shield stacking?

Is shield stacking really a problem?

For the sake of the rest of this post we can assume yes but imo in general and usually, no (exceptions which if people really hate shield stacking then just remove locket active or change it to a damage reduction in like an aoe).

_ How should shield stacking be addressed?

One would think that riot would simply apply the same restrictions to shields that they did to slows since that clearly in any sensible person's mind would be the most direct and reasonable approach. Unfortunately for anyone who mains a shield support riot doesnt always tend to make the most reasonable changes. So now we've gotten info stating that gifted shield durations will be lowered but aside from that we have no further info.

_ "Gifted Shields"

Meddler says shield stacking usually occurs with gifted shields. The wiki says there are 11 champions with gifted shields (not counting morg and shen). 2 are jungles, 2 are mids, and the rest are enchanter(ish) supports. Both of the mid champions max their shields last or nearly last and both of those shields have significant travel delays for which their durations and strengths fairly compensate. All jungle shields have only 2 second duration and half of them have travel delays. This leaves . Sona, thresh, and taric all have quite weak shields so they cant really be the problem.

This leaves . Their durations are 6,5,4, and 3 seconds respectively.

• Starting with since I feel his shield is simplest to address. Simply lower shield effectiveness on same target on recast or just on any target on recast.
• 's shield can be a bit oppressive considering the movement speed buff combined with her ability to super charge it. I suggest lowering its duration to 3 seconds would be the max reasonable nerf
• has a shield thats too strong considering the amount of utility her kit already affords, the duration could be lowered to 3 seconds
• if riot is looking to nerf any shield duration it will be jannas, it's the longest and often the strongest shield in any match and is the only one that can be cast on towers. Nerfing it to 4 seconds would be about as much as i think the community could take.

Some notes on the other shielders:

• 's shields arent integral to their support ability so any shield nerfs will have comparably small effect on these champions

• shouldnt be expected to get nerfed since the first two have tiny durations and shens shield is a very high cd ult

• ori is in a unique spot. I have a sinking feeling that she could be included in shield nerfs but unfortunately for her, her shield is already gated behind a moderate travel time on allied cast, it was already nerfed a lot in 7.16 (which she never recovered from), and being significantly mana dependant in conjunction with nerfs to mfb and mana in general has already negatively impacted her ability to shield. Ori is also the only off meta shield support ie she is the only champ who can/could be played as support who relies on a shield as her primary support ability. Pre 7.16 she was quite viable and then became relegated to niche viable and now with early cdr changes since runes reforged released in conjunction with nerfs to mfb she is borderline niche at that. With additional extensive nerfs to her shield ability, support ori could be gone for good.

• id say about 50/50 on her shield duration getting nerfed. If riot really pushes wanting to increase shielding difficulty i could see a nerf down to 3 seconds in duration possible but if theyre more focused on stacking damage shields like meddler said then she may not even get touched

_ TLDR + + = nerfs for (potentially) all allied shields