The shield's triumphant return to DDO

[Sydril]

How about making it viable to use a shield again?

What about a fighter enhancement line that provides static stacking DR via a shield.

There are 70 ac TWF monk builds tumbling all over insulting people with tower shields.

How about a shield AC enhancement line?

How about about we make some better shields for the loot tables?

How about we do anything to give a reason for people to not make yet another TWF build.

[elraido]

How about making it viable to use a shield again?

What about a fighter enhancement line that provides static stacking DR via a shield.

There are 70 ac TWF monk builds tumbling all over insulting people with tower shields.

How about a shield AC enhancement line?

How about about we make some better shields for the loot tables?

How about we do anything to give a reason for people to not make yet another TWF build.

Aren't there already like 50 threads like this?

[DelScorcho]

/not signed. If the devs did make shields worthwhile, people would didn't have shields would complain, and then there would be a massive "Nerf the Shield" movement. Lets keep it gimpy. Far less work that way ...

[Pyromaniac]

Shields are useful, they clutter up our loot tables so we can't get something we want.

/not signed but I have a suggestion - please up the gold piece value of all shields...

[Sydril]

those of you who are lobbying against the improvement of shield use..what are you lobbying for? more imbalance? More advantages for two weapon fighting? Frankly I'm really surprised the devs let things get this out of balance. Its not that difficult to provide small things to improve game balance. The only people I see toting around shields are clerics and intimitanks, and only about 50% of those.

[Bronko]

those of you who are lobbying against the improvement of shield use..what are you lobbying for? more imbalance? More advantages for two weapon fighting? Frankly I'm really surprised the devs let things get this out of balance. Its not that difficult to provide small things to improve game balance. The only people I see toting around shields are clerics and intimitanks, and only about 50% of those.

I hate to point out the obvious cause-effect of your statement, but did you ever consider that the reason hardly anyone is using shield any more is simply because they have become out-scaled and obsolete? If shields actually counted for something in regards to AC (or anything else for the matter) you might see a resurgence of characters using them.

I hate these threads, but I hate the imbalance even more. My fingers clicked on 'reply' before I could do anything about it. This reply is in no way intended to flame, diminish, or otherwise belittle Sydril's or anyone else's argument.

[Borror0]

Shields are useful, they clutter up our loot tables so we can't get something we want.

This amuses me greatly.

[Elaril]

There are 70 ac TWF monk builds tumbling all over insulting people with tower shields.

That is a great line.

[coolpenguin410]

/signed

There was a time, back in the good ole' days, when a cleric would refuse to heal some THF'ers unless they went sword and board. Not that I agree with that sentiment, but still, shields had a purpose.

Now, there's no real way to use a shield to up your AC as there is already and that's fine. I don't really agree with enhancements that increase your AC either.

However, I did see another thread that suggested spontaneous DR from your shield. That might work.

And I ask, is 'becaues some people will complain' a valid reason to not do something? What could the high-AC, non-shield user possibly complain about? That they take more damage than shield users but STILL GET HIT LESS OFTEN? Really?

[Sydril]

Another nice enhancement / prestige line for fighters might be elemental resistances via shield. 1-4 point cost line for 3,6,9,12 resistances. prereq shield mastery etc.

[negative]

There was a time, back in the good ole' days, when a cleric would refuse to heal some THF'ers unless they went sword and board. Not that I agree with that sentiment, but still, shields had a purpose.

In retrospec, that was one of the worst things that happened back during Mod1-3.

I know a few returning vets, who are casual players who had built SnB barbarians (what a backwards idea that was even then) and now they all need to reroll. Which is fine, except they don't play enough to do that.

[William_the_Bat]

Shields are uber! up until around level 10, when they stop scaling up. After that they get suckier and suckier as everyone else's AC continues to rise and yours does not.

[icculus]

I know a few returning vets, who are casual players who had built SnB barbarians (what a backwards idea that was even then) and now they all need to reroll.

No need to re-roll at all: ANY S&B Barb can easily re-spec into THF for ~3 Dragonshards... That said, Barbs do make good intimitanks as well.

[negative]

No need to re-roll at all: ANY S&B Barb can easily re-spec into THF for ~3 Dragonshards... That said, Barbs do make good intimitanks as well.

Some that I know also have stat point issues, but that may be unrelated.

And I agree, barbs can make good intimitanks. But those builds rely on DR and HP, not AC.

On topic, I'm all for seeing shields get a boost somehow. Not sure what the OP suggests is the best (why should only fighters get the enhancements) but something does need to be done.

[coolpenguin410]

In retrospec, that was one of the worst things that happened back during Mod1-3.

I know a few returning vets, who are casual players who had built SnB barbarians (what a backwards idea that was even then) and now they all need to reroll. Which is fine, except they don't play enough to do that.

Actually, I know of a S&B barb who's a great tank to have in your party. He's 16 barb, took the Tower Shield Prof feat and has an unbuffed AC in the high 40's. Think of it: 400+ HP, high AC, Exp Retreat, Dim Door and Teleport clickies from feats, +50% healing from enhancements and items, and swinging a bastard sword with a 30+ strength...that's all before raging.

[Borror0]

[...] and has an unbuffed AC in the high 40's.

Hello. How are you?

[negative]

Actually, I know of a S&B barb who's a great tank to have in your party. He's 16 barb, took the Tower Shield Prof feat and has an unbuffed AC in the high 40's. Think of it: 400+ HP, high AC, Exp Retreat, Dim Door and Teleport clickies from feats, +50% healing from enhancements and items, and swinging a bastard sword with a 30+ strength...that's all before raging.

LOL Good one

You are joking...right?

[Noctus]

Actually, I know of a S&B barb who's a great tank to have in your party. He's 16 barb, took the Tower Shield Prof feat and has an unbuffed AC in the high 40's. Think of it: 400+ HP, high AC, Exp Retreat, Dim Door and Teleport clickies from feats, +50% healing from enhancements and items, and swinging a bastard sword with a 30+ strength...that's all before raging.

Huh? Huuuuh?!?

took the Tower Shield Prof featand has an unbuffed AC in the high 40's.

So that means if he doesnt rage he has an AC in the low 50´s most of the time = barely noticeable. Thats where AC starts working, but not to an extend where you see much of a difference.

that's all before raging.

If he doesnt rage he is basically a Fighter without Bonus feats. If he rages his AC goes down to where it has no effect any more.
---> All the AC effort for vain while still suffereing low DPS or renouncing 80% of your classe´s abilities to have a barely noticeable AC.

400+ HP

This is nice for a melee, but far from extraordinary. Average.

Exp Retreat, Dim Door and Teleport clickies from feats,

They are nice when soloing, but have no gain when you are fighting. They only offer convenience for the player, not combat prowess.

+50% healing from enhancements and items,

This is finally am ability where the character shines. If he is intimidate-tanking specced.
Okay HP, DR from blocking with the Tower Shield and easy healing up. Thats a nice combo.

But dont try to play this character as either AC or DPS, because it has neither with a Tower Shield on his arm.

[Sydril]

the defender enhancements looks great. definitely a good start to seeing more shield users in the game. *high fives devs*.

[Aesop]

the defender enhancements looks great. definitely a good start to seeing more shield users in the game. *high fives devs*.

Its actually not a good game design in my opinion. What it does is further pidgeon hole the fighting style. PrEs should not be required to fix a style. What they need to do is fix the basic problems with the style not add more glop on top. PrEs wouldn't need to be so overpowered if they would just focus on the cake and leave the icing for later.

Aesop