Shields are a set of face-down cards that protect you against a direct attack.

At the start of the duel, both players place the top 5 cards of their deck face-down in front of them before drawing. When a shield is broken, or destroyed by an attack, it goes directly to your hand unless dictated by a card. When all of your Shields are broken, the opponent may attack you directly to win the Duel.

A card face-down, indicating it is a shield

Shield ZoneEdit

The shield zone (placed to the left of your Deck) is where Shields are placed at the start of the duel. Some cards allow you to place extra shields into your shield zone. There is no limit to the amount of shields in your shield zone. When all shields in this zone are broken, another attack is needed to win the duel.

Shield TriggerEdit

When a shield is broken, it goes into your hand. If it has a symbol and says "Shield Trigger" next to it in it's effect box, then you may activate it's Shield Trigger ability.

In this case, you may activate a spell or summon a creature with this ability for no cost immediately after it goes from your Shield zone to your hand, unless dictated by a card effect.