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Shield Points

Source Tech Core pg. 172
A starship’s Shield Points (SP) represent how much damage its shields can sustain before being depleted. Track each starship’s current and maximum Shield Points separately from its current and maximum Hull Points; when a starship takes damage, reduce its Shield Points first, then apply any remaining damage to its Hull Points.

Shield Points can’t be restored by effects that restore Hull Points, but they can be restored by other means, such as the Generate Shields action at the generator battle station. An effect can restore a starship’s Shield Points even if it has 0 Hull Points; restoring shields has no effect on a starship’s Hull Points or any other conditions resulting from hull damage, but in this case, the Shield Points might still protect the ship from taking enough damage to be destroyed (see Destroying Starships below).
Mode of Play and Starships
While you're on your starship, you can engage with each mode of play in a unique way. During encounter mode, characters interact with a map of their starship as well as the enemies and hazards on the sensor map. Characters can use most of their abilities as normal during a tactical starship encounter, but they won't be able to make an impact on starship-scale objects and creatures unless they're helming a starship station. Starship stations determine a character's role in the encounter and grant special actions that allow them to control their starship and engage with hazards and creatures of a scale far greater than they would be able to tackle themselves.

Exploration mode represents the act of exploring or traveling in a dangerous environment. Players choose starship exploration activities to represent their activities during exploration mode. These activities also determine what they're doing at the start of any tactical starship combat encounters that might arise. For example, a character performing Active Maneuvers from the pilot's console is actively piloting the ship and can more easily evade attacks at the start of combat.

Downtime mode takes place over days. On board a starship, downtime often occurs during travel through the Drift, so PCs might be limited in the downtime activities they can choose. New activities are available on starships with expansion bays, along with general downtime activities that are usually available on any planet, space station, or port.
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Starship Saving Throws >>