[quote=BlackSam3091]
And all of that relies upon willing suspension of disbelief. Besides, Shrapnel doesn't expend an energy that can be easily manipulated by folk like Patriot. He's living organic metal, and each one of his scales is a separate living entity that he controls consciously. The scales can be fired and recalled with something akin to a limited telekinesis. Or at least that's how I understand, I'm sure someone here can explain it better.
[/quote]

 i just researched Shrapnel, and it looks like his cells just separate which makes it appear like an explosion. when i think of explosion i always think of some type of energy, but Shrapnel's explosion is something different.