Plasma shield


 * Shields redirect here. For the marine shield, see Ballistic Alloy Combat Shield.

The plasma shield is a protoss defense method created by a blend of psionic power and technology. The technological aspect renders them vulnerable to EMP effects.

Overview and History
During the Aeon of Strife, protoss warriors created personal shields by focusing psionic energy. The protoss later reproduced the effect using psi-field generators. These generators could be installed in machines giving protoss vehicles shields as well. Psionically powerful protoss such as Khastiana can still enhance the power of their shields. Shields must be dropped to make use of some physical contact-based psionic abilities.

Terran Dominion tactics state that plasma shields are best overcome by mass fire.

StarCraft I
Shields points act as another form of hit points and are usually lost first. Unlike regular HP, plasma shields always suffer full damage regardless of the type of attack used against them or the size of the shielded object. For example, a large-sized dragoon's shields will take full damage from concussive damage attacks such as from a vulture.

Shield points have a separate "armor" rating from regular hit points. The base "armor" is 0 and may be upgraded. This applies to both units and buildings. Shield points regenerate slowly but a shield battery may be used to restore them faster.

Shields caught within the terran science vessel's EMP Shockwave are reduced to 0 points.

StarCraft II
Shields regenerate very quickly out of combat (after 10 seconds have passed), but do not regenerate when a unit is taking damage.

Shields take the same bonus damage as the unit they are protecting.

Shields still suffer from EMP; however, the EMP Shot is now shot by the instead and takes 100 points away from the shields rather than a full drain.