Shields
Shields are generally held in your off-hand, and are designed to block attacks from a particular direction or opponent. You use your re-act to gain the resistance benefits of the shield, further reducing any damage from a successful chk(TC). Any chk(TC), whether it is from a melee or ranged weapon, can be blocked, using your re-act. However, your shield is not effective against successful chk(TC(A)) or field effects.
Since you have to use your re-act to employ your shield, you can only use your shield to block one successful chk(TC) in any round.
Note that the inertial shield (see listing) is used differently to other shields and is an exception to the above rules.
Riot Shield
cost=70|1 : wt=1 : CC=12
Op: inactive, held ◊ s2a -> 1hp 1ep [main-act]
Usage: held(re-act) -> rst(prc)+2 : rst(sls)+3
Description: Most commonly made of diamond for strength and transparency. Light and easy to use.
Tactical Shield
200:1(cost), 0.1/10(wt), 12(CC)
Op: inactive, held ◊ s2a: 10hp, 1ep for main-act
Usage: held(re-act) -> +rst(frc)+2, +rst(prc)+5, +rst(sls)+8
Description: Tactical shields are extremely heavy, and used mostly by police in breaches, where they expect a level of set fire. The tactical shield is often fitted with additional field armour to provide supplementary protection from other energy attacks..
Carbon Shield
cost=700|1 : wt=0.7 : CC=12
Op: inactive, held ◊ s2a -> 1hp 1ep [bonus-act]
Usage: held(re-act) -> rst(frc)+2 rst(prc)+5 : rst(sls)+7
Description: Lighter than a riot shield, toughened against pierce weapons. Widely used by infantry.
Cross Shield
70:1(cost), 0.1/1.7(wt), 12(CC)
Op: instant, worn ◊ s2a: 2hp, 4ep for main-act
Usage: worn(re-act) -> +rst(frc)+3 +rst(prc)+7, +rst(sls)+7 +rst(elec)+2, +rst(fire)+2, +rst(heat)+3
-> 2ep for 10 act
Description: So called because when not active, they appear like a crucifix sitting off-angle on the wrist. When activated, they become an oval energy shield that is particularly effective against piercing and electric weapons. This is a shield often used by the military.
Inertial Shield
15K:2(cost), 0.1/2(wt), 14(CC)
Op: instant, deployed, moved ◊ s2a: 2hp, 15ep for main-act
Usage:
◊ deploy(re-act) -> 2(range), +rst(frc)+6 +rst(prc)+6, +rst(sls)+8 +rst(elec)+2, +rst(fire)+4, +rst(heat)+4
◊ deploy(bonus-act)-> as above
◊ 2hp 5ep for 10 act
Description: The inertial shield is deployed from the wrist to a position within 2 metres of you with a re act, but it isn’t moved with the wrist. An inertial shield stays in place in was first deployed, until moved by the user in a bonus-act. This means that this shield is not used in melee combat (which would require the shield being movable with a re-act), but as a portable barrier in ranged combat. It is very effective against force damage (in addition to all the other protection afforded).