When hitting with an ion cannon, do you take a target's shields (if it has any) into account when rolling for 'damage'? Even if the hit is absorbed by the shield, does it still mean the target ship took one hit and takes 1 damage as well as getting an ion token? Is the shield token 'expended' in the ion weapon hit? I'm a bit confused even after reading a few entries on the forums from a couple of years ago. Any better explanation?

Yes, yes, and yes. If the ion weapon hits, the target takes 1 damage and gets an ion token, and that damage is processed normally (ie. shields first, then hull).

Just to be clear: if my ship had 2 shield tokens and I got hit with an ion cannon, one token is used up with the 1 damage, then receive an ion token only? I realize that shields are not taken into account when determining hits, but when determining damage...

Thank you much. A new player here who appreciates replies to questions. I DO try and look up the info. first in the rules, but sometimes I can mistakenly overlook something. Again, thank you

That's correct. One shield gone and you get one Ion token. With a small ship you only need one token to be ionised and have it affect your next move, but with a large ship, it takes two tokens.

auggiedog, did you play the old TIE fighter computer games?

I'm always curious to know if the idea that you need to hammer through shields, before an ion shot takes effect comes from those games.

auggiedog, did you play the old TIE fighter computer games?

I'm always curious to know if the idea that you need to hammer through shields, before an ion shot takes effect comes from those games.

Interesting concept. I played the old RPG where I think Ions bypassed shields altogether. Two different takes on it I suppose.

Yes, I did play the old TIE game and I had thought Ion weapons bypassed shields, though I could be wrong. At least I know how it works in THIS game

In the old X-Wing games Ion weapons did NOT bypass shields although they may have taken them down more quickly; I can't recall for certain. The thing I will say is that in those games getting hit by an ion cannon quickly shut down ANY ship that lost its shield. I mean if you got the shield down on an ISD a few ion blasts and it just became a hulk sitting in space waiting for you to destroy it.