Shields...

[Bobbyearl]

Got a noob question, and hoping someone here can help.

Does the type of shield actually matter? I.e Buckler, Heavy, tower, etc...

I am just curious b/c i am looking at a buckler and everything about it is better than my previous heavy wooden shield. Is there just some common sense involved saying, "dumba$$ a heavy shield blocks more people it is bigger!" or does DDO just go straight off the description written about each item?

example: +5 buckler, shield bonus 4 > +2 heavy, shield bonus 3 ?

It just seems kind of ridiculous for my paladin to be running down with an itty bitty shield, but if the stats are better and the blocking the same i'll do it. For now... lol

Thanks

[Junts]

bucklers and light shields have a base ac of 1, heavy of 2 and tower of 4

add the enchantment to that to determine their total value: yes, the +5 buckler is superior to the +2 heavy shield, slightly. though a +5 heavy would be better.

tower hsields have a separate proficiency, you wont bea ble to use them without taking it or a fighter level, so use heavy shields when possible

[Bobbyearl]

I ask b/c i just found a badass buckler and everything is better than by heavy shield it even gives me extra AC... It just looks kind of stupid running around with this itty bitty shield.

DR is better, shield bonus is better, enhancement is better... everything. It just looks like so small and i cannot imagine being able to block as many people as a heavy shield

[William_the_Bat]

If I'm not mistaken, the blocking damage reduction of larger shields is higher, so a buckler with a large bonus would still be slightly lacking if you are shield blocking.

If you are going defender of siberys, picking up the tower shield feat might be a good idea. They have higher AC and even more blocking DR, at the expense of a -2 penalty to hit, but you'll need that feat or one of a handful of others to qualify for defender of siberys.

[Bobbyearl]

I am already a DOS... I just am kind of stuck at the moment needing some sort of fortification on my shield. Until i can get it somewhere else i am leaving it there and I have been unable to find a tower shield with it on there yet.

Tell the guys selling the heavy fortification belt to drop the price from 150k :P then i can get a nice tower shield. lol

here are the shields

+1 wooden heavy shield of lesser lightning guard woth moderate fortification
shield bonus 3 DR 3
it is a +5 shield

+3 steel buckler of moderate fortification
shield bonus 4 DR 4
it is a +6 shield

[William_the_Bat]

If you are level 11 or higher, then yeah, you do start needing heavy fortification. A lot of the monsters in gianthold in particular have improved critical, and enemy rogues can do some really bad sneak attack damage. Most VIPs end up with the minos legens helm from the orchard, you'll need 20 shreds of tapestry (looted from Orchard chests, but also sold in the Auction House) and you'll get a helm with heavy fortification and +20 HP. It's extrordinary usefulness is matched only by it's uglyness, which is why most high level players have their helmets not shown. If you are f2p, you could probably buy the shreds from the AH and get a VIP to give you an orchard guest pass for just long enough to get the helm by turning the shreds in to the NPC. (and make sure you get minos legens, the other helms are tantalizing, but do not have heavy fort and +20 HP)

[Junts]

I am already a DOS... I just am kind of stuck at the moment needing some sort of fortification on my shield. Until i can get it somewhere else i am leaving it there and I have been unable to find a tower shield with it on there yet.

Tell the guys selling the heavy fortification belt to drop the price from 150k :P then i can get a nice tower shield. lol

here are the shields

+1 wooden heavy shield of lesser lightning guard woth moderate fortification
shield bonus 3 DR 3
it is a +5 shield

+3 steel buckler of moderate fortification
shield bonus 4 DR 4
it is a +6 shield

minos legens.

[Bobbyearl]

while i have you guys attention... What should a level 10 DOS's AC be around? Saves too if you remember but AC mainly. I mostly play with friends, so i never really get to see how i am stacking up against other paldins around the same level.

Thanks again.

edit: I am a dorf as well...

[Junts]

while i have you guys attention... What should a level 10 DOS's AC be around? Saves too if you remember but AC mainly. I mostly play with friends, so i never really get to see how i am stacking up against other paldins around the same level.

Thanks again.

edit: I am a dorf as well...

With optimal gear you should be in the mid-40s.

get to level 11 and get minos legens .. asap.

[Aricin]

I mostly play with friends ...

U dont have any friends

[Bobbyearl]

if people are using that helm as their fortification item what are they using for + to intimidate? I currently have a +10 helm and have not seen anything even close to that