Shields are protective energy fields that snap into physicality to sheathe the user when high-speed incoming projectiles are detected.
Charges
Shields consist of charges that absorb damage. Single-target attacks usually carry enough force to drain a charge, whereas Multi-target attacks often do not. This means that no damage will occur to the target. Some attacks (by Crawlers & foes, alike) can bypass, weaken, or drain Shields completely. Once drained, most Shields must recharge outside of combat.
Light Shields
The least Charges & Absorption in their class. This is compensated by the ability to Recharge amidst combat. Recharge occurs when enough Time Units are spent in the same battle. Due to this particular trait, Light Shields are quite useful for long skirmishes.
Tactical Shields
A type of Shields that strives to both mitigate damage while also being sustainable. They can't absorb as much as Heavy Shields & they recover more slowly than Light Shields, but they provide Empowerment, which provide Enhanced Damage upon receiving enemy fire.
Heavy Shields
Heavy Shields disregard most other features outside absorbing harm aimed at their users. Charge capacity is low, but a great deal of force is the only thing that can deplete it. Their Safeguard property grants additional, but temporary, protection from all incoming damage when Shields are depleted.
Upgrades
Depending on the player's Luck, Level & Reputation, Shields with significant additional benefits can be acquired. Some are as follows:
This is an incomplete list & the abilities scale to player Level.
Auroch Shield
Increased Chance to Dodge
Boomslang Shield
Increased Critical Hit Chance
Cyberninja's Geist Chip
Usable only by a Cyber Ninja; upon loss of a Shield Charge: Increased Chance to Dodge
Energize
Permanent increase to Shield's Absorption
Force Psyker's Serenity
Usable only by a Force Psyker; upon loss of a Shield Charge: Gain Force Energy
FoxKin Shield
Increased Chance to Dodge
Hotwire
Upon loss of a Shield Charge: Deal a percentage of Shield Absorption to the attacker as Fire Damage
Overcharge
Increased number of Shield Charges, but a reduction in Shield Absorption
Prototype's Integration
Usable only by the Prototype; upon loss of a Shield Charge: Restore Health
Retrofit Safeguard
Adds the ability of Heavy Shields for added protection when the Shield depletes, but Shield Absorption is reduced
Rig Recharger
Adds the ability of Light Shields to recharge amidst combat, but Shield Absorption is reduced
Synaptic Link
Chance to Trigger on Shield Charge Loss: Increased chance to Dodge