I don't even really know what else to say here. I was saddling up to go do Citadel (having successfully done so on at least 2 occasions previously), so I go down the new gate to find the Thunder Fist Arena. I'm usually able to solo a lot of arenas up to the third round, but always to the second. I cannot get past the FIRST ROUND of this arena. Specifically, because I'm wearing my Vog Cub gear (with the intent to be going to Flame Cit). Without shock resistance, you are dead. Any hit that any of the enemies get on you that causes shock is pretty much a guaranteed death. Here's the biggest problem, and why its different than say, fire or poison. Because after you get hit by it, it makes you vulnerable to getting hit by it again. If you get hit by fire, you can run off and shield, hide, etc. If you get hit by shock, you suddenly have 8 seconds where you're unable to properly defend yourself, meaning you will invariably get hit again, and shocked again, until you are dead.

To basically flat out require me to have shock resistance gear to do this is kinda bull. I could probably accomplish this Arena with a friend to assist me, but really, that's a load of crap. Three Rings needs to tread carefully here. Difficulty in the game is one thing, and its great, but when you start putting mechanics that result in the players death in cheap ways, that can essentially cost them real money, (which, unless you're using mist energy, it costs SOMEONE money) you start to cross into [BS] territory. I don't think its unreasonable for me to be able to do the first round of the first depth of tier 3 without a very specific set of gear. Yeah, i wouldn't exactly be springing for the opportunity to do rounds 2 and 3, but to be crushed by the first round? That's either poor design, or greedy design.

Note: It does not help that this arena has the bat enemies, which are impossible to dodge and you just have to have your shield take a beating, which it can't stand without the proper shield for the job.