Shield value - a question about mitigation and avoidance

[Camthalion]

<DIV>Hi all.. I've been playing around with different weapon combinations, use of shield, 2 handed, and dual wield.  One thing I was curious about is what "Shield Value" means.  Whether or not I equip a shield (feysteel kite shield in this case), has no change at all on mitigation, and ups my avoidance by about 2%.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I originally thought that the shield value would add to my mitigation number.   As it looks to me, there is really not much reason to use a shield (as a zerker anyway), if I only get a 2% avoidance benefit.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Should shields count in mitigation rather than avoidance?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On another note from what Ive read here in the forums.. if the armor (or defence) of warrior classes are lowered, I would think the dps should be increased to balance it out.   I do alot of soloing, but am finding it increasingly more difficult to do.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Incidentally, I have started an alt.. a mid teens crusader, and I am also enjoying it thoroughly, but I have to say that soloing with him seems  a heck of alot easier than with my zerker.    I had originally hoped for a zerker to do ALOT of damage, but take alot of damage in return.  Now it seems more like I take alot of damage, but dont dish it out as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In zek, I have been getting the living crap pounded out of me by straight blue cons.......  I am wearing pristine feyiron vanguard.  just dont seem right.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, Any constructive comments, advise, or insights would be appreciated.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Dulbec]

<DIV><BR></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Camthalion13 wrote:<BR> <DIV>Hi all.. I've been playing around with different weapon combinations, use of shield, 2 handed, and dual wield.  One thing I was curious about is what "Shield Value" means.  Whether or not I equip a shield (feysteel kite shield in this case), has no change at all on mitigation, and ups my avoidance by about 2%.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I originally thought that the shield value would add to my mitigation number.   As it looks to me, there is really not much reason to use a shield (as a zerker anyway), if I only get a 2% avoidance benefit.</DIV> <DIV> <HR> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>"Just 2% avoidance" isn't as insignificant as you think.  Avoidance isn't linear in this game.  You will notice that against green and blue mobs, you will avoid almost every attack, whereas it's unreasonable to expect to avoid attacks from red mobs.  It really comes down to finding the point where a shield makes the most difference in a fight.</P> <P>Against a green, using a shield is just overkill, and against a red it's just a prayer.  But against blues, whites and yellows, you'll see the most difference using a shield.</P> <P>As for whether shields should add to mitigation - that's a design choice, and to me, a shield blocking an attack entirely is more plausible than the blow landing, but doing less damage.  I personally like how it adds significant avoidance rather than just adding on top of mitigation.</P> <P>Berserkers aren't massive dps and awful tanks.  We're highly competent tanks that back up our tanking with some serious situational dps.  If you want to tank with the best of them, get that shield up, soldier.  If you only want to do massive dps, you shouldn't choose a fighter - there are two whole other archetypes that are given that role.</P>

[-Aonein-]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Camthalion13 wrote:<BR> <DIV>Hi all.. I've been playing around with different weapon combinations, use of shield, 2 handed, and dual wield.  One thing I was curious about is what "Shield Value" means.  Whether or not I equip a shield (feysteel kite shield in this case), has no change at all on mitigation, and ups my avoidance by about 2%.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I originally thought that the shield value would add to my mitigation number.   As it looks to me, there is really not much reason to use a shield (as a zerker anyway), if I only get a 2% avoidance benefit.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Should shields count in mitigation rather than avoidance?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On another note from what Ive read here in the forums.. if the armor (or defence) of warrior classes are lowered, I would think the dps should be increased to balance it out.   I do alot of soloing, but am finding it increasingly more difficult to do.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Incidentally, I have started an alt.. a mid teens crusader, and I am also enjoying it thoroughly, but I have to say that soloing with him seems  a heck of alot easier than with my zerker.    I had originally hoped for a zerker to do ALOT of damage, but take alot of damage in return.  Now it seems more like I take alot of damage, but dont dish it out as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In zek, I have been getting the living crap pounded out of me by straight blue cons.......  I am wearing pristine feyiron vanguard.  just dont seem right.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, Any constructive comments, advise, or insights would be appreciated.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Shields do nothing but give as a chance to block. When you equip a shield, put your cursor over your Avoidance number and you will see you have a certain % to block now, remove the shield and it goes back to 0.0%. The higher the Shield Factor, the higher your chances at blocking.</P> <P>Taemek Frozenberg 46th Berserker<BR>16th Outfitter<BR>Everfrost Server<BR><BR>Enlightened Aonein Amillion ( retired )<BR>70th Stone Fist of The Celestial Fist<BR>Five Rings on Luclin Server</P>

[Ru]

Just a note, Tower shields generaly add more avoidance than Kite shields. I use a pristine ash tower shield, and I get 5.3% increase. That a tier below yours, and yours is rare, while mine is common. <div></div>