Shield spamming is a problem, but the shields themselves are only part of the problem.

DunkinNoobs·May 23, 2017·2 votes·543 views

Every single shield that can target allies also has some additional effect attached to it that either buffs the person receiving the shield or better enables the shielder to peel for their ally. shield slows. shields gives AD. gives MS. moves Lee to the target, allowing him to kick you away. gives on hit damage. is AOE and can be applied twice. gives CC immunity. gives resistances. moves Rakan to the target so he can CC lock you. teleports him across the entire map so he can CC you. heals you. gives you armor. repositions or saves from getting caught. slows.

And with the availability of CDR and Windspeakers, shields are completely out of control, and yet Riot still refuses to give us counterbuild options to deal with them. It's time. 45% CDR shield spamming with Windspeakers needs a counter.

19 Comments

RedesignatedMay 23, 20174 votes

How dare support shield abilities not all be stupidly homogenized to the point of only the strongest base value and AP scaling being relevant. How dare protective abilities actually be useful for protecting.

If you can't figure out how to play around shields, the problem really isn't coming from the shields, friend.

DunkinNoobsMay 23, 20171 votes

You should tell that to the pros because they can't figure out how to play around shields either, considering that Lulu, Ivern, and Karma are all pick or ban in pro play.

PaquayMay 23, 20171 votes

They are also picked for other reasons. Karma and Lulu are fantastic during the laning phase with very good early game harass. Ivern is the king of taking jungle camps and giving like 80,000 buffs to teammates.

Don't pretend that these champs are only picked because of their shielding abilities. Yes it is a big part of it, but that just gives them utility after the laning phase is over.

DunkinNoobsMay 23, 20171 votes

Don't pretend that shields not having counterplay isn't the biggest reason those champs are picked.

PaquayMay 24, 20171 votes

Umm, they're not. Hence why Janna isn't pick/ban.

Lulu and Karma are picked because they don't really have bad match ups, are great during the laning phase, and offer very good team comp utility.

Ivern is picked because he's a menace in the jungle and he offers extra support in a "protect the carry" comp.

Btw, shields don't need counter play. Their counter play is the crazy damage that's already in the game. On top of that, the champs who have big shields cannot put out comparable damage. It's the balance in their kit. You either get big shields and meh damage, or good damage and meh shields.

RedesignatedMay 23, 20171 votes

Lulu has high synergy with high attack speed because of how Whimsy works. She also negates dives effectively because of her ultimate. Both attack speed marksmen and bot lane camping have been meta for several months now, with the latter being an incredibly common occurrence in competitive due to how the lane's turrets don't gain early-game bonus defenses. She was also nerfed this patch, including a hit to her shield value.

Karma is the only generalist support that has been considered in any way viable for a long time, with others like Sona being pushed way down the ladder. She's a stable choice for a role that predicates stability — no kidding, she's going to be popular. She's not particularly strong, she's simple and functional.

Ivern's not picked for his shielding. He's picked for his ability to dominate the jungle from the start of the game. The shield is a cute add-on.

meowwow7May 23, 20173 votes

Ivern LeeSin Lux Sona and Thresh shields are weak Taric 's shield scales on the casted person's max hp w (which he uses on the carries mostly) and a low armor scaling Orianna shield isn't the thing you should worry about it's the ult that follows it with the leeroy that she attached it to Shen well that's just his ult ._. and morg's only shields from magical damage

undesirable teamMay 23, 20172 votes

because shields are temporary and would be useless without an effect attached to them

DunkinNoobsMay 23, 20171 votes

Waiting out shield hasn't been valid counterplay since season 5.

Big LincolnMay 23, 20172 votes

not really "temporary" when a good chunk of them have a cooldown that's barely higher, or sometimes lower Lulu Lulu , than the shield's duration

ForgiveColourMay 23, 20172 votes

Why are you downvoted shields are aids. I guess the support circlejerk always pretend that theyre trash

Mig89May 23, 20176 votes

"waah one of my autoattacks was blocked by that supports ability thats on a 20 second cooldown, waaah" Is that about right?

Big LincolnMay 23, 20172 votes

20 second cooldown shield? what game are you playing?

meowwow7May 23, 20171 votes

early game thresh w with no cdr runes

ForgiveColourMay 23, 20171 votes

Because thresh is the only support with sheilds LUL

Big LincolnMay 23, 20171 votes

yeah but are you actually using his W just for the shield? the shield is more of a tack-on to the lantern pull

Mig89May 23, 20171 votes

Morg shield is near 20 seconds i think, cant remember off the top of my head. Theyre all close to or over ten seconds especially at early levels while everyone's damage abilities pop them and still do damage..