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But ion shields aren't flare shields so why are we even bringing that up?

They each have their own rules. I believe PrivateLucky had it right since that's part of the rules for barrage and not part of any particular shield rules.

You're not familiar with the concept of precedent?

No, but I am familiar with GW games where similarly named things can have completely different rules because internal consistency is not high on the writers priority list.

If an opponent argued I have to use the graviton rules out of the 7th ed book because both had the word graviton in it (and they're both guns that shoot gravity waves - precedent!) I'd tell them where they could stick their rulebook.

But it's not for the names, but the circumstances upon which they work. For all intents and purposes, a flare shield should trigger the same times upon which an ion shield placed in the front arc, because the phrasing is the exact same in both cases, just swap 4++ for -1/2s

I totally agree that they should work the same, I'm not arguing that. I'm simply saying rules as written don't support that yet. If the FAQ was expanded or clarified that would be fine, but cross-inference from different pieces of kit is not a direction I'd care to go with 30/40k considering the vast swathes of similarly named stuff.

Your example is irrelevant

It's exactly parallel - two similarly named items, with similar fluff mechanics but working differently on the tabletop. I know analogies can be tough sometimes.

we are talking about their mechanical function on the tabletop.

Yes, and as I've repeatedly pointed out, failing at using inference to do so. There's no basis whatsoever to think two pieces of gear work the same except in game fluff (they're both directional shields), which is not a supportable method for making rules.

But hey, I know enough to walk away when the only reply I get is just a fancy "nuh-uh!". Have fun.