Shields & Armour --- what's the point?

[Zarix]

Emissive armor is totally useless. Stealth and scattering armor gives defensive modifier that stacks so with both you can have +30. That is a lot.

Choice between normal and phased shields depends on your enemies. It is good to remember that if your enemy uses phased weapons normal shield become totally useless. I agree with you on that normal shields shoudn't be replaced by phased in the design window.

Also armor stops mine damage but shields don't.

Yes, Null Space skips both armor and any shields.