Shields

Overview

A ship's shield is it's first layer of defence against incoming objects and/or energy. It is generally undetectable by camera drones, although the shield gives off energy when it is being boosted or hardened.

A ship's shields have two primary functions:

• To stop energy from reaching the armor (Amarrian lasers)
• To stop matter from reaching the armor (Everyone else's weapons).

How Shields Work

Note: this section is written in-character.

Although shields are now standard on all space-faring vessels, many non-capsuleers do not understand how they work. This article will give readers a basic understanding of Shield systems (for a further education, High-Density Rapid-Learning Data Chips, or 'Skillbooks', are available from your local station).

Firstly, we must note some key features of shields: 1) Shields have a finite upper limit of HP 2) Shields 'Recharge' 3) Shields are absolutely impenetrable until they reach 25% 4) Shields have resistances 5) Shields glow/pulse when boosted/hardened.

How Shields Don't Work

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A common misconception is that shields are a 'bubble of energy', which prevents everything on the outside from entering the shield bubble. If we assume that we had a system that could bend energy (in this case, Electromagnetic Radiation, or light) around the hull of a spacecraft, this theoretical system could (theoretically) refract Amarrian laser fire away without undue effort. As the Amarrians have not yet disposed of their laser technology, we can assume that such a system does not exist. Secondly, such a system would not be able to block missiles, cannon shells, or hybrid slugs, while ship shields obviously can.

Another misconception is that shields are forcefields. Although Tractor Beam technology does exist at the time of writing, the module available to capsuleers and navies is only capable of pulling targeted cargo containers at low velocities - it is definitely NOT capable of repulsing small objects travelling at extreme speeds (not to mention that a ship's sensor suites are not capable of locking such a small object). A special module exists for the Rorqual-class Capital Industrial ship, but that is simply a normal tractor beam on a much larger scale.

We have just ruled out the possibility that shields are energy bubbles or forcefields. Thus, shields are matter in a form which is too small to be detected by the naked eye (although it is detectable by camera drones).

How Shields Do Work

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A ship's shield is composed of a field of nanomachines coated with a super reflective, nearly indestructible alloy (unfortunately, it is too expensive for larger applications.) These are pumped out into space when the ship undocks, and are held in place by the same mechanism used by camera drones (a combination of an attractive magnetic and repulsive electromechanical force). Essentially, shields are a field of miniature, nearly indestructible camera drones without cameras.

Why Do Shields Have an Upper Limit of Damage They Can Absorb?

The energy that keeps the nanomachine field where it is comes from a dedicated high-volume capacitor. While this means shield energy levels can change rapidly without affecting other systems (for example, the Raven-class battleship absorbing a volley of 1400mm howitzer shells without damage), the capacitor puts an upper limit on exactly how much damage can be absorbed without losing the integrity of the field. Modules exist to counteract this - what is referred to as a 'Shield Extender' is essentially a modified Capacitor Battery, which is incompatible with the ships' general purpose capacitor.

Why Do Shields 'Recharge'?

A certain amount of energy is routed from the main reactor to both the general-purpose and shield capacitors. This amount can vary depending on the modules fitted. Both capacitors reach peak recharge rate between 35-25% capacity.

In some ships, the energy directed into the general purpose capacitor is almost completely rerouted into the shield-capacitor (an excellent example is the Drake-class Battlecruiser). This is known as Passive Shield Tanking.

Why Are Shields Impenetrable Until 25%?

The computer controlling the containment field is usually programmed to let some damage through to prevent a complete loss of nanomachine control and power. Training the "Tactical Shield Manipulation" skill allows the pilot to safely alter this limit. When the shields are at 0%, they are still present, but the S-Cap is so depleted that the energy holding the field in place is the energy coming from the main reactor. This stream of power is is only providing enough energy to hold the nanomachines around the ship, never mind absorb any further damage.

Why Do Shields Have Resistances?

These resistances are not how effective the field is in absorbing certain types of damage, but rather how effective the type of damage is in forcing the field generator to consume energy. This can be explained in four parts.

• Electromagnetic damage does not influence the particles physically, but affects the stability of the magnetic/electromechanical link. EM damage causes the field to be destablilized, causing the field generator to consume energy to maintain the field. It is very affective against Shield systems as it affects the system directly.

• Thermal damage heats up the nanomachines. The ship's central computer cycles the nanomachines around, allowing each time to cool before blocking more damage. This cycling consumes large amounts of energy.

• When absorbing Kinetic damage, the nanomachines 'block' the incoming object by getting in the way and progressively decelerating it. Energy is consumed by the field as it has to decelerate the incoming object by holding the nanomachines in position.

• Explosive damage is usually the easiest for shield systems to absorb. The shockwave blows the nanomachines away, but the field simply compensates for the movement of the particles - in effect, the field deforms like a cushion and springs back.

These "resistances" can be improved by either making compensation more efficient by installing subsystems to improve energy efficiency when compensating (Resistance Amplifiers) or by reinforcing the field against a particular type of damage (Hardeners). Obviously prevention (hardening) is more effective than curing (amplifiers).

Why Do Shields Pulse/Glow When Boosted/Hardened?

Camera drones detect the surge of energy that passes through the nanomachine field when the shield is boosted (essentially when energy is transfered from the GP-Cap to the S-Cap through a Shield Booster). The Shield Booster's systems detect energy surges or fluctuations, and the excess energy is dissipated by manipulating the nanomachine field. This is not normally a visible effect, although very powerful systems sometimes give off energy visible to the naked eye.

The glow of Hardeners are also a purely visual effect caused by the operation of various subsystems that 'power up' when the command to harden is given by the Central Resistance Compensator modules (usually known as 'Hardeners', although they are not actually hardening anything).