Weapon/Shield or C/C?
After a pretty long vacation from both D2 and duelling I've returned and am starting to make the forums and b.net relatively unsafe from my ever so raving presence. I'm just about to start up a Kicksin, because they've just becomed the coolest character ever in my eyes
I'm trying to evaluate whether I should go with Weapon/Shield or C/C set-up. I'm leaning towards the first, but a lot talks for the later. Until I got to thinking...
Okay, the main factor in this choice, is whether I want to be able to block elemental attacks or not.
However, the block rate would be stuck at 5 frames (if I'm correct).
Now, this where I got to thinking. Let's say you're faced with a Bone Necro, he has 125% FCR. Which would be (9) frames.
Technically and
purely theoretical, you would be able to block his first bone spear (at a 60% chance that is). However, let's say you have a certain distance
to run to get to him. We want to remain on top here, and if he's in a spamming run / got some walls or a golem up, we don't want to
DF him straight away.
Okay, so we manage to block that. That's 5 frames gone. Leaving us with 4 to start running. If the distance to run is X amount of frames
we can simple state that "ooops, here comes the next one". And again 60% block, running. Eventually he hits us and we die.
And even then, if we get up close and personal really early. 9 frames isn't enough to block lock us totally. But one block and he might be able to run a bit, or starting to tele out. But imagine Fire Ball sorcs, or Hydras, which faces us with several hydras, all blockable, and spitting several fire balls.
I'm of the opinion that it's better to not stand in the way of the punch. And since Weapon / Shield can deal so much more damage
and C/C can't we got our upperhand straight there. And C/C has very little chance vs. a 4-frame zealot, since the 60% block and 5 frames
won't keep us lasting very long.
And, in worst case scenarion, one can just keep 2 x Tuc's or Jade Talons (um:ed), 10 * shadow skillers and/or a soj or two in stash to duel elementals, if you're worried about the block.
Not mention the damage. As I see it, Azurewrath/Chaos gives you A LOT of unresistable damage, which, incidentally would for instance pass right through Bone Armor.
Of course, a C/C kicksin can use Chaos, but then she looses a lot of skill points in the end, and has to choose between block vs. damage, and versatility as she would pretty much sacrifice SOMETHING to get that block.
Would just like some input here, as I haven't tried any of the variants yet. I just remember that 1.09, even though a Sin could block smite it wasn't
very helpful in the long run.
Is the Claw Block good enough, or is it better to go with Weapon / Shield and aim for a clean kill within a few kicks?
After a pretty long vacation from both D2 and duelling I've returned and am starting to make the forums and b.net relatively unsafe from my ever so raving presence. I'm just about to start up a Kicksin, because they've just becomed the coolest character ever in my eyes
I'm trying to evaluate whether I should go with Weapon/Shield or C/C set-up. I'm leaning towards the first, but a lot talks for the later. Until I got to thinking...
Okay, the main factor in this choice, is whether I want to be able to block elemental attacks or not.
However, the block rate would be stuck at 5 frames (if I'm correct).
Now, this where I got to thinking. Let's say you're faced with a Bone Necro, he has 125% FCR. Which would be (9) frames.
Technically and
purely theoretical, you would be able to block his first bone spear (at a 60% chance that is). However, let's say you have a certain distance
to run to get to him. We want to remain on top here, and if he's in a spamming run / got some walls or a golem up, we don't want to
DF him straight away.
Okay, so we manage to block that. That's 5 frames gone. Leaving us with 4 to start running. If the distance to run is X amount of frames
we can simple state that "ooops, here comes the next one". And again 60% block, running. Eventually he hits us and we die.
And even then, if we get up close and personal really early. 9 frames isn't enough to block lock us totally. But one block and he might be able to run a bit, or starting to tele out. But imagine Fire Ball sorcs, or Hydras, which faces us with several hydras, all blockable, and spitting several fire balls.
I'm of the opinion that it's better to not stand in the way of the punch. And since Weapon / Shield can deal so much more damage
and C/C can't we got our upperhand straight there. And C/C has very little chance vs. a 4-frame zealot, since the 60% block and 5 frames
won't keep us lasting very long.
And, in worst case scenarion, one can just keep 2 x Tuc's or Jade Talons (um:ed), 10 * shadow skillers and/or a soj or two in stash to duel elementals, if you're worried about the block.
Not mention the damage. As I see it, Azurewrath/Chaos gives you A LOT of unresistable damage, which, incidentally would for instance pass right through Bone Armor.
Of course, a C/C kicksin can use Chaos, but then she looses a lot of skill points in the end, and has to choose between block vs. damage, and versatility as she would pretty much sacrifice SOMETHING to get that block.
Would just like some input here, as I haven't tried any of the variants yet. I just remember that 1.09, even though a Sin could block smite it wasn't
very helpful in the long run.
Is the Claw Block good enough, or is it better to go with Weapon / Shield and aim for a clean kill within a few kicks?