Your ship sports the latest in shield technology, with strong resistance to blasts and a limited defense against ButtKicker missiles. Although your shield can activate automatically, you can maintain it more effectively by deploying them manually at just the right moments. Your shield has only a limited amount of reserve power that is replenished when you pick up certain capsules.

Your shield is your only defense against blasts and missiles.  You cannot stop a blast or a missile by shooting at it.