Bulwark

[Torunya]

So I'd like to direct your attention to this L46 cooldown called Bulwark, a Paladin ability.

Every time I've used Bulwark during a large pull, or for a tank buster lately, I feel like it doesn't mitigate any damage at all. It's like the increased block rate doesn't even matter. I've been a career Paladin for a long time, but I don't remember having any issues with Bulwark before. Although I'm pretty confident there is something I'm not seeing here. I hope I'm not the only one feeling like something is wrong with this ability.

If anyone proficient at math or something could shed some light on this, I'd be very grateful.

[Sarcatica]

If you feel that way, perhaps you aren't facing front against the mobs. Block/parry don't work if the attack is magical too. It is bound to block attacks during large pulls. For tank busters though, 100% reliability is for you to use Sheltron if you know it's going to hit you.

[Torunya]

If you feel that way, perhaps you aren't facing front against the mobs.

Why any tank would ever turn their butt to the boss is beyond me. Don't worry.

You also cannot block or parry while casting

Honestly, I was not aware of this. It's information like this that makes me not regret having to look like an idiot for asking these questions. Thank you kindly. =)

[Ragology]

Why any tank would ever turn their butt to the boss is beyond me. Don't worry.

I think Enemy "gaze" types attacks will miss if you turn your back to them. Like a basilisk trying to turn you to stone.

[Torunya]

snip

Except for petrification mechanics and the likes, obviously.

[Ragology]

Except for petrification mechanics and the likes, obviously.

Oh, does turning away still work on the boss in void ark though?

[Jim_Berry]

First, I'd like to say that Bulwark isn't true mitigation like "Rampart" or "Shadowskin".

Bulwark only increase Block Rate by 60%. There's that other 40% where it DON'T trigger.

Couple Bulwark + Sheltron, and you're safe.

[Cabalabob]

Bulwark is an additive 60% block rate increase, coupled with your natural block rate so if you had a 20% block rate and used bulwark you'd have 80%. If you have a tower shield you'll notice you block less than with a kite shield during bulwark because of its naturally lower block rate, but each block mitigates more.

Never use bulwark alone for a tank buster, couple it with a proper cd, even a minor one like foresight or Shelton.

You only block or parry when facing an enemy so anything behind or on your flank won't be blocked, locking on to an enemy helps make sure you're always facing them.

You also cannot block or parry while casting, so if you're using stoneskin or clemency during bulwark you're negating the effect.

Finally you can't block magic attacks, so if the tank buster is magical or the trash pull is magic only (like elementals) then bulwark or any cooldown to do with block/parry is redundant.

[JackFross]

First, I'd like to say that Bulwark isn't true mitigation like "Rampart" or "Shadowskin".

Bulwark only increase Block Rate by 60%. There's that other 40% where it DON'T trigger.

Couple Bulwark + Sheltron, and you're safe.

It's less than 40%. Your shield has a base block chance of >0%. :0

Never couple Bulwark with Sheltron. That's silly. Sheltron is an instant block. Assuming you have say 15% block rate with your base, using Sheltron alone is +85% block rate. If you use it with Bulwark active, you're sitting at 75% natural rate, so Sheltron is only doing the extra +25%. Unless a physical tank buster comes in the duration of Bulwark, Sheltron is strictly pointless during those 15s.

Finally you can't block magic attacks, so if the tank buster is magical or the trash pull is magic only (like elementals) then bulwark or any cooldown to do with block/parry is redundant.

It's not redundant. Redundancy implies that you're stacking something with one effect on top of something else with the same effect when the additional thing is not necessary. A good example is the above - using Sheltron during Bulwark is redundant. Stacking parry on a Paladin is redundant.

Using Bulwark or Sheltron against a horde of elementals is useless, pointless, or ineffective, not redundant.

[Cabalabob]

It's less than 40%. Your shield has a base block chance of >0%. :0

Never couple Bulwark with Sheltron. That's silly. Sheltron is an instant block. Assuming you have say 15% block rate with your base, using Sheltron alone is +85% block rate. If you use it with Bulwark active, you're sitting at 75% natural rate, so Sheltron is only doing the extra +25%. Unless a physical tank buster comes in the duration of Bulwark, Sheltron is strictly pointless during those 15s.


It's not redundant. Redundancy implies that you're stacking something with one effect on top of something else with the same effect when the additional thing is not necessary. A good example is the above - using Sheltron during Bulwark is redundant. Stacking parry on a Paladin is redundant.

Using Bulwark or Sheltron against a horde of elementals is useless, pointless, or ineffective, not redundant.

If a tank buster is coming and you're only using bulwark you're leaving yourself at the mercy of RNG, if you have Shelton up you guarantee that you will reduce the tank buster with a block and then also have an increased chance to block everything that comes after, if you have no cd's up except bulwark and Shelton when a physical tank buster comes you should most definitely use them together, you'll want to block multiple hits to make sure you don't get 1 shot after the tank buster and you want to KNOW you're going to block the tank buster itself.

Yes you could use them sequentially but then you leave yourself open to animation lag so it's simply safer to use them together.

redundant
rɪˈdʌnd(ə)nt/
adjective
not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous.
"an appropriate use for a redundant church"
synonyms: unnecessary, not required, inessential, unessential, needless, unneeded, uncalled for, dispensable, disposable, expendable, unwanted, useless