meat shield
Sacrificial front person
A meat shield is someone positioned to absorb damage or danger on behalf of others.
In gaming, particularly MMORPGs and tactical shooters, a meat shield is a character—often a tank class—who draws enemy fire while teammates attack from safety.
The term extends to any situation where one person serves as a physical buffer: He used his buddy as a meat shield when the snowballs started flying.
The phrase carries connotations of expendability, suggesting the person absorbing harm matters less than those being protected.
Able to be sacrificed
- martyrVictim for beliefs
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- victimOne harmed by another
- pawnUnwitting tool of another
sacrificial · fodder · fall guy · patsy · throwaway · disposable · lamb · offering
Large storage vessel
- aggroHostile, provocative conduct
- frontlineCombat's forward position
- cannon fodderTroops treated as disposable
- decoyFalse target for misdirection
bullet sponge · bodyblock · fodder · pawn · expendable · distraction · bait · kite
Paid personal security agent
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- defenderOne who guards another
- escortOne who accompanies another
- blockerSomething that obstructs
interceptor · buffer · screener · sentinel · protector · cover · bouncer · minder
Advance position person
- vanguardForemost position or group
- forwardOnward in direction
- infantryGround combat troops
- fodderCoarse livestock nourishment
expendable · picket · skirmisher · advance guard · shock troops · first wave · buffer · flak catcher
expendable
Able to be sacrificed
pawn · sacrificial · fodder · fall guy · patsy · throwaway · disposable · lamb · offering · selflessness
tank
Large storage vessel
- aggroHostile, provocative conduct
- frontlineCombat's forward position
- cannon fodderTroops treated as disposable
bullet sponge · decoy · bodyblock · fodder · pawn · expendable · distraction · bait · kite · peeler
bodyguard
Paid personal security agent
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- defenderOne who guards another
- escortOne who accompanies another
blocker · interceptor · buffer · screener · sentinel · protector · cover · bouncer · minder
point man
Advance position person
fodder · expendable · picket · skirmisher · advance guard · shock troops · first wave · buffer · flak catcher
- expendabledisposable, replaceable, dispensable, expendable, redundant
meat shieldVIP
Notable, for short
glass cannon · principal · protectee · damage dealer · DPS
meat shieldkey player
Essential contributor to success
linchpin · MVP · indispensable · essential personnel · mission-critical
meat, shield, meats, meaty, meatier, meatiest, shields, shielded, shielding