[Krsqk]

IMHO, if you have to rely on OA to save your ship, you've lost already. If you start with no shields, or you don't have any left, then IDs will make your ship useless. Even if it can fire, it's a sitting duck. I think the same applies to most armor for defense--shields are simply superior. I know armor gives more protection per kt; but a single shield generator blocks IDs, and all the armor in the world won't do that. If the Skips All Shields damage ability were used on a single weapon in the unmodded game, then you'd have to include both shields and armor. Now, you just load up on phased shields, and stealth and scattering armor are included simply because of the ECM bonus.

There is also a Only Planet Destroyers damage type (also not used in the unmodded game). I would love to see all the damage types used somehow with weapons in the next (or the next next) patch. Of course, quarter/half/double/quad damage needs to be fixed first.