Changes

[[File:Shields1.jpg|left|framethumb|100px|Shields.]]Shields are much changed in function in Diablo III. On the whole, they'll be far less effective than they were in Diablo II.

This item is presumed to be part of the Barbarian's starting equipment, since the sell value is just 1.

[[File:Shield-monk1.jpg|frame|Monk with shield.]]At one point during their development, [[Monk]]s can could not use shields, for reasons expressed by shield. [[Bashiok]] offered an explanation of this in a pair of forum posts in early March 2010. [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-on-diablo-3-class-specific-weapons/] [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzard-on-diablo-3-class-specific-weapons/]

 ==Shield Skillsand Traits==

There are no known shield attack [[skills ]] in Diablo III, like the [[Paladin]]'s {{iw|smite Smite}} from Diablo 2. There The only known shield-related [[traits]] are a couple possessed by the Barbarian. These are some skills that work with shields, thoughsubject to change as development continues.

The [[Shield of Iron]]* '''Max points: '''3* '''Description:''' Increases your chance to [[block]] attacks.   [[Shield Slam]]* '''Max points: '''1* '''Description: '''You have a chance to hit your target with your shield and interrupt them.  Prior to the Traits switchover, the Barbarian's had a Battlemaster skill, called [[Battlemaster_Skill_Tree#Shield_Specialization|Shield Specialization]] gives more information about this changethat granted considerable blocking bonuses. Here are the statsfor this skill, as of October 2008 (figures will be changed which is no longer in the final game):.

==Blocking in Diablo II== In retrospect, blocking was overpowered in Diablo II. That a shield gave your character up to a 75% chance to completely erase all incoming physical damage hardly seems fair, and was certainly not realistic. How can a weak Sorceress or Necromancer with a little wooden plate on their arm completely stop the damage from a massive polearm? If the  Since blocking in Diablo III system has been overhauled, and now works as Shield Specialization makes it soundby absorbing some set amount of damage, the use of shields should be much more interesting in D3. It would make twoTwo-handed weapons are more viable, for one thing, since a player wouldnisn't be giving up 75% damage reduction by not using thema shield. 

Images of characters using shields in Diablo III remain fairly scarce. Only Barbarians have been seen using shields, thus far.