No, you definitely explained what they do [i]physically[/i] well enough, it's just this grey area that I'm confused as to how we decide the result:

[quote=@DJAtomika]
[@Imaginary] possibly breaking the shield entirely or just chunks of it.
[/quote]

How we decide what it actually does?

ps - just so it's clear, this is my first battle and I'm 110% green at this so if my question is stupid or obvious, I blame that.