Any way to disable planetary shield?

[0x7be]

As far as I know, planetary shiled completely neturalizes any effect of bombardment.
Is there any way to take it out without committing to full-scale invasion?

[Kayoz]

ORIGINAL: 0x7be

As far as I know, planetary shiled completely neturalizes any effect of bombardment.
Is there any way to take it out without committing to full-scale invasion?

Absolutely. A world destroyer.

[Bingeling]

I am not sure, but maybe special forces?

[0x7be]

Blowing up that planet wasn't in my plans. I want just to soften defences before invasion.
Special forces is an interesting option, will investigate it.

[Kayoz]

ORIGINAL: 0x7be

Blowing up that planet wasn't in my plans. I want just to soften defences before invasion.
Special forces is an interesting option, will investigate it.

Well, it DOES get rid of the planetary shield...

[Cauldyth]

I've never tried it, but I think theoretically a small special forces assault should have a chance of taking out the shield (though obviously your troops are doomed either way). I think that's only the case if the defenders don't also have special forces though. Otherwise, the defending ones need to be wiped out first, which likely won't happen.

At least I think that's how it's supposed to all work, I've never gone that route. I tend to invade in full force.

[Bingeling]

If nothing else, you can invade, and if that does not destroy it, demolish it from the infrastructure part of the colony screen

[Kayoz]

ORIGINAL: Bingeling

...demolish it from the infrastructure part of the colony screen

I think the OP's statement on not committing to a full invasion excludes this as an option.

Nuke it from orbit (with a super laser). It's the only way to be sure.
https://youtu.be/aCbfMkh940Q

[Dipluz]

Have 3-6 special forces with any army during invasion and rest clone troops and armor. Eliminates fortifications and shield and halves the defensive army strenght.

[Kayoz]

ORIGINAL: Dipluz

...and halves the defensive army strenght.

Eh? How so?

[SirHoraceHarkness]

ORIGINAL: Kayoz

ORIGINAL: Dipluz

...and halves the defensive army strenght.

Eh? How so?

Probably by taking out the fortified bunker.

[Demonius]

Send Ewoks... It's the only way.

[NephilimNexus]

Correct, special forces can destroy it (along with other buildings).

You don't have to sacrifice them, either. You are perfectly capable of withdrawing troops from battle simply by giving a manual "load troops" order (right click the target planet) to your troop transports. They will suffer damage, as it takes a few game days (several ticks) for your transports to do the maneuver, but even a unit reduced to 10% health will eventually recover (you do put Medical Bays on your troop transports, right?).

So just land a blob of troops with special forces included. Immediately give troop transport order to load troops. Odds are good that your forces will destroy the shield, bunker, tank factory, etc before the transport can finish loading. If that doesn't work just wait until your soldiers are healed and land them again.