Shields

This article is about the ship component. For a discussion of defensive systems, see Armour and Shields.

Description

Shields provide passive defense for ships. Each point of shield strength can absorb one damage. Any damage exceeding shield strength is applied to the armor and, failing that, the internal components of the ship. Damage applied to shields does not cause Shock Damage. Shield strength regenerates over time.

Usage

Shields have a poor ratio of strength to HS when compared to armor. Their true value lies in their regeneration and complete coverage, whereas armor must be repaired and can be penetrated locally with relatively little effort. Shields are best used in combination with armor.

Like armor, shields do not protect against Mesons. High-Powered Microwaves deal three damage per hit to shields.

A major disadvantage of shields is an increased EM signature. Shields increase the EM signature of a ship by an amount equal to three times their shield strength, meaning that any useful amount of shielding will make a ship substantially more visible to other ships using EM Sensors.

When being switched on, shields begin at strength 0 and then slowly gain strength, according to their regeneration rate.

Shields cannot be used inside of Nebulae.

Components

Shield Strength

Strength

Shield	Alpha	Beta	Gamma	Delta	Epsilon	Theta	Xi	Omicron	Sigma	Tau	Psi	Omega
Strength	1	1.5	2	2.5	3	4	5	6	8	10	12	15
RP cost	1,000	2,000	4,000	8,000	15,000	30,000	60,000	125,000	250,000	500,000	1,000,000	2,000,000

Shield Regeneration Rate

Shield Regeneration (Strength regenerated per 5 minute increment)

Rate	1	1.5	2	2.5	3	4	5	6	8	10	12	15
RP cost	1,000	2,000	4,000	8,000	15,000	30,000	60,000	125,000	250,000	500,000	1,000,000	2,000,000