Large Shields do not work through walls?

[Arcane]

I see controversial info about the Large Shields. In my game I see that they do not work through any components or walls. Either I am missing something or they don't work through structures indeed.

[KishiPhio]

They in fact do not go through walls. That's why they are so controvertially said to be bad.
It's not that they're bad, just that you would need a different structure type of ship if you really want to use them.
Cause, the second the shield is popped, well, guess what's on the other side, the shield. So it gets constantly destroyed (While the cost is enormous to repair). (Ennemies also tend to focus them since they're directly linked to the interior of your ship instead of armor...)

More info on how to use them if you don't really know:
-One of the only ways to use them, is to then put them at the exterior of the ship so the generator is outside.
-They only cover what they can basically 'see', so you could still cover them by making them horizontal but having a left and right one, both protecting what they face (In a sort of x shaped shield)

Ships starting from level 15-16 start to make a disgusting use of those shields so I wouldn't say they're bad. They just demand a ship designed especially for them.

[⇧⇨⇩⇩⇩]

Worth noting is that they dont work theough sollid modules or armor, but they do work through structure. I think part of the problem is that people unlock them and think "a bigger shield, perfect Ill use that to tank heavy damage", but the frequency of anti shield weapons in the game makes them rather fragile for that usecase.

I like to put large shields in places where they are first of all protected from a couple of angles by regular armor. You just cant have armor in front of them, but if your ship has kind of like an hour glass shape you can effectively protect the thin part of the ship from stray missiles or side ambushes but tank most of the blunt damage in a protracted battle with other parts of the ship. Engine blocks can usually benifit a lot from a large shield since getting hit in the engines with an EM missile can really mess up how a battle is going.

I also like using large shields combined with armored structure "tentacles", that is I set up the large shield, then ai build some tentacles (using only structure parts) that stick a bit out of the shield dome, and then I armor just the tip of each tentacle so that there are lots of angles where an EM missile will just clip a piece of armor instead of slamming into he shield.

[KishiPhio]

Originally posted by morrganstain:

I also like using large shields combined [...] armor just the tip of each tentacle so that there are lots of angles where an EM missile will just clip a piece of armor instead of slamming into he shield.

Oh, why have I never thought of that, I still struggle to use armor effectively with structures, but that, I will definetly use, thanks.

[⇧⇨⇩⇩⇩]

Here is my current brawler ship engine block using this method.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2894674351

[Bobucles]

Large shields are powerful, but there are four main issues:
- They occupy surface space, which is extremely valuable.
- They get brutally countered by any ship with disruptors or EMP.
- They are expensive on crew upkeep, even more so in battle.
- They are incredibly expensive on materials

For the campaign, your ship is expected to survive encounters with dozens and dozens of enemy ships of every variety. Large shields are terrible because they will get countered far more often than you'll be comfortable with. It is better to have a jack of all trades defense that takes a little damage every fight, instead of a shield defense that gets utterly demolished every other fight. AI ships obviously don't work for their huge hulls so they can spam shields without restraint.

[Smug Kot]

The thing is brick boxes with shields are better than just large shields and EVERYONE have 2-3 disruptors if not even worse EMP missiles, 2 disruptors being enough to shut down a large shield is terrible so you have to be tricky with the angle you use those shields.

[⇧⇨⇩⇩⇩]

Yea brick boxes work, but I cant stand playing if I dont like how my ships are designed. I think you need to be a bit "Nilaus-minded" to fully enjoy playing as a square block.

[Smug Kot]

Originally posted by morrganstain:

Yea brick boxes work, but I cant stand playing if I dont like how my ships are designed. I think you need to be a bit "Nilaus-minded" to fully enjoy playing as a square block.

Having shields behind 4-3 layers of armor becomes the minimal standard in "late game" so unless you ship is massive it will end looking like a brick box

[Morkonan]

Originally posted by Arcane:

I see controversial info about the Large Shields. In my game I see that they do not work through any components or walls. Either I am missing something or they don't work through structures indeed.

They do work through Structure, but will be blocked by everything else.

They are good at tanking an initial "alpha-strike" if they have a small shield protecting the projector.

Due to their size, they do eat up damage if it's severe and that makes them easier to eat up EMP missiles, too.

They are very good to use to protect narrow openings if the ship is constructed properly so they can just "see" that narrow space. (Like for a Ion or Railgun setup.) Sure, it'll be a tiny little shield bit covering that space, but that Large Shield Generator will be protected by a lot of armor and then putting a small shield generator to protect it so that you have "layered" shields and armor there... makes it very difficult to take out, protecting your Ion/Rail opening from all but the most severe incoming damage.

I would never use them or rely on them when they're not heavily screened by Small Shields in any spot on the ship that's likely to see frequent damage. (The front. :) They're fine, alone, on protected flanks that the enemy can't easily get to.)

[Smug Kot]

Originally posted by Morkonan:

Originally posted by Arcane:

I see controversial info about the Large Shields. In my game I see that they do not work through any components or walls. Either I am missing something or they don't work through structures indeed.

They do work through Structure, but will be blocked by everything else.

They are good at tanking an initial "alpha-strike" if they have a small shield protecting the projector.

Due to their size, they do eat up damage if it's severe and that makes them easier to eat up EMP missiles, too.

They are very good to use to protect narrow openings if the ship is constructed properly so they can just "see" that narrow space. (Like for a Ion or Railgun setup.) Sure, it'll be a tiny little shield bit covering that space, but that Large Shield Generator will be protected by a lot of armor and then putting a small shield generator to protect it so that you have "layered" shields and armor there... makes it very difficult to take out, protecting your Ion/Rail opening from all but the most severe incoming damage.

I would never use them or rely on them when they're not heavily screened by Small Shields in any spot on the ship that's likely to see frequent damage. (The front. :) They're fine, alone, on protected flanks that the enemy can't easily get to.)

The main problem is how frequent are disruptors and EMP missiles (theres even ships that are more disruptors than ship), So you have to stay away from disruptors range and have enough PD's for incoming EMP's. Those shields can take a lot of punish as long they are not facing those two things.

[⇧⇨⇩⇩⇩]

Originally posted by Smug Kot:

Originally posted by morrganstain:

Yea brick boxes work, but I cant stand playing if I dont like how my ships are designed. I think you need to be a bit "Nilaus-minded" to fully enjoy playing as a square block.

Having shields behind 4-3 layers of armor becomes the minimal standard in "late game" so unless you ship is massive it will end looking like a brick box

I refuse! Im quite confident I will be able to build a nice looking fleet that is also capable of beating the game. (indeed I believe the fleet aproach will help since its harder to avoid the borg cube if you build one single ship that does everything.

[Smug Kot]

Originally posted by morrganstain:

Originally posted by Smug Kot:

Having shields behind 4-3 layers of armor becomes the minimal standard in "late game" so unless you ship is massive it will end looking like a brick box

I refuse! Im quite confident I will be able to build a nice looking fleet that is also capable of beating the game. (indeed I believe the fleet aproach will help since its harder to avoid the borg cube if you build one single ship that does everything.

Fleets works fine and it's the way to go honestly, having a bulky brawler ship with another small and fast enough to flank does wonders. Sniping with missiles barrages and rail guns works amazing too in late game.

[arrow_2536]

How does one build a fleet of ships? I have only been able to build one which is okay but I would like to see aircraft carrier style ships. It could help a great deal. Forget armor or weapons I want to try aircraft carrier in space.

[saideron]

Originally posted by arrow_2536:

How does one build a fleet of ships? I have only been able to build one which is okay but I would like to see aircraft carrier style ships. It could help a great deal. Forget armor or weapons I want to try aircraft carrier in space.

I've seen some designs which attach small ships to the side via structure that uses an explosive to separate those ships off. I think that's the closest you can get to a carrier right now.

[Yaddah]

Originally posted by Bobucles:

Large shields are powerful, but there are four main issues:
- They occupy surface space, which is extremely valuable.
- They get brutally countered by any ship with disruptors or EMP.
- They are expensive on crew upkeep, even more so in battle.
- They are incredibly expensive on materials

For the campaign, your ship is expected to survive encounters with dozens and dozens of enemy ships of every variety. Large shields are terrible because they will get countered far more often than you'll be comfortable with. It is better to have a jack of all trades defense that takes a little damage every fight, instead of a shield defense that gets utterly demolished every other fight. AI ships obviously don't work for their huge hulls so they can spam shields without restraint.

I don't think they're bad at all. I'm having good success with a stacked formation I call the shield neck. It makes getting through to the weapons very difficult. Can even tank a few disruptor shots (though a large amount of disruptors should be kept at distance).
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2893339017