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Understanding barrier failures: what went wrong?

Why Your Shield May Not Have Blocked Rein's Shatter | Players Discuss Gameplay Bugs

By

Tomรกs Ribeiro

Apr 16, 2025, 06:53 AM

Edited By

Dominic Crown

Updated

Apr 17, 2025, 06:43 AM

2 minutes of duration

Illustration depicting the analysis of barrier failure with design flaws and environmental factors

Gaming enthusiasts are buzzing over a recent incident involving a Reinhardt player's shatter that apparently broke through a shield. Players are questioning why the barrier didnโ€™t hold, raising eyebrows as they examine the mechanics involved along with potential bugs impacting gameplay.

Context and Significance of the Shield Break

On April 16, 2025, a gamer shared a clip showing Reinhardtโ€™s shatter seemingly bypassing their shield, which sparked disbelief among viewers who believe it contradicts game physics. This incident highlights ongoing challenges players face regarding the balance of shields and shatter mechanics in competitive play.

Players often depend on shields for defense in crucial moments. If a shield meant to block damage fails, can players trust the gameโ€™s reliability? One commentator noted, "The fact that the crit and the stun donโ€™t originate in the same place is super weird."

New Insights from Recent Comments

Recent discussions revealed more on shield mechanics. A commenter pointed out, "One further comment though, the wiki mentions: 'Earthshatter will be stopped by barriers, even if the damage from Earthshatter breaks the barrier.' So it actually might be unintended?" This raises questions about whether the mechanics are functioning as designed.

On the dynamics of shield positioning, another stated, "To more successfully block Rain or Ball slam, you need to look a little bit down." This adds depth to the understanding of how angles affect shield performance.

Interestingly, players discussed how Earthshatter behaves on inclines. One user mentioned, "Earthshatter will climb up inclines and short vertical geometry." This feature, while meant to enhance gameplay, has left some feeling it leads to unpredictable results, particularly in tight maps.

Community Impact and Current Status

The ongoing debate reflects the community's growing frustration over perceived inconsistencies in game mechanics. Players recognize that even slight errors can sway tournament outcomes. The buzz indicates a strong desire for clarity on the mechanics at play.

Key Takeaways from the Ongoing Debate

  • ๐Ÿ” Many believe bugs may be impacting gameplay integrity.

  • ๐Ÿšง Several comments centered on how positioning and angles significantly affect shield effectiveness.

  • โš”๏ธ Thereโ€™s increasing concern about the mechanics of Reinhardtโ€™s shatter, especially the crit and roll damage effects.

As these discussions evolve, the community remains determined to scrutinize gameplay details further, looking for answers that could influence future patches.

For more on gaming mechanics and updates, check out Polygon or IGN.