Shields

[Agfonzo]

So far, I understand that shields only affect avoidance and not mitigation.Now the question I have is: How much does wearing a tower/kite shield benefit us more than wearing a buckler for example. I know the buckler has less "protection" factor, does this tranlate directly into lower avoidance? Are there any penalties for wearing a larger shield? If there are no penalties and the lower protection means lower avoidance then I should always be wearing a large shield correct?Also one other small question: Does the strength cap (or any stat cap for that matter) scale based upon level? (i.e. Is it possible for me to cap my strength out at a low level?) And if it does scale is there any formula known to find the cap?Thanks in advance! <span>:smileyhappy:</span><div></div>

[Fazzarya]

<DIV>Basically all the shield "types" have a base avoidance percentage. Tower shields have the highest and I believe it's something like 15% for tower 12% for Kite and so on down the line. The protection value adds to this base avoidance to determine the total percentage increase in avoidance you recieve for equipping the shield. Tower shields tend to have a higher ceiling for protection value due to their size. That at least is the design philosophy behind them I think.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>A shield can affect mitigation, but only if it has +crush/slash/pierce as added stats.</DIV>If you're not using the stamina AA line, for all intents and purposes if you are going Sword n board, a tower shield is going to be your best option usually.

[Pnaxx]

I just look at the AC rating and go with the best value there. I ended up with quite a nice Kite shield which has been out shining the tower shields I had options of taking. I use it with the tougher mobs to help my healer. I hate it when we get hard hitting adds and I am being drianed so fast my healer can't keep up and it's a race to get shield equipted in time. So going into zones that have that probability, it's sword and board fer me....though I know many of you hate that concept.:smileywink:

[Agfonzo]

Thanks for the input guys. <span>:smileyhappy:</span>Anyone have any idea about the strength cap question?<div></div>

[FightGame]

<DIV>AC rating? lol I wish we till had that.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>You must mean the shield protection number.  The higher this is, the higher your block percent will be, which is part of the overall avoidance.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I believe AC was a number that was generated from the combination of your shield, all types of avoidance, and mitigation together.  And this is no longer used.</DIV>

[KFizzle]

The Str Cap (or any of the stat caps) I THINK Is like 7 x (Your Level) = Whatever . It's either 7 or 7.something i forget.

[Huna]

<DIV>x7 + your base I think</DIV>

[Kemwen]

<DIV>Shields can affect mitigation as well, but they primarily affect avoidance (stats are key here).</DIV>