The strength of the shields and the ship's armor is determined by the mass of the ship's hull. The mass of cargo, fuel, weapons and engines does not count toward stronger shields.
The percentage of energy lost from a shield that is hit by enemy fire follows the formula:
LOSS% = Tetawatts * (80 / (hull_mass + 1 ))
For a list of weapon energy output stats
see Weapon Killing / Destructive Power
All torpedoes have a 35% chance of missing their target.
The percentage of damage done to a ship's hull follows
The formula:
DAMAGE DONE % = Tetawatts(E) * ( 80 / (hull_mass + 1) )
CREW KILLED = Tetawatts(K) * ( 80 / (hull_mass + 1) )
SHIP DAMAGE EFFECTING WEAPONS AND ENGINES
A damaged starship may loose some of its firepower and shield strength.
SHIELD STRENGTH = 100 - ( SHIP_DAMAGE )
MAX BEAM BANKS = 10 - ( SHIP_DAMAGE / 10 )
MAX FIGHT BAYS = 10 - ( SHIP_DAMAGE / 10 )
MAX TORP TUBES = 10 - ( SHIP_DAMAGE / 10 )
A damaged starship must slow.
MAX WARP SPEED = 10 - ( SHIP_DAMAGE / 10 )