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 |
Jeremy Corff
Artist and Writer