socket question

[Khabarak]

ok i've never actually seen an answer to this anywhere else before:

I want to make a Rhyme shield, which needs 2 sockets. Now the easiest option is to go for grim shield which can have 2 sockets. But troll's nest (3 sockets) has a higher defense. Now the question is, can you use the cube recipe [1 Ko Rune + 1 Pul Rune + 1 Perfect Amethyst + Exceptional Rare Armor = Elite Rare Armor] to turn a 2 socket grim shield into a 2 socket troll's nest?
Another thing is, I read on Area Summit that when Larzuk sockets an item he only has a certain %chance to socket the item with its maximum # of sockets, so is it possible that Larzuk will socket a troll's nest with only 2 sockets and can u make Rhyme in it?
If anyone has any info on this it would be much appreciated.
Cheers :drink:

[Myrakh-2]

has a higher defense. Now the question is, can you use the cube recipe [1 Ko Rune + 1 Pul Rune + 1 Perfect Amethyst + Exceptional Rare Armor = Elite Rare Armor] to turn a 2 socket grim shield into a 2 socket troll's nest?

No.You COULD do that if it were a rare item (yellow text), but you can't put runewords into rare items, even if they have 2 sockets. So the question is no, you can't upgrade your grim shield.

Another thing is, I read on Area Summit that when Larzuk sockets an item he only has a certain %chance to socket the item with its maximum # of sockets

That's what it says, yes. I never socketed a normal item, so I don't really know the chances :-)

There is also another topic of interest here: the number of sockets you can get supposedly depends on the ilvl of the item. There is a list somewhere on d2net detailing this; I have no clue whether this list is correct.

So, you COULD try to get a troll nest that can only get 2 sockets, but getting it from an appropiate area with low enough mlvls. You might need to check whether monsters there can actually drop troll nests, though :-)

so is it possible that Larzuk will socket a troll's nest with only 2 sockets and can u make Rhyme in it?

If the shield has two sockets, you can Rhyme it. Doesn't matter if the shield type allows for 3 sockets; if it only has 2 then 2-rune runewords will work.

You cannot use a 3 socketed shield and leave the last socket empty; but from your post I gather you already know that :-)

The other thing: make sure you actually want to go through all this trouble. Is the defense worth the additional str requirements and trouble to get a suitable troll nest?

[totoer]

I think you should be able to easily find a 2-sockets troll nest. Really, it's not that hard, try to wander in hell cows, killing stuff, while wearing a minimum of magic find.
Just keep your eyes open.

But as Myrakh-2 stated, a 2-sockets grim shield is probably a better option, since you are only getting better defense, for a steep strength investment.

[Khabarak]

well I have high strength already (needed for skullders) so the strength requirement isn't a problem. Higher defense would be nice, since it's possible, but if I find a socketed grim somewhere i'll probably just end up using that, Shael isn't that hard to get anyway. So there's no cube recipe to get from Exceptional non-magical item to Elite item of same type?

[pitzuchim]

Or you could trade me for my 2 socket, 176 defense superior grim shield =P.

Oh, and don't forget, if you decide to look for a trolls nest, they require 106 strength.

[Khabarak]

Or you could trade me for my 2 socket, 176 defense superior grim shield =P.

Oh, and don't forget, if you decide to look for a trolls nest, they require 106 strength.

actually yeah i'll trade for it. what would you want for it? i'm on east ladder.

[Khabarak]

wait grim shields only go up to 151 defense

[IcemanJ256]

he said it's superior

[melianor]

Please do your trades in trade forum or via pm 8)

On topic: Favorite of all seem to be Grimshield for good defense and low requirements.

Tower Shield might not look that nice but it also provides good blocking!

Troll Nest give higher def, but with Rhyme you would not need that.

Heater simply looks very kewl!

[Harby]

I have a sup troll nest 198def 2 socketed in which I might make a rhyme. But I would trade is as well. *harby on europe ladder.

[Khabarak]

I have a sup troll nest 198def 2 socketed in which I might make a rhyme. But I would trade is as well. *harby on europe ladder.

Well at least I know it's possible. I'll keep an eye out. I would trade but I'm USEast ladder.

[Harby]

Well its for trade no more, I decided to make a splendor out of it :)