Target Shields

One of the most notable features of this Tactic card is its glaring lack of any HULL damage number at all - the only tactic that's missing that form of damage, and it's no mistake. So why would anyone want to use it? If blowing up ships and outposts is your cup of tea, you probably wouldn't. But if you prefer boarding parties and captives, it's exactly what you need, because it literally targets only SHIELDS. As a damage marker, this card takes any SHIELDS enhancements off line and knocks down the existing SHIELDS by -2 per marker. That means (if it's also your current tactic) a hit takes 4 off the SHIELDS, a direct hit 8 - and even if you don't hit, you still get to place the current tactic as damage and take 2 off the target's SHIELDS.

The uses for SHIELD draining are numerous: set up anything that requires low SHIELDS, like Romulan Ambush, or just board a ship whose SHIELDS have been drained to 0 and start a fight with the crew.

Combo:

• Target Shields + Loss of Orbital Stability: While this interrupt may be good for a stall, it rarely destroys the ship because so few have SHIELDS low enough to trigger the effect. But a simple hit can drop the SHIELDS of many ships far enough. Target Shields + Outgunned: Much easier to outgun a ship that has been "pre-treated" with Target Shields.