trapper - 2 claws or hoto and a shield ?

[xxtyrsxx]

which is better ??? i know dual claw will give you more damage .. but how about running hoto and ss (socketed with a hel rune) .. u will get fcr for mindblasting .. just wondering what all you trappers are using ?

[Hunt3r_kill4]

I would say go HotO + SS

the + skills are not crucial so dr and block is more important

[xxtyrsxx]

thats wasting a ton of stats though on dex to get max block ?

[DoC-Makaveli]

i prefer hoto/santuary with an optional block equip :) (see my guide)

[gods_pawn]

I use HOTO/SS, but I have an Enigma on, so getting the extra str was not too hard.

Overall, it's better for DR and more blocking %'s.

[Nomad_k9]

thats wasting a ton of stats though on dex to get max block ?
You could offcourse also "waste" a lot of skill points on clawblock.

[bipolar]

I'm going to dissent from the conventional wisdom here. :) I have a somewhat unorthodox build. I can solo Hell (at least so far, up to A3), just have to go a bit slowly. I used claw + shield until 79 when I could complete Natalya's Set with the claw. From that point on, went to dual claw. Full set bonus includes +2 to shadow disciplines and +3 to all skills ... with decent mods on second claw (even a +2 to all is easily shopped in about 15 minutes via NM Anya) you're looking at about 48% block at least, not counting any plus skills on jewelry or skill charms. Also provides a nice boost to Fade, which I use over BoS for maxed resists in hell and damage reduction. So, blocking goes down a little bit, but your resists/survivability will be at least as good from your improved fade (resists + damage reduction) that you'll get from the +skills on your second claw, with the additional bonus of better traps and shadow master. Plus, Weapon Block can block some things that a shield can't. It's a pretty fun build and my gear is all very cheap and accessible for the most part. Probably my claws are the most expensive: Nat's claw goes for Um, and my secondary claw (+2 all/+1 shadow master/ +2 death sentry) ... well, not sure what that goes for, but probably in the same ballpark. And as I said, a generic +2 all is easily found until you get something better.

[miyulight]

i think it depends, if you want to max claw blocking, note that claw blocking blocks alot of magical spells too, like fireball (life saver)
you can gets up to 62% with + skills and maxed. and for your claws, you most definately need cunning claws (+3 traps)of quickness (40 ias) or something taht gives ias, setting traps is based of your attack speed ( have no idea why ). you can shop for them at anya. good luck though :howdy:

ps: if you gets +2 traps claw with +3 ls, with the quickness mod, your rich now! :drink: :winner: :buddies:

[Zkin]

dual claws. if i get hit im doing it wrong.

using:

3 traps + 1 lightning sentry (shael x2 )
1 clean blade talon with 20 % ias 3 traps.

circlet + 3 traps 2x dex
Amus +3 traps 19 dex, + 3 traps 85 hp

[FX-Amanda]

sins should use dual claws =)

using 2 +3 ls claws fury and chaos

[=Lo=]

ps: if you gets +2 traps claw with +3 ls, with the quickness mod, your rich now! :drink: :winner: :buddies:
I have a Cunning Greater Talons of Quickness
+3 Trap
+2 Sentry
+40% ias
weapon speed is -30 and it has 40ias, very fast, any idea how rich this will make me ?

And to help answer your question, I made a hoto ss trapper and the cast rate is great for mb/tele if your wanting to trap vs trap. If your mainly in pubbys or team pk games then go claw/claw, weapon block is amazing. I scrapped my hoto sin and went back to c/c.