Stormshield... the best?

[Senshiki]

Stormshield... the best?

This question is very assassin-related, but it isn't quite for that forum since this could apply to everyone.

I will start out by saying that all Monarch-type shields and Ward-type shield (both diplay the same graphic) look horrible on most characters. Nevermind, all characters. They are stupid looking-and the yellow on white deal looks ridiculous. Unfortunately, the most powerful and popular shield in the game, Stormshield, is like this.

Now, I enjoy this game, and I get into the character development a bit more. I like to focus on my avatar, and have her look her part. However, for killing purposes, obviously the best shield is the right choice. But then I was thinking...

Why are Stormshields so great? (This is a rhetorical question.) The main things I think people go for are:

-Resists
-Blocking
-Damage Reduction

The strength is nice, but it already takes so much strength to wear it in the first place.

So I went looking to refresh my memory on other options, since people (including myself) have gotten so preoccupied with what is the "overall" best game gear. I will admit, Stormshield is amazing, but I think some people need to asses their build a bit before jumping to the conclusion that what everyone uses is what is the best choice. Here's why:

Most assassin builds will use Fade. Burst of Speed is great, but with the hell resistance penalty, the occasional Conviction aura, lower resist, and high damaging attacks, Fade is used a bit more I think. Not only for resist, but some people still don't know that it gives damage reduction as well. In fact, it give enough so that employing the use of Vampire Gaze, Verdungo's, or other +DR gear will be sufficent without the use of SS. Gaze and Dungo's alone give 35% if perfect.

So with that in mind, let's cross the use of DR% off the list for SS. Now there is the high resist and blocking left. There is another choice that gives almost the same blocking and BETTER (potentially) resistances. It is a classic gem known to all veteran Diablo 2 players as:

Moser's Blessed Circle

+180-220% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+25% Increased Chance of Blocking
30% Faster Block Rate
All Resistances +25
Socketed (2)

Oh yes. Moser's. Probably the best item in terms of usage to cheapness. Easy to get, with virtually endgame mods. Sticking two perfect diamonds into Moser's Blessed Circle will result in +63 resist all. The only thing it lacks to Stormshield is defense and 5% faster block rate.

For the purpose of the assassin, however, I feel that an Up'd Moser's is the best deal. Even an elite Luna version of Moser's only requires 100 strength, saving you lot's of strength points for more vitality.

And to top it off, it doesn't have that horrible look of a kite shield. It rules.

The point of this is simply to show that sometimes what the masses go for isn't the number one choice. Don't be afraid to do some digging of your own and see if you can get a setup that works for you. And if anyone calls you a noob, roll off with your head held high, because at least you had the brains to check.

 

[double]

i use 2 pdiamond mosers on my zon it rocks,i have p diamond lidless on switch for that +1 skill when needed
:thumbsup:

 

[Crowd Control]

Assa's are popular dual wielders of Katar's because they can block magic/elemental attacks as well, iirc (could be just magic/elemental projectiles).

 

[stephan]

Ok, I'm going to keep this Assassin related.

Most assassin builds will use Fade. Burst of Speed is great, but with the hell resistance penalty, the occasional Conviction aura, lower resist, and high damaging attacks, Fade is used a bit more I think. Not only for resist, but some people still don't know that it gives damage reduction as well. In fact, it give enough so that employing the use of Vampire Gaze, Verdungo's, or other +DR gear will be sufficent without the use of SS. Gaze and Dungo's alone give 35% if perfect.

Most Assasins will use fade, but few will be putting 20 points in it. The only Assassin that really wants to wear a SS is a kicker, and a kicker should always have Guillaume's for PvM. A verdungo's or SoE could be used (it complimens SS rather nicely anyway), but many still prefer Thundergods.

Moser's Blessed Circle

+180-220% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+25% Increased Chance of Blocking
30% Faster Block Rate
All Resistances +25
Socketed (2)

Oh yes. Moser's. Probably the best item in terms of usage to cheapness. Easy to get, with virtually endgame mods. Sticking two perfect diamonds into Moser's Blessed Circle will result in +63 resist all. The only thing it lacks to Stormshield is defense and 5% faster block rate.

I'd say what a non-upped Moser's really lacks (and what you don't mention) is a decent chance to block. At level 85 a Moser's requires 221 dex for max block, a SS requires 193.

For the purpose of the assassin, however, I feel that an Up'd Moser's is the best deal. Even an elite Luna version of Moser's only requires 100 strength, saving you lot's of strength points for more vitality.

As a kicker you are going to spend those points anyway because you want upped gores or shadow dancers as end game boots. When you have to up it it's not really any cheaper than SS either.

And to top it off, it doesn't have that horrible look of a kite shield. It rules.

Anyone who thinks the look of small shields is any better than a kite shield needs to get his eyes checked. :tongue:

A shield the size of a saucer doesn't really look like it is going to block anything, anyway. :laugh:

The point of this is simply to show that sometimes what the masses go for isn't the number one choice. Don't be afraid to do some digging of your own and see if you can get a setup that works for you. And if anyone calls you a noob, roll off with your head held high, because at least you had the brains to check.

Sure Moser's is a decent cheap choice, but not best by far. On a budget I am more likely to pick a 'Rhyme' than a non-upped Moser's. The only good thing that can be said about Moser's is that it has massive resist, but resist is the easiest thing to compensate for in gear as practically any piece of gear (including charms) can come with it. A 1 point prebuffed fade should still hits ~50 res as well.

 

[krischan]

I'd say what a non-upped Moser's really lacks (and what you don't mention) is a decent chance to block. At level 85 a Moser's requires 221 dex for max block, a SS requires 193.

But you need 103 points less str for Moser's, so if just stats and maximum blocking are your concern, Moser's will be far more effective.

Anyway, a Stormshield also has massive DR, a massive defense, nice res bonuses and a nice str bonus which makes it the better shield, in particular if you need high str anyway, e.g. for a big weapon or heavy armor.

 

[stephan]

But you need 103 points less str for Moser's, so if just stats and maximum blocking are your concern, Moser's will be far more effective.

I started my post with keeping it assassin related (as stated by the OP). The only Assassin that normally uses SS is a kicker, which uses a minimum of 156 str anyway (upped gores).

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

Not to be a little negative, but this is a bit late. Stormshield has been off the charts for quite some time. Those kite looking shields you see everywhere are either Phoenix monarchs or Spirit monarchs, or 4-Facet Monarchs. Simple as that really.

Stormshield lost a lot of it's major use and is not really `the' shield to use anymore in my opinion. When damage reduction caps were lowered, the big chunk you get from StormShield (35%) became the less desirable part of the shield unless you based your character around the shield and one other item (shako or a belt with damage reduction, and you're done). A lot of popular equipment now has some damage reduction in it (helms, belts, armors) and since the cap is lower, the massive 35% is less of an issue.

So if you let go of damage reduction and just look at stormshield as it is, you're looking at a decent shield, but it's just got too much STR for what it is, when several shields have better blocking or similar blocking, better resists, and way less requirements. For example, a Sanctuary Troll Nest would be a superb shield if you don't need the damage reduction because you have it elsewhere. Likewise, several uniques are also great. And sadly, if you take away Damage reduction importance, Ryhme is basically better than Stormshield easily, having great blocking, resists, cannot be frozen, MF, etc, all built in for extremely cheap.

But that's why you can get a stormshield for a few pgems now.

If I were a Java and I was going to use a 156 str required shield, unless it's PVP, you can bet your buttons I would be using a Spirit Shield any day over Stormshield.

Cheers,

 

[inanefedaykin]

Stormshield is a PvP shield where the 35% dr and great blocking cover a lot of holes. Not too many builds are able to get DR without sacrificing gear they'd otherwise want and would be so much more effective.

 

[arcticknight]

I started my post with keeping it assassin related (as stated by the OP). The only Assassin that normally uses SS is a kicker, which uses a minimum of 156 str anyway (upped gores).

I know of some pretty good Trapsins that use stormshield for Pvp. And hit the highest bps I believe ( I don't play assasins much, so I don't know a whole lot about them). For Pvm, I would use stormshield if I was playing softcore. Hardcore I would use it though. Moser's looks pretty lame as well. I don't like any of the regular shields, Necro heads and pally shields look pretty good though.