Taking Damage
Units must account for all damage inflicted as the first action of a post, before firing weapons or moving. Any units destroyed or left disabled can no longer participate in the battle.
There are three types of damage to consider. Mandatory Damage, which is inflicted by laser weaponry such as Turbolasers and Laser Cannons, is dealt first to shields and then hull and cannot be avoided. Possible Damage, which is inflicted by warheads like Missiles and Torpedoes, is dealt to shields and then hull and can sometimes be evaded. Systems Damage, which is inflicted by ion weaponry, is dealt to shields and the power systems and cannot be avoided.
For more information regarding evading Possible Damage, see the following rules: Intercepting Warheads, Starfighter Specifics.