Berserker

While not as much of a shielding boost as Shield Monkey, Berserker increases your shields at the cost of some speed loss. This skill costs 5 skill points per level and gives +5% Max Shields, +3% Shield Recharge, and -1.5% Speed for heavy fighters and +4% Max Shields, +2% Shield Recharge, and -1% Speed for other ships.

Some think that this skill is improperly named (berserker means a frenzied and reckless warrior), suggesting that a more apt name would be something like Guardian because it allows you to take a beating.