Damage shield

Damage shield refers to damage that is inflicted on an enemy after striking a player in melee. Damage shields are a special type of reactive effects.

Damage shields trigger off every melee attack and are not limited by a cooldown; hence, they are more potent against fast-attacking enemies. The damage inflicted is not considered spell damage and thus is not capable of triggering spell hit procs. Furthermore, damage shields do not share the combat log mechanic with spells; instead, they use a dedicated mechanic.

Items and spells providing damage shields

Armor

Cloaks

•  [Cloak of Flames] - Equip: Deals 5 Fire damage to anyone who strikes you with a melee attack. This item is has a very low chance to drop from mobs in level 60 raids.

Gloves

•  [Razor Gauntlets] - Equip: When struck in combat inflicts 3 Arcane damage to the attacker. This item drops from Alzzin the Wildshaper in Dire Maul East.

Shields

•  [Drillborer Disk] - Equip: When struck in combat inflicts 3 Arcane damage to the attacker. This item drops from Garr in Molten Core.

Weapons

One-handed

Two-handed

•  [Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros] - Equip: Deals 5 Fire damage to anyone who strikes you with a melee attack.

Misc

Rings

•  [Naglering] - Equip: When struck in combat inflicts 3 Arcane damage to the attacker. This item drops from Golem Lord Argelmach in Blackrock Depths.

Trinkets

•  [Fetish of Chitinous Spikes] - Use: Spikes sprout from you causing 25 Nature damage to attackers when hit. Lasts 30 seconds. 3 minute cooldown. This item drops from Buru the Gorger in the Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj.
•  [Essence of the Pure Flame] - Equip: When struck in combat inflicts 13 Fire damage to the attacker. This item drops from Ragnaros, final boss of the Molten Core.

Enhancements

Blacksmithing

•  [Iron Shield Spike] - Attaches to shield, deals 8 - 12 damage when you block.
•  [Mithril Shield Spike] - Attaches to shield, deals 16 - 20 damage when you block.
•  [Thorium Shield Spike] - Attaches to shield, deals 20 - 30 damage when you block.
•  [Felsteel Shield Spike] - Attaches to shield, deals 26 - 38 damage when you block.
•  [Titanium Shield Spike] - Attaches to shield, deals 45 - 67 damage when you block.
•  [Elementium Shield Spike] - Attaches to shield, deals 90 - 113 damage when you block.
•  [Pyrium Shield Spike] - Attaches to shield, deals 210 - 350 damage when you block.

Spells

• Druid: [Thorns] - Thorns sprout from the friendly target, causing X Nature damage to attackers when hit. Lasts 20 sec.
• Mage: [Molten Armor] - Causes X fire damage when hit. Lasts 30 min.
• Paladin: [Retribution Aura] - Causes X Holy damage to any creature that strikes a party member within 30 yards.

Patch changes

• Patch 1.6.0 (2005-07-12): Damage shield spells no longer damage you if you use spells that damage both you and your enemies.