# Shields
Shields are collectible items during the game that protect the player from incoming damage. Each type of shield has a certain amount of health points and a damage absorption ratio that varies depending on the shield. There are four types of shields: the [[game:shields:wood|Wooden Shield]], the [[game:shields:iron|Iron Shield]], the [[game:shields:gold|Gold Shield]], and the [[game:shields:magnetic|Magnetic Shield]].

In most [[game:modes|game modes]], the player spawns with a [[game:shields:wood|Wooden Shield]], except in the “full-stuff” mode where the player spawns with an [[game:shields:iron|Iron Shield]]. In [[game:modes:capture|Capture the Base]] mode with the "regeneration" mutator, players spawn with a damaged [[game:shields:wood|Wooden Shield]] with 30 health points, which regenerates and evolves when staying near a base controlled by their team.

## Equipping a Shield
To equip a shield, simply pass over it so that it is automatically equipped. The shield currently equipped by the player must have fewer health points than the shield to pick up. When the player is wearing a [[game:shields:power_armor|Powered Armor]], all shields on the [[game:maps|map]] appear as robotic pieces that restore 50 health points to the [[game:shields:power_armor|Powered Armor]]. The spawn locations of shields are fixed, meaning a shield of a certain type will always appear at the same location on the [[game:maps|map]].

The more powerful a shield is, the rarer it will be on the [[game:maps|map]], whereas the Wooden Shield is quite common. Gold [[game:shields:gold|Shields]] and [[game:shields:magnetic|Magnetic Shields]] are much harder to find.

## Shield Statistics
Each shield has a different amount of health points and damage absorption. The most effective shields are rarer to find on the map and also take longer to respawn.

| Shield                                       | Health Points            | Absorption | Respawn Time             |
|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------|------------|--------------------------|
| [Wooden Shield](game:shields:wood)          | 75 (100 for Soldier)     | 25 %       | Between 8 and 16 seconds* |
| [Iron Shield](game:shields:iron)            | 125 (175 for Soldier)    | 50 %       | Between 12 and 24 seconds* |
| [Gold Shield](game:shields:gold)            | 200 (275 for Soldier)    | 75 %       | Between 16 and 32 seconds* |
| [Magnetic Shield](game:shields:magnetic)    | 150 (250 for Soldier)    | 100 %      | Between 14 and 28 seconds* |
| [Powered Armor](game:shields:power_armor)   | 300                      | 85 %       | Between 40 and 60 seconds  |

\* Respawn time varies depending on the number of players, except for the Powered Armor. Below 6 players, respawn time is maximal and decreases linearly up to 24 players.

## Special Abilities by Class
  * [[game:classes:soldier|Soldier]]: Players using this [[game:classes|class]] benefit from shields with more health points compared to other classes. This bonus does not apply to Powered Armor.
  * [[game:classes:physicist|Physicist]]: One of the active abilities of this class allows the shield to be temporarily repaired via damage taken. This also works for self-inflicted damage or damage from teammates.