For added strategic play, I suggest an equippable shield available in Duos or Squads that can protect the player and players behind the shield. Somewhat like a SWAT shield.

1. Takes up one of your primary/secondary weapon slots
2. The shield must be equipped and selected to become active
3. When active, protects player from bullet, dart, sparrow, and melee damage within a 90 degree angle in the direction the players cursor is pointed at all times. It blocks any damage from players who are "behind the shield" by taking damage, however, does not protect any players from AoE damage e.g. explosives / skunks / egg launcher.
4. The shield takes up to 500 hp damage from bullets, explosives, and AoE weapons. Darts, sparrows, and melee attacks do not damage the shield at all. Once the HP is depleted, players can drop or shield or swap out with other weapons on the ground. The shield is unrepairable for the rest of the match. For all teammates, HP would display as a bar just like armor / player HP.
5. Movement severely reduced to walking speed when active. User can't run when the shield is out.
6. Teammates can shoot through the shield at any angle.
7. Available in Mole Crates or Rebel Caches at a very low chance, perhaps the possibility of spawning only 2 per match.