Call Of Duty’s Most Controversial Item Is Back In Modern Warfare 4, But With Some Major Changes

One of the most infamous and controversial items in Call of Duty is the Riot Shield. Some love it. Some hate it. Well, it’s back in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, but with a few key changes.

With MW4’s beta now live, we’re seeing the game in action and learning more about it. This includes new details on the Riot Shield, including how it’s now destructible. Not only that, but the new Riot Shield can be placed on the ground to allow players to create their own cover, wherever they are. What’s more, the Riot Shield is now unlocked as a field upgrade as opposed to occupying a weapon slot.

“In use, the shield provides frontal protection while advancing or holding a position. It can also be used offensively, with a new heavy melee attack that knocks enemies down and creates space in close quarters,” Activision said.

When planted in the ground, players can mount their weapons to it for improved stability. The Riot Shield can also be used strategically in MW4’s objective-based modes where players hunker down in one particular spot.

To balance things out, Activision made the Riot Shield destructible in MW4. In the past, it could soak up bullets like a sponge, and people loved and hated that. In MW4, it’s “durable enough to support a push or cover a retreat.” However, it will eventually break, and Activision said that should encourage players to use it strategically as opposed to opting for “sustained use.”

The MW4 beta is going on now for people who preordered the game. An open beta, meanwhile, runs August 28-September 1, and that doesn’t require any preorder. The beta includes not just multiplayer, but also a campaign mission, Entrenched, and a glimpse at the future of Call of Duty: Warzone.

MW4 launches in full on October 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. It’s the first game since 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts to be released on a Nintendo platform.