Cogitator OnlineArchive LexicanumRecords // Threat File · Shield DroneMachine-Spirit Wary
Signal ▮▮▮▯▯Session 0x1F3AClearance Vermillion00:00:00 M41.026
Lexicanum

Shield Drone

A drone designed to absorb or redirect incoming attacks.

Threat File — Shield Drone

TR 2 · T'au Empire
T'auDroneShieldStat Block Priority: Low
Shield DroneTR 2Machine · Defender
T'auDroneShield
Defense 13 · Vitality 12 · Move Fly 40 ft. (hover) · Initiative +2
STR -1AGI +2TGH +1INT -2WIL +0PRS -4
// Traits

Shield Projector. The drone's ward gains +1 Defense against ranged attacks while the drone is adjacent to it.

Field Surge. Once per scene, the drone negates one critical hit against its ward, then burns out its projector: it loses Shield Projector for the rest of the scene.

// Actions

Guardian Shift. The drone moves up to its full Movement to remain adjacent to its ward, ignoring Reactive Fire and difficult terrain. It carries no weapon worth the name.

// Reactions

Sacrificial Interpose. Once per round, when an attack hits the drone's ward within 5 feet, the drone is struck instead.

Morale: Does not make Morale checks (machine protocol). It dies in front of its ward by design.

Tactics: Glue the drone to whatever the encounter cannot afford to lose early. Every attack it eats is a wasted enemy turn; two shield drones on one commander is not unfair, it is doctrine.

Loot / Evidence / Hooks: A burned-out shield generator whose field emitter is still worth a small fortune intact.

Enemy Dossier

GM Reference

A hovering shield generator whose entire purpose is making your killing shot hit something expendable. Standard escort for anything the T'au consider worth keeping.

// Battlefield Use

Use this enemy to protect a leader, spotter, or battlesuit and force the party to shoot through it first.

// Threat Profile

Threat Profile: Low offense, damage-absorption escort, hover mobility, priority-target logic — kill it before the thing it guards.

// Signature Traits

Sacrificial Interpose. Once per round, a hit against its ward within 5 feet strikes the drone instead.

Shield Projector. Its ward gains +1 Defense against ranged attacks while the drone is adjacent.

// Signature Actions

Guardian Shift. Moves to remain adjacent to its ward, ignoring Reactive Fire.

Field Surge. Once per scene, negates one critical hit against the ward, burning out afterward at GM discretion.

Morale: No Morale — machine protocol; it dies in front of its ward by design.

Tactics: Glue the drone to whatever the encounter cannot afford to lose early. Every attack it eats is a turn the party wasted; say so out loud through its sparking wreckage. Two shield drones on one commander is not unfair, it is doctrine.

// Variants
Twin Shield EscortGuardian Drone (breacher-attached)Overcharged Shield Drone

Full Stat Block Priority: Low

Bolt & Blade is fan-made homebrew for private tabletop play and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Games Workshop.