shields in mutiplayer (PC) depleting faster than normal

It suddenly can take as little as one shot to bring down the shields, even with added equipment for +100% shields. It isn't just a problem for me, others have mentioned the same problem, and it's been going on for a few days now. Even characters with ridiculously high shields to start with are going down fast.

It's strange. I've been playing multiplayer for a while now, and this is definitely new.