Does the Phase Shield need to take up a hand to use?

[DreadNinja]

Hello this might be a silly question but I'm still new to this system. The Phase Shield description says it can be "worn strapped to a limb or a belt" does that main that it can be used without using a hand? But still needs to be activated with an Interact action and still be used for the Raise Shield action. Am I reading that right?

[Squark]

The retractable trait says when it's not deployed you have a free hand. So you can use that hand to do anything. But the shield does nothing until you interact with it. This gives the shield the compact trait and lets you actually use the shield.

The compact trait allows you to raise the shield as long as your hand is free or you're holding but not wielding an object of light bulk (e.g. many consumables, but not weapons).

[DreadNinja]

Okay I was confused by the description that said it could be worn on a belt. I was wondering if that meant it could be deployed while worn on a belt instead of being worn on an arm keeping hands free for weapons. I have a player that uses mostly 2 handed weapons.

[Squark]

Ah. The best interpretation I have for that is the hadlight projector can be worn on a belt, but once the projection is in place you need the arm to move it.

[DreadNinja]

Thank you. I realized I had forgotten that "worn" is a mechanical term not just a part of the flavor text.