Spiral Knights - Grey Owlite or Volcanic Plate shield?

Grey Owlite or Volcanic Plate shield?

11 replies [Last post]

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 11:10

Tennis

I'm looking for a more defensive shield for FSC since my only 5* shield, the Barbarous Thorn shield, is more of an offensive.

I've asked friends and guild members what the best shield for FSC was, and it seems the two most suggested shields were the Volcanic Plate and Grey Owlite, though they both got about the same amount of suggestions. So, here I am, and I ask you people out there... which one is better for FSC?

If the Grey Owlite, should I invest in getting a UV? If so, which UV?
If the Volcanic Plate, should I invest in getting a UV? If so, which UV?
If you're thinking about another shield, why that one?

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 13:45

Bigfootm

VPS. Get shadow resist ob it.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 13:50

Tennis

Shadow?

Wouldn't Elemental be the smarter choice since a lot of monsters in FSC deal Elemental?

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 15:03

culture

Legacy Username

Grey Feather FTW

I have all three shields - Grey Feather, VPS, Barb Thorn. Grey Feather is my first choice for FSC, I'll explain why...

I will only use the Barb Thorn if I'm with a really good party and I know we will keep Vanaduke's aggro in check thus I probably won't use the shield at all in the boss phase. (Thus a sword damage bonus is enticing for all those darn zombies.) On the levels leading up to Vanaduke, I only need a shield to bump zombies away or to tank a single Trojan hit if I get stuck - the Barb Thorn will work.

VPS with all its Normal Defense is great for the Vanaduke's mace smash and tanking Trojans. It can take a few hits and still hold up. What it can't do is protect against Vanaduke's head phases with all the elemental bullets flying around. This shouldn't be a problem with a good team that can keep the head doused, but otherwise it'll break quickly.

Which is why I slightly prefer Grey Feather - the defenses are sufficient for zombies, trojans and Vanaduke's mace smash. But even better, if the head phases get out of hand it'll hold up just fine. If I'm in a PUG I always bring a Grey Feather.

Since none of these shields have Shadow defense, might as well get that for the zombies, but doesn't really make a huge difference. I have Medium Normal, Medium Normal and Low Elemental on those three shields, respectively.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 15:06

culture

Legacy Username

@DinoDeuce

There isn't much elemental in FSC although it is very prevalent elsewhere in T3 making it a popular endgame choice. The really noticeable elemental is just from Vanaduke's head phase. Zombie breath might cause elemental damage, can't remember, but it is rather easy to interrupt/avoid.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 15:33

Tennis

@culture

If the Normal Defense on a VPS is great, would it be smart to get a Normal Defense UV on the Grey Owlite? It already has some Normal Defense, so if you add a bit more, it should be as good as its Elemental Defense, right? That's the way I see it.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 18:14

Bigfootm

You can also get elemental on

You can also get elemental on Tge VPS... It's possible to get 2 UVs.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 18:36

Tennis

@BigFootM

Yeah, it seems like a good idea to either get an Elemental Defense UV on the VPS or a Normal Defense UV on the Grey Owlite. But the thing is, if I choose not to get a UV, the Grey Owlite would be the better choice since it already has Normal and Elemental Defense while the VPS just has the Normal Defense.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 18:38

Bigfootm

But it also has stun resist

But it also has stun resist which can be a prob in FSC. I have both and I ALWAYS use my VPS.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 19:05

culture

Legacy Username

Meh

The amount of additional protection a shield's UV hasn't been studied sufficiently to say if it is important. There was one test that I know of, someone had tested the 5* plate shields (ironmight, I think), they used a UV Normal Low and UV Normal Max... the Low lasted for 11 hits from a slime and the Max lasted 12 hits before breaking.

I always think that a UV is better than none, especially since you can usually get a UV pretty cheaply on the Auction House or just craft one yourself with leftover mist. I wouldn't recommend breaking the bank over it though.

Fri, 08/05/2011 - 12:45

#10

Tennis

@culture

SKILL > GEAR, right? :D

Fri, 08/05/2011 - 19:25

#11

Fraxur

Grey Owlite Shield - Add

Grey Owlite Shield - Add Shadow defense UV and/or Stun resist UV, Shadow for Zombies in FSC and Stun for Vanaduke and Trojan's mace smash. If you can afford to pay Punch many many times to get both of these UVs, get both.

Search

Grey Owlite or Volcanic Plate shield?