My equipment right now is full Vog with DA and Faust and Mega Magnus and the Barb Thorn.
I just recently started going down into the FSC, and the Barb shield was alright, but if the Volcanic Plate is better, I'd be more than happy to switch shields. If it's worth it. I'm not quite sure. Opinions?
Volc Plate Shield or Barb Thorn Shield?
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 13:27
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 14:50
#2
Ya sorry, my search didn't
Ya sorry, my search didn't come up with much as I was looking for specifically barb vs plate.
I wasn't really interested in going owlite, but it seems like the 2 are pretty even anyway (in their respective ways).
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 15:14
#3
What Dark Ritual?
I own Barb Thorn, VPS, CoA, and Grey Owlite, all which are the most used for FSC. Here's what I have to say:
Barb Thorn:
Pros:
Damage Boost, can get over spikes easier.
Cons:
Can't take a Vanaduke mace normally without a UV, harder to use, zombies and stuff break it easy.
VPS:
Pros:
My good 'ole buddy, can take about 2 Vanaduke maces if they were consecutive, great shield for FSC, I'm thinking about going back to use it.
Cons:
No other defense besides normal, but enough of both so it can take a good amount of hits from each.
Grey Owlite Shield:
Pros: Rocket room is easier, (Is it even hard?) can take more hits from shadow fire.
Cons: Not that mug elemental in FSC for a shield.
CoA:
Pros:
Shadow defense, alot of that in FSC, I started using this instead of my VPS after I got it. Needs a UV or two to be that good shield.
Cons:
No elemental defense or piercing, the piercing is fine, may want a UV for elemental. Can take a hit from the Mace.
Sidenote(s):
I'm still getting used to my Barb Thorn Shield, alot harder without the defenses CoA and VPS have.
In my opinion: Volcanic Plate Shield>Crest of Almire>Barbarous Thorn Shield>Grey Owlite Shield.
I'd recommend you go and switch to a VPS, you wont ever want to switch back to your Barb. (I'm just usin my Barb to heat it up now, and test it out.)
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 15:54
#4
Alright, I think I shall.
Alright, I think I shall. Thanks.
Just sent you a FR ingame btw.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 15:58
#5
What Dark Ritual?
Cool, I'll add you ingame when I get on. May want to send me a message about the two shields or I will auto deny it. xD
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 16:02
#6
Actually, I put something
Actually, I put something about the Sword Focus trinket in the message, since I thought you wanted it or something. haha
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 16:04
#7
What Dark Ritual?
That was random. xD
As said, I'll add you when I get on.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 16:08
#8
haha Ya I just wanted to
haha Ya I just wanted to throw that in here since I was already posting a reply. I'm lazy.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 16:56
#9
herp derp.
Owlite is
herp derp.
Owlite is specifically for the mask phases (they can be a pain if your party doesn't get the watering down right)
VPS is tailor-made for the non-mask phases.
CoA is for FSC in general, but I find it less useful because zombies are slow and easy to dodge.
BTS is if you want to turn your sword damage up to 11, but the only thing it'll block slightly better are (unlit) oilers.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 17:02
#10
I really would like a CoA,
I really would like a CoA, but they're really expensive, so Ima wait till I have the tokens.
Till then, I'm going to try the VPS.
I am kind of worried that I'm going to miss the damage bonus from BTS though. Can't be that much of a difference right?
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 18:26
#11
BTS
Difference in hits are noticeable to me. I'll have to run it again but it is like 40 points per swing (normally i'm running vog + BTS unless I'm heating another shield) but then I have some decent UVs (BTS has normal: max! so it can take a mace hit, but with the right group I'm not getting hit; DA has undead med). I suggest running it both ways - one with BTS and one with VPS. Just have to run the first level to see the difference (amount of damage you do increases each depth, but I don't think the difference does w. BTS/ w.o. BTS).
If I remember correctly, the d28 2nd swing damage from my DA without BTS is around 500 vs slags. That's close to the *d24* 2nd swing damage vs slags for my DA + BTS. Add a 4* Slash trinket and it is around 535 @ d24 (this one I can't remember if that's the first or second swing).
So this is the other option: if you miss the extra damage, the 5* Slash trinket should work about the same as BTS. Using the trinket you'd get the benefit of both worlds, protection of VPS, extra damage equivalent of BTS.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 18:29
#12
What Dark Ritual?
^Yeah, may want to try that.^
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 18:43
#13
Very true. Thanks for the
Very true. Thanks for the input guys. Gonna start heating up to VPS tomorrow.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 19:50
#14
What Dark Ritual?
Oh, an you may want to heat it up in jelly runs. I hated that line despretly until VPS.
B/c of the lack of other defense and smaller health at the lower stars, that's why.
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 20:06
#15
haha Ya that's my plan. I'm
haha Ya that's my plan. I'm not a bad player, but I definitely don't want to be bringing a boosted plate shield into t3.
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 12:36
#16
So I got a UV on my VPS,
So I got a UV on my VPS, Normal Def High. Is that gonna make a difference?
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 20:48
#17
You lucky !@#$%^&
Well it's gonna be even better for normal. You might take more Duke swings in the event you really can't dodge 'em...
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 20:57
#18
haha Alright just wondering
haha Alright just wondering since it's normal def is already at the end of the bar.
And ya, I've had really good luck with UVs since I started playing, I won't deny it. haha
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 21:38
#19
The defense can go beyond the graphical limit of the bar.
Yeah, so your UV makes it even better.
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 04:53
#20
[Insert Personal
[Insert Personal Opinion]
Barbarous Thorn Shield all the way
The med damage sword bonus is invaluable :)
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 06:17
#21
I'm definitely keeping the
I'm definitely keeping the BTS around, no worries.
So far I haven't really noticed that the bonus was gone.
Except I was helping a couple friends in t2 last night (so 3 man party) and gun puppies were taking 4 hits from my DA in the jelly palace. That seemed like a bit much, but it's been a while since I was in a 3 man party, so that might be about right. haha
Fri, 09/23/2011 - 09:44
#22
just wanted to pop in...
... and put in a good word for the BTS in FSC :) Med DMG bonus makes it go so much faster especially solo or 2 man.
I use it all the time. Works well for wheels too in addition to the spikes.
This subject is debated to death. The 2 favorites for FSC are VPS and Grey Owlite. VPS will probably take duke mace shots better while the Owlite seems to be more useful elsewhere in FSC. I'm putting my faith in the Owlite because I want a good elemental shield for other runs as well. Many swear by the VPS though. The Crest of Almire is popular as well for FSC, but more work to obtain (work inside FSC). As for the BTS, that is a great offensive shield, but not well suited for defensive work inside FSC. If you are good enough you could use anything though.
Check other threads there are a ton of endgame shield threads. In no particular order:
http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/18171
http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/20579
http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/19402