Shielded2

Shielded2 is the Chapter 2 variant of the Shielded elite buff, providing 8 points of non-stacking Shield that regenerates to its maximum at the beginning of each round. The elite's health pool is reduced by 20% as a tradeoff. All incoming damage is absorbed by the Shield first, and any remaining Shield at round's end is irrelevant since it resets to full regardless.

Eight Shield points is a moderate barrier that mid-game teams should be able to break in a focused turn, but it still punishes teams that rely on many small hits rather than concentrated damage. Shielded2 on fast enemies is particularly annoying because the enemy can kite and avoid your damage while the Shield resets, extending the fight. In encounters with multiple enemies, the extra attacks needed to break the Shield every round pull resources away from other targets.

By Chapter 2, your team should have enough damage to break 8 Shield in a single round. Prioritize high-damage single attacks over multi-hit low-damage abilities when facing Shielded enemies. Marked status remains the most efficient counter, letting all damage bypass the Shield entirely. If your team lacks burst, consider using a debuff or Shield-stripping effect early in the round to open up the enemy for your remaining cats. The health reduction means the fight is shorter once you establish a rhythm of breaking and damaging each round.