Shields
Mon, 11/29/2010 - 17:39
I run around with a Heavy Plate shield with full heat. That's four stars of pure Normal defense, and a whole bar of it. So when it takes a wolver or gremlin on the first level below Emberlight (four star tier) only two hits to fully break my shield and hurt me, I can't help but think shields are broken in general. If I understand correctly wolvers and gremlins deal Normal damage. That should be absorbed by my shield, since I have the most effective shield against that damage type.
What am I missing?
P.S. I'm not looking for strategies on how to defeat wolvers/gremlins. Wolvers are easy to deal with once you figure out that they tend to warp behind you. Gremlins can be shot with alchemers then gutted while they're down (a process which mysteriously consumes all your potions and pills). I'm looking for a discussion on shields, which I haven't seen a lot of on the forums.
Tue, 11/30/2010 - 02:32
#2
In that case I can't help but
In that case I can't help but think shields are totally useless... if not even the fattest shield will help me to get out of a dogpile of wolvers, or past two raving gremlins so I can run the other way, then all it's doing is slowing me down. The negative side-effects (slower moment, inability to attack or charge) by far outweigh the advantages.
edit: I thought shields had already been balanced against abuse by reconfiguring all the damage types. My shield is supposed to defend me against Normal attacks, but be vulnerable against all other types (yes, all of them). In practise it makes absolutely no difference whether I'm facing a wolver, a skeleton or a gun puppy. I guess I should do what someone else suggested: get armor+helmet with huge normal defense, no matter of other effects. But I had hoped this game offered alternative playstyles, not "this armor/shield is the best in the game for any playstyle".
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:24
#3
f
Shields are not not totally useless.
........lol
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 14:27
#4
no.
no no no no.
Look at dates before you necro. Nick has already told you necroing is bad, and you contribute nothing. People are dumber for what you have said today. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul.
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:03
#5
moo
I like to necro.
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:11
#6
shields help
shields are there for blocking or passively for those with effect like swift buckler, scarlet shield, or barbarours thorn shield the thing is u need different shields to deal with different monsters. example a shadow defense shield helps against spookat energy attacks when u block. they help by allowing u to block more damage depending on what type of attack hits you. so if u block a spookat energy ball or bite on tier 2 it takes less health from the shield. but mainly u need to look at what monsters are there so if jelly bring one with piercing or gremlins bring a elemental and so on. but then you have to look at tiers too 1 deals more normal, teir 2 normal and peirce little element, tier 3 more element and some shadow, shadow lair all type but mainly shadow.
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:14
#7
._.
Y the necro?
Besides,
._.
Y the necro?
Besides, that's my job. See my name? /point Lordofnecromancers
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 15:21
#8
"shadow lair all type but mainly shadow."
Have you actually played shadow lairs? Swarm deals normal, IQ and Twins dont have any shadow at all so..... The closest thing you may find are void zombies in Unknown Passage.
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 18:51
#9
This thread reeks Why dig up something that's been dead for so long?
Edit: Stupid autocorrect on my phone!
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 18:42
#10
*reeks
/e waves to Shoebox.
*reeks
/e waves to Shoebox.
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 18:43
#11
~
No Freeze slag avatar this time?
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 18:52
#12
Edit: I'm stupid.
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 18:52
#13
Sheesh why are there so many imposters of me?
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 18:54
#14
I'm not an imposter. /point Rangerwillx
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 19:03
#15
Stop Trying so hard to be an
Stop Trying so hard to be an imposter.
"Shields have defense and health, just like a player. When a shield blocks, any damage that gets past its defense degrades its health, which regens over time. Once a shield reaches 0 health it breaks. So even if the shield has no defense against a certain damage type, it still has a wall of health that can absorb the damage. Obviously if the shield does have the right defense less damage gets through, taking more hits before breaking." - Nick
I think the main problem with shields is twofold.
Personally, I think the shields are working well as they are. They're discouraging heavy turtling, which is nice. But I think that during PvE, not having a surefire defense against attacks when you need it is frustrating.
The balance needs to come from a bit of both of those pools.
Monster damage needs to be distributed a bit better amongst groups, since having five or more monsters spawn when it only takes two to three of their attacks to kill you is overkill.
In groups, the advantage shouldn't come from always having a meatshield with more health than you to rush in and attack the next group while you fire away from behind. It should come from being able to co-ordinate attacks so that health loss is reduced to a minimum, which is difficult when there's no benchmarks for gear or easy way to use any weapons in a combination. As well as defend in unison to push away more aggressive monsters allowing for an opportunity to attack.