This will likely sound like an odd question to some

[WanderDragon]

I was thinking lately about shields. I don't have problems with them, just curiosity.

What was the rationale for the shields to deflect and bounce shots rather than absorbing or otherwise just taking them like shields in several other sci-fi implementations of shields?

It just came to mind and I was wondering how the choice came about.

[zwzsg]

shieldrepulser=0;// 0=destroy projectile,1=repulse (bounce) projectile

[WanderDragon]

shieldrepulser=0;// 0=destroy projectile,1=repulse (bounce) projectile

I take this to mean it can go either way as a code feature.

I was more wondering the motivation it deflects and why that is the default?

[AF]

Because it made for a more impressive introduction video for the SYs

[KDR_11k]

Because it started out as a plasma repulsor.

[MidKnight]

I don't get it. The default? The default in what game? IN CA, the shields destroy projectiles by default.

[Forboding Angel]

Same in Evo and most other games tbh. I think repulsors are only used in *A

[WanderDragon]

Thank you for the responses.

I was just curious after it came to mind. Haven't seen CA shield in use in a game yet as I have mostly been trying to become a non-noobtard about econ with the 1 Pass Greenland and Big Pass Greenland maps. I'm substantially better than I was when I first started enjoying Spring at least, but still I stall myself into a stupor for a while.

Deflection does leave me with one other question though. Do bounced plasma shots damage anything they DO land on or are they at that point effectively for show?

[zwzsg]

This would have answered your question if it weren't so blurry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5eBkn45Jo4

[Neddie]

I remember them causing damage wherever they bounced to.

[SinbadEV]

I think the idea of a "force field" necessitates a kinetic reaction to a physical projectile... I imagine it would use less energy if it just deflected the projectile instead of absorbing the full shock... that and it looks cool... personally my personal sci-fi perspective would expect "shields" to act the same way a invulnerable physical barrier would... namely lazers would be absorbed (or allowed to pass because they are actually just light), rockets would explode on impact, and solid projectiles (like bullets, plasma blobs) would bounce or be deflected.

Also note that units can walk through most shields... as such I think of them as jello (gelatin dessert)... a marble will bounce on jello but a spoon can cut it through maintained force.

[Karl]

This could be achieved by applying 2 "weapons" to it
one bounce/deflect and the other would just destroy it

[Forboding Angel]

Yeah that's been done before.

[WanderDragon]

Interesting answers.

And yes, based on that YouTube video, deflected shots are still dangerous. That video also shows one HELL of a lucky shot. And a really, REALLY big hole.

I suppose we won't really know the truth in how practical deflection is versus absorption until they invent a real energy shield.