Updated 23 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Shields: How They Work
A shield blocks melee hits, arrows and explosions from the front once it has been raised for 0.25 seconds. It is crafted from 6 planks and 1 iron ingot, has 336 durability, and an axe hit disables it for 5 seconds.
How do shields work in Minecraft?
Hold use (Java) or sneak (Bedrock) to raise the shield. You slow to a sneaking pace, and after 5 game ticks (0.25 seconds) attacks from the direction you face are blocked and deal no damage. It covers a full half-circle in front of you horizontally; up and down angles do not matter. Some damage sources ignore shields.
How do you craft a shield?
Six planks of any wood and one iron ingot, a recipe added with shields in 1.9. A shield has 336 durability; blocking stronger hits wears it faster. You can put a banner design on it at a crafting table.
How do axes break shields?
An axe hit disables a raised shield for 5 seconds on Java, and a warden's melee attack does too. On Bedrock an axe stuns an active shield for 5 seconds no matter how charged the axe's attack was. That is why the Axe PvP kit is built around breaking shields, and why sprint-knockback hits do nothing to a blocking player until the shield is down.
Are shields different on Java and Bedrock?
| Java | Bedrock | |
|---|---|---|
| Raise with | Use (right click) | Sneak |
| Knock back attackers | No | Yes |
| Raise right after attacking | Yes | No |
| Lowered when you attack | No | Yes |
Are shields used on ArtemisPvP?
Frequently asked questions
How long does an axe disable a shield?
5 seconds.
What is a shield made of?
6 planks and 1 iron ingot.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.