=== Defensive order of priority ===
[[File:Jade_Shields_commission.png|thumb|right|The defensive order of priority, illustrated (art by JadedPencil)]]
When behind multiple layers of protection ([[Cover]], energy shields, physical shields, body armor), an order of priority comes into play.
* '''Priority 4: [[Trauma plate]]''': If you aren't behind cover, do not have a special shield up, and are not using a physical shield, but do possess body armor with a trauma plate, any incoming ''[[Damage types|Bullet-type]]'' damage aimed at your ''torso'' will be absorbed by the trauma plate.
** All other damage types and aiming locations (head, limbs, extremities, etc.) will ''ignore the trauma plate'', thus preventing it from protecting the wearer.
=== Maintenance and repairs ===
You have two options to repair shields:
* With a [[Crafting items#Toolkits|melee repair kit]]: Divide the Condition restored by 80 then round up to obtain healed shield HP.
* By visiting a [[workshop]]: Repair rates depend on the shield's material. Broken (0 HP) shields may be repaired, but with a 150% overcharge.
= Abilities =
To benefit from a shield, it must be part of your [[Statistics#Equipped weapons|equipped weapons]]. Although you can equip more than one, shields cannot be [[dual-wielding|dual-wielded]].
With a shield in your equipped weapons, you may perform the following:
* '''Active protection''': Use the shield for its intended purpose; to block incoming attacks. * '''Shield bashing''': Use the shield as a blunt weapon.* '''Shield counter''': See the [[Shields#Shield counter|section below]]. == Active protection =='''Active protection''' is always an the act of using your shield to block incoming attacks. Active protection '''IS always has an [[Initiative Speed]] of 1''' move, regardless of the shield type you use. You can think of it as the shield equivalent of [[Evasion#Dodge|dodging]], but with a focus on absorbing an incoming hit instead of avoiding it.* While in active protection, your shield will block any incoming damage while resolving the opponents'turns, according to the defensive order of priority. If your shield runs out of HP, it will break immediately. If other characters haven't yet resolved their turns and intend to target you, you may become vulnerable to their attacks. == Shield bashing =='Counter-attack''Shield bashing': '' is the act of using your shield as a weapon, striking opponents with it. The Initiative Speed of Shield bashing depends on your weapon's Weight, like a normal weapon.The damage tables displayed on each shield's page indicate what they deal when used for Shield bashing.* == Shield counter ==A '''Shield bashingcounter'''is the shield equivalent of the [[Evasion#counter|Counter]], as outlined in the Evasion page. To be eligible to perform a Shield counter, your character must meet these requirements: Use * Used Active protection during the turn* The shield has absorbed at least one hit* Have a weapon or be able to perform some kind of attack, and if melee, you must already be on the same Side as your opponent If you meet these requirements, you must signal your intention to perform a blunt Shield counter. The principles are exactly the same as with the regular Counter; you may perform a Shield counter with any weaponor attack that is not considered an [[abilities|ability or technique]], excluding natural attacks and Shield bashing. IS Like with the regular Counter, on top of any limits placed by ammunition or maximum attacks per turn, there is equal to a limit on the shieldamount of hits allowed during a Counter. When performing a Shield counter, this limit depends on your Shields skill level instead of your Evading skill level. Whichever is the smallest maximum attacks per turn is the one that applies for your character. = List of shields =See '''[[Class 5 Long weapons#Shields|here]]'''s weight. = Shields skill levels = Skill Points are granted at varying rates:* 1 Skill Point for every hit absorbed in Active protection* 1 Skill Point for every kill performed while Shield bashing* 5 Skill Points for every turn in which a Shield counter was successfully performed {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:10pt;text-align:center"|-! Skill level !! SP !! Effects|-| Unskilled || 0 || Shield max HP '''x1.0'''. Shield bashing: '''FT +1''', max '''2 swings'''. Max '''1 attack''' during a Shield counter.|-| Basic || 50 || Shield max HP '''x1.2'''. Shield bashing: '''Normal accuracy''', max '''3 swings'''. Max '''1 attack''' during a Shield counter.|-| Skilled || 100 || Shield max HP '''x1.5'''. Shield bashing: '''IR -1''', max '''4 swings'''. Max '''2 attacks''' during a Shield counter.|-| Expert || 200 || Shield max HP '''x1.7'''. Shield bashing: '''IR -2''', max '''5 swings'''. Max '''2 attacks''' during a Shield counter.|-| Master || 400 || Shield max HP '''x2.0'''. Shield bashing: '''FT -1 IR-2''', max '''6 swings'''. Max '''3 attacks''' during a Shield counter.|}
[[Category:Game mechanics]]