Keep in mind that the evade bug makes evade worthless, reducing the usefulness of shields. However, every shield with an evade bonus (all but the Ensanguined Shield and the Force Shield) also has a flag that enables a shield block animation. Some shields with MEvd also enable a magic blocking animation.

Aegis is Zeus's shield in Greek mythology and bears the head of Medusa (probably, depending on which myth you ask), which is why it often negates petrification in other games. Although it won't prevent petrification in this one, its high MEvd makes it one of the most useful shields.

When consumed as an item, this shield casts Figa as cast by the user, with the following exceptions: always inflicts maximum damage (i.e., no damage variation), ignores target's MDef, ignores 'shell' and 'transform' status on target, ignores penalty for players attacking players, unreflectable.

When consumed as an item, this shield casts Blizzaga as cast by the user, with the following exceptions: always inflicts maximum damage (i.e., no damage variation), ignores target's MDef, ignores 'shell' and 'transform' status on target, ignores penalty for players attacking players, unreflectable.

When consumed as an item, this shield casts Thundaga as cast by the user, with the following exceptions: always inflicts maximum damage (i.e., no damage variation), ignores target's MDef, ignores 'shell' and 'transform' status on target, ignores penalty for players attacking players, unreflectable.

Unlike the Flame and Ice Shields, the Thundergod's Shield has no weakness, making it more useful as general-purpose equipment.

源氏 (Genji) is the title character of a famous early Japanese novel, commonly referred to as "The Tale of Genji".

The listed defense power only applies in 'kappa' status. Otherwise, the shield gives only 1 defense, though all other effects (including MDef) apply normally.

Though this shield is worse than useless, put up with it for 256 battles (the wearer must be alive at the end of each battle) and it becomes the mighty Hero's Shield. Gogo cannot uncurse it, apparently because the counter is linked to earning LP, which Gogo does not do.

I borrowed the name "ensanguined" from the NA version of Final Fantasy XII and claim no credit for coming up with it. It means "bloodstained" or "coated with blood", as does the Japanese name.

As should go without saying, this is the game's best shield in all but a few limited cases where the Force Shield or Carapace Shield might be preferable.

Though lacking any physical defense, the Force Shield provides superior magic resistance, especially when combined with something like the Minerva Bustier.

Equipping a Beret penalizes the target's level by about 33% when attempting to use Sketch.

Setzer can't put on a Bandana, which is odd because he starts with one equipped. An interview with developers once explained, presumably jokingly, that he's enough of a fashion snob that he couldn't stand to wear a bandana again after seeing Lock pull off the look so well.

Equipping a Hypno Crown penalizes the target's level by about 33% when attemping to use Control.

These are those headbands made of hand towels twisted up.

Typically the best headgear for Tina and Celes thanks to the bonuses, despite its relatively early availability.

Personally, I tend to favor the Circlet over the various other headgears with higher defense but no stat bonuses.

The best headgear in the game, in my opinion, with high defense and some very nice bonuses. However, only Relm can use it, even with a Medal (Merit Badge).

源氏 (Genji) is the title character of a famous early Japanese novel, commonly referred to as "The Tale of Genji".

"Titanium"? It's just a vessel for serving food. The term is also used to refer to the water-filled depression atop a kappa's head.

The listed defense power only applies in 'kappa' status. Otherwise, the headgear gives only 1 defense, though all other effects (including MDef) apply normally.

拳法 (kenpou), a generic term for Chinese martial arts, is used roughly the same way in Japanese as "Kung Fu" is in English.

If I'm right about the kanji, that's 力出す着: 力 (chikara, power), 出す (dasu, bring/take/draw out), 着 (ki, clothes).

The physical defense isn't half bad either, unlike the Force Shield. Factor in the MEvd, and this is among the game's best armor.

It's probably Taoist, especially if the kanji (not given in-game) are 道士, but several Japanese websites give the kanji as 導士. That's the same as what I translate to "sorcerer", minus the 魔, so I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

Not bad, but the Behemoth Suit utterly outclasses it, and you're likely to have one before you get a chance to use this.

源氏 (Genji) is the title character of a famous early Japanese novel, commonly referred to as "The Tale of Genji".

The listed defense power only applies in 'kappa' status. Otherwise, the armor gives only 1 defense, though all other effects (including MDef) apply normally.

Note the full name. Not for no reason is Relm, female or not, unable to use it. The Japanese definition of the term is a waist-length strapless bra, or outerwear of a similar design. I can just picture Edgar drooling, and if you think Celes made an impression on Lock in the opera scene...

I think ゴロネコ (GORONEKO) blends gorone (napping) with neko (cat), but goro could also be the sound of purring or of something fat rolling, which still fits cats.

Wearers of the Moogle Suit look like moogles in combat. It's too bad the other suits don't do something similar.

The incredibly high physical defense lets Mog and Gau reach a total of 255, at which point all defendable physical attacks inflict 1 damage at most.