Hi everyone, relatively new player, big fan of Reinhardt. I want to specify this is my opinion, but I’d like to make it heard. I’m posting this here to voice my grievances (additionally what I assume to be that of my fellow Crusaders) and hopefully get the balance team’s attention.
Rein feels really weak comparative to nearly every other tank right now. He’s a sitting duck when he doesn’t have any backup and he has next to no individual autonomy. Not to mention for the only melee tank in the game, he has no vertical mobility. And I will die on this hill, Shield Bash should be base kit, there’s no reason for it not to be.
Solo carry potential on Rein is virtually nonexistent. His primary form of pressure and space creation (His Shield) is defensive, and the one ranged option you have (Fire Strike) is a slow and extremely telegraphed projectile you get to shoot once every 6 seconds. The 125 damage buff helped a lot, but it’s not enough. Not to mention, when you somehow manage to close the distance, YOU’RE SLOW. Nearly the entire cast can outrun him without assisted speed boost and even then its a close call. All together, you’re a sluggish and very large metaphorical punching bag for the enemy team without any support, and oftentimes even with help.
The key issue I feel is that Rein doesn’t force respect, he needs to earn it. Every other tank (besides maybe Junker Queen, but that’s a separate conversation) demands respect through involuntary space control tools or offensive pressure. Rein can’t do that like everyone else.
It feels like 9/10 games I’m just clocking into the armor crushing factory when I just want to have fun with my favorite character. I feel like a victim more than a jolly old German man with a giant hammer and power armor. Playing and near bleeding for the 1/10 games where you’re having fun and brawling to your hearts content is really demoralizing when you can just pick Mauga, Orisa, Ramattra, and get 10x the value for less than half the effort.
And that’s the problem. I don’t want to play another tank, I want to play Rein.
I feel that one change, accompanied by one of two potential changes would really help him claw out of D tier.
Standard change:
Shield Bash goes to base kit. I don’t understand why this isn’t the case to begin with, because as helpful as it is, it’s not worth a major perk slot. Plus Brig has it, no shot the master can’t do it if the squire can off-rip.
Potential Changes:
A. Having a vertical mobility option tied to charge, something like Balderich’s insane jump from the animation. The big man himself could do it, WE CAN TOO. If I’m allowed to be greedy, I’d want it as a separate ability but I understand why it would be wise to limit it to charge. Shield Bash major Perk would ideally be replaced by being able to gain a small amount of movement speed increase after charge or shield bash, say 10%-20%. Nothing crazy like nano boost, but enough to make a difference in a do or die situation. It’s self explanatory why a little extra mobility would help the slowest and most close combat dependent character in the game.
B. Give his shield a partial damage reflection property. Every single other tank with a shield can shoot through it, give Rein at least this. To specify, something like when his shield is shot, it spawns projectiles with damage values equal to a portion of damage received, that travel in the direction the shield is facing. Again, something like 10%-20% of damage received, among the lines of Reaper’s lifesteal percentage. Not a ridiculous value mind you, but enough to make the Mercy pocketed Soldier think “Should I really be shooting him right now? Those things hurt.” Potentially replace the fire strike overcharge minor perk to something that buffs the reflection property, either tightening the spread, or being able to save it into one big burst for a killing blow. Or just not have a perk for it at all. This would help him be less of a sitting duck at range or alone. Plus, the perk change would offer the same build choice: “More damage, or more individual sustain?”
In the Crusaders’ lore, they were sworn to be a defensive unit, until just defense wasn’t enough. That’s when they picked up the hammers. Everyone, the hammer isn’t enough anymore. We need a gear upgrade to fight more effectively. I plead for mercy from the developers and support from all other Reins. Thank you for your time, have a good day.
TLDR: I love Rein. He sucks. Most games you just feel like a victim. Please buff him. Shield Bash base kit, plus vertical mobility or damage reflection please. Thank you, much obliged.
