Wooden Shield

A Wooden Shield is a common Shield-class arm equipment available throughout the Golden Sun series. In all appearances, Wooden Shields are the first Shield-class item available to the player.

Basic Description
When equipped, a Wooden Shield raises the user's base Defense by 6 points. As a common item, it can be bought repeatedly from Vendors for 40 coins each, and sold for 30 coins each.

In Golden Sun, Wooden Shields are sold in Vale and Vault, and can be equipped by Isaac and Garet. In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, they are sold in Daila, Madra, and Alhafra, and can be equipped by Felix and Piers. In Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, they are sold in Patcher's Place and Carver's Camp, and can be equipped by Matthew, Tyrell, and Eoleo.

Analysis
In Golden Sun after the prologue sequences, the player begins in present-day Vale with a level-1 party of Isaac, Garet, and Jenna each equipped with Padded Gloves, and Padded Gloves are the weakest hand armor in the game (and indeed the weakest defensive equipment in the series). It would be very sound to use the 300+ coins you start out with on the better defensive equipment available at Vale's shop, including Wooden Shields for Isaac and Garet, which makes the upcoming dungeon in Sol Sanctum all the easier. Wooden Shields will last until you arrive and shop at Bilibin.

In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, the Wooden Shield effectively plays the same role as a good thing to buy and replace Felix's Padded Gloves with, and it will last you until you start exploring Osenia, but that's about it for the Wooden Shield's involvement in your game.

In Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, Matthew and Tyrell will begin with Padded Gloves, but will not be able to upgrade to Wooden Shields until they reach Patcher's Place, as there are no Vendors before this point. At this point, it is worthwhile to stock up on both Defensive and Offensive gear as money allows due to an early boss battle against the Dim Dragon. Once the player reaches Kaocho, they can upgrade to the stronger Bronze Shield.