Shield Generator 5

Shield Generator 5

A Shield Generator 5 or Shield Generator Level 5 is an upgrade that can be installed on spacecraft to add defensive shields. Shield generators use 100 gigawatts and provide the equivalent of 100 centimeters of protective durasteel. They are available for sale to privateers at ship dealers. Shield Generator 5 can be cycled to two thirds power, one third power or turned off in-flight to divert power to other systems. Gabriel Quentin wrote about shield generators in GEMINI SECTOR: AN OVERVIEW, recommending that spacecraft owners have one higher level of engine upgrade than shield.

Specifications

Version	Levels	Power	Regen	Front	Back	Sides	Effect	Cost	Resale	Resale Damaged	Repairs
Privateer	3	100 GW	4	50 cm	50 cm	50 cm ea.	100%	150,000 credits	100,000 credits	15,000 credits	121-11,881 credits

Users

A Shield Generator 5 may be installed on the stock Orion. By 2670, the generator supported the Galaxy.

Bounty Hunters

• Orion

Merchants

• Drayman

Terran Confederation

• A-17 Broadsword

Images

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Wing Commander Privateer Player's Guide

Shield Generators

There are five levels of shield. Not all are available for every ship. Each uses 100 gigawatts and provides the equivalent of 100 cm of durasteel protective value. Be sure you have enough power to generate any shields you purchase. If other systems need power, you can divert power from your shields by turning them off or, if they are strong enough, decreasing their power by steps.

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Privateer Playtesters' Guide

ENGINES AND SHIELDS

There are three main functions on the ship that require energy to run: the guns, the afterburners and the shield generators. The tractor beam also requires energy, but is less likely to drain your energy stores quickly. Each engine level provides a discrete amount of energy which is shared by all four functions. Therefore, you need to care-fully balance your weapons loudest and your shield upgrades with your engine level so you will always have sufficient energy resources at your disposal.

MAXIMUM UPGRADE LEVELS FOR PLAYER SHIPS

Possible Ship Upgade Levels	Tarsus	Galaxy	Centurion	Orion
Maximum Engine Upgrade	1	3	3	5
Maximum Shield Upgrade	2	3	3	5

You will begin flying each mission with all shields activated. This uses a sizeable por-tion of your energy resources. Pressing S cycles through all possible shield usage levels, from high to low. (Pressing S with shields off brings them back on at full power.)

POSSIBLE USAGE LEVELS FOR EACH SHIELD UPGRADE

		Steps in Usage Level
Upgrades
	1	Off	Full Shields
	2	Off	Level 1	Full Shields
	3-5	Off	Level 1	Level 2	Full Shields

SHIELD AND ENERGY UPGRADE COMBINATIONS

		Shield Upgrades
		1	2	3	4	5
Engine Upgrades
	1	Good	Not advisable	Doesn't work	Doesn't work	Doesn't work
	2	Ideal	Good	Not advisable	Doesn't work	Doesn't work
	3	Not advisable	Ideal	Good	Not advisable	Doesn't work
	4	Not advisable	Not advisable	Ideal	Good	Not advisable
	5	Not advisable	Not advisable	Not advisable	Ideal	Good

Each Ideal shield and engine combination allows you to fly and fight at nearly all times with all shields activated. With Ideal combinations, it takes about 2.5 seconds for your guns to recharge to full firing power.

For Each Good shield and engine combination, it is advisable to keep your shield usage at level 1 or 2. With Good combinations, it takes about 4 seconds for your guns to recharge to full firing power.

• Ideally, you should keep your shields on Level 1 or 2 at all times. If you turn them off completely and then decide to toggle back through to a different level, your shields will take several seconds to regenerate. During this time you will be vulnerable to all enemy attacks. — "Deetchman"

• If you're a good pilot, you could risk turning off your shields and immediately turning them back on when your enemy is turning away from you. This will give you a tremendous boost of energy for your guns and your afterburners. Pray that your enemy doesn't turn around and shoot at you too soon or you might take serious damage. This strategy is only advisable for the brave pilot. — "Lord Emperor"

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Appearances

• Wing Commander Privateer Player's Guide
• Wing Commander Privateer
• Privateer Playtesters' Guide
• Privateer Righteous Fire

Behind the Screens

Source Models

• SHIELD - Shield Generator