Do you think the shield is necessary for gameplay?

I'm doing an article for another Zelda site and their forums crashed and have 11 members right now so i'm asking you this. I need research. Do you think the sheild is necessary?

Let's see...in 2d games, the shield is almost useless. I only use it when needed (for flipping the spiny things and things like that).

In 3d games, I use it a little more often, maybe because I don't have to switch with another item. It can be helpful, but again, I don't use it very often. I could get by without it. I guess it would just be weird not having a shield.

As in absolutely necessary? No. Link could very easily get around by just dodging and getting hurt. It's not completely necessary to survive in a battle; however, the damadge Link could recieve because of such a loss would be rather unsettling. The cost of hearts and potions to remedy this would also be ridiculously annoying.
The apparently useless shield in ALttP has always been one of my biggest frustrations, so I can honestly say a vast number of people would be very aggravated should the shield be left out of a game.

it doesn't matter if you need a sheild or not it is a Link trade make. He wouldnt be Link if he did not have that sheild. Anyway it does help you in battles. it would be alot harder to beat enemys that attack you constantly.

Originally Posted by ???-???

As in absolutely necessary? No. Link could very easily get around by just dodging and getting hurt. It's not completely necessary to survive in a battle; however, the damadge Link could recieve because of such a loss would be rather unsettling. The cost of hearts and potions to remedy this would also be ridiculously annoying.
The apparently useless shield in ALttP has always been one of my biggest frustrations, so I can honestly say a vast number of people would be very aggravated should the shield be left out of a game.

So you are saying you'd be made if they took out the shield but you think it isn't that necessary.

Now here's a question for you to consider:
Those Deku Scrubs that you need to have your shield to beat, would they have to eliminate them?

Link definitely needs the shield. It's not really for usage as much as it is the look. I mean, yes you absolutely need it for certain things, and a lot of people do use it, (Though some just dodge things) it really wouldn't be Link without the shield.

HE NEEDS IT!!

You do need the shield,or you would die alot quicker.Plus,Nintendo uses the sheild to hide all of links other itmes behind.Next time you play Zelda,look at Link when he gets an item out.Where else is he gonna put his bow and arrow?Besides,Link would look weird carrying just a sword around and no sheild.

Originally Posted by The Tri-Force

So you are saying you'd be mad if they took out the shield but you think it isn't that necessary.

Now here's a question for you to consider:
Those Deku Scrubs that you need to have your shield to beat, would they have to eliminate them?

actually, you can use your boomerang or slingshot to kill them, therefore they wouldn't have to be eliminated. It would just make it harder to defeat them. ^_^

He definitly needs a shield, especially the mirror shield. How else could you get past the spirit temple in OoT. I believe he needed the mirror shield a few times in WW as well.

Originally Posted by りンク-チヤン

actually, you can use your boomerang or slingshot to kill them, therefore they wouldn't have to be eliminated. It would just make it harder to defeat them. ^_^

ok, for one thing, link dosent have the boomarang at inside the deku tree, so he needs the sheild!
there is no other way to get it done.....
and the sling shot, what if u are out of amo? then what?....

No, I don't think the shield is necessary. You could might as well have a big two-handed sword to block things with, or have dual swords and hold them in an X-pattern to block.

Also, the question isn't about current games, (I think) I believe he means that you could make a Zelda game without including a shield with no major problems.

Originally Posted by William Zelda4ever

No, I don't think the shield is necessary. You could might as well have a big two-handed sword to block things with, or have dual swords and hold them in an X-pattern to block.

Also, the question isn't about current games, (I think) I believe he means that you could make a Zelda game without including a shield with no major problems.

hey by any chance are u a member of a starwars rp forum? and do u know a guy named jetzt, cuse u would like this fourum if u like SW like u look like u do......it kinda startled me when i saw u had Revan as youre avitar, and a bunch of jedi as youre pic.....

It is necessary in the 3d games because some monsters and bosses can not be defeated without it. In the two dimensional games, it is not neccesary, but rather nifty, In alttp, it proves hard to survive without the best available sheild but in games such as the Minish cap, the oracle series and links awakening, it is completely not needed, and you could easily go through the games without it, but at times can prove to be rather usefull.

The shield gives a hint of realism to the gaem. If he had two swords it would be stupid. Do you know how heavy swords are? Plus with the kind of swords Link uses it would be horrible to fight with.

I think that it is not nessecary at some points of the game but then again, you cant do somethings without it. Its great for some required parts but nothing other then that if u ask me.

Originally Posted by dux

ok, for one thing, Link dosent have the boomerang at inside the deku tree, so he needs the shield!
there is no other way to get it done.....
and the sling shot, what if you are out of ammunition? then what?....

*laughs* Well, he's screwed then. It would be like going against King Dodongo without any bombs. I think you can use deku nuts, too. (if we're talking OoT here)

I still stand by my thought that it can be done, but it would be difficult.

Without a normal shield, Zelda games may be more challenging, but items like the Mirror Shield aren't just for defending (which has already been said).

Also, the designs, names, and stories behind the shields can provide key hints about the Zelda games. For example, the story behind the shield in Wind Waker may tell something about lineage, or the design of the Hylian Shield in OoT may reveal that...well, if you don't know what I'm talking about, go study it. Then think.

To the contrary, I don't think that the shield is really part of the "image" for Link. What would you miss more: Link's shield or his green cap?

Just food for thought!
~Akira~