Shield

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Shields are defensive barriers in Destiny 2 that provide protection to both enemies and Guardians. These range from elemental absorption shields that require matching damage types to break efficiently, to physical barriers and overshields that provide different forms of protection.

Overview

Shields represent a core combat mechanic in Destiny 2, creating strategic depth through elemental matching requirements and various shield types. Understanding shield mechanics is crucial for efficient combat, especially in high-level content where the wrong damage type can make enemies nearly invulnerable.

Enemy Shield Types

Elemental Absorption Shields

Characteristics

Translucent bubble surrounding enemy
Color indicates element type
Regenerates if not damaged
Weak to matching elements

Element Types

Solar (Orange): Flame effects
Arc (Blue): Electrical crackling
Void (Purple): Ripples and spirals
Strand (Green): Vertical line patterns
Stasis (Dark Blue): Crystalline appearance

Mechanics

Matching damage: 2x effectiveness
Non-matching: Reduced damage
Shield break creates explosion
Explosion damages nearby enemies

Overshields

Identification

Glowing effect on enemy
Small blue bar under health
Introduced in The Witch Queen

Properties

No elemental weakness
Lower total health than absorption shields
Rarely regenerates
Same kinetic damage resistance

Immunity Shields

White Barriers

Complete damage immunity
Usually require mechanic to break
Often provided by other enemies
Common sources: Servitors, Psions

Breaking Methods

Eliminate shield providers
Complete encounter mechanics
Use specific damage types
Time-based vulnerabilities

Physical Shields

Handheld Shields

Used by Phalanx units
Frontal immunity only
Vulnerable from sides/behind
Can be staggered temporarily

Tactical Approaches

Flank for angle advantage
Use explosive damage
Stagger with specific weapons
Abilities can bypass

Match Game Modifier

Difficulty Scaling

Legend+: Vastly increased resistance
Unmatched damage nearly ineffective
Forces loadout diversity
Team coordination essential

Damage Penalties

Non-matching: ~5% damage
Kinetic: ~10% damage
Matching: 200% damage
Hard Light exception: No penalty

Champion Shields

Barrier Champions

Shield Deployment

Activates at low health
Complete damage immunity
Regenerates health while active
Requires Anti-Barrier mods

Countering Methods

Anti-Barrier weapon mods
Volatile Rounds (Void)
Radiant weapons (Solar)
Unraveling Rounds (Strand)

Guardian Shields

Overshield Sources

Void Overshields

Ward of Dawn bubble
Defensive Strike melee
Bastion Aspect
Team-wide benefits

Other Sources

Certain exotic armors
Well of Radiance edges
Stasis crystals (damage resist)
Armor mods and perks

Barricade Abilities

Titan Class Ability

Towering: Full cover
Rally: Partial cover + reload
Health pool varies
Can be shot through (Citan's)

Elemental Interactions

Shield Break Effects

Explosion Properties

Matches shield element
Area damage to enemies
Can chain reactions
Useful for add clear

Damage Multipliers

Base explosion: Moderate
With perks: Enhanced damage
Dragonfly synergy
Firefly interactions

Loadout Considerations

Energy Weapon Selection

Cover common shield types
Activity-specific choices
Team coordination
Exotic options (Hard Light, Borealis)

Subclass Abilities

Match subclass to shields
Ability damage counts
Grenade type matters
Super effectiveness

Notable Shield-Related Exotics

Weapons

Hard Light: No Match Game penalty
Borealis: Element switching
Arbalest: Ignores Match Game
Dead Messenger: Multi-element waves

Armor

Citan's Ramparts: Shoot-through barricades
Helm of Saint-14: Ward overshield
One-Eyed Mask: Overshield on revenge
Precious Scars: Healing overshields

Tips and Strategies

General Combat

Identify shield colors quickly
Prioritize shielded enemies
Use matching damage types
Save abilities for shields

Team Coordination

Diversify element coverage
Call out shield types
Focus fire on shields
Chain explosions effectively

Nightfall Preparation

Check shield types beforehand
Plan loadouts accordingly
Consider Arbalest for flexibility
Coordinate with fireteam

Historical Context

D1: Simpler shield system
D2 Launch: Three elements only
Forsaken: Match Game introduced
Beyond Light: Stasis shields added
Witch Queen: Overshields expanded
Lightfall: Strand shields introduced

Common Mistakes

Ignoring shield colors
Poor element distribution
Wasting heavy on shields
Not using shield explosions

Lore Perspective

Elements exist naturally
Technology channels forces
Light enables manipulation
Each race has methods

References