[KyadCK]

The problem is, the beam impact is usually a fiery explosion, so how to justify this where there's nothing to make fire? There should be a separate effect for the beam hitting the shield.

Beams are magnetically contained plasma, yes? ("Commence plasma core insertion" among other canon and non-canon)

Fiery explosion happens when the magnetic containment breaks, not just when it hits hull. Could be fireball anyway. Or it could be, as battuta said, particle effect "thumb over the end of the hose" style.

[Dragon]

I don't think it'd look like a fireball we see upon hull impact. Rather like plasma of approbate color dispersing. The fireballs we see are definitely caused by something combusting, so I'd say that "thumb over the end of the hose" style or a particle ball would be more fitting.

[Luis Dias]

Look at what I found in youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uW106Vxqf4

[Crybertrance]

Look at what I found in youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uW106Vxqf4

Valathil, Y U NO UPLOAD DIS TO DA HLP?