Summary of Harmonic Shields levels:
I- in rulebook; bases only.
II- in rulebook; ships; same cost.
III- better red hex performance; same cost.
IV- X-FTR may operate in red hexes (fighters cost more).
V- see below; costs more
This enhanced version of Harmonic Shields allows the placement of black dwarf star coating on the hull w/o shield interference. You must have all previous HS techs. It doesn't affect attrition units. It only works on X1 or X2 ships and bases. A unit with HS-V will have the suffix "a" after it (XCAa). All units ships cost an extra 20% (this surcharge stacks with the 45% one for HS-I/II/III). Existing units can be refitted at the empire's normal refit rate for the cost difference (i.e., 20% to refit an XCA# to an XCAa). Example: A ship with WE and HS-V techs would cost 70% more [5% for WE, 45% for HS-III, 20% for HS-V]) to construct.
It adds amour to the ship classes as shown in the table below:
| Size Class | X1 | X2 |
|---|---|---|
| SC1 | +4 | +5 |
| SC2 | +3 | +4 |
| SC3 | +2 | +3 |
| SC4 | +1 | +2 |
The armor only works when a ship is targeted via DirDam and Partial DirDam. It does not work vs special attacks (maulers, missiles, AAP, etc..).
The armor reduces the amount of damage taken in a combat round until the armor value is reached (regardless of how many hits taken, for example in a combat round a ship could be affected by Partial DirDam and DirDam, but the armor works that round until it's armor value has been reached). Once a unit loses 50% of its DF in a battle the armor is presumed destroyed and no longer works (self repair via (D3.10) and (D3.20) doesn't repair it, nor does repair via various Legendary Officers (D11.0)). The armor is considered lost as soon as the 50% DF reduction happens, even if a LO immediately repairs it, Once it loses its armor, the ship needs to visit a facility that can build a ship for 1 segment to repair it (B8.300). Repairing the armor can be done at the same time as other repairs are done (i.e. a FFX being repaired at a SB would have its armor repaired in 1 segment and it would be fully repaired if it stayed around for 3 more segments).The repair is free.
Example: A Klingon D8a (60DF) with a Legendary Engineer (repairs 4 points of damage per combat round) is targeted for one point of PDD. This is absorbed by the armor and leaves 2 more points of absorption in the armor for the combat round. The next round 7 points of PDD are done to the ship. 3 of those are absorbed by the armor and the ship takes 4 points of actual damage. The LE repairs all the damage. The third round, the ship is hit with 33 points of PDD. The armor absorbs 3 points and 30 points are applied to the ship (which has now lost 50% of its DF). While the LE can repair enough damage to get the ship about the 50% limit, the armor is still considered lost on the ship.
This tech is only available after a successful R&D program (D1.0), but even after the success, HS-V may not be produced before Y200. Additional R&D successes can reduce the inception date.