How to Use Shields and Healing Stims in Battle

Mitigating Damage with Shields

Surviving dangerous encounters requires more than just passive armor defenses. In addition to power armor suits, you can utilize shields to defend yourself against incoming strikes. Equip a shield into your off-hand or active slot and raise it during combat encounters. Actively blocking with a shield absorbs heavy attacks from aggressive hostiles, preventing sudden spikes of damage from piercing through your defenses.

Rapid Recovery with Healing Stims

Even while utilizing shields and heavy armor, intense fights can quickly deplete your health. Keep a supply of healing stims readily available in your hotbar during exploration and combat. When your character takes serious damage, activate a healing stim to restore your health quickly. Using stims allows you to rapidly recover mid-fight without having to retreat from the battlefield, keeping you alive through prolonged combat.