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* '''M''' is the [[modifier]] bonus, +10% for each [Cap] |
* '''M''' is the [[modifier]] bonus, +10% for each [Cap] |
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* '''T''' is the ship tier bonus; 15% for each tier above tier 1, minus 1% |
* '''T''' is the ship tier bonus; 15% for each tier above tier 1, minus 1% |
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| − | * '''K''' is the mark number |
+ | * '''K''' is the mark number or level modifier, depending on whether the shield array scales with the player |
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| + | For any shield array that has a [[Mark]] number, the mark or level modifier '''K''' is equal to the mark multiplied by 5%. For instance a {{common|Shield Array Mk V}} will receive a bonus of 25%. Shield arrays that level with the player, such as the {{very rare|[[Aegis Technological Research#Aegis Covariant Shield Array|Aegis Covariant Shield Array]]}} or Borg {{very rare|[[Assimilated Borg Technology#Assimilated Regenerative Shield Array|Assimilated Regenerative Shield Array]]}}, the modifier '''K''' is determined by the player's level multiplied by 1%. For instance a [[Lieutenant Commander]] grade 7 gets a bonus of 16%, where as a [[Vice Admiral]] grade 1 receives a 51% bonus. |
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===Effective Capacity=== |
===Effective Capacity=== |
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Revision as of 01:42, 17 January 2011
A starship's shields are an integral part of any vessel, however unlike the hull where statistics like hull strength and repair rate are known, the shield array is a modular component so the shield capacity and regeneration rate are dependent on the type of shield that is installed, amongst other factors. A vessel's exact shield statistics are non-trivial to determine, but there are some simple rules to help a player calculate their value.
Each shield array has three primary statistics; capacity, regeneration rate, and absorption. This guide describes the effects of each and how they are calculated.
This guide is intended first to demystify the way shields work, and second to help guide players in choosing the most appropriate shield array for their playing style.
Note that this guide does not cover Personal Shields, though they are likely to follow similar rules.
Capacity
The capacity or strength of a ship's shield determines how much damage it can take before it fails. If a players overall style requires them to withstand sustained fire then a high shield capacity is desirable.
A shield array has a basic capacity that a player can see on the item itself in the game's UI. This value is based on the statistics of the shield array itself and the ship that the player currently has set as their default. Whilst on the ground the player's ship will show this same value in the ship statistics window under the 'Defense' tab. Once in space though, other factors are taken into account such as consoles and player skills. This is the effective capacity while in space, and the ship statistics UI will reflect this.
Note that the numbers and formulae in this section are based on experimentation and are not confirmed by Cryptic.
Basic Capacity
The formula the calculate a shield array's capacity is as follows:
Capacity = 2,500 × S × A × M × (T + K)
Where:
- S is ship type bonus
- A is the shield array type bonus
- M is the modifier bonus, +10% for each [Cap]
- T is the ship tier bonus; 15% for each tier above tier 1, minus 1%
- K is the mark number or level modifier, depending on whether the shield array scales with the player
| Ship Type | S |
|---|---|
| Runabout | 50% |
| Bird-of-Prey | 80% |
| Raptor | 83.3% |
| Escort | 90% |
| Cruiser | 100% |
| Science Vessel | 130% |
| Shield Type | A |
|---|---|
| Regenerative Shield Array | 85% |
| Resilient Shield Array | 95% |
| Shield Array | 100% |
| Covariant Shield Array | 125% |
| Paratrinic Shield Array | 162.5% |
| Ship Tier | T |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 100% |
| Tier 2 | 114% |
| Tier 3 | 129% |
| Tier 4 | 144% |
| Tier 5 | 159% |
For any shield array that has a Mark number, the mark or level modifier K is equal to the mark multiplied by 5%. For instance a Shield Array Mk V will receive a bonus of 25%. Shield arrays that level with the player, such as the Aegis Covariant Shield Array or Borg Assimilated Regenerative Shield Array, the modifier K is determined by the player's level multiplied by 1%. For instance a Lieutenant Commander grade 7 gets a bonus of 16%, where as a Vice Admiral grade 1 receives a 51% bonus.
Effective Capacity
Once out in space, the capacity of the shield array itself will read the same. The actual capacity though, shown in the ship statistics window, is modified by Starfleet Training skills and console upgrades.
The skill Starship Command applies to all types of vessel, and gives a number of points. These points are cumulative with other skills such as Cruiser Captain, Heavy Cruiser Captain, etc... The shield capacity will receive a ~0.19% bonus for each total points.
Effective = Capacity × (1 + 0.001964 × Points)
NOTE: THIS FORMULA IS HIGHLY APPROXIMATE AND HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE SLIGHTLY INACCURATE IN SOME CASES. ALSO, THE EFFECT OF CONSOLES HAS NOT YET BEEN FACTORED IN. MORE WORK IS NEEDED HERE.
Players should note that shield capacity is unaffected by power levels, or by any skills outside the Starfleet Training (also called Command) section.
Examples
To illustrate the formulae above, there follow some examples based on typical configurations. This also serves to demonstrate that the formulae do actually reflect the real in-game values, albeit approximately. The screenshots in each example below show two values for shield capacity. The value shown in the box on the right is the basic capacity, and the value under the Defense tab is the effective capacity.
Tier 1 Light Cruiser with Shield Array Standard Issue
Actual in-game values
- S = 100% (Cruiser)
- A = 100% (Regular shield)
- M = 100% (No modifiers)
- T = 100% (Tier 1)
- K = 0 (Standard Issue is effectively Mk 0)
Clearly, the result is:
Capacity = 2,500 × 1.00 × 1.00 × 1.00 × (1.00 + 0)
= 2,500
Lets say this ship's captain has seven ranks in Starship Command, giving a bonus of 17 points.
Effective = 2,500 × (1 + 0.001964 × 17)
= 2,500 × 1.033388
= 2,583.47
= 2,583
We can see that the ship gained a 3.3% bonus to its effective shield capacity. Now lets try something more complex...
Tier 2 Escort with a Paratrinic Shield Array Mk IV
Actual in-game values
- S = 90% (Escort)
- A = 162.5% (Paratrinic shield)
- M = 100% (No modifiers)
- T = 114% (Tier 2)
- K = 120% (+5% × Mk 4)
The overall capacity for this shield array will be:
Capacity = 2,500 × 0.90 × 1.625 × 1.00 × (1.14 + 0.20)
= 2,500 × 1.4625 × (1.34)
= 2,500 × 1.95975
= 4,899.375
= 4,899
The captain of this vessel has seven ranks of Starship Command and all nine ranks of Escort Captain, giving a total bonus of 47 points.
Effective = 4,899 × (1 + 0.001964 × 47)
= 4,899 × 1.092308
= 5,351.216892
= 5,351
This time the ship gained a 9.2% bonus to effective shield strength from skill points.
Tier 3 Research Science Vessel with a Resilient Shield Array Mk VI [Cap]
- S = 130% (Science Vessel)
- A = 95% (Resilient shield)
- M = 110% (+10% [Cap])
- T = 129% (Tier 3)
- K = 130% (+5% × Mk 6)
The overall shield capacity for this vessel will be:
Capacity = 2,500 × 1.00 × 0.95 × 1.10 × (1.29 + 0.30)
= 2,500 × 1.045 × (1.59)
= 2,500 × 1.66155
= 4,153.875
= 4,154
In addition to the general skills used by the previous captain, this ship's captain has skills to specifically modify the class of ship they are using:
- Seven ranks of Starship Command giving 17 points
- Nine ranks of Science Vessel Captain giving 30 points
- Nine ranks of Research Science Vessel Captain giving 52 points
This gives a total bonus of 99 points.
Effective = 6,453 × (1 + 0.001964 × 99)
= 6,453 × 0.194436
= 6,453.727492
= 8,367
This gives a healthy 19.4% bonus to effective shield capacity.
Tier 5 Assault Cruiser with a Covariant Shield Array Mk X [Cap]x3
Actual in-game values
- S = 100% (Cruiser)
- A = 125% (Covariant shield)
- M = 130% (+10% [Cap] × 3)
- T = 159% (Tier 5)
- K = 150% (+5% × Mk 10)
The overall shield capacity for this vessel will be:
Capacity = 2,500 × 1.00 × 1.25 × 1.30 × (1.59 + 0.50)
= 2,500 × 1.625 × (2.09)
= 2,500 × 3.39625
= 8,490.625
= 8,491
This time the captain has a typical set of captain skills which modify the statistics of their chosen ship type:
- Seven ranks of Starship Command giving 17 points
- Nine ranks of Cruiser Captain giving 30 points
- Nine ranks of Heavy Cruiser Captain giving 26 points (50% of 52)
- Nine ranks of Exploration Cruiser Captain giving 26 points (50% of 52)
- Nine ranks of Assault Cruiser Captain giving 52 points
This gives a total bonus of 151 points.
Effective = 8,491 × (1 + 0.001964 × 151)
= 8,491 × 1.296564
= 11,008.6387125
= 11,009
At tier five with a full set of captain skills, the ship gains 29.6% bonus to effective shield strength. This emphasizes the importance of a players choice of ship respective to their skills.
Regeneration
The regeneration value is modified by your shield power. At 50 shield power, you have the number listed in a shield's description. For every point above 50, you shield regeneration value increases by 4 %, and for every below, it reduces by 4 %. Formula: (1 + (Power Level - 50) / 25) x Base Regeneration at 50. Note that this formula doesn't really apply below 25 power - you would normally get a negative regeneration then, but this is not applied to your ship. Otherwise, you would lose shields at Full Impulse. Only if you are using an ability that brings your shield power to 0 do you lose shield capacity. [1]
Absorption
By Default all shields have 10% bleed-through and 0% absorption.
External Links
References
- ↑ A Shield Guide - Comparisons and Charts at the Star Trek Online Forums