my jab/fend ama questions

[fledgeling]

ok, so Im making a jab/fend ama.

but Im having some problems and need some answers.

basically I dont know if I should choose fend or jab.. I think Ill use fend later, because now I cant use any good pikes (only level 26)

my gear is:
gibbin (30% more damage).. I need something better here.. maybe a rare with fhr?? or a 244 if you know euro.. however 244 costs a soj.

etlich amu (+1, life leech)

twitch (10str10dex is helpfull, so is 20%ias..)

manald ring, cathan ring (Ill switch it later to a 6% ll, dual res.. hopefully ar ring.. or a dual leech ring 4/6)

deaths gloves and belt (cant be frozen, 15 all res, 30IAS)

goblin toes - DOES CRUSHING BLOW WORK WITH JAB OR FEND?
Im not sure about fend, but it seems not to work with jab

as for weapons: now Im using a yaggi pike (crappy, but gives res.. and 40IAS)
next I will use a tannr pike - but 0 IAS..
later I have a 168dmg 30ias pike and a 200dmg 0ias lance with +1..

the problem is the IAS
does anyone know the breakpoints?

with 90ias now.. Im so slooooow
I could use sigon gloves+helmet for 30ias (instead of death) and a goldwrap for 10more ias - I would have 100then..
What are the IAS breakpoints for fend and jab?

or maybe I should use sigon gloves/helmet + and the unique 30fhr belt?

as for armors.. Id like to drop the twitch.. and use a GS.. is it a good idea? or maybe a silk, for the +1 and ability to drop manald.. basically in hell I will have minus resists.. unless I use death+gs.. (well I cant afford a tripple res fhr helmet if such even exist)



as for skill points.. lack of shield is really irritating. now I have 40% first avoid (next point is 42% is it worth it?), 41% 2nd, 29% 3rd
42% critical, 5pts (with etlich) to penetrate

I dont know what to max.. I will probably test later if fend is really better and put pts there.. put 2 pts in valk health and max valk + max fend?
I dont know how much AR will I need.. fend technically gives 300% ar


my problems are low hp (I need 110str and 88dex for pike -_-, or 100 and 78 if using twitch) and actually fend seems to miss everything..
or maybe my level is too low for nm? (lvl 26)

[Dacar92]

Use jab. Fend is broken in 1.11 if you put points into dodge/avoid/evade. If you are fending and go into a D/A/E animation, the rest of your fend will miss. There are many threads about this in the Zon forum.

[fredsta54]

Fend is awful

Jab is the only viable way

Dont even think about impale

You can go 1h or 2h

Lance or yari will work, speed vs dmg but they both perform about the same

Going 1h with a swordback +harpoon will work

Crushing blow does transfer, and its an essential thing to have


Is this for pvp or pvm? the answer to this will help me determin some gear choices for u

Search google for diablo 2 weapon speed calculater and click on the first result... it will serve you well




EDIT: if you are poor then going 1h with a 15ed harpoon will be far better than a mediocre rare lance//yari

if you are rich and have the connection, a high ed 40 ias 2h spear is more styling, but it does leave you vunerable


Twitch//deaths gloves is needed for a 5 fpa jab while using a harpoon







Fred

[fredsta54]

Fend is awful

Jab is the only viable way

Dont even think about impale

You can go 1h or 2h

Lance or yari will work, speed vs dmg but they both perform about the same

Going 1h with a swordback +harpoon will work

Crushing blow does transfer, and its an essential thing to have


Is this for pvp or pvm? the answer to this will help me determin some gear choices for u

Search google for diablo 2 weapon speed calculater and click on the first result... it will serve you well




EDIT: if you are poor then going 1h with a 15ed harpoon will be far better than a mediocre rare lance//yari

if you are rich and have the connection, a high ed 40 ias 2h spear is more styling, but it does leave you vunerable


Twitch//deaths combo is needed for a 5 fpa jab while using a harpoon







Fred

[fledgeling]

Ive allready put points in evade/avoid/dodge

and I miss a lot :/

that explains it

fend level 13 ain't THAT bad tho, but it's not too good :/
and with a shield the damage will be too small I think :(