SHIELDMATRIX
Keywords: SHIELDMATRIX, SHIELDM
=== USER MANUAL ===
Usage: shieldmatrix <ship>
Description:
Project a temporary defense matrix around an allied ship in
the same starsystem. The target gains 250 tempshield, a
damage pool that soaks incoming hits before the ship's
regular shield and hull. Lasts 120 seconds or until depleted.
This is the signature ability of the Science Vessel hull
-- only Science Vessels can project shield matrices.
Effect on Target:
Temp shield pool ..... 250 points stacked on top of
regular shield. Displayed as part of the
shield total in shipstat.
Damage ordering ...... Incoming hits chew tempshield first.
If a single hit exceeds tempshield,
remainder leaks through to shield and the
matrix dissipates early.
Duration ............. 120 seconds if not depleted.
Replenishing:
Casting shieldmatrix on a ship that already has an active
matrix replenishes it: the old timer is cancelled, a fresh
250-point pool is applied, and the 120-second window starts
over. Target sees:
<ship> replenishes your defense matrix.
Useful to keep a tank bubble up through a drawn-out fight.
Charge Sequence:
2 seconds (1 second for staff) of quiet charge. Interrupts
abort the matrix with:
You are interrupted, and the shield matrix destabalizes.
Energy Cost:
1,000 energy consumed on successful cast. No energy is
spent on interrupt.
Requirements:
Pilot seat ......... Must be at the ship's helm.
Pilot access ....... Must own the ship or be a listed pilot.
Spacecraft ......... Stations and non-spacecraft hulls cannot
project.
Science Vessel ..... Ship model must be SCIENCEVESSEL:
"This isn't a Science Vessel!"
Energy >= 1000 ..... "You need at least 1000 units of
energy!"
Target named ....... "What ship?" if omitted.
Target in system ... Target must be in same starsystem and
visible: "That ship isn't here."
Echo (Charging):
You initialize the defense matrix. (you)
<n> initializes the defense matrix. (caster room)
Echo (Completion - New):
Defense matrix generated! (you)
<ship> creates a defense matrix around your hull.
(target cockpit)
<ship> creates a defense matrix around <target>.
(starsystem)
Echo (Completion - Replenish):
<ship> replenishes your defense matrix. (target cockpit)
Echo (Dissipation):
Runs when the matrix expires or is chewed through:
The defense matrix dissipates. (target cockpit)
The defense matrix around <target> dissipates. (starsystem)
Notes:
- Can be cast on your own ship for a self-buff -- just
name your own ship in the argument.
- The 250-point pool is a hard cap regardless of how many
times you cast. Replenishing refreshes the timer but does
not exceed 250 tempshield.
- Tempshield and regular shield are separate accounting.
shipstat displays the combined total: (shield + tempshield)
/ maxshield.
- scanship on a target shows Max Shields but not
tempshield -- check shipstat for actual live value.
Strategic Notes:
- Stack with disruptionweb on the enemy: disable their
fire, matrix your tank, then overwhelm them.
- Science Vessels are fragile but clutch in fleet
engagements -- keep one in the back line to rolling-matrix
allies.
- The dissipate-on-overshoot rule means a single massive
hit will waste the remaining tempshield. If you're bracing
for big guns (railguns, leviathans), replenish mid-fight
rather than relying on one cast.
Related Helpfiles: DISRUPTIONWEB, FOLDSPACE, WORMHOLE, SHIPSTAT, SCANSHIP, TARGET
=== END MANUAL ===