Prismatic Shield Generator VS. regular shield generator

CMDR Kantos Kan · Jul 17, 2015

Anybody can give me some insight as to whether prismatic shields are really superior to regular shields?

I currently have a 6C shield generator on my Clipper. It's optimal mass is 540t and the max is 1350t. My Clipper is 609t unladen and 769t laden. When I look at the prismatic shields, like the description says, they use a lot more power and weight a lot more too. In term of mass, I would need to get the 6A prismatic shield to match my regular 6C shield. Yes, it's apparently much more powerful but I just cannot afford 24M CR right now.

What would be the downside of using a lower class prismatic shield, like the 4A or the 5A? The 4A is rated for an optimal mass of only 285t and max of 713t while the 5A is rated for an optimal mass of 405t and max mass of 1013t.

Anybody can shed some light on this? I'm not even sure I understand what the optimal mass and maximum mass affect the shield efficiency!

Thanks in advance!

Porina · Jul 17, 2015

From memory, the prismatic shields have 20% more strength than the same size A rated, but double mass. You can then look up the actual shield strength of the various standard models, add 20% and see what that gives you, and compare across the size classes.

I'm running a 4A Prismatic + 4x A boosters in my Clipper, to maximise space for cargo which having as much shield as possible in what's left.

Peuwi · Jul 17, 2015

To make it simple, prismatic 7A is similar yet better than normal 8A. Despite you cannot fit a 8A shield on your ship, if you could, you would. In that case, and if you have also plenty of power, prismatic is very very good.

About optimal mass : forget it. It's just an internal parameter combined to ship base shield to define what will be the strength on this shield on this ship. It's fixed depending on ship. Actual ship mass doesnt matter. (in fact, it's linked to fixed base ship hull mass, but it's just completely stupid from designers, since they add a base shield value on each ship, so it's just useless, even for them)
So, once again, "optimal mass", forget it.

Oh, and of course, power's specific modules are truly balanced, since prismatic users should be 80% of Aisling supporters, while all others specifics modules should vary between 0.001% and 20% top. And all power have only 1 version, while Aisling get 7 modules.

CMDR Sun · Jul 17, 2015

A surprisingly good comparison can be made between your current 6C shield and a 4A prismatic shield.

On a clipper a 6C shield has the following characteristics:
226.67 MJ shield strength, a size 6 compartment, 40T mass, 1,797,726 CR cost, 3.10 MW of power draw

On a clipper a 4A prismatic shield has the following characteristics:
230.18 MJ shield strength, a size 4 compartment, 20T mass, 2,415,120 CR cost, 4.62 MW of power draw

So the prismatic shield of approximately the same strength costs an extra 617,394 CR, gives you 48T of extra cargo space, saves you 20T of mass, but requires 1.52 MW more power.

Phoenix13 · Jul 17, 2015

I put CL7 prismatic on my combat clipper. Since clipper shields suck to begin with, I don't notice a big difference, tho it is only 20%. However I got it to with with 2 boosters and double chaff. Gets tricky balancing SCB's and weapons tho.

CMDR Kantos Kan · Jul 17, 2015

Thanks. So, from what you're saying, I should see more strength from the prismatic 5A than my current 6C? I might just try it. The 5C is rated for a maximum mass of 1013t as opposed to the 6C 1050t max, but since I'm well below that even fully laden. Power consumption goes from 3.1MW to 5.46MW but with my 5A power plant, that's not a problem. Will have to see if it's really stronger when in use.

Still not sure how the maximum mass affect the shield, though. Like what would happen if I was trying to fit the 3A prismatic shield which is rated for a max of 413t? Or, more generally, what happens when you equip with a shield generator that has a maximum mass less than your ship mass? I would imagine it's less effective but that's only my guess...

- - - Updated - - -

CMDR Sun said:
A surprisingly good comparison can be made between your current 6C shield and a 4A prismatic shield.

On a clipper a 6C shield has the following characteristics:
226.67 MJ shield strength, a size 6 compartment, 40T mass, 1,797,726 CR cost, 3.10 MW of power draw

On a clipper a 4A prismatic shield has the following characteristics:
230.18 MJ shield strength, a size 4 compartment, 20T mass, 2,415,120 CR cost, 4.62 MW of power draw

So the prismatic shield of approximately the same strength costs an extra 617,394 CR, gives you 48T of extra cargo space, saves you 20T of mass, but requires 1.52 MW more power.

Wow! Thanks! That's a great comparison! I didn't think I could get that low with the prismatic! I guess it's now at the top of my shopping list!

cmmcleod · Jul 17, 2015

laurent said:
Anybody can give me some insight as to whether prismatic shields are really superior to regular shields?

I currently have a 6C shield generator on my Clipper. It's optimal mass is 540t and the max is 1350t. My Clipper is 609t unladen and 769t laden. When I look at the prismatic shields, like the description says, they use a lot more power and weight a lot more too. In term of mass, I would need to get the 6A prismatic shield to match my regular 6C shield. Yes, it's apparently much more powerful but I just cannot afford 24M CR right now.

What would be the downside of using a lower class prismatic shield, like the 4A or the 5A? The 4A is rated for an optimal mass of only 285t and max of 713t while the 5A is rated for an optimal mass of 405t and max mass of 1013t.

Anybody can shed some light on this? I'm not even sure I understand what the optimal mass and maximum mass affect the shield efficiency!

Thanks in advance!

You can determine all of this here http://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial_clipper/

PM me if you have any questions are regarding power management, etc

CMDR Kantos Kan · Jul 17, 2015

cmmcleod said:
You can determine all of this here http://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial_clipper/

PM me if you have any questions are regarding power management, etc

Thanks, will do!

BTW, very nice work on the Coriolis web site! I like it a lot!

Ranualf · Jul 17, 2015

Myself and several other followers of Mahon have just defected because of the Sparkly shields

Sorry Edmund, but the trade bonous was cool, and we made l millions off you, but the disney princess has sparkly shields that will make combat sooo much better...

Mr_Blastman · Jul 17, 2015

CMDR Sun said:
A surprisingly good comparison can be made between your current 6C shield and a 4A prismatic shield.

On a clipper a 6C shield has the following characteristics:
226.67 MJ shield strength, a size 6 compartment, 40T mass, 1,797,726 CR cost, 3.10 MW of power draw

On a clipper a 4A prismatic shield has the following characteristics:
230.18 MJ shield strength, a size 4 compartment, 20T mass, 2,415,120 CR cost, 4.62 MW of power draw

So the prismatic shield of approximately the same strength costs an extra 617,394 CR, gives you 48T of extra cargo space, saves you 20T of mass, but requires 1.52 MW more power.

Thermodynamics insists the smaller shield generator should be hotter, too. Is it?

Chaodiurn · Jul 17, 2015

Mr_Blastman said:
Thermodynamics insists the smaller shield generator should be hotter, too. Is it?

Weirdly enough, my ship doesn't run any cooler whether the shield generator is turned on or off. It seems only to affect the EM-noise of the ship.

Porina · Jul 18, 2015

Done some playing around with the numbers. I'm looking only at relative shield strength, and not other factors like power requirements and weight.

Prismatic 3A is roughly equivalent to standard 4C shields, and between 5D/5E.
Prismatic 4A is roughly equivalent to standard 7E and 6C shields, and is more powerful than standard 5A.
Prismatic 5A is roughly equivalent to standard 7C and 6A shields.
Prismatic 6A is slightly stronger than standard 7A shields.

In my chosen configuration, I'm running 4A prismatic shields with 4x 0A boosters. This is stronger than 7A prismatic shields by itself.

nosscar · Jul 18, 2015

So currently i am running a 6A sheild on my Anaconda, i like it well kitted out for combat, but i also like to trade with it. So i currently have only 384t of cargo space.
So reading this thread, do you guys think it is worth my while going for the prismatic, and replacing my 6A with a prismatic 5A to give me the extra 32t of cargo space. I also run with 6 Shield boosters.

edit: just checked, (website now shows prismatic shields)
1123.63 mj (220%) with 6A sheilds.
1120.24 mj (220%) with 5A prismatic.
933.53mj with normal 5A.
So just slightly lower than a 6A, but much better than standard 5A.

Porina · Jul 18, 2015

According to calculators, for an Anaconda (without boosters):
6A shields, 40T, 510.74MJ, 4.34MW
5A Prismatic, 40T, 509.2MJ, 5.46MW

So near enough same weight, same capacity (same boosters will have same proportionate effect on both), with Prismatics taking a bit more power in exchange for the size difference.

nosscar · Jul 18, 2015

Porina said:
According to calculators, for an Anaconda (without boosters):
6A shields, 40T, 510.74MJ, 4.34MW
5A Prismatic, 40T, 509.2MJ, 5.46MW

So near enough same weight, same capacity (same boosters will have same proportionate effect on both), with Prismatics taking a bit more power in exchange for the size difference.

Thanks, so worth it really to get extra 32t cargo and same shield strength.

CMDR Kantos Kan · Jul 18, 2015

Porina said:
Done some playing around with the numbers. I'm looking only at relative shield strength, and not other factors like power requirements and weight.

Prismatic 3A is roughly equivalent to standard 4C shields, and between 5D/5E.
Prismatic 4A is roughly equivalent to standard 7E and 6C shields, and is more powerful than standard 5A.
Prismatic 5A is roughly equivalent to standard 7C and 6A shields.
Prismatic 6A is slightly stronger than standard 7A shields.

In my chosen configuration, I'm running 4A prismatic shields with 4x 0A boosters. This is stronger than 7A prismatic shields by itself.

I picked up the 5A prismatic yesterday with 2 A0 shield boosters and got in a couple of fight. The difference was noticeable. Of course, I got into maybe 3 or 4 fights so it might not be really representative but it seems the 5A is much better than the 6C I had before, both with the 2 A0 shield boosters. I also added a shield cell bank.

Thanks to all who contributed to the thread!

Axelsson · Jul 20, 2015

I'm on a business trip in Japan, cannot play ED so I've been theorycrafting with prismatic shields a little. Some of my ships would benefit from prismatic shields, but some don't (because of power constraints). Will go for upgrades to Prismatic on my Anaconda, Python, Asp, Cobra, Federal Dropship, Imperial Clipper, Imperial Courier and Viper.
All of these builds are PvE, I don't really play PvP.

Anaconda: Better with Prismatic on both PvE War (20%) and Trade (16%) configuration. A7 and A4 prismatic respectivly. Prismatic A7 + 7*A0 boosters...

http://goo.gl/yCFZXr

Python: 20% better with Prismatic A6 as power is not an issue
http://goo.gl/tGqLL0

Asp: Cannot find a better build for a combat Asp that 14% increase. Still worth it.
http://goo.gl/wzzGdV

Cobra: I will fit a Prismatic A4 for 20% increase on my combat Cobra (even thou it was a while since it saw any action)
http://goo.gl/WxYjPZ

Federal Dropship: Nice 20% improvement with Prismatic shields since power is not an issue.
http://goo.gl/mvSzlb

Fer de Lance: I won't bother, to little improvement.
http://goo.gl/93y92i

Imperial Clipper: 20% improvement, but much extra cost since it is Prismatic A7. Love my Clipper so I will still go for it.
http://goo.gl/gFlMQK

Imperial Courier: 20% improvement since there is power to spare.
http://goo.gl/f6Jq9E

Viper: Not an improvement in shield strength, but actually cheaper (!) and can fit an chaff launcher. Recommended.
http://goo.gl/YdcE02

Vulture: Impossible to fit Prismatic shields in any way better that regular + boosters. To limited power-wise.
http://goo.gl/txkxsu

Diamondback Explorer: Not enough power for more than 5% increase, won't bother.
http://goo.gl/hECXpj

Helvetios · Dec 9, 2016

great thread guys, i finally get my prismatics back tonight after loosing them to a storage bug, its been a long 4 weeks to wait... at least they were gracious enough to give me the cash back for them

Kortossis · Jan 18, 2017

Helvetios said:
great thread guys, i finally get my prismatics back tonight after loosing them to a storage bug, its been a long 4 weeks to wait... at least they were gracious enough to give me the cash back for them

Where do you find the 5a prismatic shields??? Used INARA they dont list any place to obtain them.

CMDR Kantos Kan · Jan 18, 2017

Kortossis said:
Where do you find the 5a prismatic shields??? Used INARA they dont list any place to obtain them.

eddb.io is usually your best friend to find specific modules. Choose Stations, then it should be pretty obvious.

Addendum: it seems there is a problem with those PowerPlay prismatic. eddb.io doesn't show any available anywhere. You can go to Ray Gateway in Diaguandri as they have most stuff at 15% discount. Safe bet would be Jameson Memorial in Shinrarta Dezhra with a 10% discount but you need the Founders permit to get there.