Metal SkinMetal Skin gives you a temporary bullet-immunity window against decisive weapon pressure. Against a gun carry, activate it for the dangerous commitment and use that time to reach cover or let allies respond; it does not remove debuffs already on you.
Players who need a short defensive window against decisive bullet damage.
Activate it for the weapon damage that would otherwise decide the fight, then use the immunity window to reach cover, reposition, or let your team respond.
Against Drifter: Activate Metal Skin during the committed weapon burst. It gives a temporary bullet-immunity window that can completely waste the part of Drifter's all-in that depends on sustained gun damage.
Bullet immunity does not cleanse an existing debuff or stop every weapon on-hit buildup. The active also penalizes movement, so plan your position and the next response rather than assuming a free escape.
Buy it when enemy bullet damage kills you before you can play the fight. You can move it ahead of a damage upgrade if surviving the next weapon commitment is what lets your build contribute.
Average purchase: 28 minutes
Game-stage ranges are approximate, and average purchase times are a guide rather than a deadline. Buy sooner when this item would change your next fight.
| Stage | Average purchase |
|---|---|
| Early game · 0–10 min | Not available |
| Mid game · 10–20 min | Not available |
| Late game · 20+ min | 28.1 min |
Committed weapon bursts and ultimates whose main damage source is bullets.
Drifter →Activate Metal Skin during the committed weapon burst.
It gives a temporary bullet-immunity window that can completely waste the part of Drifter's all-in that depends on sustained gun damage.
Haze →Activate Metal Skin during the ultimate or interrupt her with Knockdown before Unstoppable.
Bullet immunity directly denies the main damage source while the ultimate is active.
McGinnis →Activate Metal Skin during the commit.
Bullet immunity lets you survive the window where you are exposed while removing the structures that are actually controlling the space.
Mirage →Use Metal Skin during the committed weapon burst.
Dispel Magic solves the debuffs, but Metal Skin is the better answer when the follow-up gun damage itself is what is finishing you.
Silver →Use Metal Skin during the transformation pressure.
Much of the lethal sequence depends on sustained weapon damage, and temporary bullet immunity can waste the strongest part of the form.
Venator →Activate Metal Skin during the all-in.
Venator is overwhelmingly gun-dependent, and bullet immunity can deny even his ultimate damage window.
These hero guides recommend Metal Skin. Check the individual matchup for the build, situation, and timing.
DrifterPriority situation answerHazePriority situation answer
IvySituational counter option
Lady GeistSituational counter optionMcGinnisPriority situation answerMiragePriority situation answerSilverPriority situation answerVenatorPriority situation answer
VictorSituational counter option
VindictaSituational counter option
VyperSituational counter option
WardenPriority situation answer
WraithSituational counter option
Plated ArmorPlated Armor offers passive chances to deflect bullets and prevent weapon on-hit effects. Against repeated gun hits and stacking pressure, it can slow the buildup that makes the exchange dangerous, while leaving you free to manage positioning and other actives.
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Disarming HexDisarming Hex stops a target from firing their weapon, creating breathing room against gun-focused carries. It is particularly useful when your team wants to keep fighting through the enemy's damage window rather than only protect one player.
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Ethereal ShiftEthereal Shift lets you sit out a dangerous moment through brief invulnerability and untargetability. Against a committed burst or a short ultimate window, the goal is to waste the enemy's investment and return with a plan for your next position.
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