How to improve riot shields

[Evan Stelf]

Played with a riot shield every now and then, and the only benefit it has is stopping ravager charges and alien pounces. Most of the time you aren't angled at someone to stop bullets from hitting you with a riot shield. Adding on to this is that it seems to have a VERY low chance of stopping acid spits. Also with hunter pouncing they can just boop you with huggers still even if you are holding a shield.

I was hoping I could cause a discussion about improving the riot shield so that it's you know, not a discarded item little to no one ever uses anymore. M39 combo with the shield doesn't do enough damage, and is forgettable late game. Some feedback on riot shields and your opinion of them would be nice to have here, thanks for reading.

[NoahKirchner]

Well, I think giving it a 25-50% chance of stopping huggers would make it a lot more useful as a weapon similar to the crusher on the xenos, the absolutely crazy guy who leads the charge, as opposed to it being more of a personal defensive asset, if that makes sense.

[MrJJJ]

Yeah i noticed that the riot shield very much is not worth it, and needs a buff honestly, its too damn weak for a shield

[Recounted]

needs hugger deflecting chance
needs a bash stun on certain xeno types
needs to be more reliable in combat

[Casany]

Well, it's being removed and replaced soon if that means anythibg

[IgnisCorvus]

The riot shields is something that can be good for the MPs, but weird for marines who use more bullets than brute damage. Will be it add bullet proof shields?

[DerpinMcDerpDerp]

it used to block slashes and aliens trying to put huggers on you

[Joe4444]

it used to block slashes and aliens trying to put huggers on you

except xenos rarely try to put huggers on you...they throw them (looking at you carrier) and leave them at peoples feet negating the riot shield

[PrototypeNitro]

Or Xeno tackle you down and you have no chance after.

[Karmac]

The riot shield has a roughly 50-50 chance to block the following:
Disarm intent
Help intent
Harm intent
Grab intent (Unsure)
Projectiles (Don't think it stops THROWN projectiles however) (Acid spit is in this category)
Ravager charges
I believe it reduces the distance a Crusher throws you like a ragdoll when it charges into you
And you cannot be pushed around while holding a Riot Shield on any intent, you don't move unless you want to/are pulled/knocked over.

The morale of the story is it isn't bad, it just hates to work, I've seen Riot Shields be very useful and I've seen them be very bad, it's just the luck of the draw with this one.

And no, facing is a myth with riot shields, as long as you hold it you get the 50/50 chance to block in ANY direction, wearing a riot shield on your back DOES NOT HELP, from the testing I've done anyways.

[Casany]

Finally. There was a myth that wearing a shield on your back protected you from pounces, and that's just wrong

[Karmac]

Holding a riot shield can help stop pounces I believe, once again its one of those 'the dice hate you' things though

[Durper]

Deployable riot shield,

-Acts as a metal barricade once deployed and can be redeployed if necessary, essentially a portable metal barricade.

-can also be used to stabilize Bipoded weapons.