This is an interesting perspective. My understanding has always been that Kites are the middle ground when it comes to shields, they are level in both rate and strength of block. Buckler / round shields have high block rate but low block strength, Towers have low block rate but high block strength, kites are as I mentioned, the middle ground, a block rate and strength somewhere in the middle of the two.

I had wondered if the 76 extra block rate you get from kite(in this case HA) is that much more important than the 108 block strength you give up. If the percentages above are close to correct it looks to be interesting. I would prefer to block 11% more 4% less of the time, I mean, I am still blocking for more right?

Also, I could be wrong on this, but doesn't Bulwark have more of an impact on shields with less block rate? How is the 60% applied, is it the *1.6? Or is it a flat 60%? What I like about Bulwark when I use it is the 42ish% blocked I see when it's active. Is there clear evidence on how it actually works? What of clear numbers on block rate %'s?

Syn