Shields

[Wolfandre]

I hate them. Different block strengths/rates on different stats while splitting stats with swords.

Look at the current Thordan sword and shield. Stats on the sword are actually really good. Completely avoided bum stats and accuracy. Maybe the weights could have been flipped, but I won't be picky, since that's what Gordian is for.

Then we get to the shield... A measly 1 point STR and VIT increase over the 200 shields and the lowdown: parry and skill speed. It's saving grace is that it is a scutum-style shield, clocking in a high block strength for Sheltron. If not for that, everyone would just rock the Esoterics shield for the crit.

This just....bothers me. Stat weights are split between sword and shield, offering an illusion of picking secondary stats vs block (I won't sit here and rant about the illusion of choice...). You're never going to pick the secondary stats, and block rates often differentiate from endgame shield to endgame shield.

Split stats also always seems backwards to me. The Thordan combo offers four lower stat weights rather than two fully weighted stats like every other weapon.

My solution?

Make three shield types. Buckler, Kite, Scutum. Remove stats from them and have block strength and block rate scale on ilevels just like every other piece of gear. Then add all of their stats back onto swords.

This makes sword selection more meaningful, as you're getting more stats per drop/purchase. This also makes shield selection by content way more meaningful as well, as you could choose the level of block strength/rate by content.

Will this change much in the 'BiS for <content>' argument? Not really, as scutums with Sheltron will always be king. But at least this way we don't get nerfed stats and a little more freedom with shield choice.

I mean, I'll even take three completely secondary stat identical shields per set with different block stats on each. Something.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[AlexiIvaniskavich]

I guess that SE decided because tower sheilds offered much more in block percentage, that they should also offer the least amout of offensive capabilities. Honestly, removing the stats off of sheilds would likely result in only gearing with scutum's in the future. It is an extra 8% damage mitigated on a singular attack every 30 seconds (basically it's foresight, on demand).

This is the one area where I refuse to min/max for offensive potential. The difference between the ThorEX shield and the upgraded ESO shield is 3 relative strength (this is also the same split between the ESO+ and Gordian). I am willing to sacrifice 3 strength this one time for that extra mitigation.

I don't believe that it would be balanced if all shields only had block rate/strength on them. I don't like the idea of having the best of both worlds, because there is no real choice, you would simply go with the biggest blocking shield.