shields on explorers

[Kayoz]

Question:
Is there any particular reason why some races don't, by default, have shields on their explorers? It seems the less aggressive rages - Teekan, Securan and Shandar, for example, don't put any shields on their explorers by default.

My guess is that it's related to racial aggressiveness - but is there perhaps another reason?

It seems rather wasteful, since explorers won't be able to flee from pirates or survive a couple of shocks from a tempest/storm/lightningbolt-thingy.

[J HG T]

If memory serves, it's described in the galactopedia. Certain racial attributes affect the components, and the amount of them, each races default designs have.
Also, yet again, RP thingy.

[Data]

Also, yet again, RP thingy.

Which is actually the most important aspect. Even in 4x games not every question has to have a definite answer so that we can answer them ourselves...multiple times. [:)]

[adecoy95]

one of my favorite races has no shields on their explorers, its not as bad as it sounds. they run at a speed of 48, which is face meltingly fast, and because of the way fleeing works in this game, even with a shield, if they are caught up with they just mosey around at half speed and die anyways.

[Data]

Very true...early game speed and fast turning rates beats shields anytime for explorers. I usually equip them with only one shield and armor to make sure they have time to get out of storms and such.

[Kayoz]

While the disengagement system is ... quirky, having shields does make a big difference for survival of an explorer. Without any shields, any pirate that gets in a shot will disable the explorer - whereas one with a shield might (given the vagaries of the retreat mechanism) survive.

It's probably a racial characteristic/RP thing - though I can't say I'm in agreement with it. Not making one's ships blistering with guns is one thing - but having explorers that go poof at the first shot seems a bit - well... let's just say that explorer crews must be picked on the basis of who's disliked the most by the government.

[Data]

You spot the danger early, you turn fast, accelerate like crazy and are ready to jump out...with all this in place guns and defenses are not that useful.
Also, they're cheap to replace in huge numbers and don't generate diplomatic nightmares.