ive been shot in throat 3 or 4 times. One time i wasnt wearing one and i couldnt breathe for a couple of secs. It wasnt too bad. The last turny i played i was in the snake went to bunker a dude and their back corner got me and in the process the guy i was gonna bunker shot me in the neck like 3 times ( point blank) I was wearing my neck guard so i didnt feel much but like everyone says its up to you. Personally i wear one because i like to breathe all the time.