Skeletal Shieldmen carry a sword as well as their glowing blue shield, but use it only sporadically, and not with very great effect. Their chief purpose is as a defensive unit, and a phalanx of these skeletons can usually be found in front of Skeleton Archers or a Skeletal Summoner. They block very effectively, thwarting most attacks launched straight at them, but are very slow to turn and can be flanked or simply run past without much difficulty. Blocked attacks will be completely nullified, but after absorbing enough damage, their shield breaks (remaining damage transfers to the skeleton), resulting in the skeleton acting much like their normal brethren. A very powerful hit will kill the Skeleton even with the shield intact.