Shields and Walls
Shield of Absorption, Sanctuary, and Wall of Reflection only block/reflect projectiles – basically, any skill with the “combo finisher: projectile” type. Ground targeted abilities and the like will not be blocked unless they have a projectile element (I think I’ve seen Phoenix bounce back, for instance, but Lava Font will go off within the shield).
Dunno about your other questions, sorry.
What EXACTLY do they absorb/reflect? Or better question…what don’t they absorb or reflect? I’ve set up a shield of absorption (or Sanctuary) with no conditions on me and I sometimes continue to take damage. It is hard to figure out what exactly is hurting me. Subquestions include:
a. Does it block only direct dmg attacks? Does it include ground targeted?
b. If the enemy has targeted someone BEHIND the shield (but not in it), will it block their attack? WHat if that attack is ground targeted? Like say can a Ranger shoot OVER the shield to someone behind it?
c. Does it block siege? Only siege that is targeted on the inside? What about a ballista targeting someone BEHIND shield? (Similar to part b)
d. Wall of Reflection: It’s a wall. It has a finite height. That makes me wonder if ground targeted “fire from above” type attacks get through. Yes/no?
Main Question: It blocks anything that is a projectile, easy way to tell, if you can see it physically fly through the air to hit something, its a projectile. Arrows, Thrown Axes, Magic that shoots like bullets or missiles etc.
a: It depends on the direct damage attack, see above. It has to be a projectile. Ground targetted attacks arent projectile so those go through.
b: even if their target is behind, instead of inside, it will absorb or in the case of wall of reflection, reflect it. As for shooting over it I have no idea, I have not seen any projectile go high enough to make it over.
c: I have not seen it do so, I have encountered seige sparingly because I always play gank-the-supply-camp in wvw. Sorry cant help here.
d: Ground targetted goes past the wall. It has to be a projectile, it has to physically fly through the air. like a missile
Doesn’t the ranger have like a ground targeted “rain of arrows” type skill? I would interpret those are “projectiles” (they are arrows after all).
a. Does it block only direct dmg attacks? Does it include ground targeted?
No, ground targeted go through. Also, some attacks are considered Area of Effect, even though they look like ranged (like the Thief’s Elite Dagger Storm), so these also go through.
Lastly, they cause knockback but if someone has stability, they won’t be launched back and you will still receive damage from them.
If the enemy has targeted someone BEHIND the shield (but not in it), will it block their attack? WHat if that attack is ground targeted? Like say can a Ranger shoot OVER the shield to someone behind it?
No, attacks hit whatever it really hits. If someone is range’ing you, you can get behind someone, and as long as projectiles hit this “wall”, you’re safe =p
This is particularly useful in some events…
c. Does it block siege? Only siege that is targeted on the inside? What about a ballista targeting someone BEHIND shield? (Similar to part b)
d. Wall of Reflection: It’s a wall. It has a finite height. That makes me wonder if ground targeted “fire from above” type attacks get through. Yes/no?
Dunno about the sieges, but about the Wall I’ve seen it reflect projectiles from a higher height than it displays… but haven’t tested it fully.
But if the skills are ground targeted, it should go through… supposedly?
This isparticular concerning with something like Sanctuary. I can be on defense, on a tower wall (so no melee) and pop Sanctuary. Even with no conditions on me, I can continue to take damage while in the center of Sanctuary. It seems to be alot less than I would if I wasn’t inside…but definitely not nothing.
Sanctuary is bad because is has a short area, and most people’s attacks have a far range (basic attack) than the Sanctuary area. This means they could be OUTSIDE the Sanctuary, you are INSIDE, and they are still able to attack you!
So Sanctuary is only useful for projectiles and a small AoE.