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A '''shield generator''' is a [[Ship components|component]] which generates a protective energy barrier around a [[ships|ship]] in [[Star Citizen]]. Shields deflect projectiles, explosions, debris, and sometimes air.<ref name=":0" /> When impacted with energy (such as an [[Ship weapons#Energy weapons|energy weapon]]), the shield absorbs the incoming energy, weakening the shield in the process but protecting the ship.<ref name=":0">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/engineering/14489-Design-Notes-Shields-Management|text=Design Notes: Shields & Management|accessdate=2023-10-18}}</ref> Only when the shields are downed will the incoming energy inflict damage upon the ship's hull. When impacted with a ballistic projectile, the projectile is merely slowed down by the shield, effectively bypassing it.<ref name=":0" /> Shield generators come in multiple sizes, and have varying levels of segmentation (single 'bubble', front/back, quadrant, etc.).<ref name=":0" />

Rapid Charge shields have low recharge delay and high recharge value, offset by weaker base shields with lower HP. They are often found in racing ships.<ref name=":0" />

Durable Item shields have reinforced components with strong component HP and boosted shield HP at the expense of a higher signal. They are often found in industrial ships.<ref name=":0" />

Direct Damage Shell shields have Improved direct fire absorption with reduced splash damage absorb. They are often found in civilian ships.<ref name=":0" />

Splash Damage Guard shields have Improved splash damage absorption with reduced direct fire absorb. They are often found in civilian ships.<ref name=":0" />

Second Skin shields have Improved overall damage absorption with higher power draw. They are often found in military ships.<ref name=":0" />

Hard Light shields have substantially improved shield HP and absorption with increased Heat generation. They are often found in military ships.<ref name=":0" />

Phalanx shields are point defense shields that provides a very strong but limited protective face. They are mostly found in Tevarin ships.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=comm-link/transmission/15614-Esperia-Prowler-Q-A-Part-2|text=Esperia Prowler Q&A Part 2}}</ref> They have 100% ballistic absorption and massively increased shield hardening ability.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/engineering/17745-Q-A-Esperia-Talon|text=Q&A: Esperia Talon}}</ref>

Airshields are energy barrier that traps air but allows other objects to pass through.

During the [[First Tevarin War]], [[Humans]] launch tubes for fighter and isolated personnel carrier for troop deployment out of the atmosphere. It is an unwieldy and time-consuming process. While the Humans were dragged down by their technology, the [[Tevarin]] were freed by it. Localized airshields along the body of the [[Tevarin dropship]] allowed the [[Nauelle]] to move from ship to space without the need to open a door, which permitted the dropship to move quickly and quietly. After the defeat of Tevarin in the war, the study and use of these airshields on the dropship unlocked vast technological advances in Human development, many of which are still in daily usage today.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=media/dy3ea8fjrv3imr/source/Prowler-Manual-1980x1020v2.pdf|text=Esperia Prowler Manual v2}}</ref>