The highest item level shields a level 31–40 character can wear as a Paladin start with Brigade Defender (item level 45, uncommon). 43 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 |  Brigade Defender | 45 | 40 | 1408 | Shield | Drops from Helcular's Remains at 0.6% (+496 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Embossed Plate Shield | 45 | 40 | 1408 | Shield | Drops from Helcular's Remains at 0.6% (+495 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 | Aegis of the Scarlet CommanderCHANGED | 44 | 39 | 1548 | Shield | Drops from Scarlet Commander Mograine (Scarlet Monastery) at 25.0% (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Captain's Buckler | 44 | 39 | 1380 | Shield | Drops from Helcular's Remains at 0.6% (+495 more) (vanilla) |
| 5 |  Ravager's Shield | 44 | 39 | 1380 | Shield | Drops from Helcular's Remains at 0.6% (+485 more) (vanilla) |
| 6 | Field Plate Shield | 43 | 38 | 1257 | Shield | Drops from Foulbelly (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+527 more) (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Steadfast Buckler | 43 | 38 | 1257 | Shield | Drops from Foulbelly (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+517 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Symbolic Crest | 43 | 38 | 1257 | Shield | Drops from Foulbelly (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+517 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 | Jazeraint Shield | 42 | 37 | 1148 | Shield | Drops from Foulbelly (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+527 more) (vanilla) |
| 10 |  Blocking Targe | 42 | 37 | 1015 | Shield | Found in Solid Chest (The Hinterlands) at 1.6% (+945 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 |  The Green Tower | 41 | 36 | 1308 | Shield | Drops from Rock Elemental (Badlands) at 0.0% (+119 more) (vanilla) |
| 12 | Jouster's CrestCHANGED | 41 | 36 | 1051 | Shield | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+477 more) (vanilla) |
| 13 |  Saltstone Shield | 41 | 36 | 1051 | Shield | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+467 more) (vanilla) |
| 14 | Sparkleshell Shield | 41 | 36 | 1051 | Shield | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+467 more) (vanilla) |
| 15 | Basalt Buckler | 40 | 963 | Shield | Quest: The Corrupter (vanilla) | |
| 16 | Chief Brigadier Shield | 40 | 35 | 963 | Shield | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+476 more) (vanilla) |
| 17 | Lunar Buckler | 40 | 963 | Shield | Quest: Crushridge Warmongers (vanilla) | |
| 18 | Marauder's Crest | 40 | 35 | 963 | Shield | Drops from Darbel Montrose (Arathi Highlands) at 1.1% (+467 more) (vanilla) |
| 19 | Anchorhold BucklerCHANGED | 39 | 728 | Shield | Quest: Ghost-o-plasm Round Up (vanilla) | |
| 20 | Enduring Shield | 39 | 34 | 728 | Shield | Drops from Lost One Chieftain (Swamp of Sorrows) at 1.1% (+440 more) (vanilla) |
| 21 | Glyphed Buckler | 39 | 34 | 728 | Shield | Drops from Lost One Chieftain (Swamp of Sorrows) at 1.1% (+447 more) (vanilla) |
| 22 | Knight's Crest | 39 | 34 | 728 | Shield | Drops from Lost One Chieftain (Swamp of Sorrows) at 1.1% (+447 more) (vanilla) |
| 23 |  Trickster's Protector | 39 | 34 | 728 | Shield | Drops from Lost One Chieftain (Swamp of Sorrows) at 1.1% (+440 more) (vanilla) |
| 24 | Vigilant BucklerCHANGED | 39 | 728 | Shield | Quest: Malin's Request (vanilla) | |
| 25 | Skullance Shield | 38 | 33 | 814 | Shield | Found in Solid Chest (Alterac Mountains) at 0.0% (+287 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 40 (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.