Proof of ISD dome shielding

[Master of Ossus]

Just in case anyone ever bothers to bring that old thing up, again, I'm watching RotJ.

At 1:56:36, a blue comet-looking-thing appears on the left-most side of the screen (the scene with the flaming TIE, and the Falcon coming around past an ISD's bridge tower). At 1:56:37, the extremely slow blue-comet strikes the ISD just below the starboard sensor dome. In the next few frames, a bluish-purple haze appears several meters ahead of the ISD's hull, appearing almost exactly like the Gungan shield in TPM after it was struck by weapons fire. In at least one of the frames, it appears to extend upwards beyond the limit of the dome, conclusively showing that the domes themselves are shielded.

I'm not sure what the blue comet is, but I also observed one when Grey Leader bit the big one, just before he slammed into the ISD. It was also moving extremely slowly, and at first I dismissed it as debris from Grey Leader's damaged Y-wing, but the fact that it continued glowing convinced me that it could not be something similar, and the impact against the ISD at 1:56:37 shows clearly that the objects are at least a couple of meters across.

[Master of Ossus]

Note that the shield effect is also identical to the shielding that the Giant Rebel Frigate (TM) shows at 1:50:49, when it is engaging the Executor.

[Master of Ossus]

The shielding effect also appears against the Executor (or POSSIBLY Home One) at 1:58:44, which ALSO shows the massive bombardment that Executor was taking.

[Mange]

Just in case anyone ever bothers to bring that old thing up, again, I'm watching RotJ.

At 1:56:36, a blue comet-looking-thing appears on the left-most side of the screen (the scene with the flaming TIE, and the Falcon coming around past an ISD's bridge tower). At 1:56:37, the extremely slow blue-comet strikes the ISD just below the starboard sensor dome. In the next few frames, a bluish-purple haze appears several meters ahead of the ISD's hull, appearing almost exactly like the Gungan shield in TPM after it was struck by weapons fire. In at least one of the frames, it appears to extend upwards beyond the limit of the dome, conclusively showing that the domes themselves are shielded.

I'm not sure what the blue comet is, but I also observed one when Grey Leader bit the big one, just before he slammed into the ISD. It was also moving extremely slowly, and at first I dismissed it as debris from Grey Leader's damaged Y-wing, but the fact that it continued glowing convinced me that it could not be something similar, and the impact against the ISD at 1:56:37 shows clearly that the objects are at least a couple of meters across.

Good observation, this clearly shows that the domes are in fact shielded. That blue thing is clearly some sort of missile, the ASVS has a discussion about it (and rather good screenshots):
http://www.skayhan.net/Torp.htm

[Master of Ossus]

Good observation, this clearly shows that the domes are in fact shielded. That blue thing is clearly some sort of missile, the ASVS has a discussion about it (and rather good screenshots):
http://www.skayhan.net/Torp.htm

Ah. Thank you. Yes, those are the objects in question. Note that these things are HUGE--five or so meters across is my best estimate, from the impact, but it's very hard to tell since there's little outline and it's hard to discern exactly where the thing hits the tower. Thanks for pointing out those screen shots.

[Vympel]

I always noticed the blue "comet" when that Y-Wing slammed into one of the ISDs, but only the DVD allowed me to notice the second one during the exploding TIE scene.

Also, has anyone ntoiced that pretty large, loud explosion above the Executor as it's making it's last ride towards the Death Star?

[Meest]

The thing is the "comet" appears from the stern of the ISD in this shot, and comes from that bright light, and why a bright flash would be the start of its path?

[Dartzap]

and why is there an Akira Class in that shot?

maybe its just pot shot from an A wing that was nipping at the heels of the ISD?

[Rogue 9]

An Akira? What? *Peers*

[Dartzap]

look straight in the middle, its rather big, and very blurry, because of speed, and its most likly an x wing

[Vympel]

Maybe he's referring to that big obvious Y-Wing.

[Dartzap]

that does not look,oike a Y wing!

for one thing, engines are too long

[Alan Bolte]

Dude that's just weird perspective and motion blur. It's an obvious y-wing.

[Sharp-kun]

that does not look,oike a Y wing!

Um, it's a Y-wing...

[VT-16]

It´s the Y-Wing being hit by TIEs and diving towards the foremost ISD.

I always thought those blue blurs were starfighters on fire.

[nightmare]

I always thought the "blue comet" was a capital proton torpedo. IIRC, game PTs appear like that.

Good job on the bluish shield observations.

[Vympel]

that does not look,oike a Y wing!

for one thing, engines are too long

Dude, it just flew past the camera. Not only that, you see in the shot beforehand it being chased and fired upon by TIEs before it's demise.

[Mad]

At 1:56:36, a blue comet-looking-thing appears on the left-most side of the screen (the scene with the flaming TIE, and the Falcon coming around past an ISD's bridge tower). At 1:56:37, the extremely slow blue-comet strikes the ISD just below the starboard sensor dome. In the next few frames, a bluish-purple haze appears several meters ahead of the ISD's hull, appearing almost exactly like the Gungan shield in TPM after it was struck by weapons fire. In at least one of the frames, it appears to extend upwards beyond the limit of the dome, conclusively showing that the domes themselves are shielded.

What's interesting is that, during this scene, an X-wing opens fire with lasers at the bridge tower of the ISD and blasts what appears to be a house-sized hole in its face.

So, somehow, the bridge of the ISD's shields are down or there are gaps opening up throughout the shields, while the globe it still shielded.

[Darth Garden Gnome]

The thing is the "comet" appears from the stern of the ISD in this shot, and comes from that bright light, and why a bright flash would be the start of its path?

That's interesting. If it was the start of the comet's journey then it couldn't have been fired from a capital ship; it would've had to have been a fighter/bomber launched weapon.

[Stofsk]

That's interesting. If it was the start of the comet's journey then it couldn't have been fired from a capital ship; it would've had to have been a fighter/bomber launched weapon.

Fired from a B-wing, perhaps? They had to have been doing something during that battle, despite sfx crews complaints.

[Mange]

That's interesting. If it was the start of the comet's journey then it couldn't have been fired from a capital ship; it would've had to have been a fighter/bomber launched weapon.

Fired from a B-wing, perhaps? They had to have been doing something during that battle, despite sfx crews complaints.

I was thinking along that same line, but the missile seems to be rather big. Too bad the composited shots of B-Wings in action for ROTJ was discarded, but we do know what role they were made for.

[Vympel]

What's interesting is that, during this scene, an X-wing opens fire with lasers at the bridge tower of the ISD and blasts what appears to be a house-sized hole in its face.

So, somehow, the bridge of the ISD's shields are down or there are gaps opening up throughout the shields, while the globe it still shielded.

Hmm? All I saw was a flash, not a hole.

[Mad]

Hmm? All I saw was a flash, not a hole.

There's a flash, then a lingering fire with blackness just behind it. The shots had to have hit the hull and done some damage, because explosions against shields don't last anywhere near as long as the results of the X-wing's attack did.

Old screencap. I'll try to get a better screencap up soon, if nobody beats me to it.

[McC]

Here's the first "blue comet" shot, enlarged and focused to just where the comet is, and slowed to 12fps rather than 29.97. (QuickTime, 3.28 MB)

Here's the second "blue comet" shot, again enlarged, focused, and slowed. (QuickTime, 1.16 MB)

Here's the duel between the frigate and Executor, slowed down. (QuickTime, 5.07 MB)

I found this interesting. Look at the explosions out the Falcon's window: large green "poofy" explosions. (QuickTime, 2.02 MB)

In this cap, you can see very clearly that several concussion missile shots are simply shrugged off by the shields. When they do give way, you can see the shields flare up for a few frames before the energy seeps through and explodes the sensor dome. Seems pretty conclusive to me that these are A) shielded and B) not deflector domes. (QuickTime, 1.61 MB)

And finally, here's the shot Mad's referring to, with the X-wing firing at the tower. (QuickTime, 2.97 MB) To me, it looks like the first shot hits the shields while the second and third shots get through and do structural damage. It might be worth noting that this could exemplify a "concentrational" weakness to SW shielding. In other words, you need to shoot at the same spot a few times and your shot will get through, regardless of shield strength. Obviously, not just in any situation, but in a multi-point furball like this when the shields are heavily taxed.

Anyway, enjoy

[Darth Garden Gnome]

McC, you are very truly awesome.

In this cap, you can see very clearly that several concussion missile shots are simply shrugged off by the shields.

Anyone else see something wrong with this video? Look at the final pair of missiles to hit the domes. They materialize out of thin air some distance from the last A-Wing and strike the dome. Could it be a pair of them were dropped but then staggered by not activating until after another pair had hit?