From what I've learned, the upcoming DLC in June will have two weapons, a bayonet witch is an add-on and a shield. I'd imagine that the shield would only be accessible to the heavy body type since it would be heavy to carry and is big. The shield will block incoming projectiles and maybe explosives, how the shield will function for the player I would have to take a guess. From past games that have shield it could work the following two ways.

• 1) [color="#8B0000"]They can act like MGO shield, where the player can only knock back enemies will a melee attack; the shield will only cover some parts of the body such as the torso and leave the legs vulnerable unless the player crouches.
  
• 2) They can be like Counter Strike shields, where you can shoot with pistols when not blocking, the shield will be very large and protect the whole entire body.

These could be possible ways the shield would work unless splash damage implements some crazy new way how the shields will be used, if you have any idea's how they would work, post em.
Im looking forward to the upcoming DLC, this new shield is what im really looking at when the DLC is released.