The fluff description only mentions how it protects against blaster fire. Additionally, the CSA Viceprex adversary in the back of the book has a personal deflector shield, and his stat block only has the defense added to his ranged defense.

I tried checking the developer answered questions thread and didn't see anything. I admit I only skimmed it though.

It's just a straight 2 Defense, so at first blush I'd say it can apply to any incoming attacks. Given its expense, rarity, propensity for failure, and the fact that it's just 2 setback dice, I don't have a problem with it providing ranged and melee defense.

That said, there are plenty of examples (in Legends, and even a bit in the films) of shields only protecting against certain types of attacks. The GM is well within his/her rights to rule that certain shields are only beneficial against certain weaponry.

That said, there are plenty of examples (in Legends, and even a bit in the films) of shields only protecting against certain types of attacks. The GM is well within his/her rights to rule that certain shields are only beneficial against certain weaponry.

Agreed, and ideally the GM would make this clear when the PC attempts to purchase the item. It'd be pretty annoying to spend 12k and only later find out that it is worthless against the BBEG with a vibroaxe.

That said, there are plenty of examples (in Legends, and even a bit in the films) of shields only protecting against certain types of attacks. The GM is well within his/her rights to rule that certain shields are only beneficial against certain weaponry.

Agreed, and ideally the GM would make this clear when the PC attempts to purchase the item. It'd be pretty annoying to spend 12k and only later find out that it is worthless against the BBEG with a vibroaxe.

Sounds like a good application of Threat on the Streetwise check when finding/purchasing the item...

If, for some reason, the group finds having 2 Defense against all attacks is overpowered, you could take a page from the starship rules and have the PC be able to spend a maneuver to switch 1 point of defense from ranged to melee, or vice-versa.

This is one reason why RAW shields are a piss poor.waste of creds, and shields in general aren't very useful.

They only provide ranged defense, can't be worn in addition to normal armor, are incompatible with other forms of defense, and you get the same effect by hiding behind a large rock.

I prefer to hide behind the large wookie.

One of the villains in Onslaught at Arda 1 has a personal deflector shield and has 2 defense against both melee and ranged attacks. So I assume the device protects against both.