According to developer comments at a recent Reddit AMA, Respawn may be preparing to prescribe a large number of nerfs and tweaks to Lifeline.

Among dozens of questions about the balance changes coming in the next season of Apex Legends, Redditor CSKaay asked what they would do about Lifeline's kit. As the purest "support" character in the game, Lifeline has always been in an awkward spot. In the last major rework, she revived her allies with drones, giving them the freedom to continue fighting while protecting their fallen teammates with shields.

According to Associate Live Balance Designer John Larson, Lifeline may be saying goodbye to that shield. The developer explained that Respawn now plans to remove the shield altogether, but wants to improve her ultimate care package by increasing her tactical healing speed by 60% and giving her a guaranteed upgrade.

The removal of the shield is a dramatic step and some are concerned that it may be an overcorrection. Some suggest giving the shield a cooldown or making it destructible like the Rampart wall.

Whatever decision Respawn makes, we will find out when Season 9 is released in May. The developer has announced that it will return to its "Titanfall" roots in the next season Apex, but until then, "War Games" will continue for a month, so it will be a mix of things in between.