Trapper Suggestions

[Silkweed]

Well, my trapper died, so I'm rebuilding her, but this time I'm considering going C/S instead of C/C. I just wanted to get some information on which people prefer.

If you go to the Assassin forum, any questions about trappers will get you redirected to JRichard's build, but he makes no mention of using a shield, and doesn't even address a C/C or C/S debate. If there's a good reason for it, I'm missing it.

Now, the obvious benefit to using dual claws is that you get more +skills for your traps. The downside is that your blocking goes down a whole lot, which means that you might get dead sooner. There's claw blocking, but it's likely that you've only got a point or two in it, so it works out to be like 25-30% blocking. I remember that for a while, claw blocking didn't suffer the 1/3 running penalty that using a shield implicates, and it's also supposed to be able to block some magic spells, but my information is outdated. If someone could tell me what the deal with claw block is, I'd appreciate it.

With a shield, well, you get more safety, basically. I know that assassins have CoS and MB at their disposal, but sometimes you just get hit, and with my late trapper's case, it was a one hit kill (well, actually I think it was the FE bug). Presumably, you'd have to put a little bit more into strength and dexterity to equip it, but on all of my other characters, I've found that to be a readily acceptable trade off.

I'm torn though. I'm pretty sure I could make things work with a C/Cer and I like the idea of having more +traps, but I'm attracted to the security that a shield offers, especially in Hardcore.

I've included a poll.

[Matt]

I say dual claw. put a decent amount into claw block and you're lookin at 50-60% blocking, and it blocks some otherwise unblockable things... (mostly pvp, but I'm sure some of them apply to pvm as well)

The +skills tops it off. They both seem pretty viable to me.. If I were you, I'd build around what you have. If you have a good shield, c/s seems good, if not, c/c. I think you'll find both work well, and its more personal prefrence/playing style that should be the final determination.

-Matt

[Aerath]

C/C; BUT, that's AFTER you've geared up a bit.

Till end of NM, you really can't beat a good Rhyme shield.

After you get some decent claws and a +skill circlet/necklace, you'll only need a few points in Clawblock to get to the 50% mark (which is what I'd be aiming for).

And, as you said in your RIP thread post... Really, use Fade. Not BoS, unless your stats are great without that Fade.

[PhatTrumpet]

Everything about your post screams C/C to me.
There's claw blocking, but it's likely that you've only got a point or two in it, so it works out to be like 25-30% blocking.
There's part of your problem: it's not really a one point wonder. You want at least 50%, and it's well worth the skill point investment.
I remember that for a while, claw blocking didn't suffer the 1/3 running penalty that using a shield implicates, and it's also supposed to be able to block some magic spells, but my information is outdated. If someone could tell me what the deal with claw block is, I'd appreciate it.
I remember this being common knowledge, then being just a rumor, then being disproven all together... it would be a good question for the Sin Forum.
With a shield, well, you get more safety, basically. I know that assassins have CoS and MB at their disposal, but sometimes you just get hit, and with my late trapper's case, it was a one hit kill (well, actually I think it was the FE bug). Presumably, you'd have to put a little bit more into strength and dexterity to equip it, but on all of my other characters, I've found that to be a readily acceptable trade off.
The "more safety" is relative. With C/C you can essentially go base str/dex, which amounts to a ton of vit and thus a ton of life. Compare that with trying to go for max block with a shield: you might be looking at ~200 or more stat points needed between str and dex, and that's 600 life.
I'm torn though. I'm pretty sure I could make things work with a C/Cer and I like the idea of having more +traps, but I'm attracted to the security that a shield offers, especially in Hardcore.
Ever heard that the best offense is a good defense? Well the opposite is often true in D2: if monsters aren't alive long enough to attack, how can they kill you? With Fade, ~50% block, and a Holy Freeze Merc you've really got enough defense. Time to back it up with some damage.

The choice basically comes down to [huge life, huge damage, and 50% block] vs. [ok life, ok damage, and an extra 25% block]... no-brainer if you ask me. Plus, a Nightmare FE explosion death is not something you should be blaming on your build.

[MoUsE_WiZ]

Weapon block works at 0% while moving (including walking). It does block most magical projectiles. This is a nice added layer of protection against TPPK, but for the most part it's not all that helpful (worth a point for sure, but not compared to the block of shield I mean), because the way I play trappers at least I tend to take advantage of the fact that they can deal their damage while running around to avoid taking hits.

Expensive trappers tend to use hoto/spirit.
Xey's trapper used ??/spirit.
Most pvm trappers with shields I see are ??/spirit.
Personally I prefer c/c.

Basic break down of my opinion:
spirit/hoto -- very nice indeed, but I'd rather use the vex elsewhere... put it towards eventually building a coh or infinity for the trapper, after aquiring both of those I assume I could also afford 3/3 or 2/3 claws and would rather have +10-12 skills than +5 on my weapons ^^

??/spirit with block - not worth the 900 or so life you lose imo.

??/spirit without block - stats on spirit vs tucs (or whatever) doesn't make up for the loss of weapon block imo.

??/whistan/moser/ss/whatever - overkill on saftey for a pvm trapper, I've never lost a trapper actually (aside from my 96 which I lost because I wanted to lose her dueling) and they've all been c/c. I've never been left wanting for the added safety of shield block.

[Silkweed]

Seems pretty unanimous. Guess I'll try my luck with a C/C er again. I've thought about putting some more points into Claw Block, but I think it's just a better idea just to keep moving and not stand still. It's gonna be 0% most of the time anyway just from all the moving I do. This way I can still max all the synergies by level 98, which isn't to say that I'll ever get there, but I like knowing that it's possible.

Thanks for the sound advice, guys!

[Aerath]

If I recall correctly, you'll need about 10 skillpoints to get to the 45-50% block rate.

2 on head, 2 on ammy, 2 on both claws combined.

Leaves you with 4 points to invest. And this is a fairly conservative estimate, assuming basic, shopbought gear for the most part.

[xeyloderixed]

ive never used spirit on a non sork~ i think u meant 3 pdiamond kite shield :D

anyway, c/c all the way. not that sins get hit that often, and theres something wrong with you if you cant run away from a pack with bos on and ~1500 life.

just remember to max res~ thats how my last sin died (some cefe imp teled on top of me when i was wearing ~400 mf gear)