solitude.
It only replaces the base one but you’ll love rocking it with its new look.
6. Ethereal Oak Shield
This amazing shield has quite the lore written for it, so I encourage you to check it out before downloading it.
It’s not only the lore or the design of the shield that earns it a spot on my list, though.
You’ll find the health regen effect of this shield to be quite useful – and it can be upgraded!
5. Gray Aegis Resurrection
Oh man. If you played Oblivion, I know you just opened your eyes wide when you read the title of this mod.
Yes, the Gray Aegis shield that we loved is back!
It provides 30% magic resistance, but even more so, it brings us that feeling of happiness that we got when we played Oblivion back in the day. It does, right? Or is it just for me?
In any case, even if you didn’t play Oblivion give this shield a try.
4. Traveler’s Shield
This shield is meant to be used by travelers, as its name suggests.
And it truly isn’t anything out of the ordinary.
However it does come with ultra HD textures that make it look completely stunning, and even more so if you have a couple of graphic mods installed.
3. The Lionheart
I know I said I wasn’t going to add any mods that weren’t lore-friendly and now you’re seeing this Warcraft shield, but bear with me.
The mod suits the theme of the game to a tee. And besides, just look at the damn thing. It’s stunning.
I’m including it on this list and you’ll love it.
2. Dragon Slayer Shields Collection
These beautiful and unique shields honor the slayer of dragons that is the Dragonborn themselves.
The mod includes three beautiful shields that you can craft and enchant as you please.
Honestly, the shields look fantastic and the suit the team of Skyrim so well that I was tempted to give this mod the number one spot on my list. But that’s reserved for a truly game-changing mod.
1. Shields Protect from Magic
If there was ever a good reason to use a shield in Skyrim, this is it.
It truly makes no sense that shields are almost useless against magic in the base game, and I think this is the main reason as to why so many players are reluctant to occupy one of their hands with a damn thing that only blocks arrows and physical damage.
Gone are the days of that, though.
With this mod you’ll be able to set how much magical damage can be blocked with your shield (the default amount is 20%).
It’s not overpowered at all and it makes shields formidable battle necessities instead of annoying encumbrances.
