Tactical Shields

[Azuvector]

Some comments about the uselessness of tactical shields have prompted me to write this up. I'm by no means an expert tactical shield user, but I believe I've got a good handle on their use. They're not universally a bad thing, contrary to what the rants and gripes some experienced players give may have you believe. (And they're not always a good thing either, contrary to what some noobs would have you believe. XD)

Good ideas:
Tactical shield the front of a Hog. This lets you survive a Titan shell and ram successfully, quite often.
If GDF are rocketwhoring, or nadespamming, find yourself a corner or intersection, and lay down several tactical shields. You generally need at least 3 to survive a direct rocket hit. But if you've got time to set up, you can absorb a rocket with ease. This can be a good place for a Constructor or Technician to shelter as well. Watch for GDF who're smart enough to aim past your shield and try to catch you with the blast.
You can tactical shield and hide under it from incoming artillery fire, although this is risky and you're often better off simply running out of range like everyone else.
Tactical shielding GDF corpses. This encourages Technicians to make spawnhosts out of them, if they don't have to worry about being shot while doing so. You can do this before there's a tech working, or after he's started.
Tactical shielding unconscious Strogg. Like above, this provides cover for Technicians.
Tactical shielding the sides of a Mining Laser. Making it harder to get rid of mines is outweighed by being able to trigger the mines, and step onto the other side of the shield for cover, or the benefit the shield gives repairing Constructors.
Tactical shielding planted GDF bombs. This lets Constructors get at them with less risk, and cuts down on explosive spam being a serious issue. Don't forget to drop a grenade inside your shield before you leave; you don't want the GDF to make use of it. Only keep your shield up as long as you need it, on objectives. This one can win games if you're doing it properly.
Tactical shield open spaces where your team is running through, that GDF APTs have covered. This can block some APT fire from reaching your fellow Strogg. Try not to do it in places that interfere with Strogg gunfire though.

Bad ideas:
Tactical shielding doorways. It just generally doesn't pay off; sure you'll occasionally stop rockets or grenades, but your team is generally better off being able to shoot out the doorway.
Tactical shielding corners. The corner is sufficient cover. You get the same problem as with doorways here.
Tactical shielding friendly APTs, AVTs, etc. This blocks them from firing properly, mostly. Don't bother. Let the constructors repair them.
Tactical Shielding planting Aggressors. This generally isn't useful: plants don't take much time to start, and it provides shielding for disarming GDF.

Questionable ideas:
Tactical shielding friendly mines on your objective. Generally, you don't want them directly on top of the objective(You don't want the shield to protect GDF from the mine explosions.), but if you can set them a little way back, you can prevent grenades from being used to clear the mines.

[Szakalot]

disagree about agressors planting. once the charge is done, the agressor can just drop one nade inside the shield; and its down.
im surprised you havent mention that a sphere of 2 shields allows you to survive a hammer attack, not just one standard artillery round.

[Azuvector]

disagree about agressors planting. once the charge is done, the agressor can just drop one nade inside the shield; and its down.

I dunno, you'd probably get more effectiveness--given the short time it takes to plant--out of using yourself as a human(strogg) shield, and firing back at anyone going after the aggressor. And you don't run into "oopses" like both of you being out of nades to ditch the shield, that way, since you really don't want it hanging around after its been planted.
QWTA thought: I wonder if people would like an alternate fire for the tactical shield that erases deployed shields?

im surprised you havent mention that a sphere of 2 shields allows you to survive a hammer attack, not just one standard artillery round.

I did. Used the term "artillery" in reference to all three types. Although I didn't mention the sphere thing. (Which isn't really necessary unless you're right under it and you don't know which side it's going to land on.)

[Szakalot]

except that when it comes to the 2nd artillery it wont cover you at all, rocket artillery goes in pairs, like 0,3 sec one after another.

deploying shield is really quick, and you can always pre-deploy it, before the agressors come in, human shield almost never works; due to the main problem with planting being spammy weapons, rather than the standard smg (unless there are agressor/lemmings, that just go all in, without engaging anybody).

obviously, when your out of nades you wont deploy the shield, but that doesnt make the shield useless in all cases

[porktoss]

I've tried these ideas on pubs, but I'm not completely convinced of their worth:

Refinery, North site on the balcony: If you crouch and place 2 shields on the rails (side by side) it plops the shields out kind of far from the objective. Since there are usually rocket soldiers and lots of grenades tossed up there I think it gives nice cover, with the added benefit of discouraging Strogg defenders from congregating in such a dangerous area.

Sewer, Last objective (or anywhere, really). If you have a constructor placing trip mines you can put a shield in front of them to prevent detection and nades from triggering them. I haven't really experimented with this much. Problems: People with better rigs see the laser anyway? Improper placement renders the mine useless?

[sakhmet]

I sometimes set them in places I know people snipe or rocket from as a diversion. I figure some rocket whore on the other team will waste ammo and time clearing them, but I’m usually going oppressor just long enough to throw a violator then its right back to the objective.

[Azuvector]

Refinery, North site on the balcony: If you crouch and place 2 shields on the rails (side by side) it plops the shields out kind of far from the objective. Since there are usually rocket soldiers and lots of grenades tossed up there I think it gives nice cover, with the added benefit of discouraging Strogg defenders from congregating in such a dangerous area.

Sewer, Last objective (or anywhere, really). If you have a constructor placing trip mines you can put a shield in front of them to prevent detection and nades from triggering them. I haven't really experimented with this much. Problems: People with better rigs see the laser anyway? Improper placement renders the mine useless?

I've had good results with both of these. Shields on Refiner's north plant, sticking the shields far out on the catwalk near the railing makes for pretty decent nade/rocket shielding.
And I dunno about hiding tripmines... But shields on the doorways in the final room of Sewer while there are tripmines there, has been pretty useful. It tends to protect the tripmines from nades, and force GDF to kill themselves destroying them. Be sure to take them down immediately once the tripmines are gone though, if they're still up.

[frizlefry]

On the subject of tactical shields I have these thoughts:

Among the less common uses of the tactical shield which should be illuminated in this discourse is the shielding of the tormentor. Placing shields on the aft portion of the flying machine will allow the vessel to fire whilst providing some measure of protection from small arms fire or a rocket that has approached from behind. Protection from such an explosive projectile is not assured due to the fragility of the craft and the wide spread of damaging blast that ensues from an exchange of impact.
Another lesser used tactic is to attach the tactical shield to the barrel of the Titan. A tank driver caught unaware of the consequences of this scenario is quite entertaining. Attempting to strike down the shield with the tank gun will result in the demolition of the tanker and his vehicle much to the amusement of those who observe it. To the nimble oppressor goes the spoils.
On the more traditional uses of the tactical shield: I fully endorse their use on outdoor objectives for the purposes of protecting aggressors planting and the construction of mining lasers. The shield neutralizes to some extent the effectiveness of players who choose to defend said objectives from distance with a rifle of the sniping variety or a launcher of rockets perhaps.
What I do not abide is the use of tactical shields indoors for the purposes of planting a charge. The placement of a shield on an objective encourages a lemming-like mindset in my experience. "Disregard the defenders, aggressor, and give them your back whilst you arm a charge" is what it calls out to the uninitiated. The aware defender need only close distance on the planting aggressor to put an end to his dreams of victory.
Yes in some cases a series of suiciding planters will arm a charge but will likely leave no soul left to defend because Strogg have sacrificed themselves for the false security of the tactical shield.
The presupposition in this statement is that there is a core group of defenders who are for lack of a more precise term "humping" it. Watching intently from defensive cover, these players will not allow a simple rush plant with or without shields to overcome their vigilance. Area domination is not just an abstract ideal but a real possibility even in a pub, even if for but eight seconds. Tactical shields are no substitute for killing and gibbing is my wholehearted contention on this matter. Thank you for your kind understanding gentlemen and Basiley.

[whiteaden]

something to consider... does a Tac shield block locking on (if you're 100% behind it?)

[Szakalot]

@white
in short : yes. But its extremely hard to actually be 100% behind it (vehicles are big, even one wheel peaking off the shield will make a lockon work normally)

As for shielding tormentor : imo its a bad idea.
Shields only last like a minute (or is it 30sec?)? Small arms fire will have no trouble firing at an uncovered spot; lock on is still quite valid, and hitting the shield will down the tormentor most of the time.
Additionally, it makes it considerably easier for a titan to get a hit on you, and when the titan hits the shield, your dead.

[whiteaden]

@white
in short : yes. But its extremely hard to actually be 100% behind it (vehicles are big, even one wheel peaking off the shield will make a lockon work normally)

still, placing 2 of them on the rear wheels of a hog gives you solid cover from incoming rear rockets (as they turn around when you drive they cover everything and prevent a lockon amIright?)

[Szakalot]

i cant say for sure, i never had trouble taking down a hog with RL, if its shield heavy you just dumbfire :p

[frizlefry]

When the titan hits the tormentor it is generally dead regardless barring a no reg. My philosophy is: if you are an oppressor and flying what else are you going to use your shields on? That and they don't hurt you. You're still a glowing noisy bloated bug floating around so its not like your camouflage is ruined. Generally speaking a titan that can hit your shield can hit your moving ass so you're not long for the sky anyway.
I have had them absorb an RL shot and AVT shot. It's just not reliable due to the angles and hit detection in the game. It's not like I land just to keep shielding the tormentor but when I am XP whoring I will land and chuck violators and then redeploy shields since I am not an engy. It's just something to keep in mind :)

[Szakalot]

the issues is that the shields usually make you a bigger target. Maybe there is some clever placement, i dont know; id need a screeny to evaluate:p

[Sniper47]

+placing Shield on enemy APT/AVT

[Milla]

well . i dont use shields on the vehicles. also i dont like if somebody put the shield on my dessie, so im unable to shoot.
i saw shield on the hog, after impact on the deployable hog exloded. and deployable was not destroyed.
i use shields as traps for gdf:)

[Szakalot]

i saw shield on the hog, after impact on the deployable hog exloded. and deployable was not destroyed.

there is no relation between those two facts.

[Basiley]

number of uses, yes.
most forgotten[but useful]was to quckly nullify[4short-time] mobile fortress firepower potential for help mates advance closer and rapidly deployed vault for team, against incoming Hammer.

[Milla]

there is no relation between those two facts.

there is!
:)

[Szakalot]

noo, a hog will blow up spontaneously due to noreges ( i guess). Perhaps before the server registers the hog ram, it registers the crash at the deployable so that you die, and when your dead you cannot deal hitscan damage.

Shields have nothing to do with it, there is no way for a shield to inhibit the ramming capabilities of a hog, since hog attack is based on physical contact, and shield is not interacting with entities, other than bounce-able projectiles.

[Milla]

noo, a hog will blow up spontaneously due to noreges ( i guess). Perhaps before the server registers the hog ram, it registers the crash at the deployable so that you die, and when your dead you cannot deal hitscan damage.

Shields have nothing to do with it, there is no way for a shield to inhibit the ramming capabilities of a hog, since hog attack is based on physical contact, and shield is not interacting with entities, other than bounce-able projectiles.

:)
i saw that. its was like opposite force, all that energy from hog turned against it. it was little weird, but it happend.

[frizlefry]

:)
i saw that. its was like opposite force, all that energy from hog turned against it. it was little weird, but it happend.

What you see and what the server sees are sometimes entirely different. This is one of the more endearing things about Quake Wars. The sooner you realize you cannot trust your eyes the better off you will be. I have had the pleasure of no reg hits with the hog while not being shielded as well as shielded. It's awful and annoying but it's nothing to do with tac shields.
As far as other strogg vehicles: Never shield a desecrator. It is a major hindrance that must be cleared off before the tank can be used.
You can shield the cyclops without blocking the plasma cannons but it is a waste of time due to the mass of the cyclops that is still exposed.

[Milla]

What you see and what the server sees are sometimes entirely different. This is one of the more endearing things about Quake Wars. The sooner you realize you cannot trust your eyes the better off you will be. I have had the pleasure of no reg hits with the hog while not being shielded as well as shielded. It's awful and annoying but it's nothing to do with tac shields.
As far as other strogg vehicles: Never shield a desecrator. It is a major hindrance that must be cleared off before the tank can be used.
You can shield the cyclops without blocking the plasma cannons but it is a waste of time due to the mass of the cyclops that is still exposed.

lol thats true.

today i shoot on one stroggie,but somebody killed me during my shooting and after couple of seconds i got message: you killed xy. .. very weird.

[appleseed]

frizle, I agree with almost everything you post but its not worthy in pub game...

[sakhmet]

I think shields on vehicles is a waste of time. On the hog, its like a spotlight that draws attention "hey, I'm here - shoot me"

Although I do like it when someone attaches the shield to a wheel and it spins as it goes. Its pretty.

[Basiley]

Although I do like it when someone attaches the shield to a wheel and it spins as it goes. Its pretty.
haha, or place shields on Psi-radar, too ;)

[lakersforce]

Shield on hammer stacked close to their other deployables saves the day :oppressor:

[signofzeta]

I think shields on vehicles is a waste of time. On the hog, its like a spotlight that draws attention "hey, I'm here - shoot me"

Although I do like it when someone attaches the shield to a wheel and it spins as it goes. Its pretty.

but in most cases, you are more likely to be run over anyway. I stress the most cases, because you are most likely to be on foot right?

[[TFA]Violator]

Shield on hog (two preferably) is often useful for killing the tank in the tunnel on Area22 for instance. Its also a useful enemy mine removal device.

[Basiley]

Violator;478162']Shield on hog (two preferably) is often useful for killing the tank in the tunnel on Area22 for instance.
yep, its short-time, improves, Hog survivability for team-critical, tasks.
Violator;478162']Its also a useful enemy mine removal device.
yep, but sometimes, some players, mines, simply CANNOT be triggered by shields(tried numerous time, just to make sure). ironically, thats same players, who have most tremendous jitter/lag ingame and other "artefacts" of gameplay. i suspect thats one of new cheats suite features.

[Ashtaroth]

Violator;478162']Shield on hog (two preferably) is often useful for killing the tank in the tunnel on Area22 for instance. Its also a useful enemy mine removal device.

This^
A hog without shields is always useless

[ilikeanime]

I use shields to put boobies on the Clops. Boobies!!!

[Random Generator]

Shields on hog also save it from RL and AVT lockons fromthe front.

[Bluud]

I use shields to put boobies on the Clops. Boobies!!!

:eek:

LOL
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

[Random Generator]

I use shields to put boobies on the Clops. Boobies!!!

that I didnt see...

Hope u realise its still asexual, right? :D