shields

[psychotic_mage]

Which is more important, a shield's block strength or block rate?

[Tyrial]

Both. Assuming you're not level 50 and going after a relic already, you'll need to make a choice as to how you want to play. Tower shields offer higher block strength with lower block rate. Bucklers are the flip side off that with higher block rate, but lower block strength. While leveling I carried two different shields with me until I was able to use Kite shields (which offer a balanced mix of block strength and rate) and finally Relic.

What to use varies on your situation and personal preference though.

[Maelwys]

Which is more important, a shield's block strength or block rate?

Given the choice, I'd take a more-reliable low decrease in damage over a less-reliable high decrease in damage.
It makes the damage you take over time more consistent, which decreases the likelihood you'll die to unlucky spikes and lets your healers more easily gauge how much support they need to give you.
The flip side is that with high block strength but low rate, you'd have a chance to be lucky and block a VERY BIG hit that'd otherwise kill you.

So for me it'd be rate. But on most high-endgame equipment the two stats tend to be identical.

[Strelnikov]

Given the choice, I'd take a more-reliable low decrease in damage over a less-reliable high decrease in damage.
It makes the damage you take over time more consistent, which decreases the likelihood you'll die to unlucky spikes and lets your healers more easily gauge how much support they need to give you.
The flip side is that with high block strength but low rate, you'd have a chance to be lucky and block a VERY BIG hit that'd otherwise kill you.

So for me it'd be rate. But on most high-endgame equipment the two stats tend to be identical.

Thanks!! Best explanation I have heard so far

[KristianFortNox]

To be honest I like balance of both strength and block rate. The reason is that more I block and i got the strength I can take damage better in my opinion. I love have balance of both I used love Block strength but i realize I am not blocking as much. i haven't use any shield that more Shield Strength with my ability called Bulwark that i have 90% block rate.

I have question does the shield's Block Strength does it effect Shield Lob? If anyone knows that will be great.

[psychotic_mage]

Thanks. Ive been going with higher rate to try to block more often. Ill keep it up till I get one that has good strength and rate