When to stop using a shield

[riexau]

At what point does AC stop mattering? I'm thinking gianthold. But even in gianthold, 53ac with a shield is worthwhile right? (it's been a while since I levelled an AC build)

Anyone have any thoughts?

[Impaqt]

Your using a Shield on a Ranger?

The only time I've ever pulled out a Shield on my Ranger is when I'm Primary on Suulomedes and need to slow don my DPS so the orthons dont pop too soon.

Is 53 worthwhile on Gianthold? SUre.... But not at the expense of dual weilding DPS imo.

[kingfisher]

level 3?

[riexau]

Your using a Shield on a Ranger?

The only time I've ever pulled out a Shield on my Ranger is when I'm Primary on Suulomedes and need to slow don my DPS so the orthons dont pop too soon.

Is 53 worthwhile on Gianthold? SUre.... But not at the expense of dual weilding DPS imo.

Nowhere near that level lol yet.

More to the point at level 5, when you're -2 to hit from twf, -5 to hit from power attack, the extra 7ac is worth more than 1 attack right?

Even at level 8 I'd be willing to say that 45ac (not getting hit at all) vs 37ac (getting hit 50% of the time) is almost worth it.

Dunno, just musing randomly.

[Impaqt]

Nowhere near that level lol yet.

More to the point at level 5, when you're -2 to hit from twf, -5 to hit from power attack, the extra 7ac is worth more than 1 attack right?

Even at level 8 I'd be willing to say that 45ac (not getting hit at all) vs 37ac (getting hit 50% of the time) is almost worth it.

Dunno, just musing randomly.


Your ALWAYS -2 for TWFing. It never goes away.

Um, turn Off Power attack?

How are you getting +7 at Level 5?

Sheild CLicky can make up 4 of the Sheild AC right there
Tempest at l6 Makes up another 2 (Until mod 9 anyway)

[Osharan_Tregarth]

I don't generally bother with twf'ing on my ranger builds until level 6, when I get improved twf'ing. The tradeoff in damage taken isn't generally worth it to me to kill something that extra half a second faster.

[bandyman1]

Your ALWAYS -2 for TWFing. It never goes away. Yep.

Um, turn Off Power attack?

How are you getting +7 at Level 5? +5 HSshield RR whatever is min level 4. That's +7 AC.

Sheild CLicky can make up 4 of the Sheild AC right there
Tempest at l6 Makes up another 2 (Until mod 9 anyway)


Personally, I don't bother with TWFing on a ranger until I reach level 6. Tempest + ITWFing makes the AC hit worth the trade off, untill then it's not worth the extra attack IMHO.

[Thrudh]

Personally, I don't bother with TWFing on a ranger until I reach level 6. Tempest + ITWFing makes the AC hit worth the trade off, untill then it's not worth the extra attack IMHO.

I'm the same... Level 6 is when I start dual-weilding

If you can get a 53 AC in Gianthold... keep the shield around for tough moments (cleric is dead, party is being overwhelmed).

Also get some shield clickables, and you can get a 50 AC while dual-weilding.. which is pretty decent in Gianthold...

[riexau]

Level 6 is what I think as well. Keeping the shield on hand for big fights and when the cleric is lom is what I've been doing. The tempest AC bonus stacking with shields until mod9 is nice as well :p

a +5 rr shield is level 6, but a +4 rr shield (6ac) with a ritual (+1ac) is level 4.

[Gol]

No sooner than when you get Imp TWF. No later than your Monk splash. Not splashing monk = reroll :p

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Can't give an exact answer.

My rule is start a familiar quest 2WF....if I find I'm getting beat up alot, put on a shield. If I'm still getting beat up adjust my tactics.....try not to get agro, 2WF from behind if possible....or even whip out a bow.

I always have a shield in a quick slot....if for nothing else but shield blocking while healing. And I start unfamiliar quests carrying a shield.

Rgrs have the luxury of being able to use several different styles of combat well.

Depends on how bad you are getting beat up and whether carrying the shield helps prevent that or not.

[riexau]

I think I'd rather stay pure and not splash anything - sure the current capstone is lackluster, but it's been annouced that there will be multiple capstones per class.

Plus a 5th FE and +2 dmg is always nice :D

I think 9 is the magic number for a complete changeover. +5 stat items, girds, chaosgardes, +4 barkskin and imp crit are really enough to warrant 2wf all the time. I'd say 1-5 shield owns all, 6-8 the dps tradeoff for survivabilty is equal (use your preference), 9+ twf, no excuses. And of course, always carry a towel, er shield, for emergencies.

Just my thoughts anyhow.

[boldarblood]

Shields? We don't need no stinking shields