attack and defence in 1.10

[Balthamel]

This isn't so much a newbie question as a new to 1.10 question. I know attack and defence have become really important in the new patch and that this is the reason my 1.09 barbarian dies as soon as he steps into hell.

What I need to know is about how much attack rating and defence rating is needed for meele characters to compete in hell? Also about how much damage and hitpoints are needed?

[Lilly.m]

I can't really answer your question, but I personally haven't paid much attention to my defense, only block % and resists. As for AR, I only have about 120 dex right now...but I'm using a weapon with -50% target defense. So like I said, that doesn't really help :thanks:

[Jackson]

Well, one thing is that AR and defense does not really help you if you are at a low level. A good level to achieve before starting hell is around level 65. If you are lower than that, it doesn't really hellp you if you have 1000 AR or 10000 AR because your chance to hit enemies will still be pretty low.

But if you want to check your "Chance to hit" and your "chance to BE hit" percentages, just open your character screen (C button on keyboard) and put your mouse cursor over where it says defense, and Attack Rating.

You shouldn't just depend on boosting DEX (dexterity) just to raise your defense and attack rating. That's considered to be foolish if you don't have any ITEMS to boost your attack rating and defense. DEX just raises attack rating and defense by a certain percentage for each point into dex. So, if you don't already have good AR or Defense to start out with, pumping dex won't help you much.

There are few items that are really good for AR or are good just in general. Some examples are Raven Frost, Angelic Ring and Amulet combo are just a few.

To raise defense, just wear bigger defense armor/ equipment, but also keeping in mind the strength requirements won't be too much.

One GOOD thing about putting points into dexterity is that it raises your chance to block. For almost all the characters (more about this as you read through the other forums), 75% block is good because it means that you're only getting hit 25% of the time from melee and other specific attacks.

Damage and life points would depend on what character you are.

[Subby_man]

The more life you have the longer you'll stay alive. A basic strategy for making a character is to put enought strenght for your highest intended peice of gear, enought dex (depend on character) for max block or base, and the rest into vitality. Leaving engery base because there will be tons of times that will add to your mana. There are always exceptions to this rule, but as I said this is a basic strategy.

EDIT: also the more damage you have the fast things die and less chance of them killing you first. Go for as much as you can get your grubby little paws on. :)