Shields

Vanilla game HUD
1 - strength of fore/aft shields
12 - four energy banks (which power shield generators)

The Cobra comes with twin Zieman deflector shields. These shields absorb energy by reflecting it with an equivalent charge of inverse energy. There are two generators for these shields, one forward and one aft. The green indicators showing the strength of the shields are labelled "1" on the HUD on the right. The four yellow energy banks which together power the generators are labelled "12".

There are two considerations regarding the functioning of your shields - firstly, how strong they are, and secondly, how quickly they recharge. The Shield Boosters and Military Shield Enhancement further strengthen your shields. The Extra Energy Unit quickens the recharge rate instead.

Two standard upgrades can be purchased for your Shields:

• Shield Boosters: 14,750₢ and bought in a System with a TL of 11+ (almost doubles the strength of your shields)
• Military Shield Enhancement: 47,550₢ and bought in a System with a TL of 14+ (there are only 5 such systems in Galaxy 1!).

The recharge rate is improved by the following equipment:

• Extra Energy Unit: 1500₢ and a System with a TL of 9+ - in effect adds an extra power generator, improving the rate of recharge of depleted shields
• Naval Energy Unit: only available to Navy personnel - adds a massive extra power generator...

OXPs

• NavalGrid OXP provides two upgrades (civilian & naval) to the energy bus linking the energy units to the Shields. In effect, the energy units provide much more energy to recharge depleted shields, so recharging happens faster. The grids speed up the recharge still further by increasing the rate at which this extra energy reaches the shields.
• ShieldCycler transfers energy between your forward and aft shields (3 versions with 3 addons).
• Shield Equalizer And Capacitors OXP Equalizer recharges the shield under attack, Capacitors provides a battery for the shields.
• Energy Rebalance rebalances energy between shields and energy banks.

There are two OXPs which provide extra physical shielding for your ship:

• IronHide OXP
• HardShips a complex OXP with over a dozen options

The following OXPs all make the game harder (and more realistic).

• Breakable Shield Generators OXP allows your Shield Generators to be disabled by a direct hit in combat
• Hard Way, a complex OXP, hammers your shields down to 25% when you are using your Torus Drive. This has major consequences on returning to normal speed. Depending on your mix of extra energy units etc, you can end up with low shields whose recharge then depletes your energy. This will inevitably affect your style of piloting (eg leaving Torus early before reaching dangerous destinations to allow shields/energy banks to fully recharge).

• Ship Configuration OXP adds another 4 strengths of shield to choose from. A very complex .oxp.

Links

• Pilot's Reference Manual
• Oolite Equipment

Oolite Equipment Standard Equipment Astrogation Console • Cargo Hold • Compass • Energy banks • Engine/Main Drive • HUD • IFF Scanner • Life Support Systems • Missile • Pulse Laser • Shields • Ship's Hull • Torus Jump Drive • View Screen • Witchspace/Hyperspace Drive Optional Equipment Advanced Navigational Array • Advanced Space Compass • Cargo Bay Expansion • Docking Computers • E.C.M. System • Escape Pod • Extra Energy Unit • External Heat Shielding • Fuel Scoops • Galactic Hyperdrive • Integrated Targeting System • Military Shield Enhancement • Multi-Targeting System • Naval Energy Unit • Passenger Berth • Scanner Targeting Enhancement • Shield Boosters • Target System Memory Expansion • Witchdrive Fuel Injectors • Wormhole Scanner Weapons Beam Laser • ECM Hardened Missile • Energy Bomb • Military Laser • Mining Laser • Missile • Pulse Laser • Quirium Cascade Mine • Twin Plasma Cannon