Activision
Modern Warfare 4 marks the return of one of Call of Duty’s most divisive weapons, but it comes with a huge change that could make it less controversial.
There have been plenty of polarizing weapons in CoD over the years, from Akimbo Models to the DMR in BOCW. But one of the most talked about is the Riot Shield, which was first introduced back in MW2 (2009), allowing players to block incoming shots by sacrificing their primary weapons.
It has since appeared in every Infinity Ward-developed game in the series except for Infinite Warfare, and it’s set to return again in Modern Warfare 4, but with a significant change.
Modern Warfare 4 brings back Riot Shield
At a preview event attended by CharlieIntel, Infinity Ward confirmed that Riot Shield will be one of the weapons in Modern Warfare 4 at launch. This means fans will once again be able to block shots from the front or place it on their back to protect the rear.
The key difference this time around is that the shield actually deteriorates as it takes damage and can be broken entirely, leaving the user completely exposed.
Activision
This eliminates a common frustration with the Riot Shield, as in the past, they could soak up an unlimited amount of damage. This meant that players would often sit in a corner and let enemies take shots, and the only way to counter was with grenades or by forcing them to move and waiting for a clear shot.
Iconic SMG dominates Modern Warfare 2019 as player count surges
Black Ops 7 rifle is so “busted” it turns bad players into CoD pros
But this tweak means that those who equip the weapon, either as a primary or a back protector, will be forced to stay out of the firing line for too long if they want to keep hold of it. We’ll have to wait for MW4 to arrive on October 23 to see how durable it is and if it remains a popular choice.
For more, take a look at everything else we know about multiplayer, as well as the removal of weapon bloom.
