Def +dmg vs Life?

[Katharsis]

Hey guys,

im in the process of making a pvp ww axe barb (using a shield when melee), and im wondering if i should get a mageplate enigma and therefore be able to invest more in vita or just get a duskshroud for around 200+ def, but with a bit less life. the mage plate way grants me more life while the dusk grants me more def(il be maxing shout) and a bit more dmg due to the extra str.

what do u guys think i should do?

thanks

[Herald of Doom]

I'd take the Dusk for an all-rounder, or even better an archon. If you were BvC i'd say mageplate without a doubt, but vs melee opponents you'll need all the defense you can get.

HoD

[Halciet]

Yeah, though if you're going to bvb, you're going to need something with a lot more defense than enigma, so all and all I'd probably go mageplate and get a second suit to keep in the stash for melee (maybe duress or stone).

-Hal

[Katharsis]

uh oh..

If Im going to switch between enigma and stone or duress... I wont be able to keep a base str of 55(for mage) anyways.. or am i wrong here?

i was thinking of a setup like the one mentioned in the pvp ww guide.... so i get most of my +str items when i have about 120str.. how do i fill the gap between 55 and 111(ebotd) without enigma?

thanks

[Halciet]

That's why I got around 81 base strength. Of course, you could use strength stacking with two fal/fal echoers to give you a lot of strength, equip, then switch back to your main weapons.

-Hal

[Katharsis]

thx Hal, Ive got one q though... do you rely on anni for +str?

im thinking... i could get something like 80ish str to then use dracs+stone to reach 111, or dracs+anni to reach it using duress. however, Id rather not have anni on this char considering he will probably be one of my most capable d clone killers.

also,do dracs>steelrends? Is the open wounds so potent as to overpower a wooping 60ish ed and 10% crushing blow? if anyone could shed light on this matter, it would be great.

thank you

[Halciet]

Yeah, I used annihilus on my guy. And yes, dracs are much better than rends for pvp; open wounds really, REALLY tears up.

-Hal