Difference between revisions of "Small vs Large Disruption Shields (Apocalypse)"

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The [[Small Disruption Shield (Apocalypse)|Small Disruption Shield]] is the most useful of the two shield types, so why should you ever use the [[Large Disruption Shield (Apocalypse)|Large Disruption Shield]]? That question is often asked, and there is no real clear cut answer.
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The [[Small Disruption Shield (Apocalypse)|Small Disruption Shield]] is the most useful of the two shield types, so why should you ever use the [[Large Disruption Shield (Apocalypse)|Large Disruption Shield]]? That question is often asked, and there is no real clear winner.
  
 
The Large Disrupter Shield appears to be designed to be fitted in pairs on the [[Annihilator]], which is also the only ship that can make the best use of the large shields in combination with 3 small shields or a variety of other 2×2 options. On  
 
The Large Disrupter Shield appears to be designed to be fitted in pairs on the [[Annihilator]], which is also the only ship that can make the best use of the large shields in combination with 3 small shields or a variety of other 2×2 options. On  
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Why do the large shields work best on the Annihilator when it's inefficient on almost every other ship? The Annihilator has a 5×6 block of option slots, which is an uneven number of rows, as are the large shields.   
 
Why do the large shields work best on the Annihilator when it's inefficient on almost every other ship? The Annihilator has a 5×6 block of option slots, which is an uneven number of rows, as are the large shields.   
  
To arm an Annihilator with maximum shields, there are two options (henceforth referred as 6S and 2L3S respectively):  
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To arm an Annihilator with maximum shields, there are two options:  
# 6 small shields, with a 1×6 free gap. Or;
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# 2 large shields and 3 small shields, no gaps.  
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'''Option 1''': 6 small shields, with a 1×6 free gaps 
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'''Option 2''': 2 large shields and 3 small shields, no gaps   
  
 
The total amount of shielding provided by each method:  
 
The total amount of shielding provided by each method:  
#6S: 6 × 200 = '''1200'''
 
#2L3S: (2 × 400) + (3 × 200) = 800 + 600 = '''1400'''
 
  
The only benefit of using 6S is that you have that free 1×6 strip that can fit a variety of small or medium accuracy modifiers. Due to the nature of the weapons that you will fit on the Annihilator, there is little benefit to using the accuracy modules for anything but filler in this instance.  
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'''Option 1''': 6 × 200 = '''1200'''
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'''Option 2''': (2 × 400) + (3 × 200) = 800 + 600 = '''1400'''
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The only benefit of using option 1 is that you have that free 1×6 strip that can fit a variety of small or [[Medium Weapons Control (Apocalypse) | Medium Weapons Control]] systems. Due to the nature of the weapons that you will fit on the Annihilator, there is little benefit to using the accuracy modules for anything but filler in this instance.
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With option 2, if you replace one small shield with an X-Com [[Advanced Control System (Apocalypse)| Advanced Control System ]] , you will be given the same amount of shield energy as option 1, but with superior accuracy improvement over three medium control systems. Or if accuracy modification isn't your cup of tea, then a [[Missile Evasion Matrix (Apocalypse) | Missile Evasion Matrix]] or [[Teleporter (Apocalypse) | Teleporter ]] can be used in its place. The 2×2 gap offers more flexibility than the 1×6 strip.
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The only other ship that may benefit from the Large Shield would be the [[Explorer]]. It can fit only two small shields and a pair of medium accuracy controls, or one large shield and three small accuracy controls. As Accuracy controls of either calibre aren't terribly effective, it doesn't matter which setup is used as you will always get a maximum of 400 shield points.
  
With the 2L3S combination, if you replace one small shield with an X-Com advanced accuracy mod, you will be given the same amount of shield energy as 6S, but with a vastly superior accuracy increase. Or if accuracy modification isn't your cup of tea, then a Missile Evasion Matrix or Teleporter can be used. The 2×2 gap offers more flexibility than the 1×6 strip.
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The most obvious advantage of using both types of shields is that it extends your shield resources that you have, while sticking to one type limits it.  
  
The only other ship that may benefit from the Large Shield would be the Explorer. It can fit only two small shields and a pair of medium accuracy modifications, or one large shield and three small accuracy modifiers. As Accuracy modifiers of either caliber aren't terribly effective, it doesn't matter which setup is used as you'll always get a maximum of 400 shield points.
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In the end, it's an organization issue. If the maximum shield hit point count is your only concern, then go with whatever shield configuration can cover all available slots. If you want to throw in some other utility, go for the option that can net you at least one normal sized module.  
  
 
[[Category: Apocalypse]]
 
[[Category: Apocalypse]]

Revision as of 09:48, 20 November 2009

The Small Disruption Shield is the most useful of the two shield types, so why should you ever use the Large Disruption Shield? That question is often asked, and there is no real clear winner.

The Large Disrupter Shield appears to be designed to be fitted in pairs on the Annihilator, which is also the only ship that can make the best use of the large shields in combination with 3 small shields or a variety of other 2×2 options. On

On any other ship, the large shield will prove to be inefficient. A large shield will take up more slots than two smaller shields (9 vs. 8 slots), but provide an equal amount of shielding. On ships with 4×4 slot space, a large shield will only offer 400 extra hitpoints and any leftover room can only be filled with small accuracy modules. On the other hand, four small shields will fill all of the space, but provide 800 points of shield energy.

Why do the large shields work best on the Annihilator when it's inefficient on almost every other ship? The Annihilator has a 5×6 block of option slots, which is an uneven number of rows, as are the large shields.

To arm an Annihilator with maximum shields, there are two options:

Option 1: 6 small shields, with a 1×6 free gaps Option 2: 2 large shields and 3 small shields, no gaps

The total amount of shielding provided by each method:

Option 1: 6 × 200 = 1200 Option 2: (2 × 400) + (3 × 200) = 800 + 600 = 1400

The only benefit of using option 1 is that you have that free 1×6 strip that can fit a variety of small or Medium Weapons Control systems. Due to the nature of the weapons that you will fit on the Annihilator, there is little benefit to using the accuracy modules for anything but filler in this instance.

With option 2, if you replace one small shield with an X-Com Advanced Control System , you will be given the same amount of shield energy as option 1, but with superior accuracy improvement over three medium control systems. Or if accuracy modification isn't your cup of tea, then a Missile Evasion Matrix or Teleporter can be used in its place. The 2×2 gap offers more flexibility than the 1×6 strip.

The only other ship that may benefit from the Large Shield would be the Explorer. It can fit only two small shields and a pair of medium accuracy controls, or one large shield and three small accuracy controls. As Accuracy controls of either calibre aren't terribly effective, it doesn't matter which setup is used as you will always get a maximum of 400 shield points.

The most obvious advantage of using both types of shields is that it extends your shield resources that you have, while sticking to one type limits it.

In the end, it's an organization issue. If the maximum shield hit point count is your only concern, then go with whatever shield configuration can cover all available slots. If you want to throw in some other utility, go for the option that can net you at least one normal sized module.