I need a jack-of-all-trades shield but i like BTS for the xtra dmg. leaning towards shell
Omega Shell vs. BTS
Tue, 05/20/2014 - 18:20
Tue, 05/20/2014 - 19:03
#2
Swiftstrike is always the best shield unless you're bombing. Helps you learn to dodge and puts some hair on your chest.
Tue, 05/20/2014 - 20:29
#3
agree
You're seeing the usual responses. Expert players of this game know the monster AIs, the spawn points, and how to dodge. So they don't need much defense, so they go for offensive bonuses on armor and shields, and that means BTS and Swiftstrike Buckler. Sometimes I use Grey Owlite or Crest of Almire, if I actually want to use my shield as a shield. But BTS is to be recommended over Omega Shell.
Tue, 05/20/2014 - 21:08
#4
^I actually don't use swiftstrike or bts very often, because I find that having the appropriate shield is in fact the best option even if it costs me all of ASI high or sword damage med. I very rarely find myself saying "If only I could have +2 sword damage or +3 global asi right now, my life would be perfect", but when I use swiftstrike I often find myself saying "Oh wow I really should have brought the correct shield with the UVs and fancy tortosmashes."
Swifstrike is still the best shield on a cost per what-you-get basis, costing a small fraction of every other shield and being arguably on par with most of them. Its basically a free item that's a ton of fun to use and plausible to use even into the late game. Everyone should have one, even the bombers provided they take a break from bombing to try out perhaps a cheap leviathan blade on for size.
I don't recommend making ALL THE THINGS to people, because crafting EVERY SHIELD EVER isn't a suitable first project for anyone. But when they have time? Sure.
Wed, 05/21/2014 - 05:51
#5
I've actually been meaning to test out the omega shell - I hear it ahs 20% extra health on other shields. And considering how much shield resistances (in damage types) actaully affect how much damage the shield takes, would it be considered better than an ancient plate shield for all but trojans/lumbers?
Also - why is the stone tortoise bigger than the omega shell? It jsut doesn't seem logical that the more protective is just smaller and a funkier colour.
I'd personally say omega shell, but that's just because I like to have a good shield, and I use guns and bombs just as much as swords so I wouldn't benefit from it as much.
If you really want a good shield though, I'd say volcanic plate or grey owlite, possibly dread skelly. Once you get the tokens go for crest of almire.
Wed, 05/21/2014 - 06:01
#6
Okay. this is confusing
Ok, might as well explain my gear to simplyfy (bad spelling 4 the win) things.
Wolver set
cutter line
and a blaster that i wont upgrade for tnt/switches
Wed, 05/21/2014 - 06:54
#7
obligatory
Tiraid, you seem to be into swords. So you might benefit from reading my detailed sword guide. It covers how to choose swords, sidearms, armor, shields, etc. There is no doubt in my mind that you should get BTS over Omega Shell. Also, you might consider switching out your Cutter for a better sword (until you're an expert player and return to the Cutter-style swords for fun).
Wed, 05/21/2014 - 07:59
#8
I think like a train I go in one direction and stop MORE COFFEE
I am most definitely not an expert player. Although i have been playing for some time, i am sick of having to decide which sword to use vs which monster, so i picked my favorite normal damage sword, and i decided on BTS, thank you for the advice!
Wed, 05/21/2014 - 10:54
#9
just takes a little practice
i am sick of having to decide which sword to use vs which monster
You just have to memorize the damage types and the monsters. After a little practice, you can switch weapons frequently in battle, without even thinking. It's not a big deal.
Avoiding this process means avoiding all special-damage weapons in the game. That's going to hinder you, both practically (for example, you'll never clobber monsters with Warmaster Rocket Hammer) and recreationally (you won't experience the pure fun of using WRH). Or maybe you will try those weapons someday, and you'll master damage types then (after trying to kill gremlins with WRH and failing).
On the other hand, with normal weapons you can still have fun and you can still beat the game. But I would recommend Leviathan over the Cutters. Cheers.
In terms of defense:
Whichever shield that perfectly fits the scenario outclasses
omega shell which outclasses
barb thorn shield or whatever other shield doesn't fit the scenario.
If you have swords that you want to buff, I'd really recommend the barb thorn shield over omega though, simply because its a 5* shield and is "good enough". If you have only like one sword that you like to use and that sword is something like a flourish that doesn't even deal split damage/normal damage, then I'd recommend omega shell for sure. If you focus on guns or bombs, omega.
Most sword users get barb thorn shield/swiftstrike, and then find shields that fit scenarios as needed, because having the "perfect shield" is a huge boon on harder levels.
Everyone else focuses on a random shield that will help them on whatever they plan to grind or attempts to get shields to cover all the statuses etc. No one gets Omega Shell, despite it really being the best option most of the time.