History Main / BarrierWarrior

** Harry Dresden makes frequent use of this trope. Other wizards do too, but we don't see it on screen as much. Because wizards aren't much more or less physically fit than muggles, but all of them are a much lower weight class than supernatural beings, this trope is life or death for them. Harry starts the series with a simple focus designed to make a kinetic shield that he can shape at whim, though he usually uses sections of a sphere to protect himself. Eventually, someone cleverly uses a flamethrower to attack him -- his shield catches the burning fuel, [[AvertedTrope but]] the [[ConvectionSchmonvection convection]] burns him badly, damaging his shield bracelet in the process. When he remakes it, he learns both the specific mistake and the meta mistake, and makes the new bracelet more powerful and flexible, at the cost of a larger power draw. It now blocks solid objects, heat, ''sunglight'', ''sound'', ''mental energy'', and the kitchen sink. One of the big points of the series is that almost everyone (including Harry himself) can dish out more than they can take, so the attention Harry puts into being the {{Determinator}} over the course of the series contributes at least as much to his FamedInStory [[TheDreaded status]] as his raw power or his exploits. As he notes, the number of things that he's survived pissing off would look really scary to someone who doesn't know all the details of his story.
** Carlos uses a shredding shield -- instead of stopping attacks, it diverts and breaks them up. For example, it shreds bullets into something resembling sand. Harry notes that it's much more efficient than his own [[BeehiveBarrier shield bracelet]].

[[folder:Fanfic]]

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' Harry Dresden makes frequent use of this trope. Other wizards do too, but we don't see it on screen as much. Because wizards aren't much more or less physically fit than muggles, but all of them are a much lower weight class than supernatural beings, this trope is life or death for them.
** Harry starts the series with a simple focus designed to make a kinetic shield that he can shape at whim, though he usually uses sections of a sphere to protect himself. Eventually, someone cleverly uses a flamethrower to attack him -- his shield catches the burning fuel, [[AvertedTrope but]] the [[ConvectionSchmonvection convection]] burns him badly, damaging his shield bracelet in the process. When he remakes it, he learns both the specific mistake and the meta mistake, and makes the new bracelet more powerful and flexible, at the cost of a larger power draw. It now blocks solid objects, heat, ''sunglight'', ''sound'', ''mental energy'', and the kitchen sink.
*** One of the big points of the series is that almost everyone (including Harry himself) can dish out more than they can take, so the attention Harry puts into being the {{Determinator}} over the course of the series contributes at least as much to his FamedInStory [[TheDreaded status]] as his raw power or his exploits. As he notes, the number of things that he's survived pissing off would look really scary to someone who doesn't know all the details of [[Literature/TheDresdenFiles his story]].

** The Atreides family specializes in shield-based combat, [[Literature/{{Dune}} which is a detriment on Arrakis]].
*** Duncan Idaho is also a master of Ginaz Swordmaster use of half-shields, which he trains Duke Leto to use in [[Literature/PreludeToDune the prequels]], and Miles Teg in ''Literature/{{Hunters|OfDune}}''.

* Force-Sensitive Tash Arranda, in ''Literature/GalaxyOfFear'', can sometimes, in emergencies, call on the Force to create a kind of shield around herself. Since she's untrained and [[HowDoIShotWeb has no idea what she's doing]], it's not something she can control or really rely on during the series.
* ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya:'' Yuki Nagato tends to fight by slamming people with force-fields, although this may be due to the fact that both times we see her fight, she's also protecting [[NonActionGuy noncombatants]]. This is in contrast to her EvilCounterpart [[spoiler:Ryouko Asakura]], who prefers various means of stabbing the hell out of people (spears thrown with telekinesis, regular ol' knives, whatever.)
* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': This is a secondary skill all mages possess. It's basically the ability to project one's spirit as a barrier against physical and magical attack. It's so common even non-mages have it. Eric finds this out during ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'' when he uses it during a magic show. The patrons are like "yawn, boring, we can do that too."
* Kharl in ''Literature/TheSagaOfRecluce'' uses Order Barriers as his main ability often using them to not just protect himself but to suffocate enemies while deflecting firebolts at armies of soldiers.

* Bella in ''Literature/TheTwilightSaga'' book ''Literature/BreakingDawn'' is able to protect herself and her allies from the mental powers of enemy vampires.

[[folder: Live Action TV]]

%%* Laura of ''Webcomic/{{Collar 6}}'' was recently revealed to be this.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Zodiac|2011}}'', Virgo is able to protect herself like this. However, it isn't invincible, and doesn't completely protect her from heat.

[[folder:Web Original]]

* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'': Keela can create a black shield by [[SpinToDeflectStuff spinning her scythe.]]
** Melissa can surround herself or others in a white barrier, either to protect them or to contain them.
** Drake can envelop himself in a shield by creating a rune underneath himself.
** Kai can create walls of natural energy.
** Keedran can put up a golden barrier.
** Melinda can create a black barrier.
** Dylan's Mechelly can create a bubble shield.
* ''WebAnimation/DSBTInsaniT'': Cody can create huge crystal walls.

* In ''AudioPlay/LeDonjonDeNaheulbeuk'', Season 1 BigBad Zangdar is known for using an invulnerability sphere that's impervious to all damage as long as he doesn't try to attack. It's later revealed that it's his only spell that works reliably, as others [[GoneHorriblyRight go wild and cause more destruction than intended]].
* In ''Franchise/{{Noob}}'' such powers seem to be part of both the paladin and druid arsenal, as demonstrated by Saphir and Ystos respectively. The novel and comics mention that StatusBuff is also part of Saphir's role in her team.
* North Dakota in ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'' has a BeehiveBarrier as his special armor ability. His AI Theta helps him do some impressive tricks with it, including switching it on and off rapidly to allow him to fire out of it while still being protected... and using its usual two-sided impenetrability [[HyperDestructiveBouncingBall as an offensive weapon]] when erected around enemies.
** [[spoiler:Agent Carolina picks up North's Domed Energy Shield in Season 13. She's used it to deflect bullets and even a ''nuclear explosion''.]]
* ''Everyone'' in {{WebAnimation/RWBY}} can use Aura to protect themselves from harm. Since Aura is manifestation of a soul everyone has it, even animals. Ozpin, however, is a truer example of this trope, since he can use his cane to create a spherical shield capable of withstanding and repelling [[spoiler:the full power of the Fall Maiden and a significant amount of the energy stored in The Long Memory]].
* In the ''[[WebOriginal/StarsInBlack Strefa Mocy commercial]]'' Staszek has some sort of wrist-mounted energy buckler to deflect stuff.

* Wallflower of the Literature/WhateleyUniverse: spherical shields, invisibility, and the psychic ability to 'see' when inside her 'invisibility' sphere.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Rollbots}}'', Lance's only power is being able to create force-fields around himself, which he uses in more or less every fight he is in. It's ironic, because he has demonstrated on at least one occasion [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass some fighting prowess.]]

* ''Fanfic/AllForLuz'': The Quirk "Forcefield Projection" allows Luz to create a golden, circular, near-invincible forcefield in front and/or back of her from her hand that can withstand almost any kind of attack. However, it can only protect Luz in one direction. Multiple powerful blows will slowly chip away at its absorption, like most absorbing Quirks. Alternatively, Luz can shoot it as a projectile at a target, and the more power they have absorbed, the more devastating the blows from the forcefields become in the form of explosions. [[spoiler:Following her "Quirk Awakening", Luz can generate forcefields that can absorb even more damage.]]