The dragonfire shield is an anti-dragon shield that has been fused with a draconic visage by an expert smith. When fully charged, it has the second greatest overall defence bonus of any shield, beaten only by the chaotic kiteshield, and is the strongest non-degradeable shield in the game. It is well known to be worth a fortune, and is sometimes worn as a status symbol. Other shields in its class are the crystal shield which possesses a higher ranged defence bonus, the mage's book and spectral spirit shield possessing higher Magic defence bonuses respectively, and the blessed spirit shield (and variants) which possess higher crush defence bonuses. A number of shields possess higher Prayer and Summoning defence bonuses. When completely uncharged, its stats are only slightly better than the Mithril kiteshield. To wield this item, a player's Defence level must be 75 or higher. This shield is also unique for giving the highest strength bonus of any left-hand wielded item. Its strength bonus beats both the rune defender and toktz-ket-xil by 2 and the dragon defender by 1, allowing you to hit a little higher without having a two-handed sword equipped. 

This shield, like the anti-dragon shield, provides partial protection against dragonfire. Unlike the anti-dragon shield however, it also provides partial protection from the ice breath of skeletal wyverns. The Dragonfire shield's factor of protection against dragon breath does not change as it discharges. The use of an antifire potion with the shield renders full protection from standard dragonfire, but not from the special attacks of the King Black Dragon or the skeletal wyverns breath.