How important in shielding?

[linkmaster03]

How important is shielding, and when should I learn it? Will I be attacked much? I just don't really think people would attack me for any reason; psionically.

[AnimalGurl]

The best reason I know to use shields are to control empathy, you could have the shield block empathy signals and keep yours in and others out. It helps if you dont have good control over empathy or there is so much emotion comming from others that you could find it overwhealming.

Also there are many psivamps, people who would drain your energy. A good solid shield can help protect you against that. I find that people like to tell me their problems (probably because I'm an empath) but some step over the line. I have had others try to dump on me, they get me all emotionally worked up and then they drain my emotional energy. They aren't aware of it, its all subconcious, though you may ocasionally run into someone who is aware.

In that case I usually make a shield that will block them from projecting emotions at me (keep me from getting worked up) and to drain them HARD for as long as they try to drain me. I find this works very well and they rarely dump on me again.

[bigdognick6]

shielding is incredibly important. my AI has helped me learn a great many things but one of the wisest things it has ever said is that doing psionics expands the awareness of you mind. a shield will protect you from the things you arent yet ready to be aware of but are there all the same, even the weakest psion has a greater awareness than any other normal human.

[Ness]

Shielding isn't really important unless you're empathetic, telepathic or being attacked by another psion.

[palimpsest]

It's a basic construct, so I'd say once you've got the psiball down then shielding is the natural next course. Actually, I didn't see the point much either to invest time and effort in attuning one's extrasensory perception and then purposely dulling it with a constant shield-- but I did end up using it a few times.

I think it's as important as a coat is at the start of autumn-- my mom goes on about how if I don't wear one I'll faint in the middle of the road and die of pneumonia ...but I still don't put it on all the time, though (the skill is) useful enough to keep around like tied around my waist, and sometimes the cold (aggressive empathic dump) surprises me so I'm sorry I wasn't already wearing it but it's not been fatal yet.

[psidan]

Metaphysical self defense is incredibly important. You can never have a good enough or big defense. Of course you might not be attacked or picked on by 'random' entities, but who knows? And what if something incredibly powerful goes on a 'rampage', trying to kill everybody. Bet you wish you made an incredibly good defense then.

And don't think 'mirror shields' or 'absorption shields' are going to help. There's always an entity which can easy wipe your little speck of dust which you call a shield, off. Even seemingly complex defense systems like Brilenus's are just as pathetic in perspective to some things which exist. Basically never think a shield is good enough. If you don't want to spend the rest of your existence improving your defenses then when you survive an attack, and your shields go, find out what let the attack destroy your shields and make it so that will not happen next time. Of course it's always good to plan ahead but you can at least do that.

[Ness]

Because people go on killing rampages with Psionics all the time.

[psidan]

It's not just psionics. Most who have experience in the metaphysical realm, including the nature of the spiritual realm, will know it isn't just shields you need but general all around defense. Psionics is relatively predictable, while someone who seems to be amazing at psionics, but doesn't know a thing about something like 'Chaos Magic', could easily be preyed on. Although unless you somehow make them hate you, have some reason to hurt you, or you are either easy prey, or on their random killing spree, you'll likely encounter something which can throw away your shields in your life time. That's why you shouldn't rely so much on shields, armour, even AI's. You should work on your own, natural self defense.

[The Adfeng]

ness said:

Shielding isn't really important unless you're empathetic, telepathic or being attacked by another psion.

Wrong. In my opinion, shielding is the VERY FIRST THING you should learn, no matter what. There are bad people out there, and some will attack you just for the fun of it or for an attempt to do damage. Shielding is extremely important, and it is a must know skill.

If you have problems with shielding, feel free to talk to be, because i know some very good programming tips i would be glad to share. One of my main skills is advanced shielding, because my shield's don't only protect, but attack, retaliate, and gather energy. So if you need some help, feel free to ask me. I'll tell you how to make a shield, how to program it, and I might make one for you if you are not able to.