Knockdown shields are pretty bad
Unless its a level four gold self revive shield, they're pretty much useless, people will just go around them to eliminate you instantly with the mastiff or really just any gun. Not counting the time...
Forum Discussion
@MadsciencelichIdk. It makes sense that the larger you are the easier you are to hit shield or no shield. I also don't feel like the shield has ever failed me. When I get knocked I turn and face people so they dont hit me and I turn my body to match the direction of incoming fire. I realize that everyone knows these tactics, but its really all you should get. You already lost the fight so your lucky you even get a shield since no other BR gives you a shield. If you have played any other BR than this one then when that shield comes out you are thankful for it even if it isn't a full proof defense. At best its a deterrent from thirsting players. Which people think is cheap or cowardly, but its tactical. I always made sure I was thirsty as possible since the enemy gives away positions and pings in knockdown. Plus you prevent their return even if you get knocked down. IMO the shields are perfect as is. May be the only thing they got right straight from the start. At absolute most maybe they can be made only large enough to cover caustic and Gib fully and not a micron more. However, trying to prevent a player to get around your downed body with a far larger shield defeats the purpose. Downed players should be easy to take out not impossible. You shouldn't have to always charge them and do some dance to finish them off. Predict your opponents movements and turn accordingly. Keeping yourself alive with the shield needs to be a skill like everything else.
@Luxxtenebri While i agree with a majority of that and that blocking with the shield should be a skill there is still a few flaws with that. I have played a few other BRs and while glad Apex has these shields, again sometimes it really isn't worth it with how easily they can be exploited.
1. Mastiff, someone has that you're dead. As players can easily psyche each other out with direction. Before that it was the same with the peacekeeper and it still kinda is.
2. You're slower while the shield is up so you'd need to drop it for a few seconds to try and turn fast enough but that also leaves you completely vulnerable at the same time.
3. As you mentioned 'thirsting'. While i can't disagree that it is useful the shield really isn't a deterrent for it, finishers just ignore it granted it does take a while and can be interrupted... worst case is still getting separated from your team and being finished while the rest of your team is pressured away/downed as well. Best case lone enemy tries to finish you but teammate(s) save you.
- @Madsciencelich It certainly deters me if the legend I took down is far enough away. Unless I am up close its not easy to finish a person off if they have a shield. Especially if they are near their team. Which more often than not they are. I fully agree with you being slower with the shield in use since you are now down to a single hand for movement. Every gun can kill a downed player and I never felt like having certain guns increased my ability to finish people off. A shotgun up close should cap someone pretty quick as per the design. IMO its always worth it. Even if you only blocked one bullet, that could be the difference between being killed or being revived by your teammates. I would imagine you think its worth it to. If you truly thought it was a waste of time you would actually accept my challenge to never use a shield again. 🙂
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