Shields

There are several types of shields in RuneScape, including other items that can be worn in the shield position, but the most common are the metal square and kite.

Square shield
Square shields are actually rectangular in shape, and may be smithed in all metals and also found in black. It is weaker in all areas than the kite shield, but has lower magic penalties. The smithing level required is 8 above the base level for any metal, and the highest shield available in free-to-play region stores is the mithril square shield.

The anti-dragonfire shield also has the same shape as a "square" and is an excellent shield for the pure mage, since it has no penalty to magic attack and a small amount of magic defence, otherwise comparable to an iron square shield.

Kite shield
Kites shield are better in all areas than the square shield, other than the magic penalty. Getting hold of a good kite shield in free-to-play requires a high smithing level, or trading with other players who are either members or accomplished smiths of high level. The smithing level required is 12 above the base level for any metal, and at 62 for a mithril kite shield, the gap between levels is already becoming large.

Other shields
The wooden shield is round in shape, and while all warriors should quickly progress to something better, it is better than nothing for a magic users, since it has no penalties.

The Elemental shield is another round shield, with magic defence only, a members item that is useful for those using magic or fighting against magic users.

A holy book may also be wielded in the shield position, though obtaining one is members only and quite a task. In addition to prayer, the books contribute other statistics.
 * Saradomin: +8 to all defence.
 * Guthix: +4 to all defence, +4 to all attack
 * Zamorak: +8 to all attack.