So I'm having trouble deciding what's the best shield for general "just to have" use. I hear their stats go off the charts so I don't really know how to make a decision with that so I was hoping the more informed peoples could tell me. I already have four shields, and those are:
Grey Owlite
Crest of Almire
Aegis (yeah don't ask)
Swiftstrike
So what's a good shield to complement that mix?
Oh okay, so I really don't need a high normal damage shield? I see people running dungeons in them sometimes so I thought they were useful in some way, but if that's the case then I'll be satisfied with what I have. Thanks!
Vps is still good for vana, since it tanks slags/mace slightly better than most shields. The high normal part of it allows the shield to retain more hp after being hit. Still won't tank consecutive hits, but perhaps allows an extra slag dash before breaking.
If you use swords, look into the snarby shield line. Bristling buckler, twisted targe, dark thorn, and finally barbarous thorn. 2 to 4* gives a low sword bonus, and a med bonus at 5*. It's a snarbolax boss reward, with piercing defence. Not necessary, but could give a nice bonus depending on your arsenal.
Ancient plate shield is more useful as a vendor item. Farm 30 tokens, vendor an ancient piece for 1k per token. It used to be great in decon zones, when gremlins where pure normal. But the elemental addition into their damage has made owlite a much better choice.
If you can do vana w/o the vps, you don't need the vps, even though it's useful. My vps has seen almost no use these days....
After a while, you may get good enough (or daring) to either use one of two shields, since shields are no long needed for tanking massive damage, but only for shield bumps and the one off attack that wasn't avoided.
Swiftstrike - which you have. ASI med on all weapons is a nice bonus, and is more bonus than any other single item can provide.
Barbarous thorn shield - It's pierce defense, but the sword dmg med bonus means it will frequently be used in levels where there is no pierce damage. Unlike the swiftstrike, it's 5*, so it will take more abuse. I would recommend you get this shield to complete your set.
If you plan on doing SL runs, keep an ancient plate shield with you. It tanks hits like a boss in the unknown passage.
Oh, I have no trouble with the unknown passage :) Thanks for your suggestions though, I'll be considering everyone's advice when I decide on a shield to work towards.
Just to let u know i just made volcanic plate shield for my vana runs and it ia awesome :D
The shield didnt break once in the runs until i went to vana xD
Plus it is purple ^^
In terms of vana, definitely volcanic. Stun resist AND fire resist, plus huge normal defense for his mace smashes.
There is no such thing as a general use shield. All shields are situational. You need piercing defense, elemental defense, shadow defense, shock resistance, fire resistance, freeze resistance, and poison resistance. You do not need all of them on the same shield, however, and a single shield can often fill two or three of those. Choose accordingly.
Volcanic is a plate shield with fire resist. You already have 2 shields with great fire resist, no need for another.
Aps is just high normal/high health. Not exactly the best, since you already have one shield for each damage.
Ironmight is a piercing shield, with higher normal than barbarous thorn shield.
To be frank, you don't need any of these. If you really wish for one of these, either take ironmight for higher defences for a piercing shield, or vps to tank trojans/vana in fsc. Although, with the damage changes, a trojan's overhead smash is the only attack with mostly normal. All the other attacks from it are shadow, or part shadow.