diff --git a/vacuum_gambit.p8 b/vacuum_gambit.p8
index e3bbbd6..d4e6490 100644
--- a/vacuum_gambit.p8
+++ b/vacuum_gambit.p8
@@ -413,13 +413,12 @@ ship_m = {
  shield = 0,
  maxshield = 0,
  shieldcost = 32767.9,
- shieldcooldown =  0x0.00a0,
+ shieldcooldown =  0x0.003c,--1s
+ shieldpenalty = 0x0.012c, --5s
  
- -- default generator behavior:
- -- 10 seconds for a full charge
- max_power = 600,
- power = 600,
- generator = 1, -- power gen per frame
+ max_power = 120,
+ power = 120,
+ generator = 2, -- power gen per frame
  
  slip = true,  -- most enemies slide
  
@@ -538,7 +537,7 @@ end
 
 function ship_m:hitsomething(dmg)
  if (dmg <= 0) return false
- self.shield_refresh_ready = lframe + self.shieldcooldown
+ self.shield_refresh_ready = lframe + self.shieldpenalty
  if self.shield >= dmg then
   self.shield -= dmg
   self:ow(true)
@@ -772,7 +771,7 @@ mknew(protron)
 protron_gun = gun_base.new{
  icon = 25,
  enemy = false,
- power = 35,
+ power = 60,
  cooldown = 0x0.000f, -- frames between shots
  ammo = nil,
  maxammo = nil,
@@ -876,8 +875,8 @@ player = ship_m.new{
  maxhp = 3, -- player only; other ships never heal
  shield = 2, -- regenerates, using power
  maxshield = 2,
- shieldcost = 300, -- power cost to refill shield
- generator = 1.5,  -- 1 feels too slow
+ shieldcost = 60, -- power cost to refill shield
+ generator = 2, 
 
  -- gun
  main_gun = nil, -- assign at spawn time
@@ -1569,10 +1568,12 @@ shields - ship.shieldcost per
 point of shields. shieldcooldown
 is the interval between
 restoring shield points, which
-is reset when a ship takes
-damage (regardless of whether
-that damage is stopped by the
-shield or not).
+is reset to shieldpenalty when a
+ship takes damage (regardless of
+whether that damage is stopped
+by the shield or not).
+shieldpenalty is much worse than
+shieldcooldown (hALO shield).
 
 therefore:
 * damaged ships spend power