Planetary shields were monolithic deflector shields that enveloped entire planets. Designed to protect important installations from attack, planetary shields were impregnable against starship fire and proton torpedoes; however, they proved no resistance against superlasers, such as that of the Death Star. In the case of Scarif's planetary shield, an orbital Shield Gate was used to create an aperture through which vessels could pass through. Planetary shields were so powerful that any starship unlucky enough to careen into one would be at least severely damaged, or even destroyed.