SS or Phoenix?

[Neurofuzzy]

I got a Phoenix shield offered in a recent trade, in USeast NL (available since end of ladder season). This has probably been discussed before, but since I dont play ladder I never payed attention to the arguments. Would a Phoenix shield be better than SS for a barb? It seems quite good with the up to 400% Enhanced Damage! I would appreciate oppinions or a link to a former discussion. Thanks.

[Halciet]

SS is better than phoenix for barbarians. Phoenix requires a massive amount of dex to actually block with it, and if you wanted a damage boost, you'd be better off with a Beast in the off-hand.

-Hal

[Neurofuzzy]

Well, u really would need a lot of dex to get the Phoenix to 75% block, but at least u get SOME block and the 400% ED. The main loss from giving up SS could be the 35% DR. With beast (I have one) I get hit a lot (at least that has been my experience, but maybe I am doing something wrong...).

[asdfghjk]

Take SS, still the king of melee shields.

Phoenix nice for ed, but no other outstanding mods on it.

[Mastashanglang]

Take SS, still the king of melee shields.

Phoenix nice for ed, but no other outstanding mods on it.

shadow dancers add 30 dex =) but gores are better...

[Herald of Doom]

Well, u really would need a lot of dex to get the Phoenix to 75% block, but at least u get SOME block and the 400% ED. The main loss from giving up SS could be the 35% DR. With beast (I have one) I get hit a lot (at least that has been my experience, but maybe I am doing something wrong...).
SS offers:

Damage Reduced By 35% <- reason nr1 to use it
+30 to Strength <- thats 30ed% and also str to use other items
25% Increased Chance of Blocking (= 72% block) <-- less dex= more life

Rest of stats is gravy, because vs casters you use dualwield anyway, so resist isn't needed.

Phoenix offers:

+350-400 Enhanced Damage (varies)
+50 To Life

Rest gravy (for pvp anyway, redemption is very nice for pvm). Now, is +50 life the same as 30+str and the dex that is needed for max block? No, it's not. Is 35% dmg reduce better than 400% ed? If you use phoenix you need to get dmg reduce elsewhere, which is going to be hard (switch arreats for coa? Switch fort/duress for something with dmg reduce? Big disadvantages there). So, I'd still use SS.

HoD

[mastermind]

a storm shield is far superior becasue you can get max block rate which is 75 whjich means less dex points so you will need stormshield especially for dueling.

Also storm has high def plus a good feature whoich most ppl like is the 35% dr which comes in very handy

I got a phoenix on my non ladder char and if i do use it i use it for pvm or maybe caster but other than that not for a bvb cuz you will loose.

also the redemtion aura does come in very handy as well

the 350% to 400% ed damage is good but it more for a pvm not for dueling.

Against pro barbs in duels and other good chars you prolly would get shreadded with it.

[sonikki_]

only char id possibly see it worth wearing a phoenix is paladin.. maybe in a decent block shield with base ed or res.