👨‍🚀 Greetings, Commanders!

🤓 We continue to talk about various Space Arena aspects and mechanics in alphabetical order in our traditional Encyclopedia segment. We hope that the information from this segment is equally useful for both experienced Commanders and beginners.

👾 Our letter for today is S! This time HQ decided to tell you about the important range of in-game modules. Meet the Shields!

🔬 What do we know about them? Shields are one of three types of modules that belong to the Defense category. All shields function on the same principle: they create a bubble of protective layer around itself (force field), thus covering the cells of the ship and blocking the damage from projectiles. The size of this field is determined by the Shield Radius parameter that is measured in cells.

Shields can absorb only a fixed number of damage which is determined by the Shield Strength parameter. The value of this parameter decreases during the battle when any of the enemy projectiles hit the force field of a shield. After a while, the Shield Strength parameter begins to regenerate thanks to the Maximum Regenerate parameter. The recovery rate of the force field is determined by the Regen Speed parameter. The regeneration phase will begin only if the force field would not have taken damage during a certain period of time. Each shield model has its delay value. Such a delay can last on average from two to four seconds. The main weakness of all shield models is that they can’t block the laser damage – laser rays pass through their force fields.

It is important to note that the Maximum Regenerate parameter has a fixed value as well. That means there are several scenarios when a force field of a shield was hit, thus the Shield Strength parameter value was decreased. If the value of the Maximum Regenerate parameter is > 0 and a force field does not receive any hits within the mentioned delay, the Shield Strength parameter begins to regenerate. But if the value of both Maximum Regenerate and Shield Strength parameters equal zero, a shield stops consuming any energy and functioning. And, of course, shields as well as the other modules will stop functioning in case of energy lack on a ship. That means all force fields will be turned off.

Commanders may meet the next shield models in the game:

1. Combat Shield. Available at the 3rd level. Can be purchased for 4000 Credits. The Power Use value equals 60. The Shield Strength parameter value equals 100. The Maximum Regenerate parameter value equals 100. The Regen Speed parameter value equals 20 points per second. The unique bonus of this module is the Total Module Power Generation.
2. Combat Shield Mk2. The improved version of the original module. Commanders may obtain it after beating the 5th campaign sector. Power Use value equals 70. The Shield Strength parameter value equals 125. The Maximum Regenerate parameter value equals 120. The Regen Speed parameter value equals 20 points per second.
3. Bunker Shield. Available at the 14th level. This is the only shield model that does not regenerate its Shield Strength parameter. According to the HQ records, this module is effective against ballistic weapons with burst fire mode. Can be purchased for 65000 Credits. The Power Use value equals 80. The Shield Strength parameter value equals 150. The unique bonus of this module is the Total Module Power Use.
4. Bunker Shield Mk2. The improved version of the original module. Commanders may obtain it after beating the 7th campaign sector. The Power Use value equals 25. The Shield Strength parameter value equals 90.
5. Battle Shield. Available at the 16th level. Can be purchased for 100000 Credits. The Power Use value equals 135. The Shield Strength parameter value equals 225. The Maximum Regenerate parameter value equals 225. The Regen Speed parameter value equals 50 points per second. The unique bonus of this module is the Total Module Mass.
6. War Shield. Available at the 24th level. The heaviest shield in the game (the Mass parameter value equals 50) with the biggest Shield Radius parameter value (this one equals 13.1 cells). Can be purchased for 175000 Credits. The Power Use value equals 280. The Shield Strength parameter value equals 500. The Maximum Regenerate parameter value equals 500. The Regen Speed parameter value equals 100 points per second. The unique bonus of this module is the Total Module Mass.
7. War Shield Mk2. The improved version of the original module. Available at the 52nd level. According to the HQ records, this version of the module was constructed to provide greater protection against ballistic weapons. Commanders may purchase it for 5000000 Credits on the Black Market. The Power Use value equals 350. The Shield Strength parameter value equals 1000. The Maximum Regenerate parameter value equals 50. The Regen Speed parameter value equals 100 points per second.

Commanders may increase the efficiency of the shields’ functioning by upgrading the next parameters of a ship: Health of Shield Modules, Mass of Shield Modules, Power Use of Shield Modules, Radius of Shield Modules, Strength Shield Modules, Max Regeneration of Shield Modules, and Regen Speed of Shield Modules.

It is also important to highlight the following features of shield mechanics. If the rocket hits a crossing point of the two active force fields of shields, then the damage will be dealt to only one of them. This shield will be selected randomly. However, if the Rocket explosion radius parameter value is > 1, then the damage will be dealt to two force fields of the shields instantly.

In addition, HQ gathered some tips and comments regarding the shield mechanics from experienced Commanders.

• Both the original and Mk2 versions of the War Shield module are pretty good in Arena battle. The original one can be used against the builds with Capital Cannon modules, and the Mk2 version can be used against the builds with mines.
• The War Shield module is a perfect choice rather for Commanders who are in the end-game phase. The other shield modules can be still used though, for small and medium-sized ships.
• The Mass Driver module wipes out the force field of a shield pretty quickly. You have to think of ways how to confront this.
• Some ships have the Strength Shield Modules parameter available for upgrading. Don’t underestimate the impact of this parameter.

And here is the top tip for Commanders who decided to make a build with shields. Make sure the force fields of all shields completely cover all cells that you want to protect. Otherwise, the shields won’t absorb the damage from the projectiles that were fired on these cells.

💬 And that’s all for today! HQ staff will be glad to hear your feedback. And if you have any suggestions and ideas for the next Encyclopedia issues – feel free to share them with our community managers!

We wish you a great day and bright victories!

And as always – see you again, in the Arena!