Terra Shield

The Terra Shield is a Shield found in Golden Sun: The Lost Age and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. It appears to be emblazoned with a basic smiley face pattern on the front - it is not known if this was intentional or not.

Basic Description by Game
The Terra Shield increases the wearer's defense by 48 and attack by 5. It can be bought for 11200 coins and sold for 8400 coins. Like all equipment made from Dark Matter, the Terra Shield is cursed.

In The Lost Age, it can be obtained by giving Dark Matter to Sunshine, which he will forge into one of 5 items determined at random. Being a Shield, it can be equipped by Isaac, Felix, Garet, and Piers. In Dark Dawn, it can be acquired by giving Dark Matter to Obaba in Champa, who will randomly forge the Dark Matter into one of three items. It can be equipped by Matthew, Tyrell, and Eoleo.

Analysis
In The Lost Age, the Terra Shield has little practical value except as a placeholder for the Riot Gloves, which increase the wearer's attack by much more in comparison as well as increasing the chance of landing a critical hit or Unleash. Although the Terra Shield does offer a slightly higher defense, the difference is too small to matter, especially since players using these pieces of equipment most likely chose them to increase attack rather than defense. If the Terra Shield is used, it is best to give it to an Adept wearing the Cleric's Ring to minimize the effects of the curse. Also, it is advised to give the same Adept more cursed equipment to maximize the effectiveness of the Cleric's Ring.

In Dark Dawn, the Terra Shield has little practical value. Dark Matter can only be found in Crossbone Isle, which can only be accessed after the  final Boss has been defeated. Unlike other cursed equipment, it is available after the Cleric's Ring, which is located in the same dungeon, is found, and thus could be used more in comparison to those weapons. However, it comes so late in the game that it is likely to see little to no use. If it is used, Tyrell and Eoleo are likely candidates. In some cases, Tyrell will have a Darksword as his weapon, so a Terra Shield could be equipped to him to maximize the benefit of the Cleric's Ring.