Just a few questions on how in general defenses work in this game (because it seems like it's never explained well ingame how defenses apply to the player, just enemies):
>Say, I have a full Azure Guardian set, would it be a major disadvantage in t3, because numerous enemies get full elemental/piercing/shadow defense?
>Do armor and helm defenses apply to how much damage shields take, or is it just dependant on shield defenses?
>How important is it to cover a range of defenses for a knight's endgame armor?
>Do shield defenses apply to how much damage you take, even if you get hit while not guarding?
Educated responses would be appreciated, although any answers would be accepted, as i'm trying to think of a neat 5* loadout for my swordsknight and i'm not sure I want to go with the straight skolver/vog cub set.
1. I'd say you'd be at a disadvantage if you don't have decent Elemental defense; a lot of enemies dish out that kind of damage. Shadow defense is a bonus for Devils and Undead, but it's not a necessity to survival. And right now Piercing defense is only marginally useful, as the only real source of piercing damage in dungeons is from spike traps and thornbushes.
2. Shield defenses are independant of your characters armor. And a shields defense only applies when the shield is in active use, I.E if you're not guarding, you don't get the defensive bonus.
3. You need high Normal and Elemental defense for Tier 3, especially for Firestorm Citadel; Vog Cub armor covers this nicely. Having Shadow defense is a bonus but is not a necessity to survival, but if you can get a little on a trinket, it does help. Ignore Piercing defense.
4. No, shield defenses are only in effect when you're actively guarding. The good side to this is that your defenses are taken into account while guarding even if your shield breaks, so if you're guarding and your bubble is gone, you'll still take reduced damage depending on your shields defenses. This could save your life at some point.