Rodent Wars Forum

Shields, in Rodent Wars, are artificial electromagnetic fields that can repel particle-beam and plasma weaponry.

Description:
Shields are not visible, and do not stop lasers or shells. Most starships utilize shielding for maximum protection, while larger ships can require multiple projectors to fully protect the ship, with a shield's intensity gradually diminishing with distance from the projector. Shield power is measured in percents, with 100% being full power and 0% being no power. Shields are said to be "holding" if damage is not sufficient enough to break them; if the shields are "buckling" or "failing," then a total loss of shield protection is imminent.
     As shields are magnetic fields, one side is always negatively charged, and the other side is always positively charged. This can be exploited in combat—for example the enemy can fire electron cannons (negatively charged) at the positive side of the shield, so as to avoid the repulsion effect. Engineers learned to deal with this by using two shields with opposite charges. This can cause strain on the shield projectors, but is generally considered worth it.
     Shields can be seen on a magnetometer. Warships typically have at least one so as to be aware of enemy ship's shield strengths.

Frequency:
Some shield projectors are designed to oscillate, with the shields going on, then off, then on, usually at around 4-30 cycles per second (4-30Hz). [1] There are two reasons for this:

• To save the trouble of opening holes in the shield so you can shot out.
• To save power.

     If a ship has sophisticated computation technology, its crew may be able to program its weaponry to match the oscillation of the enemy's shield, thus passing through between the pulses.
     If the frequencies of a shield and a long-wavelength laser (maser or raser) exactly match, it is possible to "see" the shield with radar. [1]

Defeating a shield:
To destroy a shield, enemies must fire with plasma or particle weaponry to slowly overheat or electrocute the shield's projectors. Another option is to use weapons unaffected by shields, such as lasers and railguns, to destroy the projectors.
     Sometimes, if a shield projector is heated to high temperatures, it is not disabled but instead temporarily weakened. It will usually regain its strength after a minute or so. [2] However, during that time the projector will be vulnerable to physical damage.
     Over time, projectors can weaken due to heat, rust, and physical damage. [3][4] Pattersonian ship's generators are usually replaced every year.

Types:
Starships are usually equipped with shields. Personal shields are small shields (up to 60KJ dissipation level) deployed to protect groups of troops. They are rather rare, as particle and plasma weaponry are not typically involved in infantry battles.

Footnotes:
[1]:
[2]:
[3]:
[4]:

Gallery


A series of massive land-based shield generators.




When shields are hit by plasma or particle-beam weaponry, there is often a brief twinkle or glow.