The highest item level shields a level 1–10 character can wear as a Warrior start with Desperate Barrier (item level 43, uncommon). 42 items fit the slot and band; the top 25 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | Armor | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Desperate BarrierFOREVER | 43 | 1257 | Shield | Sold by #12792 | |
| 2 |  Ceremonial Buckler | 15 | 10 | 328 | Shield | Drops from Licillin (Darkshore) at 2.4% (+391 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 | Veteran Shield | 15 | 10 | 328 | Shield | Drops from Licillin (Darkshore) at 2.4% (+396 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 | Wooden Buckler | 15 | 10 | 282 | Shield | Found in Hidden Strongbox (Alterac Mountains) at 0.6% (+228 more) (vanilla) |
| 5 | Brackwater Shield | 14 | 9 | 311 | Shield | Drops from Licillin (Darkshore) at 2.4% (+391 more) (vanilla) |
| 6 | Hunting Buckler | 14 | 9 | 311 | Shield | Drops from Licillin (Darkshore) at 2.4% (+396 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Banded Buckler | 14 | 9 | 289 | Shield | Sold by Elki (+6 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 | Cadet Shield | 13 | 8 | 274 | Shield | Drops from Shadowclaw (Darkshore) at 3.8% (+432 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 |  Grizzly Buckler | 13 | 8 | 274 | Shield | Drops from Shadowclaw (Darkshore) at 3.8% (+427 more) (vanilla) |
| 10 | Thuggish ShieldCHANGED | 13 | 8 | 274 | Shield | Drops from Thuros Lightfingers (Elwynn Forest) at 30.0% (vanilla) |
| 11 | Nomad BucklerCHANGED | 12 | 7 | 239 | Shield | Drops from Shadowclaw (Darkshore) at 3.8% (+432 more) (vanilla) |
| 12 |  War Torn Shield | 12 | 7 | 239 | Shield | Drops from Shadowclaw (Darkshore) at 3.8% (+427 more) (vanilla) |
| 13 | Infantry Shield | 11 | 6 | 207 | Shield | Found in Battered Chest (Westfall) at 0.4% (+380 more) (vanilla) |
| 14 | Tribal Buckler | 11 | 6 | 189 | Shield | Drops from Makrura Snapclaw (Durotar) at 0.8% (+126 more) (vanilla) |
| 15 | Wooden Shield | 11 | 6 | 172 | Shield | Found in Hidden Strongbox (Alterac Mountains) at 0.6% (+228 more) (vanilla) |
| 16 |  Dull Heater Shield | 10 | 5 | 161 | Shield | Sold by Andrew Krighton (+5 more) (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 17 | Militia Buckler | 10 | 161 | Shield | Quest: Riverpaw Gnoll Bounty | |
| 18 |  Standard Issue Shield | 10 | 5 | 161 | Shield | Drops from Scarlet Bodyguard (Tirisfal Glades) at 4.1% (vanilla) |
| 19 | Stone Buckler | 10 | 161 | Shield | Quest: Frostmane Hold (vanilla) | |
| 20 | Worn Heater Shield | 10 | 5 | 161 | Shield | Sold by Abe Winters (+4 more) (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 21 | Battle Shield | 9 | 4 | 135 | Shield | Drops from Makrura Snapclaw (Durotar) at 0.6% (+67 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 | Charging Buckler | 9 | 135 | Shield | Quest: Need for a Cure (vanilla) | |
| 23 | Pioneer Buckler | 9 | 4 | 135 | Shield | Drops from Captain Vachon (Tirisfal Glades) at 5.0% (+77 more) (vanilla) |
| 24 | Primal Buckler | 9 | 4 | 135 | Shield | Drops from Oakenscowl (Teldrassil) at 0.7% (+64 more) (vanilla) |
| 25 | Warrior's Shield | 9 | 4 | 135 | Shield | Drops from Snagglespear (Mulgore) at 4.2% (+66 more) (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 10 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it. Reviewed picks: Warrior Best in Slot.
Other slots: Held in Off-Hand. Every slot and level.