The Courage Shell is an item found in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario. In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, using the item will boost defense by 3 points for 2 turns. They can be bought at Niff T.'s Shop in Petalburg for 5 coins, and can also be stolen from Koopa Paratroopas in battle.
In Super Paper Mario, Courage Shells reduce the damage taken by half. To make it more effective, players will need to succeed at the Action Command, which is similar to the Shell Shield's action command. Courage Shells can be bought at Howzit's Shop in Flipside for 10 coins, and various enemies can also drop this item when defeated. Saffron can also make a Courage Shell if she is given a Shell Shock.