What to put in sockets?

[TheRealVertical]

I'm hoping I can get some advice on what to put into a two-socket Godly Scarab Husk.

Here is a quick rundown of my situation:

My build is a Trapassin, level 74... I use Lightning Sentry, Mind Blast, Death Sentry, and my Shadow Master for my attacks.

My resists are pretty low on their own (in Hell, obviously). I think I'm hovering just about 5 on Fire and Cold, I've got 38 for lightning, and 26 for Poison.

My equipment (please feel free to laugh... I have *terrible* stuff, IMO):

Helm: Peasant Crown Unique War Hat
Body Armor: The aforementioned Godly Scarab Husk, def. of 1356
Belt: Gloom's Trap Unique Mesh Belt
Boots: (Hmm, can't remember off-hand)
Gloves: Magefist Unique Light Gauntlets
Shield: The Ward Unique Ancient Shield (I used the cube recipe to upgrade from Gothic Shield) with +46 to resist all, and def. of 206
Amulet: Some rare Amulet with +1 Assassin Skills. I also have the Eye Unique Ammy, but don't use it.
Ring1: Can't remember, but it's probably crappy
Ring2: See ring 1
Weapon: This is the funny one. I'm just using a basic Cestus that has +1 to traps. I never do hand-to-hand combat anyway, so no biggie.

Swap weapon 1: Some rare claws that have no real value
Swap weapon 2: Magic scissors katar with +2 to Shadow Master

So there you have it. The basic run-down. Now I'm sort of at an impass as to what to put into the sockets on my Scarab Husk. I need better resists, obviously, but I don't know if it's worth that. I could always find a socketed shield and toss some PDiamonds in there, or get resists from charms or better rings.

I'm curious as to what "Damage Reduced by #" stuff does. I mean, I see "damage reduced by 2/3/4/5" and I think "so what? These guys that are hitting me are probably doing around 200-300 damage, at least, so what difference could having that be reduced by 5 do?"

Am I not understanding that concept? What's the deal there? Is that something I should be looking for?

Anyway, any help is appreciated.

[Black-Water]

okey.. lets start with the soccets...

obviously you are in need of resists.. in hell what you have aint enough.
you could try to get resist all juwels or UM runes, but that is probably to expensive. so i think puttnig the single resist runes in there is the best option. can't remember them by head, but they are like ral, thul and 2 more there. i think fire and lightning resists are moost important.

now the damage reduced by X.
there are 2 versions on this.. damage reduced by X, and damage reduced by X % <---- its the percentage that makes the difference.

as you say.. these guys hit pretty hard in hell, so indeed.. damage reduced by 3 wouldn't help all that much.. a hit from 200 points would still do 197 dmg.

if however you get dmg reduced by 3% a 200 hit points blow would deal you 194 dmg.

this seems a small difference.. but certain items will give you up to 30% (shaftstop armor) or even 35% (stormshield) reduction.
and certain blows are more painfull then 200 hitpoints, specialy some aura enhanced unique monsters can do a lot more.

so say you have 30%, and get hit by a 500 hitpoint blow... you actualy receive 350 dmg... saves 150 points..

hope i helped

[GenXCub]

I agree, go with a Ral/Ort socket for +30 in fire and lightning. I don't think the armor is worth wasting more expensive runes.

[TheRealVertical]

Thanks for the help, guys. Ral and Ort give the fire and lightning resists, respectively, so maybe I'll go that way. When I have fade activated I have maxed lightning resist, and (I believe) maxed poison resists, so would it be more prudent to put a Thul and a Ral to get Fire and Cold up? I don't see too many cold-damage monsters around, so I'm wondering if that's worth it.

[GenXCub]

Yeah, forgot you had fade. Go with whatever gives you your max resists. OR, use the ORT for lightning in your armor and perhaps upgrade another piece of equipment that you're using that you may have only been keeping to give you Lightning Resists.

Cold Resists are key for doing Mephisto. If you kill Bremm, he can be conviction Aura and Cold Enchanted. This can mean death at high levels.

[Frankeinstein]

what act Hell you in? Sometimes shopping can help you out. If you go to Anya & pop in & uot of her portal, her items change. Do'nt gamble, just look at her trade stuff. I got a pair of godly trapper claws from her & a few lesser quality ones. She is also good for resist all shields too.

Try it, it works for me. If you are playing SP (single player) mode, then check out the sp forum. I used to trade alot there. If your on b-net non ladder east...
maybe you'll catch me on i'll help you out.

w*gr8fl_dead