Shields provide multiple layers of protection, and many adventurers won’t leave home without one. In addition to passive bonuses just for wielding one, shields can be used to reduce damage as well. Please note that you can only benefit from wielding 1 shield at a time.
If you are proficient with a shield you are wielding, you automatically gain Critical Protection. Critical Protection causes foes who roll a natural 20 on their dice roll to require a critical confirmation roll to critically hit you. See the combat section for more details.
Shields have the following properties.
This is the type of shield you are using. For example, you could be using a Small Wood shield. The type (Buckler, Small, Medium and Body) usage is determined by your Proficiency with the shield, but the material (Wood, Reinforced or Metal) is not.
Wood is cheap and light, reinforced is a little more expensive, but has some additional properties that make it a good balance between wood and metal shields. Metal shields are very heavy and expensive, but offer greater protection.
This is simply the cost of the item in question. Your GM may alter this cost based on availability, but this cost serves as the “inexpensive” shield. For example, it would be difficult to find a metal body shield (or even a body shield at all) in the far north reaches of Aslund, and a GM may double or triple the price of one, or simply say they aren't available.
Cost is listed in Copper (C), Silver (S), or Gold (G).
This is how many encumbrance points your shield is worth. The used value is when your shield is equipped and ready to be used. The carried value is when your shield is not being currently wielded, but not in hand. Shields are large, and awkward, making carrying them difficult.
When you wield a shield, you apply this bonus to your Armor Class. If you are proficient with the shield you are using, you apply this bonus to your Reflex Saving Throws from sources you can see as well.
When you perform a Shield Block, this is the amount of damage you reduce the attack by.
When you perform a Shield Block, this is the dice you roll to see if your shield's condition worsens.