Shield

Shields are tools used for defending against attacks.

Crafting
Shields can be crafted with wool, wood planks and an iron ingot.

Usage
Shields are used for blocking. Holding right click with one results in significant damage reduction, each time you take damage it uses 1 durability. 180 uses, not stackable.

For melee mobs, the shield protects 90 degrees to the left and right of the center of the players body. They protect all the way up (You can hold it above your head and be protected). But you are only protected for 45 degrees facing downward. Skeletons damage the same as melee mobs, except there is less room for error (about 45 degrees on each side instead of 90).

Shields stop contact and fireball damage, but do not stop you from being lit on fire by blazes. You can stop ghast fireballs if they hit the shield dead on. This does stop the explosion/fire.