Blademark's Docent

[Drimsdale]

Is the Blademark's Docent useful for a Barbarian? DR 5/Magic is only really useful until your natural DR surpasses it, but Lifeshield (10% chance on hit of 15 temporary HP) seems interesting. Can it trigger on hits that your DR absorbs? And can you use the temporary HP to pay for Frenzies?

Which other docents are good for a Barbarian in the early levels?

[MrCow]

Can it trigger on hits that your DR absorbs? And can you use the temporary HP to pay for Frenzies?

I haven't played with Life Shield since module 9, but I never got temporary HP from it unless I took damage (it was decently noticeable as I was doing it in a Warforged Favored Soul sporting DR 15/Adamantine and a Life Shield returning weapon).

Yes, you can use temporary HP to fuel abilities that consume HP, such as Frenzy and Divine Sacrifice.

Which other docents are good for a Barbarian in the early levels?

There will be a fair amount of personal preference for what works best. Some folks like the Docent of Blood for better divine healing (as they plan to take damage). Some who can stand it use Fearsome, as it is good at mitigating damage in the lower levels against melee assailants. I used to stick with the highest +AC docent I could find, as at those levels any Warforged can have a usable AC, but the DR and Life Shield properties of the Blademark's Docent have changed my thoughts for level 5-9 docent usage.

[Consumer]

I use a mod fort docent from level 6 to 11 on my WF, if I could get a mod fort ring I would switch to the blademark docent.

[Arctigis]

I use a mod fort docent from level 6 to 11 on my WF, if I could get a mod fort ring I would switch to the blademark docent.

That's what I've done on my new fighter. Managed to pick up a mod fort ring for buttons on the AH - a definite
rare event on Thelanis these days! 300k +2 stat items anyone?

It's a good combo.

[BlackSteel]

looks nice up to lvl 10 if you have a DoD to replace it, otherwise its useful until you grab a DT set.

the epic version isnt really a Barb armor tho. Unless you want to wear it solely for the lifeshield. The DR is redundant. And the slots can be expensive (altho only a minor issue)

its very nice for any class that doesnt get a higher DR naturally.

[lolwatboomer]

looks nice up to lvl 10 if you have a DoD to replace it, otherwise its useful until you grab a DT set.

the epic version isnt really a Barb armor tho. Unless you want to wear it solely for the lifeshield. The DR is redundant. And the slots can be expensive (altho only a minor issue)

its very nice for any class that doesnt get a higher DR naturally.

tbh I would find the blademark docent much better if you weren't say... tanking a single boss.

proc rate on DoD isn't very high anyways (whereas the lifeshield is >conc opp), and when it's active the crippling is just terrible. I'd hotswap between the two depending on what I'm fighting.

[eulogy098]

personally, if i were a lowbie barb running pugs and such, i would be using Docent of Blood over it. Do not underestimate the benefit of Docent of Blood. I used it up until i got my Dragontouched docent near perfect.

(Docent of blood stacks with EVERYTHING, including other 10% items (such as Finger Necklace which also has unique stacking properties))