I like the idea of Rampart, she's a fun character. But she's got core problems, and that's aside from being a team character and people knowing how to play her, all of which keeps her back as well.
But the core problems are her abilities. First, the walls take too long to put up. Yes, once they are up they protect...a little. They buff shots...a little. But they are stationary, aren't good to place in every situation, and are easily destroyed. Thats' whether with one shot as they take forever to go up, or just with enough sustained damage.
The second problem is the minigun...which also is stationary. I do like that it's on a quick timer, given it isn't that good. And it's also true that the damage is pretty brutal to anyone moving through the open. Having said that, anybody who sees it coming, or who survives the initial surprise of the gun...which isn't that surprising given it jets out a laser...is going to be able to avoid it. And yeah, even with the walls, if you are on the gun, since you aren't moving, you are vulnerable.
Not saying that there aren't the great games with Rampart. Not saying I don't play her to have a real good time. But after using her for a while, she's weak. And I don't think that you can shift her abilities slightly to really solve the big problems. Increase the speed at putting up the walls, could be she becomes broken. Make things like the minigun mobile, it's too powerful. I think she's doomed to mediocrity, but will get pick rates just for entertainment.
