Deployable Shield

The **Deployable Shield** is a deployable Device. It can be placed on the battlefield, where it deploys immediately. If it’s not destroyed before its Spawn Duration expires, the Shield will de-spawn automatically after a set amount of time.

## Effect

Deploys a wide Shield wall on the field. The Shield represent a solid barrier for your enemies on either side and it’s impenetrable both for projectiles and for robots. You and your teammates can freely shoot and pass through the Shield, regardless of direction.

## Strategies

Provide Cover – Mid-combat, release the Shield between yourself and the enemy so you can safely fire at them through it. The Shield will either soak up a lot of the damage intended for you, or will force the enemies to try and maneuver around the Shield (which leaves you still capable to circle in the opposite direction and keep the Shield between you). Obviously, this is a lot less effective if you’re outnumbered or surrounded.

Avoid Pursuit – While running away of an enemy through a narrow passageway, just drop the Shield in front of you and run through it while it deploys. The enemy will not be able to either shoot or follow you before destroying the shield. Additionally, if you’re pursuer has not sufficient firepower to do so quickly, you might just turn around and shoot at him at your leisure, effectively reversing the tide of battle.

Dead End – If an enemy has entered a dead-end part of the map (for example, some of the Pick Up locations on the High Noon map, or any corner of an otherwise open area), you may deploy your Shield behind him, trapping him. You can now shoot him to pieces, while he won’t be able to retaliate before destroying your Shield first.

Last Stand – The opposite of the Dead End strategy, Last Stand involves you backing yourself into a corner and releasing the Shield between you and any enemies targeting you. This will make it impossible for outnumbering enemies to surround you and just might buy you enough time until your teammates arrive to reinforce you.

Death Trap – If at least 3 of your teammates have Shields available, they can coordinate and deploy them in a closed triangle, effectively capturing one or more enemies inside. This strategy may also be applied by only 2 teammates on both ends of a narrow passageway, with the enemy in the middle.

Firewall – When your team and the enemy team collide in wide open area, multiple teammates equipped with Shield may release them with their ends slightly overlapping. This will create an impenetrable barrier that only your team can fire through. Keep in mind that while leaving passable openings at the end or the middle of the Firewall may lure over-confident enemies into a convenient spot where they can be fired upon, blocking the entire field end to end will likely force the entire enemy team into retreat, minimizing the effectiveness of the Shield deployment.

## Counter-strategies

Destroy – If your robot is slower than your opponent’s, especially with Juggernaut builds, you won’t be able to outmaneuver the enemy around his shield. The only options you’ll have are to retreat to cover or concentrate fire on the Shield to bring it down quickly. With sufficient firepower or with fire support from teammates it shouldn’t take too long.

Destroy Parent – If a robot has spawned a Shield against your teammates but you happen to have a line of fire on this enemy and he’s low on Durability – you might want to concentrate fire on him. If you manage to destroy the ‘parent’ robot, the Shield will deactivate as well, and will allow your teammates to rejoin the battle faster.

Retreat – If you’re separated from your team and you’re slower than your enemy, it might best to disengage and look for cover instead of trying to fight one-sided battle.

Circumvent – If you’re faster than your enemy, especially with Skirmisher builds, you might be able to just circle around the Shield and get a line of fire on the opponent quicker than he can cross to the other side of the Shield.