Shields are the most common piece of protective gear, more-so than even helmets. They can be found in a vast plethora of shapes and sizes, and are useful to the most humble farmer levy, to the most brutal and savage raider, to a standard guard of a city, to high nobility and knights.

Small Shields are shields no larger than 2 or 3 feet in diameter. They tend to be quite useful in more urban environments, where combat is less expected. This includes bucklers, dhals, parmas, heater shields, targes, and rotellas.

Medium Shields are larger, and range between 3 feet and 4 feet in diameter. They are typical in skirmishes, and common among levies, militias, and bandits. This includes heater shields, round shields, aspis', adargas, and thyreos'.

Large Shields are the biggest of the shields, and range between 4 feet and 5 feet in diameter, often protecting nearly the entire body. These are used by standing armies, crowd control brute squads, mercenaries, and some adventurers who deal with tougher, more dangerous foes. These include aspis', kite shields, scutums, and tower shields.

Pavises are an odd design. Typically five feet tall, unlike other shields, which are to be carried by the individual, Pavises are meant to be set up on the battlefield to provide mobile cover for crossbowmen to reload behind. When used, the pavise becomes half-cover for the individual using it. When crouched behind, it serves as full cover. It takes an action to set up, and to move.

Lantern Shields are by far the most unique shields of the bunch. Found only in higher-class districts of towns and cities, it is used by guards. These metal shields, which are the size of a large buckler, incorporate a gauntlet, a small sword blade, and a bullseye lantern into its design. When using a Lantern Shield, a creature cannot be disarmed of the shield unless the arm that has it is amputated. In addition, it counts as a Bullseye Lantern as far as the provision of light is concerned, but if attacking with the Lantern Shield, the light source is gone, and if in dim light or darkness, you have disadvantage on the attack. Any +1/+2/+3 bonuses from enchantment apply to both the blade and the shield equally. In addition, any enchantments that work for swords and/or shields work on the Lantern Shield. They are also considered Martial Weapons rather than Simple Weapons.