The other thing is that Alpha Wolvers attack are VERY strong. No shield can withstand more than 2 attacks (I think they more or less all break on the second attack while still attenuating damage), including the dedicated piercing shields.

For how it works exactly, you may want to check the damage page on the wiki.

No shield can withstand more than 2 attacks

Certain tanking shields can. I forget which, as I don't have them myself, but I know from others that some of them can tank all three wolver bites. Not that that's ever likely to happen anymore since they lost the ability to chase their targets. Such combo noobs they've become...

Also, @Blan: if you had an even lower star shield, then they would not only break through the shield in one bite, but hurt you as well. Remember that BTS is an offensive shield, and not designed for heavily tanking, especially against Daddy Wolvers who train their jaws by biting through Vanas Mask.

Also another question about defense - are the damage reductions by Armour and Helmets equal? If not, which one is higher and thus is more important to upgrade first?

It's possible it was a T2 wolver.
This happens on wolver dens and decon zones or even RJP where you migth find enemies of an higher tier mixed in for challange.

Your equipment gets nerfed, the monster is naturally stronger.... any 5* shield could break easily.

Grimalkins' bites can't be blocked. Lumbers and buffed Trojans can occasionally smash right through your shield depending on the circumstances (the type you're using vs if they proc their statuses.)

Forum-Brady wrote,
Everything can be tanked by a certain shield. I don't think there's any one thing in the game that is unblockable by every single shield; even Grims can have their attacks tanked by shields, as far as I'm aware.

Spiral Wiki says,

Bite cannot be blocked, and ignores the shield entirely.

According to http://wiki.spiralknights.com/Grimalkin#Grimalkin and my own experiences, Grimalkins simply damage you through the shield without breaking it. Shielding only serves to slow your movement and make it less likely that you can dodge the Grimalkin.

Also, because Statuses affect shield health by causing 'Freeze damage' or 'Stun damage' or what have you, shields that don't resist a particular status will break more easily to themed monsters. I'm not sure any no-variant shield can avoid being broken by a poison-themed lumber on the lowest depths, for example (although I don't have a lot of shields to test with). I'm not sure any no-variants shield can block Vanaduke's mace either.... I've heard stories of people blocking the mace with Volcanic Plate or some such, but I don't know if that involved UVs.

Quoth Zeddy:
All damage in Tier 1 is pure normal.

This wise observation is why Dark Thorn is weaker to wolver bites than might be expected in T1. Although standing in front of a charging Alpha Wolver should be regarded as a suicide attempt at any depth with any shield. Just step aside and hit him from behind. They don't even turn to chase you (any more).

Vana's mace is easily tankable with Volcanic Plate. Hell, it could probably take two hits from him.

Lots of other shields like Owlite and Crest of Almire can usually take a hit from the mace, too. What the heck are you using?

@Senshi No, the Grey Owlite can tank a Vanaduke mace direct hit without problem. So does Crest of Almire. Volcanic Plate too, it will break one the second hit with no damage (but leaving you with status), while Grey Owlite and Crest will break one second hit and let damage through.

On the other hand, BTS will break one the first hit without letting damage through, but leaving you with status of course. I didn't test with other shields, but I extensively tested those 4 ones.

On the other hand, I can confirm Grimlakin bite go through the shield. They are the only mobs who do that. They are more supposed to be a level hazard than a mob you try to fight.

I'm pretty sure, like Brady, that the right shield can resist a single attack of anything when being at full health. For a poisonned themed lumber, I'd try a Volcanic Plate Shield for example, since it has normal and stun and a very good health, since there is no elemental/poison or elemental/stun shield.

For Tier 1 use a 2*/3* Plate shield, pure normal resistance, and lots of it, with no down sides, and since all damage in tier 1 is normal, it's the perfect shield.

For armor, You could use plate I guess.

You can tank snarbolax with a good plate shield.

@Batabii: So I should just let Vanaduke sit on me and hammer slam, right?
Trojans don't take long to kill you. One dash, one slam and there's a knight down on the floor.
Shock-inflicting monsters don't take that long to kill you. Hell, an Alpha Voltail could down you in one attack if you're not being careful enough with them, given that they can break through shields so easily. And you're saying you could stand there and take it like a man?
I'd love to see what kind of loadout you're using, it must be totally boss.

@Bland: If you're dying to t1 monsters with t3 equipment, you're probably doing it wrong. No shield can stand up to persistent attacks forever; you're meant to kill that scrap before it mauls your health bar.
Alpha Wolvers do pure normal damage in t1 (as do most things), so an Ancient Plate Shield would be best for tanking their attacks - although I have no idea why you'd want to do this. The piercing defence of your shield is irrelevant. The star level of your shield is also irrelevant, since the strength of it scales according to the depth you're currently in - I'm pretty sure it will get scaled down to the defence of an equivalent 1* shield at that level. Also, it won't help if your shield isn't fully heated yet.

Ahurr.
Point taken. I apologise for the misunderstanding.