Vita Smiter vs. Def. Smiter vs. V/T vs. T/V

[sraid]

Vita Smiter vs. Def. Smiter vs. V/T vs. T/V

I love playing with my smiter, and so I have decided to try to make him my main character and 'as perfect as possible.'

My smiter currently is using HoZ and Shako (over CoA and Exile), and all plain 20 life SCs (will upgrade). He has 5k+ life and VERY low defense.

My question is, which is the most effective build in pubs?

My smiter
Defensive build smiter (CoA, Exile, life/def SCs, etc)
V/T (following guide on forum)
T/V (following guide on forum)

And, why?

 

[yuqing]

Def build isnt useful in pubs, as most of the characters are casters and smiters. Def is only useful versus melee builds such a BvC, BvB, Zealer, Etc, and you won't run into much of those in pubs, except the BvC. Vita smiters will win over def smiter in all match-ups except versus melee. I would prefer a T/V over V/T for having smite as a back up rather then main. There are advantages and disadvantages to both though. T/V will have a tighter build then V/T.

 

[sraid]

I see what you mean. However, the characters that give me a hard time are BvCs (all the hammerdins I meet suck). Is there a way to add gear/alter to give me a leg-up over BvCs? Ceglaw's/HF flashes perhaps? Will that help with my build?

And how would you compare T/Vs with Smiters? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

 

[mainaman]

you can keep def/life scs in stash if you have space and also use high def vortex exile. using cubed eth enigma will help too.

 

[sraid]

I was thinking of rebuilding into a T/V.

Obviously a weaker smiter and less life (PCombs instead of some life SCs), but how do these fair in pubs? Better or worse than straight-up smiters? Strengths? Weaknesses?

 

[Arutha]

I was thinking of rebuilding into a T/V.

Obviously a weaker smiter and less life (PCombs instead of some life SCs), but how do these fair in pubs? Better or worse than straight-up smiters? Strengths? Weaknesses?

well comparing my v/t to a pure smiter I have less life at only 4.2k but higher smite dmg than those who use all sc's of vita, at 3.2k on the lying char screen. In fact smite vs. smite I still manage to beat some smiters that have 5k life due to the higher dmg(the pure vita smiters that are in the 90's I lose to smite vs. smite but not by much) but unlike a pure smiter I have a 4.7k foh (not great but still effective) to fall back on. Comes in great for those WW barbs that keep there distance or hammerdins.

 

[saellison]

If BvC's are giving you trouble get 40K+ defense via exile, maybe an ethereal enigma whatever you have to do. Get Max Dr, throw on Gleglaws gloves for the slow, Learn how to flash holy freeze and tele smite. If you do all that you will be a BvC killing machine.

 

[sraid]

If BvC's are giving you trouble get 40K+ defense via exile, maybe an ethereal enigma whatever you have to do. Get Max Dr, throw on Gleglaws gloves for the slow, Learn how to flash holy freeze and tele smite. If you do all that you will be a BvC killing machine.

Hm. I guess I have to decide if it's worth it to pump strength for a CoA (it will be impossible to get max DR without CoA) as I will have 41 DR with a 1.6k exile (I grabbed one today). Ceglaw's will be easy to switch with Bloodfist for the occasional BvC.

Would you guys recommend adding strength for the CoA option? I could also add a 20/14+ dual stat/modded ring for help with the CoA. Is it worth it though for the 9 D.R.?

 

[Camden]

41 dr is enough; it's not worth pumping strength. OR get a ber/15 res -15 req coa. Really the whole point of a defensive build is to stack up defense to not get hit. And similarly, if you're using an exile as a switch only, you'll need to worry instead about making up stats from gear to up enough dex for maxblock in that setup.

Imo, it's not worth entirely compromising stats and builds simply for a single setup used vs a single class.

 

[sraid]

41 dr is enough; it's not worth pumping strength. OR get a ber/15 res -15 req coa. Really the whole point of a defensive build is to stack up defense to not get hit. And similarly, if you're using an exile as a switch only, you'll need to worry instead about making up stats from gear to up enough dex for maxblock in that setup.

Imo, it's not worth entirely compromising stats and builds simply for a single setup used vs a single class.

Well, that insight might actually provide an answer:

See, the thing is I have all the gear lieing around that I will need for this.
2 CoA's (2/27+/14,15) not being used. I can Hel one of them and stick the Ber and jewel in. Then:

20 Dex Ravenfrost and 20/14 dual stat/modded ring in place of BKs (BK life is not BOable anyway, right?). The 34 dex will get me max block on the 1.6k exile easy.

Does anyone see a problem with this?

 

[hardnfast]

I can use CoA on my T/V with base strength. I get the extra strength from treks / rare ammy and gloves.

 

[sraid]

I can use CoA on my T/V with base strength. I get the extra strength from treks / rare ammy and gloves.

True. But, I'd rather not take the Waterwalks away (dex for PB/max block and +65 life), and gloves will be Ceglaws in this case.

 

[akumaxxyz]

add a little str, it gives you flexibility, you can use stuff like 3pcom 100life amu which gives way better life than those few more stats of vita

 

[sraid]

Still curious as to where T/V excells over smiter. What is it stronger/weaker against?

Also, can T/V's FOH do serious damage to someone not stacking is it more of a support?

 

[hardnfast]

Still curious as to where T/V excells over smiter. What is it stronger/weaker against?

Also, can T/V's FOH do serious damage to someone not stacking is it more of a support?

I think they are stronger vs all except smite vs smite.

Myn packs a 5k FoH.

 

[Dennis_KoreanGuy]

I would choose Temp/Vindi.

Still curious as to where T/V excells over smiter. What is it stronger/weaker against?

Also, can T/V's FOH do serious damage to someone not stacking is it more of a support?

T/V outperforms smiter in many scenarios, most basic being casters easier to catch with FoH.

Yes, T/V's can do some major foh damage. A lot of them have higher foh than even mages. Its all in how you balance it though.

Personally, I like the inbetween of T/V and V/T, not a smite/defiance based build but not 1pt smite either, get it?

 

[sraid]

I would choose Temp/Vindi.

T/V outperforms smiter in many scenarios, most basic being casters easier to catch with FoH.

Yes, T/V's can do some major foh damage. A lot of them have higher foh than even mages. Its all in how you balance it though.

Personally, I like the inbetween of T/V and V/T, not a smite/defiance based build but not 1pt smite either, get it?

So you're suggesting a complete 50/50 rather than leaning one direction?

 

[Mythatic]

T/V is more well-rounded, a bit lower smite damage, and big boost on secondary attack, which is FOH.

I'm happy with my T/V, currently working on Liberator though.