The highest item level shields a level 21–30 character can wear as a Paladin start with Insignia Buckler (item level 35, uncommon). 40 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 |  Insignia Buckler | 35 | 30 | 661 | Shield | Drops from Vile Sting (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+418 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Headhunter's Buckler | 34 | 29 | 645 | Shield | Drops from Vile Sting (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+404 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 |  Phalanx Shield | 34 | 29 | 645 | Shield | Drops from Vile Sting (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+418 more) (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Wicked Chain Shield | 34 | 29 | 645 | Shield | Drops from Vile Sting (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+404 more) (vanilla) |
| 5 | Metal Buckler | 34 | 29 | 599 | Shield | Sold by Agustus Moulaine (+15 more) (vanilla) |
| 6 | Banded Shield | 33 | 28 | 628 | Shield | Drops from Heartrazor (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+385 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 | Cutthroat's Buckler | 33 | 28 | 628 | Shield | Drops from Heartrazor (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+371 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 | Infiltrator Buckler | 33 | 28 | 628 | Shield | Drops from Heartrazor (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+385 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 | Reinforced Buckler | 33 | 28 | 540 | Shield | Found in Armor Crate (Scarlet Monastery) at 1.9% (+457 more) (vanilla) |
| 10 | Scaled Shield | 32 | 27 | 611 | Shield | Drops from Heartrazor (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+385 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 |  Slayer's Shield | 32 | 27 | 611 | Shield | Drops from Heartrazor (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+371 more) (vanilla) |
| 12 | Dokebi Buckler | 31 | 26 | 595 | Shield | Drops from Dragonmaw Battlemaster (Wetlands) at 1.1% (+470 more) (vanilla) |
| 13 |  Glimmering Shield | 31 | 26 | 595 | Shield | Drops from Dragonmaw Battlemaster (Wetlands) at 1.1% (+484 more) (vanilla) |
| 14 | Sentry's Shield | 31 | 26 | 595 | Shield | Drops from Dragonmaw Battlemaster (Wetlands) at 1.1% (+470 more) (vanilla) |
| 15 | Shield of ThorsenCHANGED | 30 | 25 | 661 | Shield | Found in Battered Chest (Darkshore) at 0.0% (+310 more) (vanilla) |
| 16 | Emblazoned Buckler | 30 | 25 | 578 | Shield | Drops from Dragonmaw Battlemaster (Wetlands) at 1.1% (+492 more) (vanilla) |
| 17 | Pathfinder Guard | 30 | 25 | 578 | Shield | Drops from Dragonmaw Battlemaster (Wetlands) at 1.1% (+470 more) (vanilla) |
| 18 |  Shield of the Faith | 30 | 578 | Shield | Quest: Worgen in the Woods (vanilla) | |
| 19 |  Arctic BucklerCHANGED | 29 | 642 | Shield | Quest: Blackfathom Villainy (+1 more) (vanilla) | |
| 20 | Battleforge Shield | 29 | 24 | 561 | Shield | Drops from Brontus (The Barrens) at 1.3% (+449 more) (vanilla) |
| 21 | Spiked Chain Shield | 29 | 24 | 561 | Shield | Drops from Brontus (The Barrens) at 1.3% (+430 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 |  Tower Shield | 29 | 24 | 483 | Shield | Found in Armor Crate (The Barrens) at 2.9% (+680 more) (vanilla) |
| 23 | Clink Shield | 28 | 545 | Shield | Quest: Arikara (vanilla) | |
| 24 | Dervish Buckler | 28 | 23 | 545 | Shield | Drops from Brontus (The Barrens) at 1.3% (+449 more) (vanilla) |
| 25 | Robust Buckler | 28 | 23 | 545 | Shield | Drops from Brontus (The Barrens) at 1.3% (+430 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 30 (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: Paladin Best in Slot.
Other slots: Held in Off-Hand. Every slot and level.