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Starfinder – Shields of Sci-Fi

Energy Shields

With the new Starfinder playtest, one of the fun new additions to the system are shields (not like force field shields on ships, actual physical shields). Energy swords and a host of other strange melee weapons are common enough in the genre, but how many Sci-Fantasy settings actually use shields? Let’s stat up a few examples.

Mandalorian Energy Bucklers

I first saw these they were used by Durge in the Genndy Tartakovsky Clone Wars cartoon, but they show up in some of the 3d animated Star Wars shows. Writing them up, they look like they can be activated as a reaction, and work much like the basic Tactical Shield from the playtest. And, of course, can be installed into the upgrade slot of an armor. So:

Name Level Cost Shield Bonus Max Dex Bonus Armor Check Penalty Speed Adjustment Bulk
Basic Energy Buckler 1 450c +0/+2 -1 1
Tactical E. Buckler 5 3000c +1/+3 -1 1
Commando E. Buckler 10 18500c +1/+4 -1 1
Mandalorian E. Buckler 15 135000c +1/+5 -1 1
Deathwatch E. Buckler 20 950000c +2/+5 -1 1

Gungan Battle Shields

Notably used in the Phantom Menace, a movie you might be hoping to forget, these are actually pretty cool looking things. Full body riot shield sized, and able to reflect virtually all projectiles, they are quite sturdy. Activation is a move action that encompasses drawing the shield and turning it on. These are not available as an armor upgrade.

Name Level Cost Shield Bonus Max Dex Bonus Armor Check Penalty Speed Adjustment Bulk
Basic Personal Energy Shield 1 450c +1/+2 +4 -1 -5 ft. 2
Riot Personal E. Shield 5 3000c +1/+3 +4 -1 -5 ft. 2
Phalanx Personal E. Shield 10 18500c +2/+4 +4 -1 -5 ft. 2
Gungan Personal E. Shield 15 135000c +2/+5 +4 -1 -5 ft. 2
Elite Gungan Personal E. Shield 20 950000c +3/+5 +4 -1 -5 ft. 2

Bayard Energy Shield

Employed by Emperor Zarkon himself in the new Voltron cartoon, this energy shield was able to stop attacks from what was effectively a starship. Activated as a reaction, but otherwise like a Riot Shield. No low level versions, this one starts at the top. See my previous posts about Voltron in Starfinder.

Name Level Cost Shield Bonus Max Dex Bonus Armor Check Penalty Speed Adjustment Bulk
Zarkon Bayard E. Shield 20 priceless +6/+10 +4 -2 -10 ft. 2

Psionic Energy Shield

Cable, in the recent Deadpool movie, had this nifty item integrated into his cybernetic limb. Activated as a reaction like the bucklers above, this one can be slotted into an armor upgrade slot (or one that is part of a prosthetic limb).

Name Level Cost Shield Bonus Max Dex Bonus Armor Check Penalty Speed Adjustment Bulk
Cable Psionic E. Shield 8 14000c +0/+5 -5 ft. 1

Categories: Article Writing

Jeremy Corff

Artist and Writer