How do you make a shield in Minecraft?
The shield pattern
A shield is crafted at a crafting table using six wood planks and one iron ingot. The iron ingot sits in the top middle square, with planks arranged around it in the standard shield pattern. The recipe book in your inventory shows the exact layout if you are unsure.
Shields are made of wood, so they can be burned and damaged over time. The shield can block incoming damage from many attacks when you hold it in your off hand and crouch or hold block.
- 6 wood planks and 1 iron ingot
- Iron ingot in the top middle square
- Planks in the pattern shown in the recipe book
- Hold the shield in your off hand
Using and protecting it
Hold right click to raise a shield. It blocks most frontal attacks, including arrows and many mob hits. Shields have durability, so repair them at an anvil with planks or by combining a damaged shield with a matching one, depending on the version.
Keep a spare shield if you fight a lot of mobs, since one that breaks mid-fight can leave you exposed.
Common mistakes
- Placing the iron ingot in the wrong square and failing to craft it.
- Forgetting that shields need to be in the off hand to block.
- Ignoring durability until the shield breaks during a fight.
