What is Barrier ?

Barrier is a shield that absorbs a fixed amount of damage. It doesn't reduce damage but completely blocks it until its capacity is depleted.

There are three types of barriers:

• Physical barrier — blocks only physical damage. Example: shields granted by Pavise or Solar Crest;
• Magical barrier — absorbs only magical damage. Example: active effect of Pipe of Insight or Glimmer Cape;
• Universal barrier — protects against all damage types. Example: shield rune or Abaddon’s Aphotic Shield ability.

A unit can have all 3 types of barriers active at the same time — they function independently. Universal barriers have the lowest priority and are consumed last when combined with other types.

Barriers absorb damage after it has been reduced by magic resistance or armor, but before any effects that modify incoming damage (such as amplification or reduction on the target) are applied.

Important: the barrier accounts for the calculated damage that would be dealt to the target. So, any damage amplification on the attacker’s side (like spell damage increase) is applied before the barrier blocks it.