How to counter Riot Shields in Warzone
Riot Shields provide total protection against incoming fire, making them incredibly hard to counter in Warzone.
A Riot Shield, especially in BR Solos, is a powerful weapon that’s exceptionally easy to use. Crouch and face the shield towards enemies to become invulnerable to damage. Use the protection Riot Shields offer to close the gap on enemies and wait until they have to reload to strike or distract enemies so your team can get shots.
Coming against a Riot Shield can be a frustrating experience. If you are caught in the open facing a Riot Shield or are in an open final circle with them, you’ll find yourself without many options. Normally a Riot Shield user will wait until you have to reload, toss a Stun Grenade your way, then kill you with lethal equipment or melee while you are stunned.
To give you a fighting chance next time you face a Riot Shield, here are the equipment and strategies you can deploy.
Equipment
Equipment is vital to countering a Riot Shield as bullets alone won’t be effective enough.
Battle Hardened
Running the Perk Battle Hardened removes one of the biggest advantages a Riot Shield user has. Their Stun or Flash grenades won’t impact you much, allowing you to either get away or manage a quick kill when they are rushing you.
Battle Hardened is situational and you need to run it instead of Amped. It won’t be effective in most engagements but could be crucial against a Riot Shield or any other player running Stun Grenades.
Thermite Grenades
Thermite Grenades are one of the most effective tools to counter a Riot Shield. A well-aimed Thermite stuck to the Riot Shield will instantly kill the user. The speed and distance a Thermite can be thrown make this especially effective.
Semtex
Semtex is a little slower than Thermite grenades but more versatile. Stick a Semtex to the enemy’s Shield to instantly kill them.
Stun Grenades
If you are hit by a Riot Shield users Stun Grenade, tossing your own Stun back will even the playing field. While the enemy is stunned, either make a getaway or move around them to shoot where their shield isn’t covering.
Thermite Launcher
A Reddit user showed off the effectiveness of Thermite Launchers against Riot Shields. If you have an extra attachment slot on your weapon, it’s worth considering the Thermite Launcher. While running the Thermite Launcher, switch to your secondary fire mode and quickly shoot the Riot Shield with the Thermite. This will result in an instant kill.
Squad Modes
Riot Shields are less effective in squad modes but can still be devastating if not countered effectively. Countering a team with one or more Riot Shields takes teamwork.
If you spot a Riot Shield user early, you want to spread your team out and keep a distance. A Riot Shield is only effective face-on, so spreading your team out will allow you to shoot past the shield. Also, if you are spread out enough, a Stun or Flash grenade won’t affect the whole team.
If a Riot Shield takes you by surprise in close quarters, you must try to get away from it and back to your team. If it’s impossible to make it back to your team, use your equipment and the strategies deployed in the Solo section below.
Solos
Countering Riot Shields in BR Solos is much more tricky. You will need to use all the equipment and environment available to you at the time.
If it’s still early or mid-game, the Riot Shield user has spotted you and you can make an escape – do so. You don’t want the Riot Shield user starting the fight with a well-thrown Stun Grenade. If the player hasn’t spotted you, stalk him for a while to catch him without his Riot Shield deployed. Shoot for the legs and as they take it off their back, you will still be hitting shots.
If it’s late-game or your initial shots don’t get the kill, don’t bother shooting. This will give them time to line up a perfect Stun Grenade. Try and get to a spot where if a Stun Grenade hits you, you have enough cover to not get hit by their Thermite or Throwing Knife.
Height advantage is perfect against Riot Shields. Even if a Stun Grenade hits you while you are above them, there is little they can do to harm you.
Either as they push you, or from your height advantage, use your Thermite Grenade or Semtex and aim directly for the Shield. This will kill them instantly.
Also, if there’s a vehicle on the map, try and use it as Riot Shields won’t block vehicles.
It’s extremely difficult to counter a Riot Shield in BR Solos but these tips just might help you next time you face one.