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- "Ray shields."
"Wait a minute. How did this happen? We're smarter than this."
"Apparently not." - ―Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are trapped by ray shields on the Invisible Hand

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Sheev Palpatine caught in a ray shield trap
A ray shield was a specialized type of deflector shield used to absorb radiation and raw energy.[1] Employed in both the time of the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Empire, it functioned by deflecting or scattering energy beams.[2] However, ray shields did not allow physical objects through them completely unscathed, imparting a deadly electric shock. As such they could be used in traps.[3]
Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, and Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine were once caught in a ray shield trap on the Invisible Hand, set by General Grievous. Kenobi lamented that they were too smart to be caught in such an obvious trap and were soon surrounded by droids and brought to the bridge to meet Grievous.[4]
The impregnable prison known as the Spire on the planet Stygeon Prime was fortified by ray shields.[5]
The reactor shaft of the Empire's original Death Star superweapon was ray shielded, such that only proton torpedoes would start the chain reaction necessary to destroy it.[6]
Ray shields avoided the problem of certain shields in that they could be extended to the ground without those inside of them running out of air. However, they were only considered useful in certain applications because they allowed through objects such as missiles and torpedoes.[7]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
Droid gunship in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
Umbarans in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
Umbaran starfighter in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)
"Duel of the Droids" Episode Guide - The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
"Cloak of Darkness" Episode Guide - The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
"Cargo of Doom" Episode Guide - The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
The Box Episode Gallery on StarWars.com (backup link); images #6, 7
To Catch a Jedi Episode Gallery on StarWars.com (backup link); image #16
Star Wars: Galactic Defense on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Sabine My Rebel Sketchbook
Star Wars Helmet Collection 15 (Databank A-Z: Dooku–Dwarf Spider Droids)
- Star Wars: The Rebel Files
- Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
- Star Wars: Millennium Falcon: A 3-D Owner's Guide (2018)
"Unfinished Business" Episode Guide on StarWars.com (backup link)
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – HMP Droid Gunship Expansion Pack (Card: Separatist Predator)
"Naboo" – Star Wars Encyclopedia (Picture only)
Droid Gunship in the Databank (backup link)
The Spire in the Databank (backup link)
X-wing Starfighter in the Databank (backup link)
Y-wing Starfighter in the Databank (backup link)