Shields

This article contains information relevant to both the C# and VB6 versions of Aurora. Where differences exist, they are noted in the appropriate sections.

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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 single large hits. 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.

VB6 has Nebulae, which are systems that prevent shields from being used. These do not exist in C#. VB6 also requires fuel to run shields.

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

Maximum Shield Generator Size (C# only)

In VB6, shield generators are of a fixed size. In C#, they can be anywhere from 1 HS up to 50, with appropriate tech. Larger modules are stronger, according to the following formula:

Strength = Strength tech * Size * sqrt(Size/10)

Larger shields do not get this bonus to recharge rate, though, so it will take longer to recharge that extra shield strength. One 40 HS shield has twice as much HP as four 10 HS shields, for example, but they recharge at the same rate.

Recharge per 5 minutes = Regeneration tech * Size 

Larger modules also have less HTK per unit of strength, and cost more to research.

Max Shield Size (HS)

Size	10	12	15	20	25	32	40	50
RP cost	1,000	2,000	4,000	8,000	15,000	30,000	60,000	120,000

See also: The C# change log for shields.