Manual: Shields, armor, and structure

Ships normally lose shields first, then armor, structure, and internal components. Destroying all structure destroys the ship, while internal hits can disable its computer, drive, shield generator, weapons, or special systems before that happens. The following weapons and modifications bypass or alter those defensive layers.

Armor Piercing mod (Laser Cannon, Mass Driver, Gauss Cannon)

Ignores regular armor, but the piercing effect is blocked by Heavy Armor or Xentronium Armor.

Shield Piercing mod (Phasor, Particle Beam)

Ignores regular shields, but the piercing effect is blocked by Hard Shields.

Ion mod (Ion Pulse Cannon)

Ignores all armor and structure and inflicts all damage only to shields and internal systems.

A weapon with this mod is completely ineffective against monsters, Antarans and planets. However the Guardian is not immune! It can also target missiles and fighters.

Extra Structural Damage mod (Graviton Beam)

Against ships, any damage that penetrates the shields produces extra damage applied only to structure. Planetary damage is resolved differently and is not restricted to a ship-style structure layer.

Emissions Guidance mod (missiles)

Ignores all armor. If the target is a ship, then all damage is applied to its drive. If the target has no drive (star base), then all damage is applied to the structure.

Achilles Targeting Unit (beams, Stellar Converter, Energy Absorber fire)

Ignores all armor. It also increases chances to hit the shield generator and weapon systems (their weightings are tripled).

Gyro destabilizer

Ignores all shields and all armor. Structure-only hits.

Spatial Compressor

Ignores all shields and all armor. Structure-only hits.

Tractor Beam

Ignores all shields, armor and structure. It immobilizes a ship.

Black Hole Generator

Ignores all shields, armor and structure. It immobilizes a ship and implodes it in 2 turns.

Stasis Field

Ignores all shields, armor and structure. It freezes the target, making it unable to act.