Editing Shield belt

{{Infobox main

| image = ShieldBelt.png

| tech level = Spacer

| marketvalue = 390

The '''shield belt''' is a defensive [[utility]] item that generates a bubble of energy to absorb projectiles. It blocks projectile attacks both from the outside and from within, meaning colonists will not fire ranged weapons with an equipped shield belt, and instead are limited to melee weapons only.

As a complicated piece of technology, Shield Belts can only be made at the [[machining table]] and requires [[Research#Shields|Shields]] to be researched in order to be constructed. Crafting the belt requires {{Required Resources}}, {{ticks|{{P|Work To Make}}}} of work, and a [[{{P|Skill 1}}]] skill of {{P|Skill 1 Level}}.

Shield belts are worn at the waist, and use their own charge to stop damage from incoming ranged attacks and explosions (except flame explosions, which penetrate). The amount of charge is dependent on the belt's [[quality]], with the default being 110 points. This charge is depleted at a rate of 3.3 charge per 1 point of damage from attacks. If an attack would be sufficient to completely deplete the shield's charge, then the rest of its damage is negated, and the shield temporarily broken. The shield does not prevent pawns from being set on fire{{Check Tag|Fact Check|Flame damage only ignites pawns if they take damage - does a shield prevent this ignition?}}, explosions from detonating, or being staggered from weapons with sufficient [[stopping power]].  

Shield belts constantly recharge at a rate dependent on their quality, so long as they are not broken. However, once a shield's charge is completely expended, the shield will break and the belt will be temporarily disabled. Similarly, upon being hit by an [[EMP]] from any source they instantly lose all power and the shield will break. In either case, it takes {{Ticks|3200}} after breaking before it begins to recharge again. They will recharge starting from 20 points, meaning they can be easily broken once again.

Wearing a shield belt prevents the user from firing, but not equipping, ranged weapons. They can still use them as blunt melee weapons. The ranged weapons integrated into the [[grenadier armor]] {{RoyaltyIcon}} and [[phoenix armor]] {{RoyaltyIcon}} are also disabled, though a [[sanguophage]]'s {{BiotechIcon}} piercing spine is not. Note that shield belt wearers will not fire even if a shield belt is inactivated by damage or EMP.

 

! Quality

! Awful

! Poor

! Normal

! Good

! Excellent

! Masterwork

! Legendary

! Maximum charge

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*0.6*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*0.8*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.0*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.2*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.4*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.7*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*2.1*100 round 1}}

! Damage capacity

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*0.6*(100/3.3) round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*0.8*(100/3.3) round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.0*(100/3.3) round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.2*(100/3.3) round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.4*(100/3.3) round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*1.7*(100/3.3) round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:basecharge}}*2.1*(100/3.3) round 1}}

! Recharge rate (energy per second)

| {{#expr:{{#var:baseregen}}*0.9*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:baseregen}}*0.95*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:baseregen}}*1.00*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:baseregen}}*1.05*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:baseregen}}*1.10*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:baseregen}}*1.2*100 round 1}}

| {{#expr:{{#var:baseregen}}*1.3*100 round 1}}

! Market Value

| {{#expr: {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*0.5}} }} {{Icon Small|silver}}

| {{#expr: {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*0.75}} }} {{Icon Small|silver}}

| {{#expr: {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}}} }} {{Icon Small|silver}}

| {{#ifexpr: {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*1.25}}>{{P|Market Value Base}}+500 |{{#expr:{{P|Market Value Base}}+500 }}| {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*1.25}}}} {{Icon Small|silver}}

| {{#ifexpr: {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*1.50}}>{{P|Market Value Base}}+1000|{{#expr:{{P|Market Value Base}}+1000}}| {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*1.50}}}} {{Icon Small|silver}}

| {{#ifexpr: {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*2.50}}>{{P|Market Value Base}}+2000|{{#expr:{{P|Market Value Base}}+2000}}| {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*2.50}}}} {{Icon Small|silver}}

| {{#ifexpr: {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*5.00}}>{{P|Market Value Base}}+3000|{{#expr:{{P|Market Value Base}}+3000}}| {{Market Value|{{P|Market Value Base}}*5.00}}}} {{Icon Small|silver}}

The shield belt provides a substantial amount of defense for melee pawns. It blocks great portions of gunfire, which allows them to close in on ranged enemies. Enemies will not fire their guns when in melee combat, so engaging ranged enemies in melee will practically neutralize them. This means that a shield belt not only protects its wearer, but the strategies it allows can protect the entire colony.  

 

As shield belts constantly recharge until broken, shielded pawns are effectively invulnerable when facing enemies that have a DPS below 1/3.3x the recharge rate of their belt.

Shield belts make it viable to bait enemy fire without placing your colonists at serious risk. Simply equip a colonist with a shield and run them in front of your line. Enemy AI tends to target the closest victim possible, so they'll target your shield bait. This is especially effective against mechanoids, to absorb those lethal charge lance shots and stray minigun hits. Shield belts can help with [[kiting]] and other sorts of luring tactics.

The shield belt can be used in combination with [[locust armor]] {{RoyaltyIcon}} to provide an equivalent to the [[jump pack]] {{RoyaltyIcon}} while still being able to equip the shield belt, while the shield belt is used to compensate for the low sharp protection of the locust armor. Note that the shield belt will only protect against ranged fire, so a jump pack and more protective armor is superior when facing melee enemies.

* Shield belts bear some similarity to shields in the ''Dune'' franchise, mainly in that they do not allow any high-speed object to enter ''or'' exit the shield, rendering guns useless to shield belt users.

* [[Version/0.9.722|0.9.722]] - Added as the '''Personal shield'''.

* Unknown version after [[Version/1.3.3101]] - Shield belts are now defined as having Spacer [[tech level]]. Previously, they were defined as having an medieval [[tech level]] despite requiring an industrial research project and obviously being a high tech piece of equipment.

* [[Version/1.4.3682|1.4.3682]] - Fix: Error when shield belt on ground is hit by EMP explosion.

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