GC items Fail = SE Fail

[NoctisUmbra]

You realize that very shield has a Block value of 71 right? Smaller shields block more often, but don't block as much damage.

Even then, it's an awesome shield sure. Flames got crafting gear choices the rest don't. Future updates, your GC is gonna have an epic shield, and another is gonna have a nice weapon...etc.

If every single inventory update on gear from GCs were balanced, there'd be no variety.

[LicontAshontear]

I guess you are not a glad 50.
Id rather have a shield that actually does block on occasion than a shield that never blocks but has high block defense :P

learntotankwut?

[Stufoo]

I guess you are not a glad 50.
Id rather have a shield that actually does block on occasion than a shield that never blocks but has high block defense :P

learntotankwut?

If we still had Deflection and the old Aegis Boon, that would be true. It's not now though, with low block power the damage mitigated will be like not blocking at all, and high rates will only be good for triggering phalanx and war drum (so, useless). Any improved MP recovery with the buckler-type shields should be wasted anyway through inferior mitigation.

With such ridiculously high attributes on those shields though, I imagine all shield stats may be raised, and the Lv. 50 kite shields will still be the best to use. I only say this because a Lv. 50 Hoplon shouldn't have higher Block Power and Rating than a Lv. 50 Kite, though we can't really say until after patch. We are expecting a buff to blocking, and this is something they would not state in the patch notes.

Even if the kite shields aren't improved, the Ul'dahn Hoplon is better than the Gridanian Buckler.

[NoctisUmbra]

I guess you are not a glad 50.
Id rather have a shield that actually does block on occasion than a shield that never blocks but has high block defense :P

learntotankwut?

50 on all battle classes actually. Plenty of tanking experience too. GLA's Outmaneuver looks to be spammable and increases block rate, and Aegis Boon has a very nice and low CD and it guarantees a block.

Regardless, I didn't say the shield is bad. It's not the Holy Grail of shields either. Point is each update will have different things in each GC, and no GC will consistently favor the same class' equipment.

[LicontAshontear]

the amount blocked is actually rather good in proportion to the block rate.

lets compare

95 blocked
120 block rate
vintage kite shield

the current best shield in the game

with this shield i range from 10-20% block rate, while using deflection+ambidextry at the same time to maximize the block rate, plus 5/6 sent gear for extra block rate (missing legs, cant get the stupid key to drop, 20+ kills with only 1 key)

now the problem is back when we had the block ability I had a block rate of around 75% (and yah I always kept the shield up)

a high block rate shield is what is needed the most, all your damage blocked on your normal shield is useless if you do not block :P

the new shield is
168 block
71 def

lets look at this trade off. an extra 48 block rate, with 24 less def. that is a 2 to 1 trade off....now also add +15 evasion....best shield in the game

now...look at my point of view

a glimmer of hope...a high block rate shield...yes...SE is actually going to do something right for once....i reach for it....but wait...it moves further away...i reach for it again...it moves again....i cant reach it...it is out of my grasp.

[Chardrizard]

You think they are gonna throw Vintage Kite Shield out of the window? chances are the stat will be rebalanced again because we are going through class overhauls.

This is why you don't whine before patch is released.

[Stufoo]

a high block rate shield is what is needed the most, all your damage blocked on your normal shield is useless if you do not block :P

No, I've already stated why not. You want reliable mitigation, which is the middle of the road. The bucklers are reliable, but mitigate poorly, and the tower sizes should mitigate well but not block often.

And where else do I even start...

Any Scutum and VKS had 100% block rate before 1.19 as long as you had even a tiny amount of STR allotted. 48:19 is not 2:1, and 15 evasion alone will not help you. 10-20% block rate is also very low currently, especially if you are counting with ambidexterity, and deflection doesn't increase block rate. What are you testing this on? Please don't tell me you are including Ifrit. The only piece of sentinel gear that will help is +5 rate on the hands, the pants only increase block power, and the rest of the set is worthless except for the feet which give the only enmity in the slot, but not enough to really care about. Cobalt Sabatons will give you dex if you really want precious block rate after 1.20.

[NoctisUmbra]

With a skill that increases Block Rate for a set duration, and another that guarantees a block, I'd be more worried about how much damage my shield blocks rather than how often it blocks after 1.20 to be honest.

Also rather positive that Block rate materia will be included in the next batch of materia to be released.

[DoctorMog]

Blocking less often, but for more damage negated

is exactly the same as:

blocking more often for less damage negated.

Can you see how these two things are the same?

Relax.

kthanks.

Its just preference and tanking style that makes one better than the other. and Each is good in their own right.

[NoctisUmbra]

I hate to break it to you, but blocking less often, but for more damage negated

is EQUAL TO

blocking more often for less damage negated.


Math R hard.

Derp.

This is true. Add to this the fact that GLA has 2 skills that give you control over block rate, yet no skills that give you an increase in the amount you block for - and it's clear to me that higher a higher Block value is more desirable.

Either way, good thing there is a variety of shield choices. Clearly it is a matter of opinion, in the end which shield type a GLA wishes to tank with.